ABOUT THE COURSE
Psychosis conditions, including schizophrenia, are treatable mental health problems that can affect anyone although very few people talk about the conditions and their impact on families. Millions of people across the globe find themselves thrust unexpectedly into a role providing support and care when a relative develops psychosis. Carers can play a major role in supporting their relative’s progress and recovery.
What you'll learn
Over the four weeks, you will explore some of the key issues and questions relevant to a carer who is supporting a relative with psychosis.
Week 1:
Introduction
How best to understand psychosis
Common symptoms and causes
A first-hand account
Summary
Week 2:
Welcome to Week Two
Causes of psychosis
What medication and psychological treatments aim to achieve
Carers and medications
Managing medications and side-effects
Talking therapies
Summary
Week 3:
Welcome to Week Three
The impact of caregiving
Parents, partners, younger children and siblings as carers
First-hand accounts
Meeting the needs of the carer
Summary
Week 4:
Welcome to Week Four
Psychosis and physical health
Recovery and psychosis
Dealing with problem behaviours
Improving communication
Communication about health
Summary
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
Open to anyone with an interest in psychosis and caregiving issues.
You may be interested in taking the course because:
you know someone with psychosis, perhaps your child, partner, sibling, parent or friend and are providing support
you are a professional working in a service or other mental healthcare organisation, with an interest in psychosis and families
you have an interest in mental health problems.
No previous knowledge of psychosis or experience of caring is required to take the course although some medical terminology is used.
What you'll achieve
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the key symptoms and causes of psychosis, the role of psychological and pharmacological treatments, and the meaning and process of recovery
Identify common physical health problems in psychosis and obstacles to implementing healthier lifestyle options
Describe the impact that psychosis can have on individuals in a caregiving role and strategies to support improved wellbeing
Discuss techniques for reducing communication difficulties in caregiving relationships
Meet the team
King’s College London is one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s is the largest centre for research and postgraduate education and training in psychiatry, psychology and clinical neuroscience.
The IoPPN is home to many of the world’s leading physicians, clinicians and researchers in psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy, and neuroscience and their work will be featured in this course.
Dr Juliana Onwumere
Reader in Clinical Psychology
Dr Marta Di Forti
Clinical Reader in Psychosis Research
Dr Mary Docherty
Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist
Professor Fiona Gaughran
Professor of Physical Health and Clinical Therapeutics
Dr Emma Harding
Clinical Psychologist with Lived Experience of Psychosis
Dr Nadine Keen
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Professor Elizabeth Kuipers
Professor Emerita of Clinical Psychology
Professor Sir Robin Murray
Professor of Psychiatric Research
Professor Emmanuelle Peters
Professor of Clinical Psychology
Professor Sukhwinder Shergill
Professor of Psychiatry & Systems Neuroscience
Professor Jacqueline Sin
External Professor of Mental Health Nursing at City, University of London
Professor Mike Slade
External Professor of Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion at University of Nottingham
Professor David Taylor
Professor of Psychopharmacology
Martha Orbach
Award-winning Artist and Image-maker
Philippa Lowe
Family Carer
Dr Siobhan Gee
Principal Pharmacist for Psychiatric Liaison
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