Resurrection After Rape Community Group
Discussion, question-and-answer, general social support, and journal processing for progress-oriented rape survivors. No crisis, no damaging or triggering conflicts--this is for individuals who want to contribute to collective, cooperative action toward the goal of making actual PROGRESS through rape trauma. Much of this work is based on the book "Resurrection After...
Psychotherapy lasting for at least one year is more effective than shorter periods of therapy for people with complex mental disorders, such as personality and chronic disorders, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. The success of dedicated psychotherapy may matter little, however, because fewer doctors are offering the service and fewer insurers are covering it.
In long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, the therapist provides continued, close support for the patient while the pair work through problems and interventions. The JAMA study, from researchers in Germany, was an examination of 23 studies on the success of psychotherapy. It found that longer-term therapy (one year or longer) was superior to shorter-term methods in regard to overall outcome and personality functioning. On average, patients with complex mental conditions who were treated long-term were better off than 96% of the patients in the comparison groups.
Psychotherapy, however, is a dying art. In an editorial accompanying the study, JAMA Deputy Editor Richard M. Glass, of the University of Chicago, noted that fewer patients these days have access to this kind of supportive therapy.
"It is ironic and disturbing that this occurs at a time when provision of psychotherapy by psychiatrists in the United States is declining significantly," he said. "The reasons for this merit careful evaluation. To some extent this may reflect the cost-efficacy of treatments for some mental disorders with medications and brief supportive visits. However, this trend appears to be strongly related to financial incentives and other pressures to minimize costs. Is this what is really wanted for patients with disabling disorders that could respond to more intensive treatment?"
In August, a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry found the number of psychotherapy visits nationwide declined from 44.4% in 1996-97 to 28.9% in 2004-05. That study found the number of psychiatrists who provide psychotherapy to all of their patients declined from 19.1% in 1996-97 to 10.8% in 2004-05. The authors of that study concluded that more doctors now are specializing in psychopharmacology -- medication for mental illnesses -- even though studies often show the best results can be achieved with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
"Therapy provided by medically trained psychiatrists offers the maximum integration of mind and body to our patients," said Dr. Eric Plakun, chairman of the American Psychiatric Assn.'s Committee on Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists.
Recognizing the biological basis, and the often helpful addition of medication, for treating mental illness was a huge, positive step in medicine in the last half of the 20th century. But if that progress comes at the expense of psychotherapy, we'll be back where we started: treating just one aspect of the mind-body connection that is at the core of mental-health functioning.
In long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, the therapist provides continued, close support for the patient while the pair work through problems and interventions. The JAMA study, from researchers in Germany, was an examination of 23 studies on the success of psychotherapy. It found that longer-term therapy (one year or longer) was superior to shorter-term methods in regard to overall outcome and personality functioning. On average, patients with complex mental conditions who were treated long-term were better off than 96% of the patients in the comparison groups.
Psychotherapy, however, is a dying art. In an editorial accompanying the study, JAMA Deputy Editor Richard M. Glass, of the University of Chicago, noted that fewer patients these days have access to this kind of supportive therapy.
"It is ironic and disturbing that this occurs at a time when provision of psychotherapy by psychiatrists in the United States is declining significantly," he said. "The reasons for this merit careful evaluation. To some extent this may reflect the cost-efficacy of treatments for some mental disorders with medications and brief supportive visits. However, this trend appears to be strongly related to financial incentives and other pressures to minimize costs. Is this what is really wanted for patients with disabling disorders that could respond to more intensive treatment?"
In August, a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry found the number of psychotherapy visits nationwide declined from 44.4% in 1996-97 to 28.9% in 2004-05. That study found the number of psychiatrists who provide psychotherapy to all of their patients declined from 19.1% in 1996-97 to 10.8% in 2004-05. The authors of that study concluded that more doctors now are specializing in psychopharmacology -- medication for mental illnesses -- even though studies often show the best results can be achieved with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
"Therapy provided by medically trained psychiatrists offers the maximum integration of mind and body to our patients," said Dr. Eric Plakun, chairman of the American Psychiatric Assn.'s Committee on Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists.
Recognizing the biological basis, and the often helpful addition of medication, for treating mental illness was a huge, positive step in medicine in the last half of the 20th century. But if that progress comes at the expense of psychotherapy, we'll be back where we started: treating just one aspect of the mind-body connection that is at the core of mental-health functioning.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
But the point of the article wasn't economic, it was psychological. I'm interested in the finding that a longer-term relationship between the patient and therapist seems to produce better results. We can't do that here. My supervisor was given a tour of this community group about two weeks before my vacation, and I pointed out how many members had formerly been clients at the Decisions program where I work. She was thrilled and said she wished our company had thought of it first, and she regards this group as a positive form of support.
This evening my counsellor has had a completely ''off topic" session with me, doing more 'life-coaching' i.e. helping me polish up my CV - nothing at all really to do witsh the rape but she understands that my work situation is something of a stuck point for me in my life. Since this is something that she does in her day job she made the offer. Interestingly, it also helped me see how I still unintentionally sell myself short in my life generally and the way I talk about myself - it's the old fear that if I ever seem too confident, someone is going to slap me back down into my place again!
Not the kind of thing most therapists would be allowed to do, I imagine, but it was actually very useful for me on both the practical and the therapeutic level.
I believe, without a doubt, the length of time I have been in therapy, plus, my dedication and my compliance with recommended treatment, and the trust I have in my therapist has all come together to make my recovery a reality. I fear the future of mental health services in the U.S.
Soon I will not be able to pay out for my medical insurance. I will not be able to pay out the extra in copay. Oh, and the copay is even higher on psychiatic visits. Why? Once that happens, I will have to leave my psychiatrist, my therapist. There is no other option for me. Many people are faced with that delima.
Once my life is a bit more on-track again, I'll have to see if I can help in some way with fund-raising work for the centre.
I fear, unless we elect officials who have mentally ill persons in their family, who know the impact this system has on individuals who suffer these problems, no one will champion this cause.
Insurance is big business, they filter everything into computers nowadays, then, when they realize where their money is going via exhaustive computer reports, there is where the budgets get tightened.