Helping patients and carers deal with a diagnosis of dementia: one size doesn’t fit all

Senior couple taking medication

Early diagnosis and intervention for people with dementia is increasingly considered a priority.  But there are still considerable barriers to achieving this, and nervousness from practitioners on the possible negative effect of earlier diagnosis of a condition widely perceived as untreatable and life-changing. A recent systematic review by Bunn et al analysed the qualitative evidence [read the full story…]

Barriers to parenting programmes for children with behavioural problems: recommendations from parents and professionals

A child not listening

Disruptive behaviour problems (DPB) such as conduct problems or being oppositional and defiant affect a large proportion of young children. Many of these early behavioural problems predict negative outcomes such as underachieving at schools, future unemployment and criminal behaviour. Treatment of DPBs often begins during the school years once the condition is well-established, and when [read the full story…]

ADHD in childhood is not linked to later development of bipolar disorder

Child sitting under a tree

Bipolar disorder is considered a hereditary condition. There is emerging evidence that prodromes/early symptoms are evident in children before disorders develop. This potentially offers a chance to treat and prevent the development of mental health problems in adulthood. Being able to identifying early symptoms of the onset of this mental health disorder is clearly important, however, [read the full story…]

Perceived freedom of choice and the experiences of carers of older adults with mental health problems

Freedom of choice

Family and friends often play a very important role in supporting older people with long-term, severe mental health problems. It is estimated that 25% of the 6 million carers in the UK are supporting someone with a mental health problem (Carers Trust, 2007). Stress has been cited as having a major impact on the wellbeing [read the full story…]

User-led research asks if the 2008 Care Programme Approach supports mental health service user understandings of recovery

Men communicating using a can on a string

The Care Programme Approach (CPA) has been in operation in England since 1991. The revised 2008 CPA (PDF) is for people with mental health problems who are at risk or have complex support needs. It requires agencies involved to work together to provide services through an individual care plan. ‘Recovery’ is being promoted as a [read the full story…]