LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine University ...

lVr-KlINIKUM DÜSSelDOrF – HOSPItal OF tHe HeINrIcH-HeINe UNIVerSItY DÜSSelDOrF
from drug treatment, psychotherapy and sociotherapy. The
specific problems of the children of mentally ill parents are
addressed in close coordination with the Division of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, for example
by providing interactive group therapy sessions.
Personality disorder and post-traumatic
stress disorder unit
Primary indications for admission are personality and
behaviour disorders including, in particular, emotionally
unstable borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder and permanent personality changes as a
consequence of exposure to extreme stress, adjustment
disorders, neurotic and somatoform disorders, eating
disorders and postpartum disorders as well as a subcategory
of first-episode psychoses.
There is a clear overlap with the patients of the crisis
intervention unit, and the conceptual and therapeutic
links between the two are close. The same concepts as
those explained above are applied here. The range of
therapeutic options comprises complete somatic care,
psychiatric-psychotherapeutic group therapies (which
may be complemented by individual sessions), nursing and
sociotherapy treatment, ergotherapy, occupational therapy,
music therapy, dance therapy, exercise therapy, relaxation
techniques, marital and family therapy, the provision
of advice to children and family members and support
from social workers. Different group therapy sessions
complement the range of options.
Depression and anxiety unit
Primary indications for admission are depression,
schizoaffective disorders with depressive episodes, anxiety
and panic attacks. By specifically taking the principles of
cognitive behaviour therapy and learning psychology into
account, the unit follows a combined approach of drug and
psychotherapeutic treatment options that is adapted to suit
the individual requirements of each patient. If indicated, it
also provides somatic therapies. Individual psychotherapy
sessions comply with the principles of cognitive and behaviour
therapy. The depression and anxiety unit cooperates closely
with the Institutional Outpatient Unit for depressive disorders.
This interaction between outpatient and inpatient treatment
options has allowed the unit to implement a range of
contracts for the provision of integrated care (§ 140 SGB V,
German Social Code). Under these contracts, people who
receive treatment from office-based psychiatrists and
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psychotherapists can also benefit from therapies offered by
hospitals to either outpatients (in this case, by the special unit
for depressive disorders) or inpatients.
Building 11
This unit treats patients suffering from any of the entire
range of general psychiatric illnesses for whom a
complex mix of (psycho-)therapeutic options is indicated.
The therapeutic range of the unit matches the diversity
of the indications for admission. The milieu-therapy–
¬oriented setting of the unit has been designed around
a complex mix of therapies aimed at a stable remission
of symptoms, disease and conflict resolution and a
differentiated occupational and social reintegration. In
addition to syndrome-oriented acute drug treatment, the
implementation of relapse-prevention steps and milieu
therapy elements such as the establishment of ward
conferences, joint outside activities and ergotherapy, an
individualised therapy plan is assembled for each person,
including non-verbal and body-focused therapies (exercise
therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, breathing therapy,
relaxation techniques), cognitive and integrated training
methods (computer-assisted techniques, interpersonal
therapy), psychoeducation, supportive discussions with
patients, their partners and relatives and cognitive behaviour
therapy in individual and group sessions. The ward can also
perform sleep-EEG to assist the diagnosis and therapy of
sleeping disorders. A surveillance unit also provides the
facilities for the provision of intensive care to persons with
difficult disease courses (such as severe depressions).
Forensic unit
The division also features a dedicated forensic unit. In
addition to the treatment of 19 patients under § 63 of
the German Penal Code (Hospitalisation in a Psychiatric
Hospital), the multiprofessional team also provides forensic
after-care services to approximately 15 outpatients whose
sentences have been suspended or who have been released
on parole. These forensic after-care services are provided in
close cooperation with the Institutional Outpatient Unit and
the Division of Rehabilitation of the LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf.
The members of the unit’s medical and forensic staff are
often employed as forensic experts by civil, social and penal
courts and asked for expert opinions on prognosis. The
unit’s consultant has been certified as an expert in “Forensic
Psychiatry” by the Medical Association North Rhine and
registered as an independent expert for expert opinions on
prognosis in compliance with §16.4 MRVG-NW.