Alternative & complementary therapy choices

Complementary choices offer a variety of leisure activities, including different forms of physical or spiritual expression and artistic enjoyment. Many of these are available through day/evening classes or at local community centres. Local libraries and information centres hold lots of information about such activities. It is recommended to seek medical advice from your healthcare professional before undertaking any sort of strenuous physical activities.

  • Breathing exercises, including meditation and yoga
    British Wheel of Yogawww.bwy.org.uk
    • Dance - traditional, modern, folk, ethnic and free expression
    English Folk Dance and Song Society www.efdss.org
  • Song - choral, individual, folk, pop, gospel, etc.
    Many churches of all denominations have choirs.
    British Choirs www.choirs.org.uk
    Making Music www.makingmusic.org.uk

 

Support

Person-centred counselling

There is evidence to suggest that individuals who experience psychosis can benefit from psychotherapy. Effectiveness of personal therapy over three years after hospital discharge has been assessed in a study by Hogarty, 1997. Results suggested that supportive therapy with or without family intervention produces adjustment effects which peak at 12 months and plateau thereafter. Personal therapy, however, continues to improve social adjustments of patients in the second and third years after discharge1.

 

However, The Society for Psychotherapy Research Conference 2002 evaluated current research into the effectiveness of counselling and psychological therapies in schizophrenia and concluded there is no evidence currently to show it is better than standard care for symptoms or relapse rates2.

 

Despite this, counselling is seen as a systematic process giving individuals the opportunity to explore, discover and clarify ways of living more resourcefully, with a greater sense of well being3.

 

Useful websites

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy www.bacp.co.uk

 

Self-help groups

Some service users may benefit from self-help groups. These groups are completely independent from therapists and HCPs. HCPs sometimes see them as cost-effective alternatives to established mental health care services.

 

Self-help groups represent one of the most widely available resources for people whose needs are not met by formal health care systems.

 

Information about local self-help groups will be available through your local mental health services provider.

 

Useful websites

National groups can be accessed at:

www.mind.org.uk Mental health charity in England and Wales, offering support and information.

www.rethink.orguk Severe mental illness charity that provides specialist services for those with severe mental illness and carers, professionals or volunteers working in the mental health field.

www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk Web site aimed at those providing support to someone experiencing mental illness. Contains information about mental health and mental illness, research findings and personal stories written by carers.

www.sane.org.uk Runs a helpline for support and information about mental health issues.

 

References

1. Hogarty G, et al. Three-year trials of personal therapy among schizophrenic patients living with or independent of family, II: effects on adjustment of patients. American Journal of Psychiatry 1997;154(11):1514 - 1524

2. Brown, M. Long-term counselling for someone with paranoid schizophrenia. Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal 2004;(4)1:6-9

3. Department of Health. Treatment choice in psychological therapies and counselling. London: Department of Health, 2001

 

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