Thought Pieces & Videos

A healthy and active sex life, for many people, is a crucial and valuable part of their experience in the world - and when mental health conditions, or the medication used to treat these conditions, has a deep and detrimental impact on this, the ruptures can be felt keenly and deeply. Dr Livia Martucci, Consultant Psychiatrist, offers her expertise and guidance on the issue - with advice on how to broach the subject, what alternative ways of fostering intimacy can be explored, and why it’s so important to bring this conversation to your doctor.

It is a very reasonable thing to wonder whether your mental health doctor, be it Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Psychotherapist, also has their own therapist. After all, if they spend all day supporting people with their issues, who helps them with their own challenges?

Dr Siobhan Gee, Consultant Pharmacist, addresses the issue head on here, and discusses how both new research and new methods of tapering down and ultimately stopping anti-depressants means that stopping without uncomfortable withdrawal effects is entirely possible, even for those who have struggled before.

Many parents report that building a bond with their newborn is a process that takes time; it is not always a lightbulb moment, and there isn’t always a split-second where you suddenly connect with your baby in a profound, life-changing way. And that’s OK! Dr Isabel McMullen, Consultant Psychiatrist, talks through this bonding process, as well as gives some practical tips on what you can do to foster and promote bonding and connection.

Starting your journey of psychological therapy can be a life-changing experience of healing, personal growth, and better emotional well-being. It is therefore quite common for those who have benefitted from therapy to encourage others to start, hoping they too will experience positive changes as they have. “What’s the harm? It can only add to your life”, they may say to anyone ambivalent. But is this always true?

During an autism assessment, it is routine - and necessary - to ask for accounts of the person’s childhood - and of course it is usual for parents or caregivers to provide this; questions involve discussions on night sleeping, first words, eating preferences in childhood and more. But what if a parent or caregiver isn't available for your assessment?

Self harm is a behaviour that many, if not most, people find deeply unsettling. They might willfully ignore it if the signs are seen in colleagues, or classmates. They might avoid talking about it if the topic is brought up by a loved one at home. Here Dr Herbet Steiner talks through the topic of self harm behaviour and how he supports people to move on from that behaviour in his practice.

It is a kind and caring thing to consider if you should, or could, adapt workplaces and working styles for colleagues who are neurodivergent. To this, the first thing Dr Caryl Marshall higlights would be that no two people’s brains are the same, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical, so all people should be considered as individuals and asked how they might work best!

For many people, the prospect of interpersonal conflict in the home or workplace is horrifying. Tension in the air, slammed cupboards, sharp words and icy cold shoulders will have many people reaching deep into their fight or flight arsenal to get out of the situation, ASAP. But - can conflict be navigated in a better way? And can conflict ever actually be a positive thing for relationships?