SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenia - Cancer of the Spirit
This presentation will appeal to students and anyone interested mental health. Beyond that of course, is it a pleasure to listen to a thoughtful, reasoned discussion of some of the subtilties of clinical medicine.
Dr Peter Maddocks draws on the parallels between a serious psychiatric illness and serious physical illnesses. There are important advantages in early diagnosis and treatment. Lifestyle factors apply to risk factors in both conditions. Perhaps you could get that information from a text book, but it is so much more significant to hear it from the distillation of a professional lifetime of work in the field.
2 Cases of Schizophrenia
Here you have the opportunity to dip into a lecture that considers some of the clinical symptoms that are found in this condition. A powerful facet of video is the ability to show the these and the change over time. There is useful interchange between students and senior staff. Make notes as you watch the presentation and you will find that at the end you will have a really good understanding of the very essence of this challenging condtion.
Mental Hospital
Stick with the first couple of minutes where the protagonist describes his symptoms and fear of admission. The film describes the type of patients and reasons for admission which has a resonance today.
It is a large psychiatric institution of over three thousand patients living in an enclosed community. The commentary refers to a shortage of staff – a challenge for every psychiatric service today as well. The features of asylum care are described in which the institution is a therapeutic community. Admission was for at least 14 days – perhaps a useful reminder to us all today about the need for a comprehensive assessment and how long it actually takes. You might think it a luxury for each patient to have a routine assessment by a clinical psychologist in addition to the comprehensive physical tests and psychiatric reviews. How does that compare with current care 70 or more years later?
This film was made before the advent of neuroleptic medication (also known as antipsychotic medication, that reduce the symptoms of psychosis, particularly in Schizophrenia). Insulin shock therapy was thought to help, although later was found to be no more effective than placebo and had its own dangers. ECT is still in use today, although water therapy and sedative packs are not used now. “But whatever therapy, it is essential the hospital offer a calm and secure environment”. Yes please. “No matter what their problem there still is hope”. We also hear about the importance of continuity of care and the involvement of the family.
Large asylum care has been replaced by – well what?
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