62nd Annual Meeting

October 26 - 31, 2015

Clinical Case Conference 4 (open)

Four Shades of Gray: Ethics, Catatonia, Stigma, and Treatment Resistance

It is imperative for clinicians to be culturally sensitive to the needs of different cultures, and effectively recognize and manage potential barriers to treatment in diverse populations. Misinformation or lack of information about mental health and mental illnesses is commonly seen in many families, but is especially compounded in situations where stigma is present. The recognition and management of these barriers are particularly important in the management of first episode psychosis because of the impact on long-term prognosis for the patient. Discussion covers factors that impact a patient’s presentation, management, and care, and the ethical-legal issues and interplay of multiple systems of care involved in treatment.