This Week in Mentalists (12)

It’s that time of the week again, as we have our weekly linkfest of psychiatric blogging.

To nominate a blog for This Week in Mentalists e-mail zarathustra at mentalnurse dot org dot uk

First off, a welcome return by Dr Crippen, who criticises the lack of aftercare for mental health patients who turn up in A&E, although I have to say that I disagree with his opinion that the patient described should or even necessarily could have been admitted to an acute psychiatric ward.

More from The Shrink on the crossover between health care and social care.

Increasingly I find myself generating management plans for community patients that are broad, varied and comprehensive but are less “doctory” and biomedical. But there has to be a limit here. If I’ve a patient who doesn’t thrive at home but would do better living in the Hilton for weeks on end, all expenses paid, this doesn’t seem to be the right way to spend tax payers money despite it reducing risk, optomising physical, social and mental wellbeing and consuming very little staff time and cost.

Mandy Lifeboats Ahoy is less than impressed by consultation exercises.

The results of the County Service User Survey expressed most of the concerns that have been being raised for, at least, 3 years. As in “What is a care plan and where is it?”, “Why won’t you tell me what the side effects of my medication are?” and the ever present “Do you know anything about housing support and benefit systems?”

Perhaps if the Trust bothered with the User Survey and acted on that, they wouldn’t need a consultation (spending heaven knows how much of the public’s money). Or maybe they are asking different questions????

Hell, why actually run a service when you can spend your life in consultations and meetings? That is the British way after all.

Seaneen gives a rundown on how to be depressed.

I’ll keep this short; after all, you can’t waste valuable staring-at-the-ceiling time reading this. If you can read it at all. It’s difficult to concentrate when you’re depressed. Reading the back of the pill bottle can be a daunting task- those damn letters just won’t stay still! You might find that your vision is a bit blurry- don’t worry, this is caused by the constant trough of tears that have been welling up in your eyes.

Do you remember what you were like before you were depressed? You probably thought you were a pretty good person. Well, you’re not! Say that to yourself every day: “I am a bad and disgusting person”. All you’ve ever done is make mistakes in your life. There you go!

Seaneen also explains the niceties of eating and self-care, social etiquette, hobbies and sleep when you’re depressed. Well worth a read.

Schizophrenia - A Carer’s Journal discusses the way people should dress around clients.

For many young men diagnosed with schzophrenia the medication takes away sexual desire along with most other emotions and brain functions. However Sam still feels a need for women. So he propositions female members of staff. Totally inappropriately. Rudely and invades their space.

We discussed this with two female members of staff the other day. They were wearing low cut tops. I’m sure they would not think that inappropriate but …

… on an all male ward of young men, most of whom have been detained for a long time, might one perhaps be a little more thoughtful - or am I being silly?

For the record, no I don’t think he’s being silly. If you’re working with sexually disinhibited clients then staff - particularly female staff - shouldn’t be wearing revealing clothing. That’s just plain common sense.