Posts

What is the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association?

Introduction

The Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association is a bi-monthly peer-reviewed healthcare journal covering all aspects of psychoanalysis and is the official journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Details

  • 1953 to present.
  • Bi-monthly.
  • English language.

Abstracting and Indexing

Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association is abstracted and indexed in, among other databases: SCOPUS, and the Social Sciences Citation Index.

According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2017 impact factor of 0.538, ranking it 4th out of 12 journals in the category “Psychology, Psychoanalysis”, and 130th out of 142 journals in the category “Psychiatry (SSCI)”.

Website

Is the Mental Wellbeing of Doctors Becoming an Increasing Concern?

Research Paper Title

Depressive symptoms in residents of a tertiary training hospital in Malaysia: The prevalence and associated factors.

Background

The mental wellbeing of doctors is becoming an increasing concern in the world today.

In Malaysia, residency is a challenging period in a doctor’s life, with many changes professionally and possibly in their personal lives as well.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the socio-demographic correlates among residents in a tertiary training hospital in Malaysia.

It is a cross sectional study and all residents were approached to participate in the study.

Methods

The instruments used were a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).

Chi-square test was used to explore the association between the socio-demographic correlates, and those that were found to have significant associations were further tested using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of depression among residents was 25.1 %. Longer working hours, missing meals, and working in Department of Surgery and Department of Anaesthesia was significantly positively associated while having protected study time, CME/lectures, leisure/hobbies and exercise were negatively associated with depression.

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine had a significantly negative association with depression. After logistic regression, longer working hours and a lack of protected study time was significantly associated with depression in the respective departments.

Conclusions

In summary, the prevalence of depression among residents is high and is associated with longer working hours, missing meals and a lack of protected study time are significantly associated with depression.

Remedial steps should be taken to improve the mental health among residents.

Reference

Nair, N., Ng, C.G. & Sulaiman, A.H. (2021) Depressive symptoms in residents of a tertiary training hospital in Malaysia: The prevalence and associated factors. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102548. Online ahead of print.

What is the Competence Framework for Mental Health Peer Support Workers?

The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) developed the Competence Framework for Mental Health Peer Support Workers (MH PSWs) with UCLPartners and a specially convened expert reference group including peer support workers. It was commissioned by Health Education England as part of their ‘New Roles’ programme, ahead of a large expansion of PSW roles in statutory services around England.

The Competence Framework for MH PSWs outlines the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of the role. It aims to be flexible and adaptable, steering away from over-professionalising a role which, at its heart, is about human connection and relationships. 

It outlines core skills for people starting out as MH PSWs, and includes optional skills for people who wish to develop further within the role, and competences for organisations to support PSWs. It is relevant to mental health care services, team members working with MH PSWs, their managers and commissioners, as well as voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that want to offer peer support.

The Competence Framework for MH PSWs comprises three parts:

In addition, there is the outcome of the public consultation on Parts 1 and 2 (PDF).

The competence map is available on the UCL website.

Peer Support Training Completed

Happy to report that I have completed my Peer Support Training with FVA (Fife Voluntary Action) and LA Co-reflection.

A big thank you to Lisa Archibald (LA) and Trish O’Brien (FVA).

Outline

We learned about and discussed the following:

  • Session 01, Introduction:
    • History of peer support and where it came from.
    • Peer support values.
  • Session 02, Relationships:
    • Relational dynamics, and how we might get stuck.
    • What do positive relationships feel like?
  • Session 03, What Do We Fell and Need:
    • Mutuality in relationships.
    • Having intentional conversations.
    • What parts of my life story do I want to share.
  • Session 04, Connections and Endings:
    • Forming connections and commonalities.
    • How do you move forwards from a disconnection?
    • Reconnection.
    • Endings in relationships.

Duration

The course was delivered over a total of 10 hours (4 x 2.5 hours sessions on separate days).

Delivery

The course was delivered via zoom with tutor-led theory and discussions, as well as group-led small group work (2-3 persons).

What Did I Learn

Things I learned during the course include:

  • The importance of building a connection within a peer support relationship, and understanding how commonalities can aid this.
  • Understand and appreciate that some relationships are not meant to be, and how to communicate this.
  • Peer support is a negotiation and two-way process, both the helper and helpee get something out of the relationship.
  • How to reconnect if there is disconnect.
  • Ensuring that the helpee has the opportunity to expression what they hope to achieve from peer support.
  • Periodic review of the peer support relationship – to ensure it is progressing towards its stated aims (see point above).
  • Peer support should be honest and open.
  • Discuss boundaries and limits at the start of the relationship.
  • Negotiate what is comfortable and why (e.g. comfortable with a hand shake but not a hug) (see point above).
  • How to reframe questions or statements, and why we do this.

In Sickness (2015)

Introduction

In Sickness is a 2015 drama, thriller film by director Julius B. Kelly.

Outline

After you take your vows, what happens when the future is nothing like what you envisioned? As a man spirals deeper and deeper into his mental illness, his young wife is forced to question whether love really is enough.

Cast

  • Lukas Hassel … Andrew Madera.
  • Nicole Vogt-Lowell … Kendall Madera.
  • Sal Rendino … Dr. Poslow.
  • Vincent Ticali … Father / Angel Madera.
  • Jim Thalman … Rob.
  • Joy Shatz … Michelle.
  • Judy San Roman … Hailey Denton.
  • John J Thomassen … Anthony Denton.
  • Christopher Gucciardo … Jack Milbourne.
  • Brian Alevis … Waiter.
  • Jeanie Starr … Babs / Bartender.
  • Joseph Cipollino … young Andrew.
  • Donna Taliaferro … Masi.
  • Fred Wallenmaier … Dr. Wallenmaier.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s): Julius B. Kelly.
  • Producer(s):
    • Brian Alevis … associate producer.
    • Christopher Gucciardo … producer.
    • Lukas Hassel … producer.
    • Ken Kushner … producer.
    • Judy San Roman … executive producer / producer.
    • Joy Shatz … producer.
    • Rob Simmons … producer.
    • Jim Thalman … associate producer.
  • Writer(s): Adam Johnson and Judy San Roman.
  • Music: Eros Cartechini.
  • Cinematography: Jordan C. Riggs.
  • Editor(s): Andrew Damon Henriques and Jordan C. Riggs.
  • Production: Reelhouse Productions.
  • Distributor(s):
  • Release Date: 20 October 2015 (NoHu International Short Film Festival, US) and 29 December 2020 (Internet, UK and US).
  • Running Time: 83 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country:
  • Language:

Video Link

Mile Marker (2017)

Introduction

A veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, Korey Rowe is on the road of recovery from PTSD along with his former Rakkasan Brothers. “Mile Marker” investigates new techniques used to treat PTSD and takes a look into veterans’ lives today.

Outline

“Mile Marker”, focuses on a two-tour veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, Korey Rowe, along with his former Rakkasan Brothers on their long road to recovery from PTSD. The Rakkasans were the invading force for both Middle Eastern Theatre Wars where Korey and his unit were the tip of the spear, twice. This film investigates new and controversial techniques and methods for treating PTSD but more than that, it is a look into the lives of veterans in America today. Travelling 8,000 miles across the United States and back, Korey departs from his home in California, to check in with his former battle buddies across America, who served with him 15 years ago in the 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division. Along the way, he interviews psychologists and specialists from the National Center for PTSD in White River Junction, Vermont for a balanced understanding of the underlying symptoms and associated triggers for those with PTSD. This is an authentic portrayal of veterans…

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s): Korey Rowe.
  • Producer(s):
    • Dylan Avery … associate producer.
    • Roland Rojas … producer.
    • Jessie Whitney … associate producer.
  • Writer(s): Valerie Boyer.
  • Music:
  • Cinematography: Dylan Avery.
  • Editor(s): Korey Rowe.
  • Production: Otsego Media and Prism Pictures.
  • Distributor(s):
  • Release Date: 2017.
  • Running Time: 94 minutes.
  • Rating: 16+.
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.

Video Link

Beware of Dog (2020)

Introduction

Beware of Dog is a 2020 dram film by director Nadia Bedzhanova.

Outline

Alienated in politically-ambiguous Moscow, a young woman deals with severe OCD, while her cousin in Berlin tries to build a romantic relationship ignoring her own condition. In a parallel New York City realm, a heartbroken boxer struggles with addiction, self worth and online anxiety, which connects all the characters on a universal level.

Cast

  • Buddy Duress … Mike.
  • Kevin Iso.
  • Paula Knüpling … Paula.
  • Gladston Makhib … Stranger.
  • Yelena Nesterova … Doctor.
  • Dan Perlman … Dan.
  • Marina Prados.
  • Emily Bahr-de Stefano … Emily.
  • Pavel Tabakov … Sacha.
  • Marina Vasileva … Marina.
  • Eagle Witt … Passerby.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s): Nadia Bedzhanova.
  • Producer(s):
    • Lilit Abgarian … executive producer / producer.
    • Nadia Bedzhanova … executive producer.
    • Olya Korovkina … co-producer.
  • Writer(s): Nadia Bedzhanova.
  • Music: Julian Stetter.
  • Cinematography: Nadia Bedzhanova.
  • Editor(s): Tom Knight.
  • Production: Freestyle Digital Media.
  • Distributor(s): Millennial PR.
  • Release Date: 25 January 2020 (Slamdance Film Festival, US).
  • Running Time: 88 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: US, Germany, and Russia.
  • Language: English, German, and Russian.

Video Link

Wishful Drinking (2010)

Introduction

Wishful Drinking is an autobiographical humour book by American actress and author Carrie Fisher, published by Simon & Schuster in 2008. Fisher’s book was based on her one-woman stage show, which she developed with writer/director Joshua Ravetch.

The show debuted at The Geffen Playhouse. Fisher performed with Ravetch co-creating and directing. It enjoyed a successful Broadway run and then toured in other cities. In 2010, HBO filmed a feature-length documentary of the stage play.

Also known as Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking.

Outline

Book Reception

Wishful Drinking received generally positive reviews from critics. The January 2009 New York Times review described it as a “funny, sardonic little memoir”, but “pretty slight, padded out with big type, extra space between the lines and some family photographs, and it displays at times an almost antic need to entertain. The paragraphs are short, and the jokes – the puns, the wisecracks, the deadpan one-liners – come rattling along at the rate of one every other sentence or so.” Salon reviewer Rebecca Traister found the book quite funny in large part, but was disappointed that “instead of pushing aside the twinkling craziness of her outside life to meaningfully reveal the crazy on the inside, as she has always done so well, Fisher is now gathering all the starry stuff around her for comfort and reassurance about who she is and what she means.”

The author, who died on 27 December 2016, had written the following comment in the book, and it was widely published by the news media after her death:

Now I think that this would make for a fantastic obit—so I tell my younger friends that no matter how I go, I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra.

Stage Adaptation

The book followed Fisher’s one-woman play in which Fisher had been performing. Developed originally at The Geffen Playhouse with Josh Ravetch co-creating and directing the world premiere, it moved to Berkeley Repertory Theatre near San Francisco at the beginning of 2008, the production opened in a limited run on Broadway at Studio 54 on 22 September 2009 (previews) and 04 October 2009, and closed on 17 January 2010. After its successful San Francisco Bay Area run and before moving to Broadway, Wishful Drinking played at, among other venues, the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in September 2008, and Seattle Repertory Theatre April to May 2009.

Production Rights Dispute

While the show met with critical and popular success on Broadway in New York, Fisher was soon embroiled in a battle with producer Jonathan Reinis over its production rights. Each claimed lost revenue at the hands of the other.

Film Documentary

HBO cable television released a filmed documentary of the stage show, directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, and first broadcast in December 2010. The 76-minute film was released on DVD on 13 September 2011.

The film production and DVD received a mixture of reviews.

Cast

  • Carrie Fisher … Self.
  • Eddie Fisher … Self.
  • Harry Karl … Self (archive footage).
  • Debbie Reynolds … Self (archive footage).
  • Maxine Reynolds … Self (archive footage).
  • Diane Sawyer … Self (archive footage).
  • Elizabeth Taylor … Self (archive footage).
  • Richard Dreyfuss … Doctor Frankenthal (archive footage) (uncredited).
  • Harrison Ford … Self (archive footage) (uncredited).
  • Mark Hamill … Self (archive footage) (uncredited).
  • Meryl Streep … Suzanne Vale (archive footage) (uncredited).
  • Mike Todd … Self (archive footage) (uncredited).

Trivia

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s): Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.
  • Producer(s):
    • Fenton Bailey … producer.
    • Randy Barbato … producer.
    • Mona Card … co-producer.
    • Garret Edington … associate producer.
    • Lisa Heller … senior producer.
    • Sara Kordy … coordinating producer.
    • Christopher Massimine … coordinating producer.
    • Sheila Nevins … executive producer.
    • Robin Seidon … line producer.
  • Writer(s): Carrie Fisher and Joshua Ravetch.
  • Music: David Benjamin Steinberg.
  • Cinematography: Teodoro Maniaci.
  • Editor(s): Marc Cohen.
  • Production: World of Wonder Productions.
  • Distributor(s):
    • HBO Documentary (2010) (USA) (TV).
    • HBO Hungary (2011) (Hungary) (TV).
    • HBO Max (2020) (USA) (video) (VOD).
  • Release Date: 12 December 2010 (US).
  • Running Time: 77 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.

Video Link

The Substance: Albert Hoffman’s LSD (2011)

Introduction

The Substance: Albert Hofmann’s LSD is a 2011 documentary film directed by Martin Witz.

The film documents the coincidental discovery of the drug LSD by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1943.

Outline

In 1943, the year in which the first A-bomb was built, Albert Hofmann discovered LSD, a substance that was to become an A-bomb of the mind. Fractions of a milligram are enough to turn our framework of time and space upside down. The story of a drug – its discovery in the Basel chemistry lab, the first experiments by Albert Hofmann on himself, the 1950s experiments of the psychiatrists, the consciousness researchers, the artists. Could it actually be possible to find a path to the core of our human existence by means of a chemical? Spirituality at the flick of a switch? Do the enigmatic effects of this drug really help us to better understand the human soul? Could LSD be an instrument of contemporary psychiatry? Of modern brain research?

Production & Filming Details

  • Narrator(s): Trevor J. Roling (English), Hanspeter Muller (German), and Mario Scarabelli (Italian).
  • Director(s): Martin Witz.
  • Producer(s):
    • Elda Guidinetti … producer.
    • Peter Luisi … co-producer.
    • Andres Pfäffli … producer.
    • Carl-Ludwig Rettinger … co-producer.
  • Writer(s): Martin Witz.
  • Music: Marcel Vaid.
  • Cinematography: Pio Corradi and Patrick Lindenmaier.
  • Editor(s): Stefan Kalin.
  • Production:
    • Ventura Film (presents).
    • RSI-Radiotelevisione Svizzera (in co-production with).
    • Teleclub AG (in co-production with) (as Teleclub).
    • Lichtblick Film- und Fernsehproduktion (I) (in co-production with) (as Lichtblick Filmproduktion).
    • Spotlight Media Production AG (in co-production with) (as Spotlight Media Productions).
  • Distributor(s):
    • Officine UBU (2012) (Italy) (all media).
    • Cinema Delicatessen (2012) (Netherlands) (theatrical).
    • I Wonder Pictures (2013) (Italy) (theatrical).
    • Mindjazz Pictures (2012) (Germany) (theatrical).
    • Film1 Sundance Channel (2015) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited).
    • Frenetic Films (2011) (Switzerland) (all media).
    • Icarus Films (2012) (USA) (all media).
    • Soda Pictures (2011) (UK) (DVD).
    • Yleisradio (YLE) (2012) (Finland) (TV).
  • Release Date: 07 August 2011 (Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland).
  • Running Time: 90 minutes.
  • Rating: 15.
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.

Video Link

Mad World (2016)

Introduction

Mad World (Cantonese: 一念無明) is a 2016 Hong Kong drama film directed by Wong Chun and starring Shawn Yue, Eric Tsang, Elaine Jin and Charmaine Fong.

Outline

Tung, a former financial analyst who is struggling with bipolar disorder, is placed in the custody of his truck-driver father after being dismissed from a mental health institution.

Cast

  • Shawn Yue as Tung.
  • Eric Tsang as Tung’s father.
  • Elaine Jin as Tung’s mother.
  • Charmaine Fong as Jenny.

Trivia

  • It is Wong’s directorial debut after winning the First Feature Film Initiative.
  • It was selected as the Hong Kong entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s): Wong Chun.
  • Producer(s): Derek Chiu and Heiward Mak.
  • Writer(s): Florence Chan.
  • Music: Yusuke Hatano.
  • Cinematography: Zhang Ying.
  • Editor(s): Wong Chun.
  • Production: Mad World Limited.
  • Distributor(s): Golden Scene.
  • Release Date: 08 September 2016 (Toronto International Film Festival) and 30 March 2017 (Hong Kong).
  • Running Time: 101 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: Hong Kong.
  • Language: Cantonese.

Video Link