David Thewlis

Twitter for MedEd, mental health and science. Able to do up to 3 different goblin voices. Ista @davthew2614 for Strongman.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

I cannot describe how scared this idea makes me. Well done @DavidZodda - I don't know what else I can say apart from that must have been truly fucking terrible. Look after yourself

[David Zodda, MD @DavidZodda]

I intubated my colleague today, a young, healthy ER doc like me. This is what I learned...

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

Inspirational quote of the day: "If you've got a foot in yesterday, and a foot in tomorrow, you're taking a shit on today." - Alcoholics Anonymous

[Kate Mulgrew @TheKateMulgrew]

Some advice during a troubling time: Trust science, sense, and compassion to see us through. #keepcalmandcarryon

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

Learning point for today: short form content is hard!

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

Aveline, M. (1999). The advantages of formulation over categorical diagnosis in explorative psychotherapy and psychodynamic management. The European Journal of Psychotherapy, Counselling & Health, 2(2), 199-216.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

“Do we need to stop thinking about labelling conditions and diagnoses, and start thinking about how to support every person individually?” Back to the late 70’s this is actually what many mental health professionals have been doing. (1/2)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

References:
Williams, P. (1979). Deciding how to treat – the relevance of psychiatric diagnosis. Psychological Medicine, 9(1), 179-186

Anthony, D. (1995). The future of diagnosis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 167(2), 155-157.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"Have you ever approached any mental health charities to help you with your mental health struggles?"
No - I thought that I wasn’t worth their time. In retrospect I was wrong. I’ve recommended plenty of patient’s to engage with @MindCharity and got great reviews about them.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"Have you received any training in regards to mental health?"
A medical degree and 5 years in clinical practice were pretty good. A lot of thinking and reading also helped. Deep introspection guided by an therapist was probably the most helpful thing to build on that foundation.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"What should we be doing as peers to support each other and promote good mental health in the University?"

Reduce competition which can often make us fail to treat each other with humanity. Acquisition of knowledge requires collaboration far more than competition.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"How do you separate your failures in research with personal failure?"

CBT thought record sheets are good. They can help you see the evidence for and against a belief. Just doing one isn’t enough though as you need to groove those neurological patterns deep.

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"How can we change working/studying environments in order to improve mental health of students/staff?"

Have an end to the primary value of worth being output and achievement. Basically bring an end to capitalism (easy!)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

but it’s easy to believe that things are fine when they’re not. I personally find CBT thought record sheets useful when I’m having trouble working out if my beliefs about myself are based in reality (but preferably have a psychologist coach you through a few first). (3/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"What would you say regarding people with mental health issues who work hard and achieve goals and bc of this success doubt their mental health and need of help?"

Self-gaslighting is incredibly common. (1/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

I managed to try and convince myself that I was just making everything up mere minutes after my partner witnessed me having a long flashback, crying and needing to do some extensive self-soothing. Having a concrete time to point to can be helpful (2/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

Later when my PTSD was finally identified I underwent EMDR which has been incredible, but also left me feeling like I had a hangover for several months. Totally worth it for the effect though. (3/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"What impact did you career had on your life and how did it affect your mental health in terms of depression or anxiety?"

Working in the NHS compounded my PTSD. I got to the point of considering suicide on the drive in every day. (1/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

I frequently signed patient's off sick who's depression score was lower than mine. I finally made the decision that I had to leave clinical practice or it would kill me. I took several months off, in which time my depression was so severe that I suspect I had some delusions(2/3)

[David Thewlis @DavidThewlis12]

"If a student is struggling with their mental health but isn't at "crisis point" what do you reccomend they do?"
Seek help early. If a crisis can be curtailed it should be. Let people know you’re having a hard time, talk to your friends, family (if appropriate), tutor and GP.