Serious
Mental Illness Registry
What is a Research Registry?
A Research Registry is a place where medical information from individuals who
have the same disease or condition is stored. By placing many participants’
medical record information into a research registry, researchers will be able to
review and study the medical records of many individuals to answer questions
about and increase our knowledge about the disease or condition. Registry
participants can also be contacted by researchers to determine if they might be
eligible or interested in participating in specific research projects.
What is the Serious Mental Illness Registry?
The Serious Mental Illness Registry, formed by the Center for Psychosis Research
at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, is a registry comprised of
individuals who experience psychotic symptoms. The term “psychosis” refers to
conditions affecting the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with
reality. Psychosis is not one disease, but is a symptom that can be caused by a
variety of medical or psychiatric conditions. Psychotic symptoms include:
- Unusual beliefs. The person may
believe something completely, for which there is no evidence. These are known
as delusions. For example, the person may be convinced they are being watched
or followed or they are receiving special messages from the TV or radio.
- Unusual experiences. The person
may experience seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling things that others do not
experience. For example, he or she may hear voices which no one else can hear,
or see things which others do not see. These experiences, called
hallucinations, may be frightening and may seem completely real to the person
experiencing them.
- Thinking difficulties. The
person may find that everyday thoughts have become confused or don’t connect
up with each other properly. The person’s speech may be unclear or not make
sense. They may also have difficulty concentrating, following a conversation
or remembering things.
- Social and emotional difficulties.
The person may become socially withdrawn and may have a diminished expression
of emotions. He or she may express emotions inappropriately – for example,
smiling or laughing while describing distressing events.
Registry FAQ
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