MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'illness treatment'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:45:27 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805894&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F5nfUNeqZ2sw%2F [Guest post by Susiebelle] Mental commented on this post when i wrote it on the 7th July (which was also when i spotted the article on the BBC) and asked if she could steal it for a guest post. To be honest I’m still a little jet lagged/diet coke (caffeine/aspartame) detox suffering to be bothered if Mental just copied and pasted it it without even asking.  However i can understand that when i eventually come round from this sleepy, migraine, post holiday, general depression and lack of diet coke induced state i may actually care and be rather upset and angry,  so here it is the officially submitted guest post on a subject that i will always have some thing to say on. In fact i ended up talking to the off duty pilot who was sat next to m on my flight back, explaining the scars (aft... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805894 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:35:59 +0100 3805894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645062&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fdual-recovery-anonymous-2%2F is an independent, nonprofessional, twelve step, self-help fellowship organization for people with a dual diagnosis. Our goal is to help men and women who experience a dual illness. We are chemically dependent (alcoholic / addict) and we are also affected by an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses affect us in all areas of our lives; physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. The many terms of dual disorders The term dual diagnosis is often used interchangeably with the terms co-morbidity, co-occurring illnesses, concurrent disorders, comorbid disorders, co-occurring disorder, dual disorder, and, double trouble. Professional literature has used a confusing array of terms and acronyms to describe co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis. Many problems Individual... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645062 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:10:00 +0100 3645062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3383091&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FyQpzRLqK4v4%2F Acquired brain injury refers to any brain damage that happens after birth. Alcohol is one of the many causes of acquired brain injury. The injury inflicted by alcohol abuse is referred to as alcohol related brain injury (ARBI). More than 2,500 Australians are treated for ARBI every year. Just how much damage is done depends on a number of factors. These include individual differences, as well as the person’s age, gender, nutrition and their overall pattern of alcohol consumption. A person with ARBI might experience problems with memory, thinking abilities and physical coordination. A younger person has a better chance of recovery because of their greater powers of recuperation. However, the effects of alcohol related brain injury can be permanent for many sufferers. Alcohol and br... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3383091 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:53:20 +0100 3383091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378740&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fwhat-is-compulsive-hoarding%2F Animal hoarding Hoarding is defined as the acquisition of, and inability to discard worthless items even though they appear (to others) to have no value. Hoarding behaviors can occur in a variety of psychiatric disorders and in the normal population, but are most commonly found in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those people who report compulsive hoarding as their primary type of OCD, experience significant distress or functional impairment from their hoarding. They have symptoms of indecisiveness, procrastination, and avoidance, are classified as having compulsive hoarding syndrome. An estimated 700,000 to 1.4 million people in the United States are believed to have compulsive hoarding syndrome. More than a Hobby Compulsive hoarding is not just an enthusiast’s passi... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378740 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:04:23 +0100 3378740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366436&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FALkvAgYqykY%2F Dual Recovery Anonymous has offered me what I had lost or been unable to find in my sobriety. It offers me believable hope and steps to apply to both my chemical dependency and my psychiatric illnesses. It also offers me a way to heal the emotional and psychic damage that I experienced as a result of my dual disorders. This is just as true for me today as it was when DRA first began to develop. In 1973 I made a decision to seek professional help for my chemical dependency. I had started drinking and using drugs when I was 13. By the time I was 18, I was using every day. I drank, swallowed, snorted and shot as many drugs as I could try, and rarely met a drug that I did not like. Gradually, I began to experience problems in every area of my life. There were times when I desperately wanted to... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366436 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:45:00 +0100 3366436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269882&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholic-mental-health-and-personality%2F Mental health and personality traits in alcohol-dependent patients: a comparative study. The aim of this research study was to describe the mental health and personality profile associated with alcohol dependence (alcoholism) and to compare it with those of non-addictive disorders and the normal population. The groups were; 158 alcohol-dependent patients in treatment, 120 psychiatric patients with non-addictive disorders and 103 participants from the general population chosen to match the patient samples for age, gender and socioeconomic level. All participants were assessed with different instruments related to personality, mental health and personality disorders. Patients from both the alcoholic and psychiatric groups had more symptoms of anxiety and depression than the healthy partici... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269882 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:26:39 +0100 3269882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251406&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fundoing-denial-is-first-step%2F Denial is distorted reality Breaking through denial is alcoholic’s, addict’s first step in recovery Looking in the mirror and accepting what we see can be one of the hardest things we ever do. It’s especially hard when the image staring us in the face is painful or doesn’t fit with how we want to see ourselves. Sometimes, the truth is so painful that we avoid it at any cost. Refusing to accept a painful reality that alters the perception of ourselves is a psychological defense called denial. As human beings, we may use denial to protect ourselves from knowledge, insight or awareness that threatens our self-esteem, mental or physical health, or security. The term “denial” is often used in the chemical dependency field to describe people who deny substanc... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251406 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:19:29 +0100 3251406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189415&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2Fd1nSuXbFK9Q%2F Clues about alcohol related brain damage can be gathered by observing the person’s mood, behaviour, daily functioning and coping skills. Here are some examples of common indicators: Mood changes – anxiety, agitation or depression Behavioural changes – difficult behaviour, acting out, suspicious or paranoid behaviour, withdrawal, inappropriate behaviour Confusion and disorientation Talking excessively about, and living in, the past Problems carrying through with plans and getting around to chores Disconnection of gas, electricity or the phone Missed appointments Repetitious conversation Problems staying focused in conversation Resistance to change Confabulation Irrational reasoning Inability to change even when the person desires to These symptoms of brain impairment wil... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189415 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:02:00 +0100 3189415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083193&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsigns-of-inhalant-abuse%2F Inhalants Inhalants are common products found right in the home and are among the most popular and deadly substances kids abuse. Inhalant abuse can result in death from the very first use. Health Hazards Health Effects and Risks. Nearly all abused inhalants produce effects similar to anesthetics, which act to slow down the body’s functions. When inhaled [...] (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083193 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:59:00 +0100 3083193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083194&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsigns-of-compulsive-debting%2F 1. Being unclear about your financial situation. Not knowing account balances, monthly expenses, loan interest rates, fees, fines, or contractual obligations. 2. Frequently “borrowing” items such as books, pens, or small amounts of money from friends and others, and failing to return them. 3. Poor saving habits. Not planning for taxes, retirement or [...] (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083194 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:35:00 +0100 3083194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681969&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FIJGYxEfce-s%2F Come across this in a few places. None of which link to the original research. Nicotine improves brain function in schizophrenics, from Cosmos magazine: Researchers led by Ruth Barr, a psychiatrist at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, set out to find if the nicotine in cigarettes was helping patients to overcome their difficulties with cognitive function, such as planning and memory in social and work settings. They found: The participants showed improvement in brain function, including less impulsive behaviour and better levels of attention, which are both unrelated to nicotine withdrawal, said Barr. Ruth got a grant to study this kind of thing last year. Looks like the article can be found here. Earlier research by someone else can be found here. (Source: Mental Nur... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681969 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:42:32 +0100 2681969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121889&cid=t_252446_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcongratulations-to-barack-obama.html As a college student at Wesleyan in '61 (or was it '62?) I joined with other white students to team with groups of black students from Howard University in an effort to integrate lunch counters in Glen Burnie, a suburb of Baltimore.  In some places we sat indefinitely without being served; in one, we were served coffee with salt in it; at another they locked the doors as we approached.  When we picketed the segregated local movie theatre, a mob of white men surrounded us as sheriffs watched.  A providential cloudburst scattered the crowd and allowed us to escape.  On the night of election day in 1964, I arrived at the civil rights movement headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi, to begin a few months of volunteer work.  Nearly everyone was glued to the TV set to see whether the Democrat... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121889 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:39:00 +0100 2121889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113390&cid=t_252446_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F18%2Fundertreatment-of-mental-illness-causes-crime%2F You really have to wonder at what the folks over at White Coat Notes, a health blog by The Boston Globe, were thinking when they wrote this about a recently published study: Two thirds of prisoners nationwide with a mental illness were off treatment at the time of their arrest, according to a new study by Harvard researchers that suggests under-treatment of mental illness contributes to crime and incarceration. [emphasis added] How can a survey of current prisoners suggest any type of causal relationship between crime and a medical or health condition? Would anyone suggest that because the same survey data found that prisoners are 31% more likely to have asthma, 55% more likely to have diabetes, and 90% more likely to have suffered a heart attack, that people who have asthma and who ar... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113390 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:32:05 +0100 2113390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829117&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F403436862%2F There are two main classifications of MH issues. ICD-10 and DSM-IV. ICD is a taxonomy of all health related conditions and diagnostic criteria and is varied from country to country (which kinda makes the ‘International’ nomenclature redundant). DSM is MH specific and has developed into a multi-axial tool to aide in a brief summary of clinical presentation. It is praised and criticised in equal measures. This post is about exploring the DSM and how the axes are currently used with a proposal for a new way of using the DSM in determining need for health care interventions. I may be out of sync with other places internationally that have already taken this pathway - or similar - but I’ve not seen anything thus far to lead me to think so. Let me know. Multi-axial system The D... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829117 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:31:03 +0100 1829117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1790263&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F391576541%2F That’s not to say Risk Assessment can’t have a place. After all, we accept the use of parole boards and probation services for the rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Here in my part of Oz, mentally ill offenders can only have leave approved by the MHRT. When a person breaks the law in the context of a mental illness, it’s no longer a clinical decision as to whether someone is suitable for leave and all leave conditions are determined (increased, decreased or remain the same) by the MHRT at 6 monthly meetings. Recent news has us once again reacting for our Risk Assessment calculator (that should say ‘reaching ‘ but oddly it doesn’t). Darren Harkin, a 21 year old who was resident of a low secure unit has been charged with the rape of a 14 year old girl ... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1790263 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:29:00 +0100 1790263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750081&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F380079739%2F Scientists are exploring the use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD to treat a range of ailments from depression to cluster headaches and obsessive compulsive disorder. In the Swiss trial eight subjects will receive a dose of 200 microgrammes of LSD. This is enough to induce a powerful psychedelic experience and is comparable to what would be found in an “acid tab” bought from a street drug dealer. A further four subjects will receive a dose of 20 microgrammes. Every participant will know they have received some LSD, but neither the subjects nor the researchers observing them will know for certain who received the full dose. During the course of therapy researchers will assess the patients’ anxiety levels, quality of life and pain levels. I wonder what indemnity they asked... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750081 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:59:04 +0100 1750081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750082&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F379998925%2F A new vision for mental health is a discussion paper from seven national mental health organisations intended to provoke a debate on the best direction for future mental health policy. The government’s ten-year plan - the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health - will come to an end, signalling a new era. Important policy choices must be made to ensure both that its achievements are built upon and its shortcomings tackled. Seven leading national mental health organisations have come together as the Future Vision Coalition to outline their proposals for a substantial shift in policy during the next ten years. These organisations are: the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services; the Mental Health Foundation; Mind; Rethink; Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health; Togeth... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750082 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:35:06 +0100 1750082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1693626&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F360649761%2F I was going to post some stuff on Rember, the newest anti-dementia drug to hit the press, but instead I stumbled across a relatively new blogger, Dr Jo, and wanted to give credit for the links to this report on an alternative treatment option for dementia that have made my Sunday. I sincerely hope this offers a treatment option - anything is better than nothing - but I’m getting a serious flashback to the future about this one. (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1693626 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:47:20 +0100 1693626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631016&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F337389916%2F The symptom of ‘lack of insight’ is often a component of major mental illness. Technically referred to as anosognosia, it is the lack of insight that often results in the need for compulsory detention; supervision orders; enforceable medication and the ever-present psychiatric coercion. Now there’s a whole heap of debate on coercion and understanding the difference between a patient electing an informed choice as opposed to one who simply doesn’t see themselves as ill. However, I have a niggling question about this state of denial that others may be able to shed considered thought or experience on. In the case of someone who denies the existence of a mental illness, is it ever found to pervade to the denial of other illnesses, particularly new found medical ones? I... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631016 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:22:15 +0100 1631016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556279&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F323858574%2F And for those who haven’t met Jed.. he’s here. He is the Patron(ised) Saint of Madness and mascot of the Acute Mental Health Unit, apparently. And on who’s authority is he getting a DIY SOS makeover? Well for a start, I think Nick Knowles might be happy to be involved. He’s just condemned Reality TV shows for mocking the mentally ill… but that’s a whole other thread. However, more illustriously, none less then the incumbent president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professor Dinesh Bhugra had this to say: Britain’s most eminent psychiatrist has launched a powerful attack on the state of Britain’s acute psychiatric care system, saying many inpatient units are unsafe, overcrowded and uninhabitable, adding: ‘I would not use them, an... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556279 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:41:51 +0100 1556279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1229228&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F234533002%2F Cognitive Therapy was first devolved by Ellis in the early 1950’s when it was called rational emotive therapy (REMT). It was developed as a reaction against the popular psychoanalytic methods in use at the time. Later developed independently by Aaron T Beck in the 1960’ Cognitive Therapy was further developed into its current [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1229228 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:52:26 +0100 1229228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1204644&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F229289837%2F A recent scenario gives me cause to vent. But also to raise for discussion the ethically debatable issue of ‘where to draw the line?’ when it comes to detained mental health treatment. The Shrink raises similar issues in his blog on issues of capacity and Advanced Directives. My scenario revolves around Pt X who has a [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1204644 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:00:32 +0100 1204644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1033465&cid=t_252446_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F186211007%2F Ok, you know those times where you have a really good idea…. or at least you think you do… then you’re not so sure, I mean, if it was that good… why has no-one else said it? I have them all the time. Mostly I end up working it out in my head why it [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1033465 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:32:44 +0100 1033465