Recommended For:
Those interested in psychiatry or wanting to see mental illness from a firsthand perspective
Trisha Cull is a well-published writer and poet from British Columbia. Though initially known for her writing and poetic art, Trisha recently released her memoir The Death of Small Creatures, that powerfully depicts a part of her life many did not appreciate before. In this haunting and powerful novel, Cull describes her struggles and battles with bulimia, bipolar disorder, and substance use. While the book is thought by readers to be confusing at times, it details the reality that many individuals with mental illness face day in and day out, struggling with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and ultimately vulnerability. Recommended For: Those interested in psychiatry or wanting to see mental illness from a firsthand perspective
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In the world of psychiatry, having more than one psychiatric diagnosis tend to be the rule rather than the exception. Dual diagnosis, specifically refers to such occasions when patients have a mental illness such as depression or an anxiety disorder, as well as a substance use problem. For further information about what a dual diagnosis means and the best approach to treatment, check out this great infographic from http://www.recoveryconnection.org/dual-diagnosis-infographic/.
"No One Brings Dinner When Your Daughter Is An Addict" is a short but powerful read about a family coping with both cancer and addiction, and the drastic differences they noticed in the ways in which those around them treated, talked about and provided support for a physical illness vs a mental illness ... "Friends talk about cancer and other physical maladies more easily than about psychological afflictions. Breasts might draw blushes, but brains are unmentionable. These questions are rarely heard: “How’s your depression these days?” “What improvements do you notice now that you have treatment for your ADD?” “Do you find your mnic episodes are less intense now that you are on medication?” “What does depression feel like?” “Is the counseling helpful?” A much smaller circle of friends than those who’d fed us during cancer now asked guarded questions. No one ever showed up at our door with a meal." In this great article by the Toronto Star, readers are introduced to Michael, a patient who struggles with both addiction and mental health issues. Fortunately there is a new type of psychiatric centre at St. Joseph's Hospital called the Concurrent Disorders Unit where the focus of treatment is to address both substance use and mental illness simultaneously, a form of therapy that is thought to provide patients like Michael with more appropriate care and has the potential to lead to better long term outcomes. "Michael is among the 60 per cent of mental health emergencies St. Joe’s receives each year that involve substance abuse. Until they opened this unit — the first of its kind in Canada — mental illness and addiction were treated separately, and not all that successfully... “It was a really big eye-opener for me,” she [Tammy Keddy, a psychiatric nurse] said, explaining that the traditional abstinence approach followed in psychiatric hospitals hasn’t been working. People would get kicked out of hospital if they used, and then they would relapse instead of getting better. “Now we’re focused on the client’s goals, not ours,” she said. “We’re not the only unit with patients who use drugs, but we’re the only ones to face it head on.” Treating both addiction and mental health at once might be the harder route, but by tackling the whole problem and not just half of it, the hospital has reduced relapses dramatically." Dubbed "Nuggets" this 5 minute video may be short and simple, but it sends a powerful message about #addiction and its devastating effects ... "The concept of this video succinctly captures the heartbreaking reality of addiction. It explains the initial lure, the tunnel vision that follows, and the practically inevitable conclusion. It also puts into perspective the plight of the addicted person, inviting viewers to feel empathy for them instead of contempt. It's difficult to watch this video and not want to call any person in your life who's exhibited warning signs recently—which makes "Nuggets" the rare animated short that could potentially save lives" (http://www.fastcocreate.com/3039010/this-animated-short-cleverly-reveals-the-truth-about-addiction-and-its-devastating). |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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