Schizophrenia and the paradoxes of insight

Posted on 27 October 2016 by Clara Humpston

When we think of the symptoms of schizophrenia, perhaps the first examples that emerge in our minds are the chaotic thoughts, disturbing suspicions and invisible voices tormenting the sufferer. These are indeed the most striking manifestations of an acute psychosis – delusions, hallucinations and thought disorder – but as I wrote a few months ago,
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Does taking antidepressants during pregnancy harm the child? Here are the facts

Posted on 24 October 2016 by Professor Ian Jones

When it comes to taking antidepressants in pregnancy, women and their doctors have a difficult decision to make. Depression in pregnancy and following childbirth (the postpartum period) is common and has potentially serious consequences. Suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the UK. However, a number of studies over the past ten years
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Post traumatic stress disorder, work, burnout and the spiritual crises in health and social care

Posted on 13 October 2016 by Dr Teena Clouston

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is now a well known condition recognised by several key factors including: the presence of one or more extreme stressors or traumatic incidents; flashbacks to the event; intrusive thoughts, often accompanied by imagery or sounds; intense distress and anxiety; disassociation or other avoidance behaviours. This high state of arousal can
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Young women at high risk of common mental disorders

Posted on 10 October 2016 by Dr Nicola Evans

As a mental health nurse passionate about the health and welfare of young people, I was saddened to read about the increasing risk for young women in the latest Mental Health and Wellbeing in England Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. This is the fourth Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) which aims to determine the amount of people
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First Aid for students’ mental health

Posted on 10 October 2016 by Tsvetina Ivanova

Today is World Mental Health Day. Its theme ‘Psychological First Aid’ seems to be particularly relevant to the university experiences faced by some young people. When students transition to university life, it can pose a risk to their wellbeing. Various factors, such as social media pressures, financial instability and a competitive job market feed into
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