Treatment of chronic delusions often requires antipsychotic medications, not just talk therapy or cognitive behavioral work.
Personal experiences with family mental health challenges can inspire a career in psychiatry, driven by empathy and a desire to help others.
Deep dives
Understanding Delusions and Treatment Challenges
Delusions are firmly held beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary and remain outside of normal societal beliefs. In cases of chronic delusions, individuals are often not responsive to talk therapy or cognitive behavioral work, and medications like antipsychotics are relied upon to help alleviate delusions. Patients can act on their delusions, leading to tragic outcomes, emphasizing the complexities of treating mental illness.
Motivation Behind Choosing Psychiatry
The decision to pursue psychiatry stemmed from a desire to help others and a personal experience with family mental health challenges. Growing up amidst depression and anxiety in the family shaped an early understanding of mental illness. This personal connection, combined with a natural inclination towards empathy and the desire to make a difference, led to a dedicated career in psychiatry.
Challenges and Reflections in Forensic Psychiatry
Working in forensic psychiatry involves facing emotionally challenging situations, including treating individuals who commit violent acts due to mental illness. The moral complexity of treating patients who have engaged in violent behaviors, such as infanticide, highlights the need to set aside personal morals in order to provide necessary care. Forensic psychiatrists often encounter difficult cases that raise questions about culpability and the impact of mental illness on behavior.
Impacts of Cannabis Use on Mental Illness
While cannabis use may not directly cause schizophrenia, its consumption can exacerbate mental health issues for individuals already struggling with conditions like psychosis. Higher potency cannabis with increased THC content can significantly elevate the risk of relapse in those with schizophrenia or psychosis. Patients who are sensitive to cannabis may experience mental health deterioration even with minimal usage, underscoring the importance of caution and awareness regarding substance use in mental health treatment.
What is it like to treat some of the most troubled men and women in society? Dr Ben Cave is a forensic psychiatrist whose 35-year career has been spent helping those with mental health conditions ranging from delusional disorders to schizophrenia, steroid abuse, drug dependency, depression and more. His new book, What We Fear Most, explores what can be learnt from these often misunderstood illnesses, the people who suffer from them and those, like Ben, who treat them. Our host for this episode is Poppy Damon, senior producer for Blanchard House.