Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Education And Debate

Postpsychiatry: a new direction for mental health

BMJ 2001; 322 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7288.724 (Published 24 March 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;322:724

Rapid Response:

Postmodern What ?

Bracken and Thomas claim that our society is asking for a different
kind of psychiatry and a new deal between health professionals and service
users. They claim our society rejects the recent "decade of the brain",
the scientific method, and the belief that madness is probably caused by
neurological dysfunction.

In part they support these assertions by referring to the national
service framework for mental health. However this framework concerns only
people of working age.

I point out that their comments are directed to one speciality in
psychiatry. This is that which tries to help adults in mid life suffering
from conditions commonly referred to as psychotic disorders. Psychiatry is
much more than just this activity. Bracken and Thomas should acknowledge
these obvious comments although I accept that "Post General Adult
Psychiatry" does not have quite the same ring !

Competing interests: none

Competing interests: No competing interests

25 August 2001
Keith Dudleston
Consultant Psychiatrist
Scott Hospital, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth.