From the Editor
“What do you wear the first day back to work after a 90-day leave of absence because of a psychotic break?”
Lawyer Zack Mcdermott asks this question at the beginning of a moving, honest, and raw essay that was published recently in The New York Times.
The writer and his mother
In this Reading, we look at his piece and his journey.
DG
From the Editor
He isn’t able to work. He often can’t get out of bed. His partner is beside herself. And his diabetic management is poor.
He’s the sort of patient who we see often – in specialist offices (like mine) and in family medicine clinics, and also in emergency departments and on hospital wards. His depression is affecting his life, his family, his workplace – and, yes, his health. Here’s a quick question: how much higher are his health-care costs than those who don’t struggle with depression?
In this week’s selection, we look at a new paper by Maria Chiu et al., considering the costs of depression and distress.
Distress and depression: Painful to patients – and costly to the system?
In this Reading, we review the paper, and consider the larger context.
DG
Should there be public coverage for evidenced-based psychotherapies for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder? The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommended yes in a new draft paper, and gave comment on ways of doing this.
The Committee asked for public feedback. In my submission, I noted: “The recommendations of the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee are reasonable and thoughtful.”
You can find my full submission here:
From the Editor
Greetings from Ottawa. This morning, the Canadian Psychiatric Association’s 67th Annual Conference opens here. And the agenda looks great, and includes the release of the new Canadian guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia.
It’s difficult not to feel upbeat, as people from coast to coast to coast gather to discuss new findings and new ideas on problems like refractory depression and chronic pain and, yes, schizophrenia. And this is a great time to be involved in mental health care – as stigma fades and societal recognition grows.
But how are we doing in terms of actual outcomes? This week, we look at a new British Journal of Psychiatry paper. Hayes et al. consider mortality for those with severe mental illness and the rest of us. Unfortunately, the authors find that the mortality gap has grown with time.
Ottawa: Host city of this year’s CPA Annual Conference
In this Reading, we review the paper and an editorial, and consider the larger context.
DG
From the Editor
“I was a victim of mental-health stigma – both societal and self-imposed.”
Lawyer Beth Beattie makes that observation in her essay about her experience with bipolar. Her piece – which was just published by The Globe and Mail – is moving and thoughtful.
Bipolar Express: Beattie writes about her journey
In this Reading, we highlight her essay, and comment further on the importance of people speaking out about their illness.
DG
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