Treatment
A ‘complete shift’ in the way Ireland operates its mental health services is needed, say psychiatrists Dr Michele Hill and Professor Mary Cannon, Chair and Vice-Chair of the new CPsychI Youth and Student Mental Health, speak with the Irish Times about soaring numbers of young people presenting to children’s hospitals with self-harm presentations. Professor Cannon […]
‘There is no convincing evidence that depression is associated with, or caused by, lower serotonin concentrations or activity’ George Winter writes for the Irish Times about recent challenges to the serotonin theory of depression and what this means for future approaches to treatment. He spoke with consultant forensic psychiatrist Professor Gautam Gulati to learn more. […]
A recent report from The Times features the testimony of several women seeking inpatient treatment for eating disorders, only to be told that they did not meet the admission criteria for high-risk patients. The report also featured Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist Dr Caroline Maher, who explained the current model of care for those suffering from […]
Higher Specialist Trainee in Psychiatry, Dr Rosie Plunkett speaks to Sarina Bellissimo to tackle the stigma surrounding anti-depressant medication. The discussion covers when it might be appropriate to speak with a GP, the different types of anti-depressants that may be prescribed, and why stigma around these medications might exist. Read snippets from their discussion below, […]
Two years ago, Orna Cunningham was in a very dark place. Unemployed and lonely, she felt trapped in a spiral of negative thoughts. Then she found an old roommate’s paints. This article, written by Orla Cunningham, appeared in the Independent.ie on 21.02.2019. In September 2017, I moved into the third floor of a house in […]
Admissions fell nearly 20% in two years after strict laws introduced, research shows. Conor Gallagher writes in the Irish Times, 8.4.2019. There was a significant and immediate reduction in admissions to psychiatric facilities after the strict laws banning head shop drugs were introduced, new research shows. Head shop drugs, officially termed new psychoactive substances (NPS), […]
The new Prescription Nation series, looks into prescription drug use in Ireland, by Con Corrigan with RTÉ Investigates. RTÉ Investigates has found that there has been a significant increase in prescribing rates for antidepressants for people on the public drug schemes. Con Corrigan, of RTÉ Investigates, spoke on Morning Ireland to share his research. The three […]
“Mind on Fire: A Memoir of Madness and Recovery” is a coherent and gripping account of severe mental illness and recovery. This book review was written by Dr Eric Roche, Consultant Psychiatrist. A colleague recommended Mind on Fire to me because its author had once accessed support in the mental health service in which I […]
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity for those of us working in, or who feel passionately about the area, to generate discussion and remind everyone that eating disorders are a complex and serious issue. This blog from BodyWhys looks at the key issues in relation to eating disorders. For instance, did you know that less […]
Prof Brendan Kelly gives a comprehensive overview of the incidence, diagnosis and multifaceted treatment of depression. This article appeared online the Medical Independent.ie 07.02.19. Depression is a common, disabling mental illness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 300 million people suffer from depression, which is now the world’s leading cause of disability. Almost 800,000 […]