IntroductionIn Lithuania psychiatrist's service are easily accessible due to a wide network of Mental Health Centers; however, specialists recognize the existence of information gap, myths and attitudes that discourage well-timed appeal.Method, resultsThe project has guaranteed access for anybody to anonymous, free consultation on any problem from a psychologist, the possibility being introduced on the website of Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital. The ways of communication are via e-mail or online/Skype (specialists are available at given hours). During two years approximately 1000 people has appealed concerning a variety of problems (from problems in interpersonal relations to complicated situations that urgently required interventions from mental health specialist). During our work we have discovered that about 25% required direct help from a psychiatrist, we were trying to keep emphatic contact and rapport with them, to give well-timed emotional support, to encourage and motivate to see a specialist eye-to-eye, to help to overcome fear of the first appeal, to dispel myths and attitudes towards psychiatrists, which are still present in our society. About 10% were appealing due to dangerous, troublesome behavior of their closest relatives, friends. They were also extensively informed about possibilities and ways of getting help.ConclusionThe Internet, simple to use, easy accessible for anonymous services that require low material resources, opens up new possibilities to inform/educate people, to help them overcoming fear of the first help appeal from a specialist, to encourage and motivate search for direct help, to provide with adequate, extensive and well-timed information.
Metaglossotherapy (MGT) is the method of treating schizophrenic patients by teaching them a new foreign language. Training of brain and establishing new associations during the course of MGT treatment has a positive influence on schizophrenic patients.Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of MGT in treating schizophrenic patients.Methods:7 long-stay male schizophrenic patients took part in the program, which lasted 5 months, 5 sessions of MGT a week. Patients were learning English. Evoked potential N400 was registered at baseline and after MGT in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. Dynamics of mental state was evaluated with help of PANSS.Results:During MGT significant changes in motivation, behavior, non-verbal expressions and emotional state of patients were observed. PANSS: negative and positive symptoms became milder, changes are statistically significant. N400 responses of schizophrenic patient do not depend on the congruity of sentence endings. Compared with healthy subjects patients generate N400 with smaller amplitude and larger latency.Conclusions:Application of MGT can create possibilities for schizophrenic patients for better relationships with the environment, to help them overcome social and emotional isolation. It is very important that activities would be led by the persons who have practical experience to work with schizophrenic patients. MGT may affect patient's response to semantic congruent sentences.
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