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Early Therapy May Help Prevent Psychosis.

People are most at risk of developing a psychotic illness in their teens or early twenties.  As a psychotic illness is devastating for the young person and their family, recent emphasis has been placed on early intervention at those at risk of developing psychosis.  The most common treatment is antipsychotic drugs, but this strategy is controversial as the side effects can be severe, including weight gain, and in any event, patients often stop taking the drugs.

A recent study by Dr Patrick McGorry, a professor at the University of Melbourne, looked at 115 young people at risk of developing psychosis and gave them a range of psychological and drug treatments.  Although the study was small, the researchers concluded that “… it’s quite safe and reasonably effective … to offer supportive psychosocial care to these patients”.

Therapy, in other words, should be considered as an early intervention to young people at risk of developing psychosis.  Furthermore, therapy avoids the risky side effects of antipsychotic drugs.

As a therapist who works in the heart of the Manchester student district, I’ve seen many clients over the years who could be considered at risk of developing psychosis.  My experience has also been that therapy can help these clients, so it’s great to see evidence that supports this position.

If you feel you may be experiencing delusions or hallucinations, it is really important you let someone know.  Contrary to popular belief, delusions and hallucinations are remarkably common, and are not necessarily a sign you will become seriously psychotic.  It is important, though, that you get checked out and offered the support you need to make sense of your symptoms.

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Dr Phil Tyson is a Men's Psychotherapist based in Manchester in the UK.  He offers:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) for men in Manchester
• Counselling for men in Manchester
• Psychotherapy for men in Manchester
• Telephone and Skype counselling for men wherever you live
• Supervision and consultative support for therapists in Manchester
• Mediation for employment disputes in Manchester and the UK

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Was My Sexual Abuse My Fault?

We are living through something of a witch-hunt these days.  Men are being accused of sexual abuse, often going back decades, and it doesn’t seem to matter whether there is evidence or not to support it.  The recent shoddy journalism at the BBC does victims of sexual abuse no favours at all.  It simply reestablishes the myth that victims should not be believed.

What is helpful about the current interest in sexual abuse, however, is that the historic abuse of boys is increasingly being recognized and documented.  For generations the mainstream charities supporting victims of sexual abuse refused to take on male cases as a political position.  Victims of male sexual abuse were not only disbelieved by the state, but were silenced by the charities that claimed to support survivors.

If male sexual abuse survivors found the public space unhelpful, the internal psychological space was often worse.  Boys who are sexually abused sometimes get an erection.  Boys who are sexually abused sometimes collude with the abuse as a way of coping with it.  Boys who are sexually abused are sometimes also genuinely sexually curious about the activities of the abuser?  What does this mean?

For boys who are sexually abused they are sometimes deeply tormented about their own culpability in their own abuse.  As a consequence they are often tormented about what this means about their sexuality, and their masculinity.  The result:  many boys simply shut down the trauma, burry it, and suffer in silence through adult life: they experience shame, guilt and flashbacks … in silence.  Many men don’t even tell their wives of their ordeal.

My position is clear.  Adults should not interfere in the developing sexuality of children.  If they do, they are culpable of a criminal offence and should be punished by the law.  The fact that abusers are skilled at manipulating young boys minds means that the abuse is not just physical, but it psychological, and often enduring.

If you were abused as a child and are still tormented by what this means, you are entitled to sympathetic support.  I understand that you may never wish to pursue your abuser through the courts, but you may still need to talk through your experience, be believed, honestly confront your own perceived culpability, and put this demon to bed.

Fortunately dedicated male survivor organisations are starting to appear.  Try survivorsuk.org who offer a confidential helpline and some great information.

 

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Dr Phil Tyson is a Men's Psychotherapist based in Manchester in the UK.  He offers:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) for men in Manchester
• Counselling for men in Manchester
• Psychotherapy for men in Manchester
• Telephone and Skype counselling for men wherever you live
• Supervision and consultative support for therapists in Manchester
• Mediation for employment disputes in Manchester and the UK

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Why Are Men Four Times More Likely to Kill Themselves Than Women?

The latest suicide figures have been released and, unsurprisingly, little has changed.  Four times as many men commit suicide compared to women.  This is true whatever age range is being considered.  It is also true internationally.  Wherever you live in the world, as a man you are four times more likely to end your own life than your female neighbour.  So what is happening?

One key factor is that the people who kill themselves tend to be depressed or have alcohol issues.  It’s not that women don’t get depressed or have alcohol issues; it’s more the way women choose to deal with these problems.  Women are more likely to talk through their problems with a close friend or family member.  This acts as a protective factor.  If you can talk through your problems you not only feel less alone, but paradoxically, the problems don’t seem as bad either.

Men, on the whole, are not as good as women about asking their mates for help.  I see this all the time with the men I work with.  They may be going through hell and grappling with really serious issues, but they wouldn’t dream of turning to their mates for support.

And this is crucial.  If you feel alone with your problems, they can often seem insurmountable.  Suicide seems more reasonable in these circumstances, as a way of ending the pain.  Perhaps this is also why men choose more lethal ways of taking their own life than women, and succeed more often as a consequence. 

Saying that men are more likely to commit suicide because they are less able to talk through their problems with their mates just begs a different question:  Why don’t fella s talk?

At a biological level, testosterone starts killing off the social/emotional brain in men from only six weeks old.  The testosterone surge at puberty, for many men, finishes the job off.  As a consequence many men simply lack the ability to communicate effectively about their problems and needs.  No doubt this has an impact on male subculture, which prizes strength over vulnerability and competence over failure.  It’s unsurprising that many men, when faced with difficulties in life feel they have nowhere to turn.

So what should you do if you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings?  It’s really important you let someone know how you feel.  I understand its difficult talking to friends and family, but they can often be the best people to turn to.  If there is simply no one you trust, then turn to the professionals.  Your G.P. is a good place to start, as is a therapist.  Both will have heard men talk of suicide many times before, so you won’t be burdening them.  If anything they will be concerned to hear how unhappy your life is right now.  If speaking to someone face to face is too much to start with, ring the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.  They have decades of experience of helping men with their suicidal feelings.

At a broader level, we need to change the male culture of ‘toughing it out’.  We may not be able to change the impact of testosterone on our brains, but we don’t have to accept indifference to our fellow men as desirable or acceptable.  You can start to make that change yourself today.  Start looking out for your buddy’s, and if they seem to be having a hard time of things, make the space for them to talk about what’s going on for them.  You don’t have to solve their problems, and they may well turn the offer down, but simply knowing that someone cares enough to try can literally mean the difference between life and death.

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Dr Phil Tyson is a Men's Psychotherapist based in Manchester in the UK.  He offers:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) for men in Manchester
• Counselling for men in Manchester
• Psychotherapy for men in Manchester
• Telephone and Skype counselling for men wherever you live
• Supervision and consultative support for therapists in Manchester
• Mediation for employment disputes in Manchester and the UK

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66% Increase in Hospital Admissions for Eating Disorders in Men.

Figures for the last 10 years show an increase of 66% in men admitted to hospital for eating disorders. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, who published the research, also suggested the figures may under represent the true extent of eating disorders in men.

Many men find it difficult to admit they have an eating disorder because it is a diagnosis often associated with girls. Similarly many professionals fail to recognise eating disorders in men for the same reasons.

So what are the symptoms of eating disorders in men?

Anorexia.

• Extreme weight loss
• Stunted growth in young men
• Constipation and abdominal pains
• Low blood pressure, dizziness
• Bloated face, puffy face and ankles
• Poor blood circulation and feeling cold
• Hair on the body (if the sufferer is generally not hairy)
• Loss of hair on the head
• Dry, rough and discoloured skin
• Loss of bone mass
• Loss of muscle mass

Bulimia.

• Frequent weight changes
• Sore throat, tooth decay and bad breath caused by excessive vomiting
• Swollen salivary glands making face red
• Poor skin condition and hair loss
• Lack of interest in sex
• Lethargy and tiredness
• Increased risk of heart problems and damage to other internal organs

Binge eating disorder.

• Eating much more rapidly than usual
• Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
• Eating alone because of embarrassment at the large quantities consumed
• Feeling out of control around food
• Feeling self-conscious eating with others
• Feeling ashamed, depressed or guilty after bingeing
• Being unable to purge yourself or compensate for the food eaten
• Feeling small on the inside

 

These signs and symptoms were taken from the Men Get Eating Disorders Too website which is a great resource.

If you feel you have an eating disorder, it is important to get professional help.  If you are concerned about a man you know, encourage him to talk to his G.P. about the problem.  Denial is common in people with an eating disorder, but the sooner you tackle it the sooner you will be over it.  The earlier you seek treatment, the quicker and easier it is likely to be, and the more likely you are to stay out of hospital.

 

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Dr Phil Tyson is a Men's Psychotherapist based in Manchester in the UK.  He offers:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) for men in Manchester
• Counselling for men in Manchester
• Psychotherapy for men in Manchester
• Telephone and online counselling for men wherever you live
• Supervision and consultative support for therapists in Manchester
• Mediation for employment disputes in Manchester and the UK

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