Positive psychiatry comes of age

Abstract

Positive psychiatry is the science and practice of psychiatry that focuses on psycho-bio-social study and promotion of well-being and health through enhancement of positive psychosocial factors (such as resilience, optimism, wisdom, and social support) in people with illnesses or disabilities as well as the in community at large (Jeste and Palmer, 2015). It is based on the principles that there is no health without mental health and that mental health can be improved through preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative interventions to augment positive psychosocial factors. Positive psychiatry is not a naïve, feel-good pseudoscience that views the world through rose-colored glasses. It is an evidence-based approach to understanding normal behavior as well as psychopathology and to improving well-being by measuring and enhancing positive psychosocial factors (Jeste et al., 2015).

Positive light on schizophrenia and aging: Commentary on course and predictors of symptomatic remission in schizophrenia: A 5-year follow-up study in a Dutch psychiatric catchment area, by Lange et al.

“…They have argued that the nature of recovery may be different from the traditional disease-oriented scientific-clinical concept centered on complete disappearance of symptoms and return to premorbid levels of function. This new perspective is consistent with improvement in mental health in later life despite worsening physical health in the general population as well as in people with serious physical illnesses, like cancer and HIV-AIDS (Jeste, 2018). Of particular relevance to older patients with schizophrenia, remission and recovery are akin to the definitions "successful aging" based on subjectively experienced well-being rather on objective presence and severity of physical illness.…”

A pragmatic trial of a group intervention in senior housing communities to increase resilience

“…Among older adults, high resilience has been shown to be a significant determinant of well-being, and is associated with lower levels of perceived stress as well as greater happiness, and better quality of life (Jeste et al, 2013;Lavretsky, 2014;MacLeod et al, 2016;Smith and Hollinger-Smith, 2015). Similarly, other constructs characterizing positive psychology and psychiatry (Jeste, 2018), including wisdom, optimism, personal growth, and happiness, positively impact well-being, mental health, and physical functioning among older adults (Depp et al, 2014;Engel et al, 2011;Jeste et al, 2015;Laird et al, 2019;Reichstadt et al, 2010). Therefore, enhancing these outcomes may promote successful aging (Depp and Jeste, 2006;Reichstadt et al, 2010).…”

Frailty and mental health: association with cognition, sleep, and well-being in older adults

“…Studies are required to demonstrate that promoting resilience, optimism, self-efficacy, social engagement, and components of wisdom like emotional regulation reduce levels of stress, increase healthful behaviors, and improve lifestyle in older adults, thereby lowering the risk of frailty. That is positive psychiatry of aging (Jeste, 2018;Jeste and Lee, 2019).…”