The comments of Professor Dinesh Bhurga, the new president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, have provoked a stream of articles in The Observer (29 June 2008).
Many in-patient units are overcrowded, uninhabitable and unsafe he says: "I would not use them and neither would I let any of my relatives do so."
"You don't go into hospital to get hurt, but that's what's happening. There are too many wards that are not safe, which is the one thing these most vulnerable of people should be able to rely on them to be. We would not accept these conditions, any of these conditions, in surgical wards so why is it happening in psychiatric wards?"
Other articles worth a read in The Observer today include:
* The mental health units that shame the NHS
* Mental illness must be taken from the shadows (Editorial)
* 'I decided I'd rather die than go back into that ward' (Personal account)
* 'People need a feeling of safety in their place of refuge' (Interview with Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity, Sane)
Sunday 29 June 2008
Friday 27 June 2008
News: Antenatal blues 'hit development' - BBC News
Children born to women who have experienced depression during pregnancy face an increased chance of delays in their cognitive development, according to research from Bristol University and the University of West England.
The BBC News (26 June 2008) site quotes Dr Toity Deave of the University of West England: "The most important finding is that maternal antenatal depression has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal depression has been taken into account."
In the Daily Mail, Professor Philip Steer, the editor in chief of the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, comments: "Maternal depression has a significant impact on women and their families. It is essential for doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals to play an active role in assessing and identifying it."
The BBC News (26 June 2008) site quotes Dr Toity Deave of the University of West England: "The most important finding is that maternal antenatal depression has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal depression has been taken into account."
In the Daily Mail, Professor Philip Steer, the editor in chief of the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, comments: "Maternal depression has a significant impact on women and their families. It is essential for doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals to play an active role in assessing and identifying it."
Monday 23 June 2008
News: Net addicts skip meals and sex in favour of porn and games - Pink News
Addicted to the net? You're not the only one. This piece in Pink News (23 June 2008) reports on a recent article in the American Journal of Psychiatry, where Dr Jerald Block, of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, says adults are becoming addicted to using the web: "It's much more acceptable for kids to talk about game use, whereas adults keep it a secret. Rather than having sex, or arguing with their wife or husband, or feeding their children, these adults are playing games.
"They exhaust emotions that they could experience in the real world on the computer through any number of mechanisms: emailing, gaming, porn."
"They exhaust emotions that they could experience in the real world on the computer through any number of mechanisms: emailing, gaming, porn."
News: Dr Raj Persaud: from populist psychiatrist to plagiarist - Telegraph
How quickly the media swarm spots a fallen soul. This article in the Telegraph (20 June 2008) explores Dr Raj Persaud's recent fall from grace "from populist psychiatrist to palgiarist".
Tuesday 17 June 2008
News: Depression rife among family home carers - Herald Sun
This piece in the Herald Sun (17 June 2008) reports on the Australian Institute of Family Studies research which suggests that many home carers are suffering from depression.
The Australian Government's Families Minister, Jenny Macklin is concerned that home carers could be "permanently marginalised" due to social isolation.
The Australian Government's Families Minister, Jenny Macklin is concerned that home carers could be "permanently marginalised" due to social isolation.
Monday 16 June 2008
News: Media doctor admits to plagiarism - BBC News
UK psychiatrist and broadcaster Raj Persaud has admitted plagiarising other people's work but he denies bringing his profession into disrepute, BBC News reports (16 June 2008).
The psychiatrist, who made a name for himself in the public eye on programmes like Richard and Judy, has faced accusations of plagiarism before.
The General Medical Council in Manchester hold regular fitness to practise hearings. A statement on their website reads: "The Panel will inquire into the allegation that Dr Persaud, whilst working as a Consultant Psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and holding an honorary post as a senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, University if London, published a book which contained passages which were plagiarised from various sources.
"Further, it is alleged that Dr Persaud submitted a number of articles, portions of which were not his own work, copied and reproduced from other sources. It is alleged that Dr Persaud’s actions were inappropriate, misleading, dishonest and liable to bring the profession into disrepute."
The Times (17 June 2008) also cover this story.
The psychiatrist, who made a name for himself in the public eye on programmes like Richard and Judy, has faced accusations of plagiarism before.
The General Medical Council in Manchester hold regular fitness to practise hearings. A statement on their website reads: "The Panel will inquire into the allegation that Dr Persaud, whilst working as a Consultant Psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and holding an honorary post as a senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, University if London, published a book which contained passages which were plagiarised from various sources.
"Further, it is alleged that Dr Persaud submitted a number of articles, portions of which were not his own work, copied and reproduced from other sources. It is alleged that Dr Persaud’s actions were inappropriate, misleading, dishonest and liable to bring the profession into disrepute."
The Times (17 June 2008) also cover this story.
News: Ruby Wax the shrink will see you now - The Times
Ruby Wax, "the scarlet-lipped smartass", is interviewed in The Times (15 June 2008) about her new project, Ruby's Room, part of an online BBC series of films about mental health.
Ruby has been training to become a psychotherapist. In the piece she is asked about the difference between American and British neurosis. She comments: "The British don’t talk about them,” she says . “It’s a combination of anal retention and the stiff upper lip. Funny, they are both orifices. The British are in full denial of the fact that anything can be wrong."
Ruby has been training to become a psychotherapist. In the piece she is asked about the difference between American and British neurosis. She comments: "The British don’t talk about them,” she says . “It’s a combination of anal retention and the stiff upper lip. Funny, they are both orifices. The British are in full denial of the fact that anything can be wrong."
Tuesday 10 June 2008
News: Counselling should not be used immediately after traumatic events - The Times
It's good to talk but should counselling really be regarded as an emergency service? This article in The Times (9 June 2008) by Penny Wark intelligently reviews the assumption that therapy should be the first port of call after a disaster occurs.
Phillip Hodson from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is quoted in the piece: "Life is full of unavoidable unhappiness and if you think that you should be in a permanent state of euphoria, you have misread the dictionary. Being blue is not a reason to seek help. Probably one of the biggest errors the therapy movement made was to support uncritical trauma counselling in the past.
"[Counselling is] a reflective process, not an emergency service. You can't counsel someone who's raving or in extreme distress; you have to access not only empathy and emotion, but also reason. Counselling is more than dealing with immediate disaster."
Well worth a read. Also take a look at the BBC News story about the University of Buffalo research which prompted the piece.
Phillip Hodson from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is quoted in the piece: "Life is full of unavoidable unhappiness and if you think that you should be in a permanent state of euphoria, you have misread the dictionary. Being blue is not a reason to seek help. Probably one of the biggest errors the therapy movement made was to support uncritical trauma counselling in the past.
"[Counselling is] a reflective process, not an emergency service. You can't counsel someone who's raving or in extreme distress; you have to access not only empathy and emotion, but also reason. Counselling is more than dealing with immediate disaster."
Well worth a read. Also take a look at the BBC News story about the University of Buffalo research which prompted the piece.
Sunday 8 June 2008
News: 70 years later, Freud gets therapy college in Vienna - International Herald Tribune
The Sigmund Freud University in Vienna claims to be the first university in the world to offer a psychotherapy degree, reports the International Herald Tribute (4 June 2008).
Alfred Pritz founder of the university says: "We're the first university worldwide to offer a complete psychotherapy degree, which Freud wrote about in 1928 as his great dream. We're realizing that now."
Alfred Pritz founder of the university says: "We're the first university worldwide to offer a complete psychotherapy degree, which Freud wrote about in 1928 as his great dream. We're realizing that now."
Friday 6 June 2008
News: 'Gay counselling' call rejected - BBC News
Iris Robinson, chair of the Stormont health committee in Northern Ireland, gets into a spot of bother following a local radio interview, BBC News reports (6 June 2008).
Her comments in an interview on BBC Radio Ulster appeared to be suggesting that gay people could receive counselling to 'turn them round'. The piece includes a link to an audio clip, where she says: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in. I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."
The Royal College of Psychiatrists were quick to release a press statement: "The Royal College of Psychiatrists holds the view that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should be regarded as valued members of society who have exactly similar rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to health care, the rights and responsibilities involved in a civil partnership, the rights and responsibilities involved in procreating and bringing up children, freedom to practice a religion as a lay person or religious leader, freedom from harassment or discrimination in any sphere and a right to protection from therapies that are potentially damaging, particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation.
"In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in 1992.
"There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health and substance misuse problems.
"Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim."
Her comments in an interview on BBC Radio Ulster appeared to be suggesting that gay people could receive counselling to 'turn them round'. The piece includes a link to an audio clip, where she says: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in. I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."
The Royal College of Psychiatrists were quick to release a press statement: "The Royal College of Psychiatrists holds the view that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should be regarded as valued members of society who have exactly similar rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to health care, the rights and responsibilities involved in a civil partnership, the rights and responsibilities involved in procreating and bringing up children, freedom to practice a religion as a lay person or religious leader, freedom from harassment or discrimination in any sphere and a right to protection from therapies that are potentially damaging, particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation.
"In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in 1992.
"There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health and substance misuse problems.
"Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim."
Wednesday 4 June 2008
News: Sister fears for troubled Gazza - BBC News
Former England footballer, Paul Gascoigne, has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, the BBC News reports (4 June 2008).
His sister, Anna Gascoigne, is quoted in the piece: "He's been drinking, I believe, to escape, to get away, and it's been a vicious circle. I have feared for his life, especially I would say the last couple of weeks.
"It had literally gotten to the point where I was having to be with him constantly, to the point where I was taking him to hospital because I believed that he needed help."
Anna Gascoigne talked to ITV News and told them about her concern for his "dangerous mix" of depression and addiction.
His sister, Anna Gascoigne, is quoted in the piece: "He's been drinking, I believe, to escape, to get away, and it's been a vicious circle. I have feared for his life, especially I would say the last couple of weeks.
"It had literally gotten to the point where I was having to be with him constantly, to the point where I was taking him to hospital because I believed that he needed help."
Anna Gascoigne talked to ITV News and told them about her concern for his "dangerous mix" of depression and addiction.
News: Therapy for terrorists won't extinguish the hate - Telegraph
Jan Moir writes in the Telegraph about the UK Home Office's £12.5 million investment in counselling services "in an attempt to stop extremism spreading".
It's a comment piece rather than a news article so the tone is pretty emphatic: "Offering counselling to religious fanatics is like putting a sticking plaster on a brain tumour."
It's a comment piece rather than a news article so the tone is pretty emphatic: "Offering counselling to religious fanatics is like putting a sticking plaster on a brain tumour."
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