Unawareness of the disease in patients with schizophrenia: diagnosis and insight-oriented psychotherapy

Relevance. Phenomenon of patients' unawareness of their illness (insight) is a pathognomonic diagnostic criterion that distinguishes schizophrenia from many other psychiatric disorders. More than half of patients with schizophrenia do not realize their illness that makes their treatment more difficult. Diagnosis of insight in patients with schizophrenia is an important issue. The volume and content of rehabilitation programs depends on it. The purpose of research is to study the structure of insight in patients with schizophrenia, its relationship with certain clinical, social and psychological indicators, and to assess the influence of insight-oriented psychotherapy on the outcomes of schizophrenia. Material and methods. 237 patients with schizophrenia were studied: 139 (58.6 %) men and 98 (41.4 %) women aged 18-35 years. Patients of the main group (122 people) received pharmacotherapy and were included in the program of insight-oriented psychotherapy. Patients of the comparison group (115 people) received standard treatment. Measurement of the insight level was carried out using the scale of unawareness of mental disorder (SUMD). To study social indicators the scale of social functioning in various spheres was used (Zaitsev, 1999). The quality of life level and social stigma were measured by WHOQOL-BREF and adapted version of the self-stigmatization scale (SSMIS). Evaluation of outcomes in schizophrenia was carried out using the IMR and RMQ scales. The level of cognitive functioning was assessed by the GACF-CogFu scale. The severity of depression was measured by the scale developed by Beck (BDI). The mechanisms of psychological defense were assessed using the scale of R. Plutchik, H. Kellerman (1979). Mathematical processing of the results was also carried out. Results. Correlations were found between a higher level of patient awareness of the disease and its better prognosis (r= -0.507; p