The Whole Person Approach

Other Therapy & Treatment

You may choose to:
- Find out about the range of non-medical therapies and treatments for severe mental illness
- Ask your doctor about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT
- Ask your doctor about psychotherapy/talking therapies
- Find out more about other therapies e.g. art therapy
- Explore alternative therapies
- Join a self-help group

The range of mental health services in Wales should include psychological as well as psychiatric interventions, and must offer:

• Access to effective treatments to control the disabling and distressing symptoms of severe mental illness.
• Comprehensive mental health services available to all who need them.
• Proper care management: assessment, planning, implementation and review by a multi-disciplinary team, but co-ordinated by a named individual.
• An appropriate legislative framework, which reflects the values if the individual while ensuring public confidence in mental health services.
  The focus should be on rehabilitation and recovery rather than on containment, and modern treatments now offer a greater chance to achieve this.

This is highlighted in Key Action 23 of Standard 6 of the National Service Framework for Wales: "A comprehensive evidence based range of psychological therapies must be available across Wales, with access to more specialist services."

Most people do not receive modern mental health treatment. In recent years, a number of new medicines have become available which offer less side effects and more positive action in relation to both positive and negative symptoms. Yet, too often, these newer medicines are not prescribed.

The choice/range of treatment and therapy which can be considered in an holistic approach are:

• Medication
  One of the main treatments used in various forms (tablets, injections or liquid). The drugs can have side-effects for which additional medication can be prescribed.
  
• Psychotherapy
  Structured and time-limited support to assist individuals with emotional difficulties and psychological problems and processes. Included here will be cognitive therapy, group therapy and family therapy.
  
• Rehabilitation
  When based in or co-ordinated from hospital this often involves occupational therapy to regain and learn new social and life skills.
  
• Alternative therapies
  Often referred to as 'complementary therapies' these can be offered alongside conventional, medication based treatments. Alternative therapies include: art therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy and reflexology.
  
• Spirituality/Religion
  Individuals may gain strength, support and comfort from their spiritual and religious beliefs.

This section will be developed with further information on each section, but in the meantime we can offer the following links:-

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence which has recommended to the NHS in England and Wales that newer, (atypical) antipsychotics should be considered alongside the existing traditional medicines as one of the first choice options for treatment.

The British Psychological Society - understanding mental illness; causes and treatment.

Rethink has additional information on treatment and therapy.

The Counselling Directory website offers a support network of UK counsellors and psychotherapists with information on their training and experience,areas of counselling, fees and contact details. This service is free, confidential and easy to use.

Additional information, use and current research on complementary therapies can be found in the 'About Mental Health' - 'Strategies, treatment and therapies' section of the Mental Health Foundation site at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Complementary Therapies
In recent years complementary therapies have become increasingly popular as a way of treating physical or mental ailments – and maintaining wellbeing. A 2005 survey commissioned by London’s Diagnostic Clinic showed that 68 per cent of people believed in the effectiveness of alternative therapies. It is currently estimated that 1 in 5 Britons use complementary health care – spending £130 million a year in the process – and that there are 50,000 complementary therapy practitioners in the UK.

With this increase in popularity has come calls for complementary therapy to have a greater role in mainstream care. In 2004 Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain put forward proposals to enable complementary medicines to be available on the NHS. In a speech last year he argued his case, stating: “I believe this will make for better health and will ultimately reduce costs to the NHS by encouraging patients to take on a greater role in protecting their own health.”

In light of the growing popularity of complementary therapies, and their increased mainstream use, the UK Government announced in 2004 that complementary therapy was to be more closely regulated. Last March, the Assembly Government also launched the Complementary Treatment Award Scheme for Wales to identify best examples of integrated health care.

• So what is complementary medicine?
  ‘Complementary’ therapies are exactly that: they are therapies that can complement conventional Western medicine when used in conjunction with it (while not necessarily providing an alternative to conventional medicine, as the term ‘alternative medicine’ tends to imply). Complementary medicine is used by many people in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of conditions and illnesses, but it is also thought by some to play a part in a generally healthy lifestyle and promote the health and wellbeing of a person.

• Does complementary therapy work?
This is a contentious point. Much of the evidence of the effectiveness of complementary therapies is anecdotal, and scientific evidence tends to be uneven. Hafal states: “We will only recommend treatment and therapies which are backed by scientific analysis. Scientific research into complementary therapy has shown that some therapies work in some instances, but in many cases the evidence is simply not there. However people must be free to make their own choices.”

Hafal Tip – If you are interested in using complementary therapies check carefully with a GP that there are no adverse side effects.

Discussing ‘traditional medicines’, the World Health Organisation concludes: “Scientific evidence from randomised clinical trials is only strong for many uses of acupuncture, some herbal medicines and for some of the manual therapies. Further research is needed to ascertain the efficacy and safety of several other practices and medicinal plants.” (For more information, go to: www.who.int)

The Mental Health Foundation agrees, stating: “Much of the existing research into the use of complementary therapies in mental health is in the form of case reports only, with few comprehensive clinical trials or research reviews having been carried out. Where research does exist, it is often difficult to access.”

However, a report commissioned by the Prince of Wales and produced by economist Christopher Smallwood last year did suggested that conditions such as stress can benefit from complementary therapies (it was suggested that herbal medicines in particular could be beneficial in the treatment of depression).

Hafal Tip – If you want to use a complementary therapy, make sure you use appropriately qualified practitioners. Go to the Federation of Holistic Therapists website (www.fht.org.uk*) or the British Complementary Medicine Association website (www.bcma.co.uk*)

* Please note that Hafal is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

So what are the main therapies available? We look at some popular examples...
 
 
Acupuncture
A branch of traditional Chinese medicine used to manage illness and maintain health, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the body to stimulate a healing response.
 
Alexander technique
A movement therapy that involves hands-on support as a teacher aids you in overcoming bad movement habits.
 
Aromatherapy
Essential botanical oils are added to the bath or massaged into the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room for therapeutic effect.
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal extracts of herbs are used to treat a number of ailments or promote well-being. These can be administered in a number of different forms, including tablets and ointments.
 
Homeopathy
To treat a condition, tiny doses of minerals that would produce the same symptoms in a healthy person are administered.
 
Hypnotherapy
Involves inducing a relaxed, hypnotic state and accessing the subconscious mind so that memories are more easily retrieved, and healing suggestions can be absorbed.
 
Massage
Performing hand movements on the skin of the body, including stroking and applying pressure, to treat a variety of conditions or promote wellbeing.
 
Nutritional therapy
Using diet to treat ailments and prevent illness by rectifying any vitamin, mineral and other nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.
 
Reflexology
A specialised system of foot massage that sees the whole body mapped out on the sole of the foot: the corresponding points on the foot are massaged to treat ailments throughout the body.
 
Reiki
A Japanese system of channelling healing energy into the client. Involves a practitioner placing their hands over the client (but not necessarily touching them).
 
Shiatsu
A Japanese method of massage that applies pressure to specific points in the body to restore the body's energy balance.
 
T'ai chi
A Chinese martial art based on flowing body movements that induce a relaxed and balanced state.
 
Yoga
Originating in India, yoga is a spiritual practice that involves physical exercises and postures, breathing techniques and meditation.