Ageism refers to discrimination against older persons. It may not appear apparent that this could, let alone should, happen in healthcare systems, but it regrettably does. This narrative review outlines 15 studies that looked at attitudes to ageing amongst nurses,
The Carer Appraisal Scale – a new way to communicate.
One of the commonest complaints of mental health services is a perceived failure of communication between caregivers and clinicians regarding those with mental health issues. With this in mind, a few of us put together a form that could
Glutamate and Dopamine – why it matters in Schizophrenia
Published in MindCafe February 2017 Dopaminergic theories of schizophrenia predominate most psychopharmacological teaching regarding relevant receptor contributions to mental illness. We discuss dopamine-mediated flow through prefrontal and limbic regions, with a certainty borne from decades of successful drug development
Videogames – friend or foe?
Psychiatry has had an unusual relationship with videogames – and despite several hundred studies on the topic, it is still not clear how and to what extent they influence the mind. Do they encourage violence? And can they prevent dementia?
Mental Health Resources
The Internet is rife with well-intentioned mental health advice, supposed resources, and many, many pitfalls. Much of the difficulty is the reality of psychiatry, in that the lack of objective evidence regarding psychiatric illness (save treatment responses and, in some
Carbamazepine for Dementia – the forgotten, and superior, alternative to antipsychotics
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) is a catch-all phrase referring to one of many behaviours that patients with dementia exhibit, leading to difficulties in maintaining their care. Agitation, wandering, and violence being amongst the most common, different
Neuroimaging in Schizophrenia
(The following includes content originally published in mindcafe) The role of neuroimaging in schizophrenia detection and management is an exciting but problematic issue. On one hand is the promise of targeted psychopharmacology, reducing wasted trials of failed antipsychotics and missed
Flight of Ideas – Death of a Definition
The term “flight of ideas” is commonly known, but do you know what it actually means? Or where it comes from? The disturbing answer to both of these questions explains why there are at least six interpretations out there as