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Dr G Akram
HW 501D
Mental (ill)Health
• 1 in 4 of UK adult population is affected
• Depression is largest single cause of disability
• 5 of top 10 causes of disability in 15 - 44yr old are mental
health disorders
Most psychiatric disorders have a neurobiological basis;
manifestation of the condition is largely a combination of
genetic, social and individual factors.
Stigma and Prejudice are still rife when dealing with mental
illness.
Mental illness may be likened to: demonic possession, religious
error (as a punishment from God), poor parenting, lazy / weak
individuals (“pull yourself together”)
Prejudice / Stigma
Prejudice: An unfavourable opinion based on
inadequate facts
Stigma: A mark of discredit or shame
(Tends to arise from ignorance & fear- like racism, homophobia)
Contributing factors:
• Family / friends, health professionals / system, society (media)
• Self inflicted? (co-morbidity with alcohol & drugs)
• Emotive area (children, questionnable evidence base,
psychological treatments)
Prejudice / Stigma
contributing factors
• Problematic (vulnerable) population e.g homeless
• Cultural and religious factors (voodoo, spells)
• Interface between health and criminal justice systems
• Perception of normality (odd behaviors – feared or
shunned from ‘normal’ society.)
http://www.antipsychiatry.org/
“Schizophrenia does not exist- it is an invention, a
spurious attempt to medicalise patterns of behaviour
that are better understood in social or cultural terms.
Frances Allen J (MD) blog- DSM is a guide not bible- Ignore its 10 worst
changes (not field tested, influence of pharma, determine eligibility for benefits &
treatments)
Medication Compliance
Affected by
• Illness: lack of motivation, delusions, paranoia, insight
• lack of belief in the medication
• Placebo effect
• Clinical effect i.e delayed onset / numbing effect
• Fear that it is addictive or habit forming
• Need to implement ‘lifestyle changes’ i.e diet,
reduce intake of alcohol etc
• Side effects (mainly physical)
Pharmaceutical Care In Mental
Health
• Promote safe, effective use of CNS and other medication
• Education and awareness of mental ill health
• Health Promotion (regular exercise beneficial to mental health)
• Discharge from hospital –(continuity of supply: what about depot,
clozapine???)
• Support Groups – patient not always willing to talk to family or to
health care professionals!
• Policy / Guidelines – make sure practice is up to date and safe