Pathological Journeys or Help Seeking Behavior: The Case of Travelers to Geneva, An International City

A. Eytan, S. Favre, M. Gex-fabry, L. Borras, F. Ferrero, G. Bertschy
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引用次数: 6

Abstract

Several international organizations have their headquarters in Geneva and are thus hypothesized to attract both people seeking help for human right abuses and also pathological travelers. The present study aimed at characterizing pathological travelers, a population seldom studied in psychiatry. Patients referred for pathological journeys to the only psychiatric hospital in Geneva were retrospectively identified on the basis of medical certificates. Their medical records were then analyzed. The study covered a 4-year period. Seventy-six patients were identified. They were in majority male, aged less than 50 and single; 62% came from European countries and 84% had some prior psychiatric history; 58% were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, mainly schizophrenia, acute transient psychotic disorder and delusional disorder. Sixteen patients (21%) had been attracted to Geneva specifically because of its international organizations, while 60 came for other reasons. Prevalence of persecutory delusions was significantly higher among travelers attracted by the "interna- tional Geneva" (88% versus 43%, P<0.005). Pathological journeys represent an identifiable cause of psychiatric hospitali- zation in Geneva. Prospective studies should be conducted using a more precise and restrictive definition of this entity in order to avoid stigmatization of people crossing borders for other motives.
病理旅行或寻求帮助的行为:旅行者到日内瓦,一个国际城市的案例
几个国际组织的总部设在日内瓦,因此被认为既能吸引因侵犯人权而寻求帮助的人,也能吸引病态旅行者。本研究的目的是表征病理旅行者,一个很少在精神病学研究的人群。转诊到日内瓦唯一一家精神病院进行病理检查的病人根据医疗证明进行了回顾性鉴定。然后分析他们的医疗记录。这项研究历时4年。确定了76例患者。他们以男性为主,年龄在50岁以下,单身;62%来自欧洲国家,84%有精神病史;58%被诊断为精神障碍,主要是精神分裂症、急性一过性精神障碍和妄想障碍。16名患者(21%)被日内瓦的国际组织所吸引,而60名患者是出于其他原因。受“国际日内瓦”吸引的旅行者中,迫害妄想的患病率明显更高(88%比43%,P<0.005)。病理旅行是日内瓦精神病住院的一个可确定的原因。应使用对这一实体更精确和更严格的定义进行前瞻性研究,以避免对出于其他动机跨越边界的人进行污名化。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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