Mental health articles
OF mental health care and mentally ill
Characteristic features of mental health problems in childhood
Characteristic features Marked restlessness, inattention and impulsiveness. Hyperactive children wriggle and squirm in their seats, find it hard to sit still in one place or experience difficulty persisting with any activity. In situations requiring attention and concentration, the child is easily distracted and seems not to listen when spoken to directly. Socially, such children find […]
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Early childhood mental health and aetiology
Aetiology There is consensus that some genetic predisposition exists. Although family factors have also been implicated, their role in severe cases is unclear. Birth complications and diet play a part in a minority of cases. Assessment is usually preceded by collecting information using the Conners’ Teacher’s and Parent’s Questionnaires. These questionnaires are used to screen […]
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bulimia nervosa treatment articles
Summary of evidence on treatment efficacy for bulimia nervosa Psychotherapy Systematic reviews have found that CBT versus remaining on waiting list reduces specific eating disorder symptoms and non-specific symptoms, for example, depression. One systematic review and one subsequent RCT have found that other psychotherapy (non CBT) versus waiting list improved symptoms. CBT more effective than […]
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types of psychotherapy techniques
One small RCT found limited evidence that focal analytical therapy or family therapy versus treatment as usual significantly increased the number of people recovered or improved as assessed by the Morgan Russell scale at one year. One small RCT found no significant difference in outcomes between psychotherapy and dietary counselling at one year. A second […]
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substance use case study format
Case study: Ray The following case study highlights some of the risks associated with substance use and mental illness. Ray is a 29-year-old British man with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He also has a drink problem and takes drugs if they are available, mainly cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine, but in the past he has […]
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Reasons for substance misuse
Reasons for substance misuse Regardless of whether or not people have mental health problems, their reasons for misusing substances are likely to be many and varied. These include the following: the ‘buzz’, it is the norm in the person’s social circle, to give energy, to unwind and aid relaxation, to alleviate boredom, to block out […]
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health anxiety disorder and diagnosis
Definition and diagnosis Diagnosis using DSM IV (APA 1994) is often through the use of hyponchondriasis, a somatoform disorder. A pattern of recurring, clinical complaints, which result in clinical assessment and intervention or cause significant impairments in social, occupational or other areas of functioning occur. DSM IV diagnostic criteria for hyponchondriasis requires six criteria to […]
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health anxiety symptoms vision
Anxiety about one’s own health is a common phenomenon, which affects everyone. Such anxiety drives us to seek medical assistance when we are concerned. Medical assistance in turn enables early detection and therefore early treatment of disease and illness or reassurance that our fear and concerns are unwarranted and that everything is well. When reassured […]
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Treatment and management of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition and needs long-term commitment to its management. Cognitive behavioural therapy, advice on management, involving carers and parents and medication have all shown to be effective. Exposure and response prevention has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms. Advice to parents about how to respond to their child’s […]
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Differential diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Differential diagnosis Normal childhood ritual such as bedtime routine and collecting are not uncommon in early childhood. Symptoms of OCD can present secondary to primary depressive disorders. Children with the autistic spectrum group of disorders may present with repetitive behaviour and sometimes develop full-blown symptoms of OCD. Symptoms of OCD can be associated with schizophrenia […]
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