Abstract Iatrogenic harm refers to injury, illness, or death caused by medical intervention itself rather than the underlying condition. In psychiatric practice, iatrogenic outcomes may arise from pharmacological treatment, inpatient containment practices (such as restraint or seclusion), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or failures of care, including misdiagnosis and neglect. This report synthesises available UK evidence from..
Read moreStendhal Syndrome
Stendhal Syndrome, also known as Stendhal's syndrome, is a rare and intriguing neurological disorder that causes an individual to experience physical and emotional distress upon viewing art or other beautiful objects. The condition is named after the French author Stendhal, who wrote about his own experiences with the disorder in his 1817 book, "Naples and..
Read moreCapgras Syndrome
Capgras syndrome, also known as Capgras delusion, is a rare and fascinating neurological disorder in which a person believes that a loved one, usually a spouse or parent, has been replaced by an identical imposter. This belief is often accompanied by feelings of anger, suspicion, and mistrust toward the imposter. The exact cause of Capgras..
Read moreShared Delusions: Folie à deux
Folie à deux, also known as shared psychosis or induced delusional disorder, is a rare psychological phenomenon where two individuals share the same delusional beliefs. One person, known as the "primary case", has a pre-existing psychiatric condition that causes them to have delusions, while the other person, known as the "secondary case", develops similar delusions..
Read moreAlcohol – The Blameless Drug? (Watch this if you think you might be drinking too much)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2M-o1Sa_vc&rel=0 Summary: Andy discusses alcohol in a longer video prepared for a group he is writing a paper for. He argues that when someone struggles with alcohol the blame is placed on the person, whereas with drugs such as heroin the drug itself is treated as the problem. He suggests alcohol is clearly addictive and..
Read more“There goes the neighbourhood.” (Mental health, cultural disrespect and lack of self discipline.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrL7zBj8hI&rel=0 Summary: Andy reacts to a filmed street incident sent to him by a colleague. He recalls a similar situation more than twenty years ago when he attended an injured man in the street, and notes that this time everyone was filming. He goes on to discuss respect, taking offence, self-restraint and self-discipline in children,..
Read moreMental health and the ever-widening use of the term
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjLMr2us8DM&rel=0 Summary: Andy argues in this short piece that the term mental health is being applied more and more widely, for example to disagreements over pronouns or school attendance. He believes this dilutes the concept and overwhelms services, so people with serious conditions find it harder to get treatment. He also notes a report calling..
Read moreAndy in the Attic discusses psychiatric medication
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn8tad2YB50&rel=0 Summary: In a short question and answer video, Andy answers what he thinks about psychiatric medication. He says it makes no difference to the techniques he uses and that he does not discuss medication with clients, although he will speak with a prescribing psychiatrist. He says coaches who are not prescribers should not advise..
Read moreA former nurse discusses the issue of Munchausen’s syndrome in hospitals (the betrayal of trust).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpvRjB2ftKQ&rel=0 Summary: Drawing on his past work as a hospital nurse, Andy describes behaviour he observed in patients with Munchausen's syndrome. He explains that the behaviour is contextual and usually directed at hospital staff rather than family or employers, and that symptoms may disappear when patients are observed. He also discusses the strain this places..
Read moreWhen the stalking begins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ksyy1uYo8&rel=0 How to Deal with Stalking Guidelines. Join this channel to get access to loads of additional videos with new content added every week. Summary: Prompted by a conversation with a client this week, Andy recalls a story from the mid-1990s while working at a hospital. He explains his view that stalking often begins well..
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