Service Users’ Experiences of Receiving Information about a First Episode of Psychosis: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Literature Review: There is scant literature available on service users’ experiences of receiving a mental health diagnosis. Six databases were methodologically searched for qualitative research addressing this area. Seven papers were found to be appropriate for inclusion into this qualitative literature review. These papers were found to be methodologically sound following quality appraisal using criteria suggested by Yardley (2000) and Meyrick (2006). Papers were then subject to a narrative synthesis to explore them for themes that were common across all papers. Five themes were discovered to describe service users’ experiences of receiving a variety of mental health diagnoses: ‘Growing Awareness’, ‘Dichotomy of Diagnosis’, ‘Relationships’, ‘Loss’ and ‘Access to Support’. Clinical implications of this review are considered. Research Report: A search of six databases identified a gap in the literature for a paper exploring service users’ experiences of receiving information about a first episode of psychosis. This research aimed to investigate the experiences of service users in Early Intervention in Psychosis Services receiving information, which may include a diagnosis or psychosis or schizophrenia. A qualitative approach was favoured and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was selected to analyse the semi-structured interview transcripts of seven participants. Three themes were found during analysis: ‘Having an Official Condition’, ‘Being the Patient ‘and ‘Construing Identity’. These themes emphasise the official nature of diagnosis and participants’ experiences of feeling subordinate as well as the influence of participants’ existing knowledge and popular social representations on the impact of the diagnosis. Clinical recommendations are discussed. Critical Appraisal: The Critical Appraisal offered the opportunity to reflect on the research process. Recruitment was problematic in this research, which is discussed. Methodological limitations of the research are considered and proposals for future work are suggested. Reflections on the personal journey of the research process are also discussed.