Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine

OBJECTIVES: Mental health difficulties are often exacerbated during the perinatal period. Policy and guidelines are increasingly being used to enhance the quality of healthcare. We conducted a literature review of published research relating to pregnancy and breastfeeding in mental health policy. METHODS: Relevant terms were searched in Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO and EMBASE for articles published in English from 1970 until 2020. Only papers that referenced policy, guidance, legislation or standards were included...

OBJECTIVES: There are high levels of nutritional and metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory tract diseases among people diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI). Consequently, we developed a pragmatic, affordable nutritional and exercise intervention: Choices4Health. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we modified this intervention so it could be delivered online. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of participating in online Choices4Health, in a real-world clinical setting, from the perspectives of service users with SMI...

OBJECTIVES: Despite a substantial epidemiological literature on the incidence of psychotic disorders in Ireland, no systematic review has previously been undertaken. Such evidence can help inform understanding of need for psychosis care. METHODS: We conducted a prospectively registered systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42021245891) following PRISMA guidelines. We searched four databases (Medline, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Embase) for papers containing incidence data on non-organic psychotic disorders, in people 16-64 years, published between 1950 and 2021 in the general adult population...

This case report discusses a 25-year-old male who was referred to community mental health services from primary care with symptoms of anxiety and depression related to climate change, which the referring clinician believed were of delusional intensity. This case report gives the history of his interaction with the service. A literature review is performed noting the dearth of case reports in this area and a subsequent discussion charts the emerging literature on mental health issues related to climate change...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVES: Gaming disorder is a growing concern affecting adolescents, exacerbated by the impact of recent COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization has recently included gaming disorder in the 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, there is still an ongoing debate about the validity and reliability of the proposed clinical criteria, despite growing neurobiological evidence in this cohort. Systematic reviews in this area have focused mainly on adults or mixed adult/adolescent populations...

OBJECTIVES: An increasing number of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties and schools have been identified as environments that can support them. However, it is unclear how students feel about the current supports in school and whether they are used. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of young people in Irish post-primary schools regarding mental health and well-being supports in schools. METHODS: An online survey was conducted with (n=109) young people to determine the perceptions of mental health and well-being supports in post-primary Irish schools...

Zooanthropy (delusional beliefs of turning into an animal) is a rare but well recognised psychiatric phenomenon. This case describes the presence of kynanthropic delusions (delusional beliefs of turning into a dog). Multiple other psychotic symptoms were also evident including unusually the additional presence of delusions of vampirism. Delusional beliefs in this case were associated with behavioural changes including growling and barking, and less commonly an expressed craving for biting people's necks to suck human blood...

Professor Thomas James Fahy, consultant psychiatrist, who died on 9 January 2023, made substantial contributions to the development of psychiatry, medical teaching, psychiatric research, and post-graduate training in Ireland, England, and the United States. He was a Foundation Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Founder Chairman of the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee. He served as Professor of Psychiatry at University College Galway from 1975 to 2001 and also served on the Medical Council and Medical Research Council, among other bodies...

This editorial outlines the formation of a new special interest group (SIG) in evolution and psychiatry. The formative beginnings of the evolutionary psychiatry field and founding of the group in Ireland are presented, identifying central figures of the field and their contributions. Furthermore, key milestones and accomplishments are discussed with current and future directions. Additionally, foundational texts and seminal papers are included to guide the reader in their journey to discover more about evolution and psychiatry...

BACKGROUND: Effective doctor-patient communication is a core competency for healthcare professionals. With the pivot to online clinical education and assessment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to explore the views of psychiatric trainees and examiners on assessment of communication skills during online high stakes postgraduate examinations. METHODS: The study was designed as descriptive qualitative research. All candidates and examiners of the September and November 2020 sitting of online Basic Specialist Training exam (a clinical Objective Structured Clinical Examination exam completed in the first 4 years of psychiatry training) were invited to participate...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Symptomatology of epilepsy and its' associated alteration in brain processes, stigma of experiencing seizures, and adverse sequelae of anti-epileptics have been demonstrated to impact behaviour and exacerbate psychopathology. This study examines the role of dysfunctional schema modes in People with Epilepsy (PWE) and their association with psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 108 PWE treated with anti-epileptics for at least one year and with no history or mental disorder or psycho-active substance use...

When I became President of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists, I rashly promised to visit every UK medical school to talk with students about mental health. In this article, I share my impressions after concluding this 'grand tour' and ponder the dangers of creating the false impression that universities are 'toxic' for mental health.

OBJECTIVES: Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) are a new development in Ireland. This service evaluation examined the impact of the introduction of a SPMHS multidisciplinary team (MDT) on prescribing practices and treatment pathways in an Irish maternity hospital. METHODS: Clinical charts were reviewed to collect data on all referrals, diagnoses, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions delivered in a SPMHS over a 3-week period in 2019...

OBJECTIVES: Perinatal substance abuse (PSA) is associated with increased risk of prematurity, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome, behavioral issues and learning difficulties. It is imperative that robust care pathways are in place for these high-risk pregnancies and that staff and patient education are optimized. The present study explores the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals toward PSA to identify knowledge gaps to enhance care and reduce stigma. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using questionnaires to survey healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in a tertiary maternity unit ( n = 172)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVES: To examine if the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a differential effect over a 2-year time period in relation to its psychological and social impact on patients with established anxiety disorders. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 individuals attending the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services in Ireland with an ICD-10 diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Interviews occurred at three time-points over a 2-year period to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, social and occupational functioning, and quality of life...