Patient Perspectives on Learning of a Psychosis Diagnosis

Background: The experience of receiving psychiatric diagnoses is under researched. The impact of how an individual receives a diagnosis of psychosis, as used in early intervention services is particularly lacking in empirical understanding. Method: Participants were recruited from an early intervention for psychosis team in the south-east of England. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10 participants who were selected using a random sampling methodology, participants were aged between 21 and 61. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Analysis of the interviews created four themes: “No easy way to say”, “Setting the tone”, “Power” and “Changing perspective”. The themes illustrate the individualised nature of what makes for a good experience of diagnosis, the impact that the diagnostic meeting has on the early beliefs and understanding that individuals form about their diagnosis, the awareness and impact of power dynamics within services and the ways individuals go on to make sense of their diagnosis. Conclusions: Individual perceptions of the diagnostic experience are unique, influenced by individual characteristics, level of prior knowledge and individual context. Diagnosis should be approached by clinicians in a person-centred way that aims to meet the information and communication needs of each individual as early as possible. It should be assumed that internalised stigma will result from the diagnosis and steps taken to mitigate for this as the early negative impacts of the diagnosis can be processed and addressed, ideally with a network of support.