Psychiatry, psychology, mental, mind matters

Currently doing post grad masters in CBT and starting to question how effective our current methods are. Some use alcohol and illicit substances to cope, and end up in the same place (literally) as secondary care users. Except the ones who used alcohol are in better physical shape. Might do a lit review just on that aspect alone.

In the category, an uncle of mine ended up in a mental hospital after developing schizophrenia. The amount of people smoking in there was very high, perhaps self-medication. Or sheer boredom.

What was very disappointing there was that while he was there he was barely able to communicate. When moved to an elderly home for people with mental health issues they reviewed his medication and you could actually have a conversation with him.

So he was drugged into oblivion before he moved. Not obviously on purpose, yet we are talking about decades here where nobody reviewed his drugs and he was basically in a daze for which there was no medical need.

Certain drugs to treat mental health issues also lead to massively reduced lifespans and various health issues. Easily take 10 years off...so yes, something needs done.

Feeling a bit sad when I type this actually...as in this case all that needed to be done for him to have more contact with us was somebody to review his medication with the appropriate knowledge on how to change it.