Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Physical health and mental illness: listening to the voice of carers
- Authors:
- HAPPELL Brenda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 26(2), 2017, pp.134-141.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Shortened life expectancy of people with mental illness is now widely known and the focus of research and policy activity. To date, research has primarily reflected perspectives of health professionals with limited attention to the views and opinions of those most closely affected. The voice of carers is particularly minimal, despite policy stipulating carer participation is required for mental health services. Aim: To present views and opinions of carers regarding physical health of the people they care for. Methods: Qualitative exploratory. Two focus groups and one individual interview were conducted with 13 people identifying as carers of a person with mental illness. Research was conducted in the Australian Capital Territory. Data analysis was based on the thematic framework of Braun and Clarke. Results: Two main themes were interaction between physical and mental health; and, carers’ own physical and mental health. Participants described the impact of mental illness and its treatments on physical health, including their own. Conclusions: Carers are acknowledged as crucial for the delivery of high quality mental health services. Therefore they have an important role to play in addressing the poor physical health of people with mental illness. Hearing their views and opinions is essential. (Publisher abstract)
Vitamin D deficiency in psychiatric in-patients and treatment with daily supplements of calcium and ergocalciferol
- Authors:
- TIANGA Elanor, GOWDA Asha, DENT John A.
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 32(10), October 2008, pp.390-393.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
This study examines the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a group of male psychiatric in-patients and follows 16 of them prospectively during treatment with calcium and ergocalciferol tablets. Of 17 male patients, 15 had vitamin D deficiency and two had borderline deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with Black and minority ethnic background. Improvement in vitamin D status was observed following replacement therapy Vitamin D deficiency may be widespread in the psychiatric population particularly in Black and minority ethnic but also in White European in-patients. Vitamin D level should be routinely monitored in psychiatric in-patients. For those with vitamin D deficiency, replacement therapy can be commenced with calcium and ergocalciferol tablets (containing 10 µg of ergocalciferol), which is safe and well tolerated. All psychiatric in-patients should have adequate exposure to sunlight and attention to diet to ensure that they receive their recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals.
Prescribing in pregnancy
- Author:
- PATON Carol
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(5), May 2008, pp.321-322.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Psychotropic drugs reduce morbidity and mortality related to maternal mental illness but may also cause harm to the foetus, the nature and magnitude of which is not completely understood. Up-to-date information should be shared as fully as possible with the pregnant woman and a treatment plan agreed jointly.
Pharmaceutical patents and the quality of mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries
- Authors:
- DE SILVA Varuni, HANWELLA Raveen
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 32(4), April 2008, pp.121-123.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
New drugs for conditions such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, dementia, anxiety disorders or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder might not be affordable in low- and middle-income countries until 20 years after their manufacture. If cheap clones were to disappear, prescribing practices in such countries would go back 20 years. Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and the medical community need to consider profits as well as providing access to new drugs to as many people as possible. A win-win situation could be envisaged if pharmaceutical manufacturing companies consider differential price structures for countries depending on their per capita income.
Advancing social work curriculum in psychopharmacology and medication management
- Authors:
- FARMER Rosemary L., BENTLEY Kia J., WALSH Joseph
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Education, 42(2), 2006, pp.211-230.
- Publisher:
- Council on Social Work Education
In this American article, the authors reviewed current literature and curriculum resources on psychopharmacology and social work. They argue that baccalaureate and master of social work courses need to routinely include more in-depth knowledge on psychopharmacology and provide a more critical social work-focused approach to this content due to the increasing complexity of social work practice, including a knowledge explosion in the neurosciences. Toward this end, seven curriculum modules are proposed, including suggestions for class activities and assignments and application of module content to field courses.
Psychiatric drug promotion and the politics of neoliberalism
- Author:
- MONCRIEFF Joanna
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 188(4), April 2006, pp.301-302.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The pharmaceutical industry has popularised the idea that many problems are caused by imbalances in brain chemicals. This message helps to further the aims of neoliberal economic and social policies by breeding feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. These feelings in turn drive increasing consumption, encourage people to accept more pressured working conditions and inhibit social and political responses.
Medication effect intepretation and the social grid of management
- Authors:
- LONGHOFER Jeffrey, FLOERSCH Jerry, JENKINS Janis
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 1(4), 2003, pp.71-89.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Reports on two American research projects and argues that current medication management research and practice does not represent the complexity of community-based psychotropic treatment. Ethnographic findings are used to demonstrate that a social grid of management exists to negotiate medication 'effect' interpretation. Anthropological and semi-structured interview data are used to illustrate patient subjective experience of atypical antipsychotic treatment. Argues that 'active' and 'passive' management relationships are produced by the myriad ways individuals manage the gap between the desired and actual effects of medication. It is shown that psychological and cultural 'side effects' are as common as physical 'side effects.' (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The psychiatric medication history: context, purpose and method
- Author:
- COHEN David
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 1(4), 2003, pp.5-28.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Presents The Psychiatric Medication History: An Interview Schedule, a 30-step semi-structured protocol designed to help practitioners understand how clients manage their psychotropic medications and interpret their effects. Discusses the critical perspective leading to the design of this interview schedule, its purposes for clients and practitioners, its divergence from traditional treatment histories, and its uses and limitations. Argues that, in a safe space, taking a psychiatric medication history according to these suggested guidelines offers clients an opportunity to construct an independent, evidence-tested personal narrative about their medication use. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Cheap and cheerful
- Author:
- MUNRO Robert
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 20.1.00, 2000, p.16.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
This report explores concerns that drugs are dominating treatment for depression at the expense of other therapies.
Social work and psychedelic-assisted therapies: practice considerations for breakthrough treatments
- Authors:
- HUTCHISON Courtney, BRESSI Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 49(3), 2021, pp.356-367.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
The re-emergence of therapeutic uses for mind-altering, psychedelic drugs has brought the field of mental health to a new frontier in research, practice, and policymaking. In the past two decades dozens of clinical trials investigating therapeutic applications of psychedelics—including MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine—have shown promising results in the treatment of trauma-related disorders, some forms of anxiety, and depression. These substances have also garnered preliminary support from the Food and Drug Administration, which has fast-tracked their development. As the field of psychedelic science continues to grow, a serious consideration of these novel treatments in the context of social work practice and values is imperative. This paper offers a brief overview of MDMA-, psilocybin-, and ketamine-assisted treatments, and presents an initial discussion of questions pertinent to social work practice raised by their use, including: safety, efficacy, theory of change, training needs, and social justice considerations.