Mindfulness

I am currently partaking in the mindfulness course offered at Queen’s. I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive about attending this course. I wasn’t sure how beneficial it would be. Would it be worth spending one evening each week practicing mindfulness? 

I have learned many hard truths about myself in my short life. I have learned that I need to put myself first for I cannot expect my significant other or my family to do so especially if I do not. I have learned that my innate worth remains the same no matter what happens to me. I have learned that life is short and I need to appreciate all the good moments as they come. I have learned that I need not expect things to get better ten years from now. What matters is the here and now.

Mindfulness has taught me a few new things. Today, my second day at the course, I left feeling fulfilled. I left with an inner sense of peace and well being. I left feeling whole. No negative thoughts invaded my conscious tonight. I was mindful of the wind on my face. The cold, the sweet fusion, the wonder of taste in my mouth as I drank a strawberry milkshake on a cold winter night. I am aware of the warmth around me as I sit enveloped in my cocoon at home. I am here in the now.

I am present. 

Resident’s Retreat

This year's residents' retreat was extremely well attended, both by juniors and seniors. The day started with a round table evaluation of all the supervisors in the program, continued on to a lunch at a Greek restaurant and then after a lively discussion on several topics pertaining to our curriculum, everyone gathered for dinner at Aquaterra. Everyone got the chance to catch up as colleagues in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with amazing food and beverages.

A Brief Guide to the DSM

The British Journal of Psychiatry’s ’100 words’ series continues with a very brief guide to the DSM psychiatric manual and its ongoing revision.

DSM is an American classification system that has dominated since 1980. It is disliked by many for reducing diagnostic skills to a cold list of operational criteria, yet embraced by researchers believing that it represents the first whiff of sense in an area of primitive dogma. It has almost foundered by confusing reliability with validity but the authors seem to recognise its errors and are hoping for rebirth in its 5th revision due in May 2013. The initials do not stand for Diagnosis as a Source of Money or Diagnosis for Simple Minds but the possibility of confusion is present.

I was very pleased to see that the British Journal of Psychiatry made quite clear that the DSM is an American invention.

The original British plans, of course, were to have psychiatric diagnoses based on measuring the stiffness of one’s upper lip – an objective and reliable approach that was sadly neglected.

Link to British Journal of Psychiatry’s DSM in 100 words.

DSM V: bereavement vs major depressive episode

We recently had a lecture that touched on the removal of the bereavement exclusion criteria from the diagnostic criteria for a Major Depressive Episode (MDE).

Secret Santa

Queen’s psychiatry residents had their first ever Secret Santa this year. Over eighteen residents participated. One gift within 10 dollars. It was a great success. It is amazing what 10 dollars and a little imagination can come up with. KUDOS Queen’s psychiatry residents! Ho Ho Ho...

Psychiatry potluck party, November 2011

We had our first ever psychiatry potluck party. Just for the residents. It was a great turnout. We plan to organise more of these. Perhaps one every three months or so. The food was amazing. The company was great. Some of these budding psychiatrists sure know how to cook. The others are good at eating. One cannot have one without the other. Overall, a perfect mix of people.

Psychiatric News Alert: Indicators of Mental Illness Found in the Developi...

Psychiatric News Alert: Indicators of Mental Illness Found in the Developi...: Most genes associated with mental illness, including those previously linked with autism and schizophrenia, are expressed before birth. S...