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CJ Dwyer

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Clinical Partners •

Neurodivergence and domestic abuse: The link that we can’t ignore

Running from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day), the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key time to reflect on what we know about acts of violence committed against women and girls.To mark this important time, we want to bring attention to the existing research we have linking neurodivergence with an increased risk of facing domestic abuse – insight that highlights the importance of eff...
Clinical Partners •

Gaming and men’s mental health: A double-edged sword

As Movember returns this November, conversations about men’s mental health need to take centre stage. While moustaches may grab attention, the real goal is sparking dialogue around issues too often left in the dark, like how modern pastimes impact wellbeing. One of the biggest? Video gaming.For many men, gaming isn’t just a hobby, it’s culture, community, and even career. In the UK and worldwide, millions of men play daily, across casual mobile games, immersive multiplayer worlds, and competitiv...
Clinical Partners •

Experiences of black British people accessing mental health care: A disparity in treatment

With October being Black History Month, we wanted to take the time to highlight the experiences of black individuals when seeking healthcare in the UK. While there have been improvements historically, it would be a disservice to not raise awareness of ongoing inequality in healthcare settings for black British people. The NHS has highlighted reducing health inequalities as a priority in their long-term plan and, as a provider for private and NHS patients, we are committed to this shared mission....
Clinical Partners •

The overlooked link between ADHD and postnatal depression

Postnatal depression (PND) affects many new parents and should be a consideration in care during pregnancy and beyond but, with mounting evidence that this experience can be more complex, serious, and under-recognised in new parents with ADHD, we must explore this condition further to better support those affected. While links between ADHD and mental health difficulties are better understood, the impact of ADHD on experiences of pregnancy and early parenthood have been comparatively neglected by...
Clinical Partners •

What do we know about the relationship between AI chatbots and psychosis?

Use of AI in everyday life is growing, with recent figures showing that 34% of adults use a chatbot at least once each month. 19% of those surveyed stated that they use a chatbot for advice, with 12% believing that AI would make a good therapist.Building on our recent blog about AI’s use in management of ADHD and other such conditions, we wanted to look into the impact AI is having on those using chatbots, specifically recent claims that consistent use may be leading to what is being called ‘cha...
Clinical Partners •

How climate change is impacting mental health

Many of us are increasingly aware, and concerned, about the impact of climate change on wildlife, our environment, and the planet as a whole. Predictions for the global impact of climate change if action is not taken can be anxiety inducing, especially as such a small percentage of emissions are created by UK households, which can make it hard for individuals to feel able to contribute effectively to positive change.Whether it’s the resulting anxiety of climate change or physical changes to our...
Clinical Partners •

World Suicide Prevention Day: Changing the narrative - How to talk about suicide safely and supportively

Talking about the impact of poor mental health, especially topics as emotionally charged as suicide, may never feel particularly comfortable or natural for many of us. But, with suicide being the leading cause of death in men under the age of 50 and an increasing threat to 15–24-year-olds, we cannot responsibly shy away from the conversation both as providers of mental health care and as individuals.The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘changing the narrative’ and we wanted...
Clinical Partners •

The potential impact of CBD on neurodevelopmental conditions

Cannabidiol (CBD) was initially discovered in 1940 and has since been studied for its potential uses, receiving its own awareness day in 2018. Differing from THC (which is found in higher concentrations in marijuana), CBD is non-psychoactive and does not cause a high, meaning it could be used without causing intoxication. Since this discovery, there has been growing interest in its potential therapeutic use.There is a need for further study of its use and side effects before it can be a viable o...
Clinical Partners •

Birds of a feather: What we know about the friendships between neurodivergent people

If you or someone you love has a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism or ADHD, you’re likely to be aware of some of the common barriers to close and long-lasting relationships that people experience. This perception of neurodivergence may feel discouraging but, as we are seeing more in shared experiences online through social media, meaningful friendships and relationships between those with the conditions are becoming more prevalent as more people are being diagnosed and later in life.As...
Clinical Partners •

LGBTQ+ experiences of mental health: Why speech matters

The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and mental health is one with a long history and, in our opinion, a long road ahead. While we see progress such as the Office for National Statistics releasing data linking sexual orientation with self-harm and suicide rates for the first time, we also continue to see shortcomings.One such example is Meta updating their hate speech guidelines to permit users to refer to LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill based on their gender identity or sexuality earlier...
Clinical Partners •

Breaking the silence: Men's hidden struggle with muscle dysphoria

When discussing eating disorders or body image issues, men were previously vastly underrepresented in studies, making intervention a challenge. We’ve seen an increase in awareness of eating disorders impacting men, with 25 % of those with eating disorders identifying as male, but one common mental health crisis affecting many men still requires more awareness.When we think about disordered eating or body-image issues, many people will manifest an image of thinness. But the opposite is true in ca...
Clinical Partners •

How COVID-19 has impacted the parents of young people in the UK

How parents perceive the toll of COVID-19 on their childrenOne of the purposes of our survey was to establish whether parents had noticed mental health challenges in their children. Of those surveyed, 31% of parents felt their child's mental health has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.41% of parents surveyed believe their child has struggled with anxiety, with 14% saying they have seen their child experience panic attacks. A further 21% reported their child experiencing depression and 20% ha...
Clinical Partners •

The mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults

The educational impact of COVID-19 on young peopleDisruption to education and social activities at a crucial stage of development into adulthood was the experience of a substantial proportion of students in the UK over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 20 March 2020, all schools, including secondary schools and higher education institutions, were closed for in-person teaching, except for children of key workers and vulnerable students.While attempts were made to minimise the impact of this...
Clinical Partners •

The five-year mental health impact of COVID-19: Lived experiences

With five years having now passed since the onset of COVID-19, we’re seeing emerging research into the long-term impact of such an extreme world event. This isn’t unusual, with a variety of extreme events being the subject of research but, when discussing COVID-19's impact, especially on mental health, we believe the focus shouldn’t be on data alone.We recently completed our own research into the mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults and parents to grasp the size of the issue, but we...
Clinical Partners •

How to talk to your child about the news and distressing events

Understanding how children process newsChildren of different ages will react differently to distressing events. Young children may struggle with abstract concepts, which can make it easier for them to accept news at face value, but can make them susceptible to internalising their fears. Teenagers are likely to have a better understanding of the context surrounding news, making it easier to understand, but they also might feel more overwhelmed by the bigger picture. Some common reactions include...
Clinical Partners •

What is the impact of social media on children and young people's mental health?

The negative impact of social mediaThere are a variety of ways smartphone and social media use can be impacting your child, both internally and externally. Below are some researched examples to look out for and work with your child to prevent.Depression and anxietyA study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that social media use can lead to negative social comparison, resulting in lower self-esteem and increased risk of mental health problems among adolescents. The chance...
Clinical Partners •

Social media as a tool for radicalising young people: What parents need to know

Once seen as a more covert aspect of the internet, the nature of sharing harmful and radical ideologies is changing through social media. Recent news has sparked concern with far-right symbolism being used openly in politics by those who own social media platforms and in the realm of celebrity, both causing a large volume of online discourse.With more children being impacted by radicalisation than ever before and at younger ages, it’s crucial for parents to understand the risks, warning signs, a...
Clinical Partners •

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week: What you need to know

What is the impact of maternal mental health issues?You may be aware of fatigue, feelings of increased loneliness, and even increased anxiety around financial issues that impact new parents, but with suicide being the leading cause of direct maternal death between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum, we cannot underplay the impact that starting a family can have on mental health. Addressing maternal mental health, reducing stigma, and increasing support for those struggling can make a life-changing...
Clinical Partners •

How to protect your mental health while staying informed on world news

How distressing news can impact mental healthIn recent years, we have seen what may feel like a record number of macro events -large-scale, significant, or long-term events which occur outside of the everyday norm. From the 2020 global pandemic to the outbreak of conflicts, threats of war, political change, climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and even social issues within our communities, we’ve all been affected by a variety of concerns for ourselves, our loved ones, and the future.While...
Clinical Partners •

What role does social media play in loneliness and social anxiety?

Social media has revolutionised the way we connect with others, providing a virtual space for communication, entertainment, and self-expression. However, its impact on mental health is a topic of great research and debate. While social media can help alleviate loneliness and ease social anxiety, it can also contribute to isolation and exacerbate mental health struggles if not used correctly. In this article, we explore both the positive and negative effects of social media on loneliness and soci...
Clinical Partners •

Eating disorders and suicide: The hidden risk to patients

When many people think of the risks of eating disorders going unaddressed, they likely think of physical risks such as heart failure, muscle atrophy, damage to organs such as the liver, pancreas, and kidneys, hormone imbalances, and more. One risk that you may not consider is the second leading cause of death among individuals with anorexia nervosa – suicide.Looking at the NICE guidelines for treatment of eating disorders, suicide is only mentioned twice and never as a risk factor relating speci...
Clinical Partners •

Is there a link between neurodivergence and the LGBTQ+ community?

What is meant by LGBTQ+?LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, with the “+” representing a wide range of other identities related to gender and sexuality.Being LGBTQ+ means that someone’s sexual orientation (who they’re attracted to) or gender identity (how they experience and express their gender) is different from those who are heterosexual (attraction to the ‘opposite’ sex or gender) and cisgendered (those whose gender identity an...
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