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The Subjective Experiences of People with an Intellectual Disability and Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Who are Detained in a Medium Secure Unit
Author(s) -
Cookson Alex,
Dickson Joanne M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2010.00554.x
Subject(s) - superordinate goals , psychology , intellectual disability , normalization (sociology) , diagnosis of schizophrenia , perception , interpretative phenomenological analysis , psychosis , psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , unit (ring theory) , clinical psychology , qualitative research , social psychology , social science , neuroscience , sociology , anthropology , mathematics education
Background This paper examines the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, in secure care, with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The paper specifically looks at the perceptions of the participants in relation to their diagnosis and experience of psychosis. Method Eleven adults with intellectual disabilities in a medium secure unit were interviewed about their experiences and understanding of their diagnosis of schizophrenia and symptoms of psychosis. The transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results Three Superordinate themes were evident within the data as well as several subthemes; (i) reality of symptoms (voices as controlling/malevolent, symptoms as a real lived experience); (ii) making sense/a search for meaning (normalization, religious/spiritual explanation, psychotic symptoms as a sign of illness) and (iii) Perceptions of being labelled. Conclusion The results highlighted that people with intellectual disabilities hold multiple frameworks in understanding both their diagnosis of schizophrenia and the associated symptoms of psychosis. The findings provide further insight into the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, specifically those detained within a medium secure unit. The clinical implications are discussed in terms of developing services and therapeutic approaches.