Thursday, November 11, 2010
ECT (Modified)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat depression in select groups, such as clients who do not respond to antidepressants or those who experience intolerable side effects at therapeutic doses.
Other clients who may be subjected to ECT are:
- Catatonic schizophrenia
- Mania
- Pregnant clients (it can cause no harm to the fetus)
- Suicidal clients
In the early use of ECT, clients do not receive any pre-medications such as muscle relaxants, anesthetics, and anticholinergics to decrease body secretions. This practice created a brutal image of the procedure. Clients who had experienced ECT were traumatized. This was the unmodified version of ECT. Presently, modified type of ECT is being implemented to minimize seizure experience on clients. Medications are now given before the procedure:
- succinylcholine (Anectine) - a muscle relaxant
- methoxital - mild anesthetic
- atropihine sulfate - anticholinergic
Aside for the medications, oxygen supplementation is also provided to the client to ensure adequate oxygenation during the course of the treatment. The client is also attached to ECG and EEG machines to monitor any abnormalities to the heart and brain activities. The blood pressure monitored as well to detect any deviations in the circulatory condition of the client.
Prior to the procedure, the nurse has to check the following:
- Consent for procedure.
- Make sure that the client has urinated.
- NPO 4 hours before the procedure to prevent aspiration.
- Examine for any dentures, and remove them prior to the procedure.
- Position the client in supine (flat on bed), with extremities guarded.
- Place a mouthguard on the mouth of the client to prevent from biting his/her lips/tongue.
- Vital signs are obtained to assess if the client is fit to receive ECT. Increase or decrease in the vital signs are indications that ECT is not to be given.
During th procedure, the nurse and other members of the team should ensure the safety of the client particularly during the seizure event. Assist the extremities in a way that it cannot create a fractures or injury, but do not hold down the client extensively.
After ECT, tilt the client's head towards the side to facilitate drainage of any oral secretions present in the oral cavity. Promote return of cardiovascular functioning by rubbing the anterior chest and provide adequate oxygen inhalation.
The client may experience temporary memory loss after ECT. Orient the client to time, place, and person immediately and what just happened to him/her.
History of Psychiatric Illness
Mental Illness has evolved from the harsh treatment of asylum and brutal criticisms of the public to managing symptoms with miracle drugs and empowering patients. Looking back on the manner how mentally ill persons received (supposedly) the right medical treatment, we reflect on our present practices. Have we really overcome the stigma of mental illness? Or, are we still living in the dark ages?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I Am Sam (2000)
A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family.
The Hungry Artist
The body of a woman is found in a shopping cart, wrapped in a blanket with her mutilated face protruding out. The woman was a model named Ashley James whose face can be found all over Las Vegas, on billboards and magazine covers.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fault Lines - Mental Illness In U.S. Prisons
Josh Rushing goes deep inside one of the largest prison systems in the United States to look at the criminalization of the mentally ill.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sigmund Freud: The Father of Psychoanalysis
(
Born May 6, 1856, Freiberg, Moravia, Austrian Empire—died Sept. 23, 1939, London, Eng.) Austrian neuropsychologist, founder of psychoanalysis, and one of the major intellectual figures of the 20th century. Trained in Vienna as a neurologist, Freud went to Paris in 1885 to study with Jean-Martin Charcot, whose work on hysteria led Freud to conclude that mental disorders might be caused purely by psychological rather than organic factors. Returning to Vienna (1886), Freud collaborated with the physician Josef Breuer (1842–1925) in further studies on hysteria, resulting in the development of some key psychoanalytic concepts and techniques, including free association, the unconscious, resistance (later defense mechanisms), and neurosis. In 1899 he published The Interpretation of Dreams, in which he analyzed the complex symbolic processes underlying dream formation: he proposed that dreams are the disguised expression of unconscious wishes. In his controversial Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905), he delineated the complicated stages of psychosexual development (oral, anal, and phallic) and the formation of the Oedipus complex. During World War I, he wrote papers that clarified his understanding of the relations between the unconscious and conscious portions of the mind and the workings of the id, ego, and superego. Freud eventually applied his psychoanalytic insights to such diverse phenomena as jokes and slips of the tongue, ethnographic data, religion and mythology, and modern civilization. Works of note include Totem and Taboo (1913), Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920), The Future of an Illusion (1927), and Civilization and Its Discontents (1930). Freud fled to England when the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938; he died shortly thereafter. Despite the relentless and often compelling challenges mounted against virtually all of his ideas, both in his lifetime and after, Freud has remained one of the most influential figures in contemporary thought.
Copyright © 1994-2010 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. For more information visit Britannica.com
Phobias
New places, high bridges, old elevators may make all of us a bit uneasy or even frightened. We might try to avoid things that make us uncomfortable, but most people generally manage to control their fears and carry out daily activities without incident.
But people with specific phobias, or strong irrational fear reactions, work hard to avoid common places, situations, or objects even though they know there's no threat or danger. The fear may not make any sense, but they feel powerless to stop it.
People who experience these seemingly excessive and unreasonable fears in the presence of or in anticipation of a specific object, place, or situation have a specific phobia.
Having phobias can disrupt daily routines, limit work efficiency, reduce self-esteem, and place a strain on relationships because people will do whatever they can to avoid the uncomfortable and often-terrifying feelings of phobic anxiety.
While some phobias develop in childhood, most seem to arise unexpectedly, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. Their onset is usually sudden, and they may occur in situations that previously did not cause any discomfort or anxiety.
Specific phobias commonly focus on animals, insects, heights, thunder, driving, public transportation, flying, dental or medical procedures, and elevators.
Although people with phobias realize that their fear is irrational, even thinking about it can often cause extreme anxiety.
OVERCOME PHOBIA NOW!!! Click Here!
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. While most people think of anorexia as an eating disorder, in actuality, anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis - one which describes the eating disorder we commonly call anorexia. Mentally, people with anorexia suffer from body image distortion, which makes them feel perpetually overweight, even when they are actually very thin. Because of this skewed body image, anorexics are continuously focused on attaining a low body weight, often severely limiting their food intake. Anorexics may also exercise excessively, abuse diet pills, or induce themselves to vomit in at attempt to lose weight. Sadly, continuously starving the body can be physically devastating. Over time, anorexics can experience low blood pressure, a slowed heartbeat, stunted growth, a weakened immune system, and tooth and bone decay. If left untreated, anorexia nervosa can lead to death as the body gives in to literal starvation. Some research suggests that people prone to perfectionism, depression, or anxiety may be more likely to suffer from anorexia, but there is no single cause for the disease. While 90% of the people who suffer from anorexia are female, and adolescent girls are the most likely group to be affected, the disorder still affects many different kinds of people. Nonetheless, women who participate in a job or sport that emphasizes body size, such as modeling, gymnastics or ballet, may also be more likely to be anorexic.
SELF-HELP BOOKS ON EATING DISORDERS:
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Ana
A video about anorexia, that won "Best Documentary" at the Colorado College 2006 Film Festival. Roughly based on "Letter to Ana," by anonymous, online. Dir. Ross Palmer. Starring Emily Zinn, Naomi Botkin.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Stigmatized
STIGMA, the film from Nicolas Laborie on Vimeo.
STIGMA is a series of video art based on the Stigma around Mental Health.
This is part of an ongoing exploration of the misinterpretation of mental Health. PURIFICATION was the first video art that dealt with one of the mind recovery solution: meditation. STIGMA will present itself with a direct, personal and often misunderstood approach by various testimonial from people who suffer from mental illness.
Directed,filmed and edited by NICOLAS LABORIE, monologue written by REBECCA LORI and music by RAEL JONES.
Starring SYLVIE GOURDON, TEUTA SKENDERI and RICHARD HARVEY.
Living with Dementia
living with dementia from Dan Giannopoulos on Vimeo.
Dennis is 86 years of age. On the 30th August 2008 he suffered a major stroke, which paralysed the left hand side of his body. After 2 months in hospital he was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia.
Vascular Dementia is a condition that causes a progressive decline in the mental abilities of its sufferer. Its onset is characterised by a loss of memory as well as deterioration of one’s ability to carry out everyday activities. The sufferer’s personality and behaviour become markedly different.
Dementia not only impacts on the life of the sufferer it also irrevocably changes the lives of the sufferer’s loved ones. Victims, once active and independent, are reliant on others to complete basic tasks.
Families struggle to cope with the loss of the person they knew whilst dealing with the immediate reality of the victim’s condition and the associated frustrations. Dementia is unique in one crucial aspect; families grieve as though their loved one has already died.
The following set of images are a small selection from a long term project that aims to document the stress and heartbreak that a stroke and stroke related Vascular Dementia put on the victim and their family but also the tenderness that comes from caring for a loved one suffering this tragic illness.
Mental Illness from American's Prison
You can view more of these remarkable videos plus interviews of inmates at: www.jennackerman.com | jenn@jennackerman.com
What's on the Other Side?
Here is a short film about the Institute of Mental Health in Chennai, India. Institute of Mental Health, Chennai is involved in Mental Health care for the past 206 Years. Founded in 1794 as an asylum to manage 20 patients, it has grown into an Institute with bed strength of 1800 patients. It is no more an asylum for custodial care but a place for enhancing mental health and a training centre for mental health professionals. Today Institute of Mental Health is the second largest Institute in India.
Visual tour of a mental asylum from Aum Films on Vimeo.
Visual tour of a mental asylum from Aum Films on Vimeo.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Maze (2000)
An artist with Tourette's syndrome and an aversion to romance falls for his best friend's girl in this sometimes comic drama. Lyle Maze (Rob Morrow), a successful painter who's also starting to explore sculpture, relies on emotional armor a foot thick to protect him from other people. In addition to suffering from uncontrollable physical tics and loud outbursts, Lyle is also prone to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Afraid that his artistic gifts and his disease spring from the same well, he eschews the well-meaning advice of his doctor pal, Mike (Craig Sheffer), and refuses to try the new drug therapies available. He also rejects any attempt to fix him up with women. But when rebel-without-a-cause Mike decides to tilt at windmills in Africa for seven months as a member of Doctors Without Borders, Lyle finds himself in a precarious position. Callie (Laura Linney), Mike's acerbic ad-exec girlfriend, has confided to him that she's pregnant but unwilling to use her condition as leverage to shore up her troubled relationship. Soon, Lyle is coaching Callie through natural childbirth classes, playing surrogate father-to-be, and falling in love. Inspired by the documentary Twitch and Shout, Maze marked the first trip behind the camera for actor Rob Morrow, who played another man with Tourette's in the film Other Voices.
Misery (1990)
Misery is a 1990 American psychological horror/thriller film, based on Stephen King's 1987 novel of the same name. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film received critical acclaim for Kathy Bates' performance as the psychopathic Annie Wilkes
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom's follow-up to the underrated Once Around earned far more attention than its predecessor thanks to the judicious casting of perennial thinking woman's heartthrob Johnny Depp and a certain up-and-coming thespian by the name of Leonardo DiCaprio. A prisoner of his dysfunctional family's broken dreams in tiny Endora, IA, Gilbert (Depp) serves as breadwinner and caretaker for his mother and siblings following his father's suicide and his older brother's defection. Momma (Darlene Cates) is a morbidly obese shut-in who hasn't left the house in seven years; her children include retarded Arnie (DiCaprio), who's about to turn 18 despite a host of negative medical forecasts, and terminally embarrassed Ellen (Mary Kate Schellhardt), who's emerging from an awkward adolescence. When he's not taking care of the difficult but tender Arnie, Gilbert spends his time fixing up the family's tattered farmhouse, working at a failing mom-and-pop grocery store and hanging with local misfits Bobby (Crispin Glover), an overly ambitious junior undertaker, and Tucker (John C. Reilly), a handyman who hankers after a job at the new burger franchise. Into this complicated but essentially unchanging social universe steps Becky (Juliette Lewis), a thoughtful young woman who's been escorting her nomadic grandmother from state to state in a mobile-home caravan. As Becky teaches Gilbert to finally consider his own happiness for a change, she disrupts both his family obligations and his long-running affair with a lonely housewife (Mary Steenburgen). Adapted by Peter Hedges from his own novel of the same name, What's Eating Gilbert Grape was the first and only film role for non-actress Cates, whom the filmmakers discovered on an episode of the Sally Jesse Raphael Show titled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House."
My Family's Secret
When JASON DARCIE (Dylan Neal), attempts suicide, he leaves a cryptic note for his wife LARA DARCIE (Nicholle Tom), suggesting that the death of his little sister years ago wasn't really an accident—and he may have even had a hand in it.
Driven by the need to know more about her husbands dark past and the secret that led him to want to end his life, Lara goes back to the small town where Jason was raised. There, she finds his father now senile and in a nursing home, leaving her with only Jasons younger brother GRADY (Philip Riccio) to help her unravel the mysterious confession in Justins note.
But what Lara doesnt know is that Grady suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). Lara's probe into the brothers chilling childhood causes one of Gradys more aggressive personalities to take control, eager to protect his familys secret and willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to keep the past buried.
As Lara gets closer to the truth, she puts herself and another woman, CANDY (Cinthia Burke), an attractive but antisocial ex-con that Grady often confesses his problems to, in grave danger. Realizing that Gradys most twisted personality is in control and after them, Lara must save herself and Candy from suffering the same fate as Gradys sister
Driven by the need to know more about her husbands dark past and the secret that led him to want to end his life, Lara goes back to the small town where Jason was raised. There, she finds his father now senile and in a nursing home, leaving her with only Jasons younger brother GRADY (Philip Riccio) to help her unravel the mysterious confession in Justins note.
But what Lara doesnt know is that Grady suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). Lara's probe into the brothers chilling childhood causes one of Gradys more aggressive personalities to take control, eager to protect his familys secret and willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to keep the past buried.
As Lara gets closer to the truth, she puts herself and another woman, CANDY (Cinthia Burke), an attractive but antisocial ex-con that Grady often confesses his problems to, in grave danger. Realizing that Gradys most twisted personality is in control and after them, Lara must save herself and Candy from suffering the same fate as Gradys sister
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) often hide or are in denial about the true nature of their condition. They may desperately seek relief from cosmetic surgeons or dermatologists long before consulting with mental health professionals. They may be embarrassed to tell others about what they are experiencing for fear of being thought vain or "crazy". BDD can be extremely serious with an elevated risk of self-destructive thoughts or behaviors. This condition is also associated with a variety of problems in social and emotional adaptation that compound the problem.
Technically, BDD is a Somatoform Disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR). It specifically involves an excessive preoccupation with one or more physical characteristics. Although this condition is classified as a Somatoform Disorder, it shares many similarities with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in that individuals with both conditions experience obsessions and compulsions relating to their appearance. For example, someone with BDD may have a compulsion to repeatedly check the way his or her nose looks in a mirror. Individuals with BDD have obsessions about either an imaginary defect in their appearance or an exaggeration of a defect that to others seems inconsequential. Unique to BDD, the obsession or preoccupation regarding this imaginary or exaggerated defect predominates any other obsession. Even more than with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the belief in the defect is very strongly held. Individuals with BDD may believe so strongly in the defect that they can appear virtually delusional. BDD was once thought of as "imagined ugliness" but it is more about perfectionism or, in other words, believing that appearance should be flawless.
BDDers may become extraordinarily concerned about most any body part although some are more typical to have issues about than others. The shape of their head, their breasts, their genitals, skin, teeth, nose, and hair are some examples of possible problem areas. Further examples of imagined or exaggerated physical defects include that one's body is disfigured, that one's body has scars or marks, that their body is aging extraordinarily fast, that a body part is too large or too small, or that body parts are asymmetrical.
Individuals with BDD also engage in compulsive behaviors that are performed in an attempt to reduce the discomfort aroused by the obsessive belief in a perceived defect in their appearance. People diagnosed with BDD may repetitively seek reassurance from others about their appearance, have multiple surgeries to alter their appearance, or attend many doctor's appointments to address their appearance. Unfortunately, these behaviors typically only serve to reduce the discomfort temporarily. In fact, BDD may become reinforced and worsened because this temporary relief creates a vicious cycle.
Over time, individuals with BDD encounter many difficulties due to their strong belief in a defect in their appearance and the associated compulsions done to reduce the discomfort related to the obsession. They may learn to avoid interacting with people due to negative feelings elicited by their belief in the physical defect. Not only do these individuals tend to avoid socializing, their obsessions and compulsions may consume an enormous amount of time, thus, limiting their ability to carry out even common everyday activities such as caring for their home and working. Young people with BDD often cannot function effectively in school or participate in extracurricular activities. It is no surprise that BDDers often are frustrated and anxious as well as depressed.
Treatment for BDD is focused upon reducing body-focused obsessions and compulsions, re-structuring erroneous and self-defeating thought patterns, and improving the ability to function in life despite appearance concerns. Addressing the emotional distress of these individuals is also essential. Both psychotherapy and medications may be used in the treatment of BDD. Teaching family members and friends to understand and cope with someone who has BDD is often very helpful, as is attending support groups. However, it needs to be recognized that when BDD is very severe intensive treatment may be the only realistic option.
Despite the difficulties presented by BDD there are many who can make improvements in treatment. Sometimes the most important steps are the first- willingness to accept that BDD is the problem and keeping an open mind about therapeutic interventions
Technically, BDD is a Somatoform Disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR). It specifically involves an excessive preoccupation with one or more physical characteristics. Although this condition is classified as a Somatoform Disorder, it shares many similarities with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in that individuals with both conditions experience obsessions and compulsions relating to their appearance. For example, someone with BDD may have a compulsion to repeatedly check the way his or her nose looks in a mirror. Individuals with BDD have obsessions about either an imaginary defect in their appearance or an exaggeration of a defect that to others seems inconsequential. Unique to BDD, the obsession or preoccupation regarding this imaginary or exaggerated defect predominates any other obsession. Even more than with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the belief in the defect is very strongly held. Individuals with BDD may believe so strongly in the defect that they can appear virtually delusional. BDD was once thought of as "imagined ugliness" but it is more about perfectionism or, in other words, believing that appearance should be flawless.
BDDers may become extraordinarily concerned about most any body part although some are more typical to have issues about than others. The shape of their head, their breasts, their genitals, skin, teeth, nose, and hair are some examples of possible problem areas. Further examples of imagined or exaggerated physical defects include that one's body is disfigured, that one's body has scars or marks, that their body is aging extraordinarily fast, that a body part is too large or too small, or that body parts are asymmetrical.
Individuals with BDD also engage in compulsive behaviors that are performed in an attempt to reduce the discomfort aroused by the obsessive belief in a perceived defect in their appearance. People diagnosed with BDD may repetitively seek reassurance from others about their appearance, have multiple surgeries to alter their appearance, or attend many doctor's appointments to address their appearance. Unfortunately, these behaviors typically only serve to reduce the discomfort temporarily. In fact, BDD may become reinforced and worsened because this temporary relief creates a vicious cycle.
Over time, individuals with BDD encounter many difficulties due to their strong belief in a defect in their appearance and the associated compulsions done to reduce the discomfort related to the obsession. They may learn to avoid interacting with people due to negative feelings elicited by their belief in the physical defect. Not only do these individuals tend to avoid socializing, their obsessions and compulsions may consume an enormous amount of time, thus, limiting their ability to carry out even common everyday activities such as caring for their home and working. Young people with BDD often cannot function effectively in school or participate in extracurricular activities. It is no surprise that BDDers often are frustrated and anxious as well as depressed.
Treatment for BDD is focused upon reducing body-focused obsessions and compulsions, re-structuring erroneous and self-defeating thought patterns, and improving the ability to function in life despite appearance concerns. Addressing the emotional distress of these individuals is also essential. Both psychotherapy and medications may be used in the treatment of BDD. Teaching family members and friends to understand and cope with someone who has BDD is often very helpful, as is attending support groups. However, it needs to be recognized that when BDD is very severe intensive treatment may be the only realistic option.
Despite the difficulties presented by BDD there are many who can make improvements in treatment. Sometimes the most important steps are the first- willingness to accept that BDD is the problem and keeping an open mind about therapeutic interventions
Sybil
Sybil is a 1973 book by Flora Rheta Schreiber about the treatment of Sybil Dorsett (a pseudonym for Shirley Ardell Mason) for dissociative identity disorder (then referred to as multiple personality disorder) by her psychoanalyst, Cornelia B. Wilbur.
The book was made into two movies of the same name, once in 1976 and again as a television movie in 2007. (Wikepedia)
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
PART 6
PART 8
PART 9
PART 10
PART 11
PART 12
PART 13
PART 15
PART 16
PART 17
PART 18
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Jail is a frequent residence for McMurphy, whose latest conviction is for statutory rape. Rather than spending time behind bars, he decides it might be easier to serve his time in a psychiatric hospital, so he "plays mad." The plan works, but McMurphy soon discovers that life isn't so great in an asylum. The rules are looser, but some of the privileges he associated with prison - like being able to watch the World Series on TV - do not apply. Undaunted, McMurphy begins to make himself the most popular man in the ward, appealing to types as diverse as the diminutive, talkative Martini (Danny DeVito) and the tall deaf-mute American Indian, who is known as "The Chief" (Will Sampson). There to thwart McMurphy at every turn is Nurse Ratched, whose methods of treatment are so proscribed by rules and regulations that she can't see she's sometimes doing more harm than good.
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
PART 6
PART 7
PART 8
PART 9
PART 10
PART 11
PART 12
PART 13
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
PART 6
PART 7
PART 8
PART 9
PART 10
PART 11
PART 12
PART 13
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