The psychopathology of authority and its loss: the effect on a ward of losing a consultant psychiatrist.

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  • Author(s): Persaud RD;Persaud RD; Meux CJ
  • Source:
    The British journal of medical psychology [Br J Med Psychol] 1994 Mar; Vol. 67 ( Pt 1), pp. 1-11.
  • Publication Type:
    Case Reports; Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: British Psychological Society Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0370640 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0007-1129 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00071129 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Br J Med Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Letchworth Eng : British Psychological Society
      Original Publication: London [etc.]
    • Subject Terms:
      Forensic Psychiatry* ; Referral and Consultation*; Mental Disorders/*psychology ; Patients/*psychology; Adult ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mental Disorders/etiology ; Mental Disorders/rehabilitation ; Mental Health Services/organization & administration ; Middle Aged ; Object Attachment ; Psychiatric Department, Hospital ; Recurrence
    • Abstract:
      A consultant psychiatrist on an in-patient psychiatric unit left temporarily for a four-week visit to Australia. Eight of 11 patients under his care developed disturbed behaviour, although all had been stable for many months before. Of the other 11 patients on the same ward, under the care of another consultant psychiatrist, only one developed similar problems over this time. It has already been well established in previous research that loss events, particularly of attachment figures, contribute to psychopathology. However, what loss events the psychiatric unit itself presents to patients, and furthermore how the loss of perhaps more distant but important figures, like consultants or senior psychiatrists, also affect patients has not been previously explored. The neglected issue of the role of authority in the therapeutic relationship as well as in psychiatric illness is discussed. It is suggested that this has important implications for psychiatric practice.
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 19940301 Date Completed: 19940712 Latest Revision: 20190914
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1111/j.2044-8341.1994.tb01766.x
    • Accession Number:
      8204539