Psychiatry, psychology, mental, mind matters

Sounds great - am quite jealous.

Four years into mental health, 3 as an undergrad 1 as a post grad - sadly the more I learn, the less I seem to know. I hope I know more in another 4 years and be an expert on something.

JW,

A) please don't call me to reference anything I post on here - I probably can't do it - see the adrenaline comments (hangs head in shame emoticon).

Meant in jest, nw.

Steve

Agree with the rest but part of the CBT puzzle is missing I think. It works great for some, but not for all.

As for language...I think one issue is that we aren't exact processors of language. What some may call "confidence" I may call "not caring about outcome" and they may lead to the same behaviors.

Does it matter? It does in a way as you will need more than one "word" or method if your language doesn't work for some.

And stories/music/art therapy may possibly reach parts of the "self" <- wooly language apology that straight therapy may not reach.

Quotation needed :)

So these guys are campaigning for better mental health access: Thrive: The Power of Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies: Amazon.co.uk: Richard Layard, David Clark: Books

Along with NHS http://www.iapt.nhs.uk/

I think one big issue is that everybody is assumed to have basic life skills/emotional skills. But not all parents know how to teach these. I'd love to see everyone being taught basic NLP/others skills that are proven to help self-esteem/confidence and lower stress/bullying and other nasties.

The current '3rd wave' of CBT doesn't work on changing anything, it works on acceptance, commitment and uses mindfulness as a way of achieving this...

For example...Kinda like trying to get paranoid clients to say 'yeah they're talking about me, but I don't give a fuck coz I can meditate my way to resilience'.

Over eating/drinking/smoking etc, are all just forms of rebellious behavior surely !? Giving the finger to society's norms - which we all do sometimes - but then getting into a vicious circle of repetition because of the short-lived benefits.

My friends who have quit smoking have (mostly) used Mr Carr's book, which "sells" the benefits of not-smoking. You are told NOT to attempt giving up until you have read the whole book, or you won't be sufficiently re-programmed to succeed.

IMHO, we all become what we WANT to be; higher aspirations are just dreams and we don't really want/need them.
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I once had a conversation with a doctor regarding heavy smoking, binging, etc., and he explained that in some respect it can be another form of self harm. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts regarding this.

Was always interested in Schizophrenia as I studied it a lot in my MSc.
Seems there has been a breakthrough in it's genetic origins

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/dna-hope-on-schizophrenia-research-breakthrough-points-at-over-100-genes-9619638.html

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I once had a conversation with a doctor regarding heavy smoking, binging, etc., and he explained that in some respect it can be another form of self harm. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts regarding this.

IMO and evidence based practice backs me up, binge drinking, cutting, non suicidal intent o/d's, binge eating, morbid obesity, getting into arguments or fights, isolative type behaviour, self neglect etc, are classed as deliberate self harm usually as a result of; negative automatic thoughts -----> negative filtering -----> dysfunctional beliefs -----> maladaptive coping strategies, I.e., DSH, SI.

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I once had a conversation with a doctor regarding heavy smoking, binging, etc., and he explained that in some respect it can be another form of self harm. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts regarding this.

I agree with this, along with dating inappropriate people, destructive relationships etc. because if you truly loved yourself you wouldn't abuse yourself mentally or physically this way.

Was always interested in Schizophrenia as I studied it a lot in my MSc.
Seems there has been a breakthrough in it's genetic origins

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/dna-hope-on-schizophrenia-research-breakthrough-points-at-over-100-genes-9619638.html

A step rather than a breakthrough... Identification of some more genes, which may be associated with increased vulnerability.

They guess genes might be 30-50% responsible. What about the other 50-70%?

Research into the (probably psycho-social) factors which lead to an underlying vulnerability becoming manifest in psychosis, or into factors which give people resilience despite vulnerability would be interesting and useful.

Even in identical twins (identical genes) manifestation isn't 100%.

Obv. it's a start to look at genes but I'd hope it doesn't lead to neglecting other interventions. Its the same with autism they seem to find a new gene every week...so what? Until it leads to treatment research into environment may yield results quicker.

EDIT: It now seems autism is often caused by a lot of changes in common genes, rather than changes in just a few.

Rather interesting stuff about the mind and shopping.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04bwhkg/the-men-who-made-us-spend-episode-2

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I once had a conversation with a doctor regarding heavy smoking, binging, etc., and he explained that in some respect it can be another form of self harm. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts regarding this.

IMO and evidence based practice backs me up, binge drinking, cutting, non suicidal intent o/d's, binge eating, morbid obesity, getting into arguments or fights, isolative type behaviour, self neglect etc, are classed as deliberate self harm usually as a result of; negative automatic thoughts -----> negative filtering -----> dysfunctional beliefs -----> maladaptive coping strategies, I.e., DSH, SI.

I agree with this, along with dating inappropriate people, destructive relationships etc. because if you truly loved yourself you wouldn't abuse yourself mentally or physically this way.
I agree this is a partial answer as to why people do these things, and continue to, long after they want to stop - so learning to be loving and compassionate towards oneself is vital in order to overcome them.

However, there is an uncomfortable truth to consider which is that while people who suffer from addictions, depression, anxiety disorders, self harm etc. very often have negative core beliefs about themselves, and have very strong self sabotage instincts, rules, unachievable goals/standards, etc., I think they use behaviours, for the most part, to sooth, relax, comfort and numb themselves - basically because it feels good, or at least better than the pain felt if they didn't, or it's simply a case of better the devil they know.

To put it another way - Who can honestly say that in the moment they're lighting up a cigarette or necking another shot of alcohol, they're thinking, "I hate myself so much I am doing this to hurt and cause myself to suffer"?

People also do these things because it's all they know, all they have learned in order to escape/cope with difficult emotions. As well as this, we are creatures of habit - why would our brains struggle to learn a new way of doing things when the old way is so entrenched? So there's an inevitability or resignation process activated in our brains tell us to just do what we always do.

Those are my thoughts anyway. Like I say, not easy to acknowledge in oneself, but really important insight when you do :)

Hmm. Was going to post something but I'm now starting to feel like I've killed my own thread :/

I agree this is a partial answer as to why people do these things, and continue to, long after they want to stop - so learning to be loving and compassionate towards oneself is vital in order to overcome them.

However, there is an uncomfortable truth to consider which is that while people who suffer from addictions, depression, anxiety disorders, self harm etc. very often have negative core beliefs about themselves, and have very strong self sabotage instincts, rules, unachievable goals/standards, etc., I think they use behaviours, for the most part, to sooth, relax, comfort and numb themselves - basically because it feels good, or at least better than the pain felt if they didn't, or it's simply a case of better the devil they know.

To put it another way - Who can honestly say that in the moment they're lighting up a cigarette or necking another shot of alcohol, they're thinking, "I hate myself so much I am doing this to hurt and cause myself to suffer"?

People also do these things because it's all they know, all they have learned in order to escape/cope with difficult emotions. As well as this, we are creatures of habit - why would our brains struggle to learn a new way of doing things when the old way is so entrenched? So there's an inevitability or resignation process activated in our brains tell us to just do what we always do.

Those are my thoughts anyway. Like I say, not easy to acknowledge in oneself, but really important insight when you do :)

That's what negative automatic thoughts do, they're automatic same as breathing. The problem is people who maladapt tend to be experts at negative filtering as well.

Basically they can take positive praise and flip it (without thinking) into a criticism...."yeah...but" or "if..then".

I've been reading about emancipation and hearing voices network....very thought provoking.

^ Sounds a bit scary. Where? Link?

Here's one link....

http://www.madinamerica.com/2014/05/42808/

Interesting, tx :)

The bottom line I guess is functioning. If your psychosis can be managed, you are not a danger to yourself/others it may be preferrable over drugs which if the article is correct can have as side effect...psychosis!

Tbh I think the bottom line isn't but should be, choice. Whether a person's Psychosis is 'manageable' or not. Obviously if they're a danger to themselves or others then they should be cared for in a safe place until the crisis has passed.

Interestingly, the Dutch psychiatric nurses which I did a project with, think we Brits are barbaric for giving mentally ill people anti-psychotics long term - paradoxically they use mechanical restraints for their mentally ill members of society. Go figure who's right and who's wrong if anyone - both are backed as evidence based practice in their own countries.

I believe anti psychotics and some other medication long term greatly reduces lifespan...maybe that's the reason the Dutch do it this way?

Either way, its still so difficult it seems research into mental health medication is far behind other medicine...at least that's the impression I get.

Also because the brain is the final frontier, in terms of human physiology?

I’ve recently been thinking about solitude, specifically the philosophy of solitude, and how it is distinguished from isolation and loneliness. (Ahem! No prizes for guessing why that may be :/)

So many great thinkers, artists and religious folk have, throughout the ages, sought enlightenment, perspective, contemplation, solutions, guidance from God, freedom from head-clutter, self-development and/or pleasure through a state of physical solitude - sometimes YEARS of it - often with the intention of returning to society having improved and/or with something new to give. The more common equivalent today is perhaps meditation/yoga retreats?

Some seem to think it’s possible to achieve a state of solitude without going anywhere or removing oneself from society, as it’s more about state of mind than physical vicinity to others. In any case, it seems solitude can be both used as a preparation for society, as well as a consequence and experience of it. Then I starting wondering about where our notions of community, self within society, and solitude originated. Peter France, in his book Hermits: The Insights of Solitude, sums it up by saying, ”The Greeks, who first taught the Western world what could be achieved by living together, were also the first people in that world to work out a philosophical justification for living alone.”

*Any*way...

By contrast, loneliness is universally understood to be a pretty awful, soul-destroying, self-perpetuating, emotionally painful and/or mind-numbing experience, that can creep up on one and take hold, whether you live on a remote island or in the heart of a bustling city.

As one writer I stumbled upon says, “solitude begets solitude begets solitude begets isolation. Solitude becomes inertia...And the more isolated you become, the weirder you get.” I like that. :)

So where do we draw the line? When does solitude become isolation, a symptom of illness, or even a type of madness? What can we learn from our solitude?

OK I’ll shut up now. :)

Note: Melvin Bragg stormed through this vast subject with his guests on In Our Time recently - I’m not usually a huge fan of Bragg but it’s well worth a listen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b046ntnz

The programme includes references to Plato (paging Mr Schick!), Montaigne, Descartes and their respective thoughts on selfhood, the arrival of perspective, the idea that we must get out of our own heads - “escape the tyranny of our senses”, and faith as an outcome of turning a mirror towards one’s self…fascinating stuff.

OK I'll really shut up now.

tl;dl - solitude vs isolation: some interesting philosophies out there :)

I believe anti psychotics and some other medication long term greatly reduces lifespan...maybe that's the reason the Dutch do it this way?

Either way, its still so difficult it seems research into mental health medication is far behind other medicine...at least that's the impression I get.

It is loads behind, for many years it was a very open way of finding people for human experiments and the more quack side of things to go wild. They also had a huge influence from the church who setup homes for "the lost souls" or "those with bad spirits". This is good if you ever are passing it.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g188666-d2321414-Reviews-Museum_Dr_Guislain-Ghent_East_Flanders_Province.html

I think this is a really useful article about negative thought patterns, and how to recognise and then quieten the inner critic: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/11/how-to-silence-negative-thinking

There's so much in current psychology practice about being aware of our thought/emotion processes, brain re-programming, coaching oneself to develop new neural pathways instead of being trapped in old ones, and so on.

Great to be the master of one's own recovery process if you're ready...but I wonder how many people feel even worse when they find they haven't got the motivation or willingness to try this stuff?

I think one big issue is that everybody is assumed to have basic life skills/emotional skills. But not all parents know how to teach these. I'd love to see everyone being taught basic NLP/others skills that are proven to help self-esteem/confidence and lower stress/bullying and other nasties.

I couldn't agree more - it's amazing how much our early experiences of all those things we need to learn in order to survive, are carried with us throughout our lives. Even if there wasn't a 'stand-out' event or overtly abusive or dysfunctional relationship in childhood, the way some children process things such as confrontation, criticism, rejection, mockery, and so on, can be very different.

The posts near the move went, thats annoying. I made another post just about the crazy brain/skull drilling devices on display at the place above and more historical quack stuff. I'm trying to find some info on "water cures" as I know Darwin and many others at the time subscribed to them and being people looked on as great thinkers of the time it might be an interesting slice of history to look at but being great thinkers they all have written down tons of other stuff which people study and find interesting and bring up much higher on searches ugh

Great to be the master of one's own recovery process if you're ready...but I wonder how many people feel even worse when they find they haven't got the motivation or willingness to try this stuff?

I remember seeing a short discussion on the effects of trying/wanting to quit smoking and being unable too. Sure there is a physical addition but lots of the addiction is to the ritual and stuff that goes with it, some smokers probably get the same from carrying a ligher as a child can a comfort blanket but then who doesn't have an everyday carry with half a dozen items. Anyway a quitting smoker relapsing and having a single cig after a week can be a crushing blow both to them stopping and them in general.