Psychiatric Illness and Personal Narrative: Implications for Social Networking in the Information Age

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Author(s): Edward Kim (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, USA)
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 7
Source title: User-Driven Healthcare and Narrative Medicine: Utilizing Collaborative Social Networks and Technologies
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Rakesh Biswas (People’s College of Medical Sciences, India)and Carmel Mary Martin (Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Canada)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-097-6.ch023

Keywords: Health Information Systems / Medical Information Science Reference / Medicine & Healthcare

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Abstract

Psychiatric illness is perhaps the richest and most challenging narrative for consumers to develop because core symptoms of disease may distort perceptual and interpretative brain functions. These distortions may fragment and disrupt personal narratives of wellness, illness, and recovery. Advances in psychopharmacology enable better management of core symptoms, while evidence-based psychotherapies help consumers manage residual symptoms and reduce relapse risk. So-called recovery-oriented treatments that focus on improving functioning and success in life, relationships, and work enable consumers to pursue goals that are not limited to managing their disease. These advances in the management of psychiatric illness create opportunities and needs for greater social awareness and integration. As Internet access becomes more common among all strata of societies, the use of the Web-based social networking may accelerate the development of new models of recovery. Social networking may expand the consumer’s understanding of their past and present through web-based shared discussions with other consumers and professionals. Online psychiatric-related activity generally falls into several categories related to information acquisition, treatment facilitation, and social networking. Professional and consumer education are available on the Internet, though the quality of information may be variable depending on whether or not the material undergoes scientific review. Virtual communities (VCs) may range from professional communities of practice to peer-based support networks comprised of consumers alone or consumers and professionals. The tension between confidentiality and transparency, and the potential for deception due to anonymity are ethical challenges that must be addressed as VCs and social networking evolve in health care.

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Psychiatric Illness and Personal Narrative: Implications for Social Networking in the Information Age

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