Beyond The Body
  • Home
  • About
  • Contributors
  • Contact

Global Mental Health: Korean-Americans

4/30/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Saving Sanity - and Souls - in Koreatown" by Melissa Pandika, is an interesting article about mental health issues among Korean-Americans. The article specifically discusses the high prevalence of certain mental illnesses such as depression among this cultural group, the contributing factors to the development of these conditions, and how these individuals often turn to churches for help and support rather than mental health services.

"So when Korean-Americans struggle with substance abuse, depression or other mental-health issues that plague their community, they often turn to pastors or church elders rather than seeking help from mental health services. Many shy away from therapy due to the intense stigma surrounding mental illness. And Korean-Americans often feel that medical providers don't address the spiritual and cultural issues that matter most to them."

0 Comments

Childhood Cancer and PTSD

4/29/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Medical illness and disease can lead to the development of a variety of psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression or substance use disorders. While we tend to think of chronic medical conditions leading to low mood, or chronic pain leading to medication and drug dependence as well as addictions, cancer can also be associated with the development of mental health issues, including PTSD.

For all of those interested in pediatrics, oncology, and psychiatry, we must also consider the impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis on a child and their family, and how such a life-changing and life-threatening medical condition affects the mental health of the child and their loved ones.

The article, "Childhood Cancer and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" by Anne Speckhard, is a great brief resource that discusses the risk factors for the development of #PTSD amongst these young patients diagnosed with cancer. In addition, it describes how PTSD manifests in children of different developmental stages, as well as the emotional and mental toll a cancer diagnosis can take on parents and siblings too.

"For parent and child, a cancer diagnosis is a mental shock. And the physical shocks that follow that diagnosis- invasive treatments, surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy are also difficult to bear, also potentially traumatising.

"Cancer is a life threatening disease. And the threat to life- including the treatments to save life-can be traumatising to those who witness their child or sibling going through cancer treatment. Death of course makes it even harder. Treatment is also potentially traumatising to the child with cancer, potentially leaving psychic scars lasting well after a hopeful recovery."

0 Comments

Addiction to Prescription Opiates

4/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Addiction to Prescription Opiates is Almost Always a Symptom of Deeper Suffering" is a profound article, written by ER physician and Medicins Sans Frontieres member Dr. James Maskalyk, that speaks to the increasing dependency on prescription opiates in Canada. In addition, Dr. Maskalyk also discusses the addictions that can result from opiate use, and how some patients' reliance on these medications seem to stem from deeper, more emotional and psychological suffering rather than physical pain when explored further.

"They treat pain. But not just physical pain. It gets it all. You return to the womb.” Rough edges disappear, and with them, the drive for another breath."

0 Comments

Psych In The News - Week 16

4/26/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Catch up on all the news related to psychiatry and mental health from this week!


Read More
0 Comments

Forensic Psych: These Patients Are "Ill Not Evil"

4/25/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
In follow up to yesterday's post about Michael Stewart, who was found not criminally responsible for the death of his mother whom he had killed during a psychotic episode, Canadian filmmaker John Kastner speaks out about forensic psychiatry patients, including what happens to those like Michael who commit a crime while suffering from a mental illness.

In the article, "Forensic Psychiatry Patients Are Ill Not Evil - And We Should Stop Hiding Them", Kastner shares his experiences within the field of forensic psychiatry and argues that the way the media portrays these individuals and the way in which they are kept hidden from society only perpetuates stigma and fear.

Kastner has made a number of documentaries, but in the last few years he has been focusing mostly on the Canadian justice system and mental illness. In 2013, his film "NCR: Not Criminally Responsible was released, which looked at the "personal impact of the mental disorder defence in Canada" and showcased the story of Sean Clifton, a man who repeatedly stabbed a woman in a shopping mall while in a delusional state. This May, another of Kastner's documentaries called "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", which follows "the cases of four patients at Brockville [Psychiatric Hospital] who committed violent acts" including Michael Stewart, will also be released.

More info about Kastner's two documentaries on forensic psychiatry can be found here:
  • https://www.nfb.ca/film/ncr_not_criminally_responsible/trailer/ncr_not_criminally_responsible_trailer
  • http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2014/04/16/john_kastners_out_of_mind_out_of_sight_at_hot_docs.html


0 Comments

Forensic Psych: Not Criminally Responsible

4/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
"What Michael Did" is a powerful and moving story about Michael Stewart, a Canadian man with schizophrenia, who back in 2002 when he was just 23 killed his mother during a psychotic episode.

In the article, readers are given an intimate look into one family's experience with schizophrenia, as well as the confusing and scary time in which they witnessed the smart and witty Michael they used to know transform into someone else almost entirely ... someone who was paranoid, agitated, lost, and suffering from delusions and hallucinations, including believing that others could read his mind.

Though a heartbreaking tragedy, the story manages to also be inspiring by demonstrating the immense resilience of the Stewart family, and shedding light into how they coped with the loss of one family member and forgiving another who had committed the act.

A must read!

0 Comments

A Poem About Postpartum Depression

4/23/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Check out "Words on Postpartum Depression", an exquisitely written poem by a new mother with postpartum depression (PPD).  Through descriptive and eloquent words, readers can gain a little insight into the dark and distressing experience.

0 Comments

ASD Video Simulations

4/22/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
For those of us who don't have autism spectrum disorder it is incredibly difficult to comprehend what life is like for someone who has an ASD diagnosis. As a result of the stigma or lack of awareness about these disorders, a number of individuals with an ASD have developed brief (1-2 minute) video simulations to help the general public gain new perspective on what it's like to have an ASD.

In particular, the DSM V - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders now includes "hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment" (autismspeaks.org) as part of the diagnosis, demonstrating that for many it is a core feature of the disorder. Many of the simulations that can be found at the link below highlight this sort of "sensory overload" to help us better understand what that is, as well as better appreciate and empathize with how these individuals feel and their ways of reacting or coping with such overload and resulting distress.

"These sensory challenges can be very impairing, turning a normally comfortable environment into a struggle for individuals with ASD. The severity of discomfort can range widely: Anything from the cuffs of one's short-sleeve shirt to loud noises to perceptions many of us experience without thinking twice can cause distress" (mashable.com).

"
5 Autism Simulations To Help You Experience Sensory Overload" by Matt Petronzio (Mashable)




0 Comments

Life With Asperger's

4/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Susan Boyle is a Scottish singer who is best known for her astounding voice which many took notice of when she first appeared on Britain's Got Talent. Since then she has sold over 19 million albums and has been a Grammy nominee. What many don't know though is that recently Susan was diagnosed with Asperger's.

In the article, "My Secret Struggle With Asperger's" (The Daily Beast) Susan opens up about her reaction to the diagnosis and her experiences with the disorder, all the while demonstrating inner strength and resilience. In her essay she also describes how she told others about her diagnosis, and why she decided to make a documentary that showcases what her life with Asperger's is really like.

"I have Asperger’s and it doesn’t define me, it gives a greater understanding of who I am."

0 Comments

Think Like A Psychiatrist - Obsessed With Facebook

4/20/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Put your knowledge and skills to the test with the case of a patient who is "obsessed with Facebook" and is becoming noticeably paranoid and agitated by posts made by his friends and sibling. The patient also has a history of depression, ADHD, and anger management issues.

Can you make the diagnosis or come up with a treatment plan? How does social media play a role in mental health and what recommendations can be given to patients in how to prevent "facebook-induced distress"?

"Obsessed With Facebook" by
Jonathan R. Dattilo, Stephen P. Juraschek, and Anita Everett (Current Psychiatry)

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Description

    Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Aboriginal Mental Health
    Abuse
    Addiction
    ADHD
    Advocacy
    Agitation
    Alcohol
    Alcohol Withdrawal
    All
    Alzheimer's Disease
    Animals
    Antipsychotic
    Anxiety
    App
    Art
    Autism Spectrum
    Awareness
    Barriers To Care
    Bereavement
    BIID
    Bipolar
    Books
    Borderline
    BPSD
    Caregivers
    Catatonia
    CBT
    Child Psychiatry
    Complicated Grief
    Concussion
    CPA
    Cultural Psychiatry
    Delirium
    Dementia
    Depression
    Dermatillomania
    Diagnosis
    Documentary
    DSM 5
    Dual Diagnosis
    Eating Disorders
    ECT
    Education
    Educational Resource
    Epilepsy
    Ethics
    Exercise
    Factitious Disorder
    Film
    Food
    Forensic Psychiatry
    Gambling
    Gaming Addiction
    Gender Dysphoria
    Geriatric Psychiatry
    Global Mental Health
    Harm Reduction
    Heart Attack
    Hoarding Disorder
    Humanities
    Infographic
    Initiatives
    IPad
    Language
    Law
    LGBTQ
    Loneliness
    Malingering
    Mania
    Medication
    Meditation
    Mens Mental Health
    Mental Health
    Mental Health Law
    Mental Status Exam
    Military
    Mind-body Wellness
    Mindfulness
    Mood Disorder
    Music
    Neurodevelopmental
    Neuropsychiatry
    News
    Ocd
    Panic Disorder
    Parksinson's Disease
    Patient Perspective
    PDD
    Personality Disorders
    Phobia
    Physical Health
    Physician Suicide
    Physician Wellness
    Poems
    Pop Culture
    Postpartum
    PPD
    Prevention
    Psych Assessment
    Psychiatry
    Psychoanalysis
    Psychosis
    Psychotherapy
    Ptsd
    Recovery
    Refugee Mental Health
    Relationships
    Reproductive Mental Health
    Research
    Resiliency
    Safety
    Schizoaffective Disorder
    Schizophrenia
    Screening
    Seasonal-affective-disorder
    Selective Mutism
    Self Harm
    Self-harm
    Ses
    Sexual Disorders
    Sleep Disorder
    Social Anxiety
    Social Isolation
    Social Media
    Somatic Symptoms And Disorders
    Sports
    Stigma
    Stress
    Stress Injury
    Student Mental Health
    Substance Use
    Suicide
    Surgery
    Technology
    TED
    Therapy
    Tools
    Transgender Mental Health
    Treatment
    Trichotillomania
    Womens Mental Health
    Youth

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.