A-Z of mental health
Information and advice on a huge range of mental health topics
The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Annual Convention
Posted Wednesday 7 November 2012
On October 11 & 12 I attended the The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Annual Convention. As a member of Mind, I was given the opportunity to listen to the views of eminent psychiatrists in relation to research in their line of study. As a mental health service user, I felt privileged to have the experience of taking part.
The event was very well organised although what couldn't be helped was that a couple of guest speakers were unable to attend. However, those that were present gave mostly thoughtful and accomplished presentations. The role of neuroscience was difficult to absorb but while talking to a couple of psychiatrists afterwards, they too expressed how perplexed they felt by that particular talk as well! There were no definite answers as to why so many people experience mental health problems.
It seems genes definitely play a big part in determining the course of mental illness but there are environmental and social factors as well that contribute to the overall functioning of a person living with mental illness. More research is required to find more definitive answers. Encouragingly though, progress is being made! This is especially the case in the biological components and factors of illnesses such as chronic depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
The theme for this year's convention was 'General Adult Psychiatry in Uncertain Times'. This may well be in light of government cuts in spending for NHS services. There were many positives though over the course of the two days.
What impressed me was the vastness of medications that are available to those of us afflicted with mental health problems. Medication has played a crucial role for me in terms of my Bipolar disorder. There is a role for cognitive behavioural therapies and so forth but I was reminded how fortunate I feel to have such an excellent relationship with my own psychiatrist. There are related problems to my disorder so learning the word "co-morbidity" was useful during the convention.
The programme for this event was varied and informative. My mind did wander a lot during the presentations but for the most part I was able to relate to what was being discussed. My favourite discussions centred around 'Generalised Anxiety Disorder' (the speakers were entertaining), and 'Acute Care Psychiatry Network'.
Trevor Turner gave an insightful talk in terms of a review of 'Inpatient Psychiatry'. I received inpatient treatment in hospital when I was first diagnosed with bipolar and later for substance abuse problems. My chemical dependency illness was a painful reminder of how I almost fell through the cracks of the mental health system when I first started to seek treatment eleven years ago when I was 23. Getting a correct diagnosis is difficult to establish when there is substance misuse. My bipolar illness worsened and progressed while doctors, therapists and counsellors tried to work out the underlying problems that were having a devastating effect on my health.
This leads me on to mention another of the talks I heard which centred on 'Early Intervention Network'. Doctors are trying ways to establish getting the right diagnosis for patients as early as possible. Psychoses often worsen for those of us affected unless there is an early intervention.
What made me feel sad was how so many people experience chronic & recurrent depression. Fortunately though, there are many treatments available for this harrowing illness, including ECT (electro-convulsive therapy), if required. I didn't have the opportunity to attend the seminar on Schizophrenia. Like Bipolar though, most medications can work with considerable success. Personality disorders were mentioned a lot over the course of the two days and these can play a big part in the lives of those sufferers.
I just wanted to conclude by writing that altogether I felt better educated in the time I spent at the conference. The material given will be eventually released in the pubic domain via their website.
Finally, I would like to mention the staff who work at the hotel where the conference was held. They were immensely courteous and friendly.
Mervyn, Mind member
Become a Mind member and help us make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.
6 Comments
-
Jolly good for you Mervyn.
However, you bring up a number of difficulties for me.
"ECT is also available if required". Required by whom? Any mention of the downsides and side effects or patients who have it thrust upon them against their will? Any mention of a success rate we can trust in? You were also impressed by the vastness of medications available to those of us who are afflicted with a mental health problem. And you seem to take a diagnosis of personality disorder to be a given uncontroversial label. There seems to be an assumption in your piece that all people suffering mental health difficulties adhere to and belive in the medical model. Also, as you say there are environmental and social factors contributing to mental illness. (you use this these terms as an aggravating factor after the fact not part of the cause). Perhaps its only recognised as an aggravating factor cause they don't have a pill for bad social policy?But you also say genes play a big part it seems in mental health problems. So would the next logical medical step be to get rid of the (faulty) genes? A bit controversial don't you think? Maybe do a test in pregnancy? Don't mean to frighten the horses. -
Thanks for attending Mervyn, and for writing such a clear overview of the day. Much appreciated.
If anyone has any suggestions for other events or conferences that the membership team could visit please let us know at membership@mind.org.uk
Thanks for your support, Suzanne, Membership Team.
-
Nick, I consider myself very fortunate to be the recipient of various medication which I consider to be vital in terms of successfully managing my bipolar affective disorder. My life has vastly improved as a result of adhering to my medication regimen. This did not occur without its difficulties though. I experienced unpleasant side effects for up to two years and at different points wanted to discontinue using the medication I was being prescribed.
I should have pointed out that medication is not valued by everyone with a mental health problem but I think that too often, the value of medication is undermined by patients who at best, reluctantly agree to follow the suggestions of their doctor. I don't agree with patients being made to receive medication which they do not want and this includes the very drastic measure of having ECT. For the most part, I don't think that patients should have such a procedure thrust upon them. However, if the person's life is in danger owing to the excruciating and debilitating effects of depression, then in this instance I would, personally, respect the decision of a medical practitioner. It is in my understanding that when a crisis occurs, doctors are uniquely placed to make as compassionate a decision as possible in relation to a person's health. Ideally, (and I think this would be the case in the majority of cases), a patient's consent would be sought first. Mental illness can very often become a matter of life and death and much like the person who has to treat diabetes with insulin, so too must a person who is severely mentally ill do whatever is necessary to not suffer with any symptoms that they may be finding too unbearable. I am sorry if my comparison is a little crude here but in relation to physical health, people are much more likely to follow the advice of their doctor. Stringent and rigorous tests are performed before a medication is ever considered to be safe or of value to the overall quality of a ...
-
.... person's life. This is often taken for granted when we consider physical ailments and so forth. However, when it comes to mental health, cynicism and prejudice take greater affect. This is probably understandable in the lives of many who find taking, for example, neuroleptic medication abhorrent but without argument, more lives are saved than lost when we consider the outcome for
those who take medication and those who don't. A person, in most instances, has the right to refuse medication unless that person, or others, are at risk of being hurt. More importantly, every patient should have the right to feel that their views are being taken seriously by their doctor. Medication is just one route, amongst many, in improving the quality of a person's life who suffers with mental health problems. If an individual is not suffering, then I don't see the point for medication.My knowledge around "personality disorders" is very limited but suffice to say, whether the term is appropriate or not, such disorders have relevance in that a lot of people find it very difficult to navigate difficult emotions and talking therapies probably have a pivotal role here.
-
Mervyn. Thank you for your replies. I can see where your coming from. I agree for the most part in what you are saying about certain people needing certain treatments including medications.
However, the hope is as you say that patients are properly consulted and given adequate information to make informed choices. Some mental health professionals may be good at this but many patients report that drastic measures in treatments that should be employed as a last resort are far too often used as a first resort. Patients also report their rights are regularly violated through lack of consultation, inadequate information and lack of sought consent. Many report being sectioned under dubious processes. On top of this it is public knowledge that drug companies and other bodies have been found to withhold unfavourable research findings concerning certain medications that later are found to be unsuitable or dangerous, sometimes life threatening side effects. These are serious real issues for many and although patients may also report good experiences, my experience of the mental health patient is not quite so rosy. But I appreciate your experience.
-
Totally agree with Nick here!
Also Mervyn says: 'As a mental health service user, I felt privileged to have the experience of taking part.'
Why should you feel privileged to take part - shouldn't it be the psychiatrists who feel privileged that you attended? They are making huge amounts of money and you, the service user, is supposed to be at the centre of the system. We the tax and NI payers fund this system after all. It's long overdue that there is representation from the users at these events - like Mind taking years to have service users speak at their annual conference. (Actually some system survivors had to gatecrash the conference in the 70s to force user involvement).
Commenting is now closed.