Definition(s) The diagnostic criteria for Functional Neurological Disorder, as stated in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5), are as follows: i) “One or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function; ii) clinical findings provide evidence of incompatibility between the symptoms and recognised neurological or medical conditions; iii) the symptom or deficit is not better explained by another medical or mental disorder; iv) the symptom or deficit causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning or warrants ..read more

Book Review Walker-Brown, H. (2022). A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, sport and Sacrifice. Hodder & Stoughton General Division: London. ISBN: 9781529348064  As I lifted Pauline’s brain out of its jar of aldehyde and held it apprehensively, I was suddenly struck by the mass of contradictions in my cupped hands; convoluted but beautifully simple; compact but immense; solid but delicate.  The notion that what I was holding had, itself, created Pauline’s decision to donate it the hospital to advance learning seemed strangely surreal.  However, as a clinician, I quickly succum ..read more

At 14-years of age Molly Russell died following an act of self-harm in November 2017.  The conclusion of the inquest into Molly’s death has brought internet safety and the potential exposure to harmful content online sharply into focus; in particular, the need legislative change has become inescapable.   Molly appeared a normal healthy girl who was flourishing at school, having settled well into secondary school life and displayed an enthusiastic interest in the Performing Arts.  Like many adolescents, she quietly struggled with depression and frequently used social media and on ..read more

Written by Caitlin Thompson, Assistant Psychologist.   On 24th November 2022, Richard, Laura, and Caitlin from the Psychology Chartered team attended a conference in Bristol hosted by Enable Law and 3Hub on the importance of professional collaboration when working with complex clients involved in litigation. The diverse speakers and audience included solicitors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, case managers and psychologists. The conference was cleverly structured around a case study of a client’s complex needs prior to and after acquiring a brain injury. Each of the profession ..read more

Written by Cian Hancock. UK Defence recently announced that it will be doubling its spending, meaning that the military is on track to grow over the next 8 years (Ministry of Defence, 2021a). With research showing that veteran mental health support especially for those navigating their way back to civilian life may not always be acceptable, it therefore feels necessary to explore the recent advances and limitations in support available. The risk of suicide among army males has risen over the last 5 years, to reach the same level as the whole of the UK general population (Ministry of Defence, 2 ..read more

Written by Ellie Sullivan, Assistant Psychologist. In part one of this two-part blog, we explored the current prevalence of depression globally as well as in the UK. We considered the causes of depression as well as the correlation between the Covid-19 pandemic and a rise in depression cases. We discussed widely used treatments for depression (anti-depressants and psychotherapy) and evaluated their accessibility and efficacy. It was suggested in part one that whilst the commonly used treatments for depression have their benefits and uses, they were not always fully successful in long-term reco ..read more

By Jo Johnson, Clinical Neuropsychologist & Author ‘Surviving Her’ is a fast-paced domestic suspense informed by my work as a clinical psychologist. The novel combines engaging, complex characters with a fast-moving plot to explore several psychological themes. Grief, childhood neglect, power, loss and guilt are all interwoven into the drama. However, the central thread through the entire novel is the things people do when they are suffering emotional pain, and how it can lead them into deep water. What do you do when you’re hurting or stressed? Common options include distraction, social ..read more

Written by Oliva Fretwell, Assistant Psychologist. Eleanor Longden, survivor and founder of the Hearing Voices Network, used this phrase in 2012 which captured the state of the mental health industry. This reflected her own mental health battle, and the immense turmoil, mistreatment, and stigma that she, alongside millions of others, had to endure. After Eleanor Longden was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a 10-year battle followed, both with herself initially, and then against the very people who were supposed to be enabling her recovery; she fought against the voices in her head due to the labe ..read more

Two years ago, I assessed Kayden, a professional footballer who had sustained a significant head injury whilst playing. I spoke with his coaches who reported their difficulties supporting him to comply with the medical advice, associated training plan and the protocols governing his return to competitive football; like many young people, Kayden saw himself as omnipotent, with little time for consideration of his vulnerability or the risks involved in his sport. His enthusiasm to return to playing the game he had loved since a small child was compelling and infectious on meeting him ..read more

Written By Ellie Sullivan, Assistant Psychologist In today’s busy world and the current, global ‘mental health pandemic’, there is critical need for effective interventions for people’s psychological well-being.  In the UK specifically, a 7% increase has been observed between March 2020 – August 2021. Globally there has been a 27.6% increase in cases of major depressive disorders (Daly & Robinson, 2022). Interestingly the increase in depression rates globally and in the UK ran concurrent with the covid-19 pandemic; cases of depression more than doubled at the peak of the pandemic betw ..read more