{"title":"Social contagion, the psychiatric symptom pool and non-suicidal self-injury.","authors":"Joel Paris","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is evidence that social contagion plays a role in shaping the clinical presentation of some psychiatric symptoms, particularly affecting features that vary over time and culture. Some symptoms can increase so rapidly in prevalence that they become 'epidemic'. The mechanism involves a spread through peers and/or the media. Within broader domains of psychopathology, this process draws from a 'symptom pool' that can determine which specific symptoms will appear. This article illustrates these mechanisms by focusing on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), a syndrome that has been subject to social contagion and whose prevalence may have increased among adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142765899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lucy Goulding, Julie Williams, Alison White, Aileen Jackson, Zoë Lelliott, Stuart Adams, Kia-Chong Chua, Noushig Nahabedian, Juliana Onwumere, James Woollard, Nick Sevdalis, Fiona Gaughran
{"title":"Remote consultations in mental health: collaborative evaluation applying learning health systems thinking.","authors":"Lucy Goulding, Julie Williams, Alison White, Aileen Jackson, Zoë Lelliott, Stuart Adams, Kia-Chong Chua, Noushig Nahabedian, Juliana Onwumere, James Woollard, Nick Sevdalis, Fiona Gaughran","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims and method: </strong>A collaborative evaluation of remote consultations in mental health services was undertaken by mental health service providers, experts by experience, academic institutions and a Health Innovation Network in south London, UK. 'Learning healthcare systems' thinking was applied. Workstream 1 reviewed international published evidence; workstream 2 synthesised findings from three health provider surveys of the perceptions and experiences of staff, patients and carers; and workstream 3 comprised an electronic survey on local projects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Remote consultations can be acceptable to patients and staff. They improve access for some while restricting access for others, with digital exclusion being a key concern. Providing tailored choice is key.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The collaboration generated learning to inform choices by healthcare providers to embed or adapt remote delivery. A key output was freely downloadable survey questions for assessing the quantity and quality of appointments undertaken by phone or video or face to face.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142765898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Whose trauma is it anyway? Creating more equitable mental healthcare in a system that harms.","authors":"James Downs","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Past experiences of mental healthcare which have been perceived as harmful can present significant barriers to accessing treatment again. This article draws upon research and lived experience to consider the ways in which conceptualisations of 'trauma-informed care' may better incorporate the role of iatrogenic harm, thus providing more acceptable and equitable treatment for those who have previously found treatment to be harmful. A more restorative approach is offered, founded in shared responsibility and compassionate relationships, to help minimise harms and create a more healing system for patients and clinicians alike.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142738287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Royal College of Psychiatrists should become British, not Royal.","authors":"David Curtis","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.97","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.97","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The royal charter of the Royal College of Psychiatrists is generally taken to enhance its status. However, the concept of a hereditary monarchy is intellectually indefensible and the realities of the British monarchy exacerbate inequalities in the UK. The connection is particularly problematic for psychiatrists because of their role in the compulsory detention and treatment of patients. The Royal affiliation can only serve to emphasise the power inequalities in society associated with these activities. College members should feel free to discuss whether this situation should continue or whether we should be British rather than Royal.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introducing medical students to cultural psychiatry: perspectives and reflections on developing and delivering an elective module.","authors":"Tahir Jokinen, Nawal Benachar, Arian Rahim","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cultural sensitivity, competence and curiosity are essential for clinicians. To promote these, we developed an elective module in cultural psychiatry for medical students, consisting of eight seminars. In seminar eight, we used film clips to teach mental state examination. We comment on the development and delivery of the module, and offer a selection of student feedback. Cultural psychiatry could be better integrated into core medical school curricula, and we call for research to explore this.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142602798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eimear Counihan, Cornelia Carey, Anna Feeney, Kevin Lally, Ciara O'Connor, Anne M Doherty
{"title":"Research needs of higher specialist trainees in psychiatry in Ireland: mixed methods study.","authors":"Eimear Counihan, Cornelia Carey, Anna Feeney, Kevin Lally, Ciara O'Connor, Anne M Doherty","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.91","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.91","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims and method: </strong>Higher specialist trainees (HSTs) in psychiatry in Ireland were recruited to complete a 21-item online questionnaire anonymously. Questions were designed to establish the research experience of HSTs in various years of training, identify perceived barriers to participation and generate potential strategies to overcome these barriers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 165 HSTs surveyed, 50 (30%) responded. Most respondents (58%) were in the second or third year of HST. Most (72%) were training in general adult psychiatry. Themes that emerged from analysis of the qualitative data were 'collaborative research culture', 'guidance', 'choice' and 'access to resources'. Participants felt they needed more structured guidance and regular supervision, and expressed a desire for more networking and collaboration.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The need for a supportive, collaborative research culture within psychiatry was predominant among responses. Structured research programmes and access to resources may facilitate a more positive research culture and should be considered as part of the training curriculum.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142582052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evolution and suicide: critique of the pain and brain model.","authors":"Riadh Abed, Paul St John-Smith","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.93","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.93","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Soper's 'pain and brain' evolutionary theory of suicide has significant explanatory power and deserves wider consideration and scrutiny in the mainstream psychiatric literature. It provides a novel framework for thinking about the problem of suicide and could have an important impact on research as well as clinical practice. However, we raise questions and concerns regarding the prediction the theory makes regarding common mental disorders being anti-suicide adaptations.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142575259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mental disorders may prevent, not cause, suicide.","authors":"Annie Swanepoel, C A Soper","doi":"10.1192/bjb.2024.50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2024.50","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We challenge a prevalent belief that depression causes suicide and propose that certain symptoms of depression and other psychopathologies may function to <i>prevent</i> lethal self-injury. Theoretical and empirical evidence supports this position. As suicide posed an extreme fitness hazard throughout human evolution, our species evolved special-purpose psychological defences that continuously monitor and manage this danger. Last-ditch protections may present as diverse psychiatric phenomena. Mobilising in adolescence and adulthood in response to chronic distress, these usually stop suicidal thoughts from escalating into deadly actions. The theory is testable. We point to important implications for the clinical management of suicide and psychopathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":8883,"journal":{"name":"BJPsych Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142575263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}