Spirituality and Psychiatry

[glenn roberts]

Dear all ... 

now there are two words you don't often see in the same phrase - which is understandable, but surprising really.

Psych comes from the Greek for spirit or soul and Iatros, for Doctor ... so, etymologically at least, psychiatry points towards spiritual or soul medicine ... But of course the greatest critique of that practice and profession has been it's lack of holistic and humane care for those who become it's patients. The Recovery Movement similarly arose from such a critique and has pivoted around the need and value of reasserting this person-centred emphasis based upon respect for the full humanity of suffering persons.

But I'm pleased to let you know that this 'lost connection' is also the title of the recently published 'clinical handbook' from CUP.

This is actually the second edition, published a decade after the first and I've had the pleasure, challenge and privilege of co-authoring the chapter on 'Psychosis' in both, with my friend and colleague Susan Mitchell, who was previously medical director of The Retreat, at York.

The book has it's origins in the deliberations of the 'Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group' at the RCPsych, one of the many optional interest groups hosted by the College, but one that includes nearly a quarter of all UK psychiatrists. It's been written and published in hope of this 'optional' emphasis one day becoming central to psychiatric thought, training and practice, and with recognition that there's clearly still a long way to go.

all good wishes

Glenn

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/spirituality-and-psychiatry/17BEDAB2A7E6E28DD1C3EA7CC636E1F1