Critical Values Based Practice Network

C-VBP-N
  • Home
  • Clinical Psychology Bite-Size

Making Sense of Psychiatric Drugs

Written by Steven Coles on . Posted in Clinical Psychology Bite-Size

Making Sense of Psychiatric Drugs

Issue 41 – September 2014

Authors: Steven Coles and Joanna Moncrieff (steven.coles@nottshc.nhs.uk)

Key points

  • Service users’ experiences of taking psychiatric drugs are varied, but often ignored
  • Evidence for the chemical imbalance theory of psychiatric drug action is weak
  • An alternative ‘drug model’ views psychiatric medications as working in a similar manner to other non-prescription drugs such as alcohol, and highlights the subjective experience of taking medication

Power and decision making on acute wards

Written by Philip Houghton on . Posted in Clinical Psychology Bite-Size

Power and decision making on acute wards

Issue 40 – July 2014

Authors: Phil Houghton, Gemma Stacey, Ann Felton, Alistair Morgan, Theo Stickley, Matt Willis, Bob Diamond, Bev Johnson, John Dumenya, James Shutt (contact authors via philip.houghton@nottshc.nhs.uk)

Key points

  • Recent research by the Values MIN provides evidence that neither service users, carers or healthcare workers feel there is currently shared decision making on the acute wards.
  • The current ward round structure is not fit for practice.

Intervention and Dialogue with Families

Written by Jon Crossley on . Posted in Clinical Psychology Bite-Size

Intervention and Dialogue with Families

Issue 39 – June 2014

Authors: Jon Crossley (Clinical Psychologist, Leicester University) – contact via steven.coles@nottshc.nhs.uk

Key points

  • A robust evidence base has been established for Family Intervention with psychosis in research settings, however, questions have been raised about how this can be transferred into day to day practice
  • The Open Dialogue Approach illustrates the potential for routine mental health care to be based on family-centred models for people with a label of psychosis

 Implications for practice

  • View families as a potential asset and resource
  • Recognise that family interventions for psychosis vary in content and approach
  • Draw on an approach that fits with the family’s needs and preferences
  • Seek to engage in dialogue rather than impose ideas