Category: Blog

Are irrational beliefs ruining your quality of life?

In my last post we looked at CBT techniques for managing distressing thoughts and feelings, namely the ABC model. Think back — the aim of CBT is to challenge our irrational and dysfunctional thought processes.

When we learn to use the ABC model, we can begin to intervene and take control of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Remember — While some Activating events can undoubtedly upset our lives (i.e. failing your driving test), we do have some control over how we react and respond to them (i.e. I can always sit it again). For the most part, the more positively we respond, the more positive our outcomes will be.

ABCDE model helps you challenge irrational beliefs

Further to the ABC model, there’s the ABCDE model. Let’s see how we can use the ABCDE model to further challenge your irrational beliefs/thoughts.

Again, remember — the basic idea behind the ABC model is that “external events (A) do not cause emotions (C), but beliefs (B) and, in particular, irrational beliefs (IBs) do.” According to Ellis, these are some of the common irrational assumptions we make:

• we have no control over our happiness.
• we should be thoroughly competent at everything.
• it’s catastrophic when things aren’t the way we want them to be.
• we need someone stronger than ourself to be dependent on.
• there must be a perfect solution to human problems, and it’s a disaster if we don’t find it.

Ellis introduced a simple method to remove some of the weight from these assumptions in order to help us focus on things that matter. Let’s go back to the failed driving test.

A — Activating Event
This activating event is the source of your anger or dejection. In other words, it is your adversity. I failed my driving test.

B — Beliefs
In this section, you should state what general beliefs you are feeling in regard to the activating event.I shouldn’t have failed? I’ll never pass the damn test!

C — Consequences
This aspect of the model is possibly the most important: openly identifying your emotions as a direct result of your beliefs. I feel so angry that I couldn’t pass.I must be really stupid. I bet everyone’s laughing at me, I feel so embarrassed.

Irrational beliefs lead to irrational consequences

Ellis asserted that irrational beliefs lead to irrational consequences, or feelings, and vice versa. It’s important to identify your feelings so that you can figure out if they are irrational or not.

Our example: I’m angry and ashamed that I can’t pass my test when I tried so hard. I must be useless and I’m a laughing stock to others.

D — Disputing
Here’s a very important section. This is where you begin to turn your feelings around. If the belief you stated above is irrational, then you can identify your sentiments as irrational as well.
My assumption that “I shouldn’t” and “I’ll never” are weighted in irrational beliefs.
Dispute these irrational beliefs i.e. “Okay, if I hadn’t stayed out until 3 in the morning I might have been better prepared for my test.” or “Perhaps I could have waited to resit the test, knowing I had lots of college exams the same week.”

Dispute the beliefs to find which are dysfunctional

by asking yourself:

• what is the evidence that my belief is true? i.e. who saysI should have passed or that I’ll never pass the test?
• in what ways is my belief helpful or unhelpful? “My beliefs are unhelpful, they’re irrational.”
• what helpful/self-enhancing belief can I use to replace each self-defeating or dysfunctional belief? i.e. “I’ve passed many exams before and got distinctions in most, which proves I am not stupid.” and “My friends have always been supportive of me so there’s no reason for them to laugh at me now. They’ll be disappointed for me but will cheer me on to pass the next time.”

Looking at the above example, you can ask whether your beliefs are justified by the activating event. Or are they based on inaccurate assumptions or ‘mind-reading? In CBT world, mind reading or making assumptions about what other people are thinking are classed as thinking errors (another interesting read).

Balancing statements to challenge the irrational beliefs ruining your life

On reflection, if you think the beliefs aren’t justified, then you might want to consider some Balancing Statements. You can then remind yourself of these if similar activating events occur again — to help keep what is happening in perspective. In the example above, possible Balancing Statements might be:

• “Maybe I did fail this test, but I’ve passed lots of other tests over the years, and many with distinction.”
• And you might think “I’m really just jumping to conclusions because my friends don’t normally laugh at other people’s downfalls.” or “My friends are often my biggest cheerleaders so why would they laugh on this occasion?”
• Rather than “I’m so stupid” you might think “I’ve done well in all other exams, this is just a temporary setback and I’ll pass next time.” You might also try asking yourself what a trusted friend might say or think in the same situation.

This reflection will challenge your negative beliefs and hopefully, your angry and embarrassed feelings will dissipate.

E is for exchanging old irrational beliefs

E — Exchange old unhelpful irrational beliefs for effective new rational and balanced beliefs, and emotional consequences.

The final section of this method requires turning your new rational belief into rational emotions that can inspire you to tackle future problems. The goal of this exercise is to turn unhealthy feelings into positive, healthy ones. Ask yourself:

• What helpful/self-enhancing new belief can I use to replace each self-defeating or dysfunctional belief? i.e. “I’m quite bright actually, seeing the amount of exams I have passed,” and “even if my friends do laugh, they’ll be laughing at me for thinking I’m stupid.”
• Now, what are my new feelings? i.e Relaxed, not angry, no longer embarrassed and actually quite proud of my achievements to date.

These simple exercises help us to build awareness of ‘how’ we think – they help us to see patterns and links over time. Most importantly, they help us see that our thoughts are often irrational, illogical and unhelpful so that we can
dispute them and replace them with positive self-talk.

So, if you find yourself having destructive, negative or irrational thoughts, you might want to try using this exercise. As I’ve often said, practice (and keep practicing) this exercise so that you can instantly recognise what is troubling you or causing you problems in the future.

Will you try to challenge any irrational beliefs ruining your life?

Over to you

What do you think? Are you familiar with the explanation of the ABCDE model? In which situations would you apply this tool? Do you recognize irrational thoughts on a personal level? How can the ABCDE model help you?

Are you prone to distressing thoughts and feelings?

If you are, you might want to try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talking therapy which can be used to treat people who are experiencing various mental health problems.

CBT focuses on the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The guiding principle of this therapy is that our thoughts influence our feelings, which determine our behavior. Thus, to change behavior, we must change our thoughts

CBT is based on the idea that how we think (cognition), how we feel (emotion) and how we act (behaviour) all interact together. Specifically, our thoughts determine our feelings and our behaviour. CBT helps help people to change disruptive thoughts, behaviours and feelings in order to successfully navigate the challenges that life presents.

While CBT is normally offered by qualified therapists, there’s often a long wait before you’re offered an appointment via the NHS. But while you wait there’s no reason why you can’t start using some of the basic techniques to help you manage your distressing thoughts and feelings — right now.

ABC model of CBT to manage distressing thoughts and feelings

Psychologist Dr Albert Ellis created the ABC model; a CBT technique used for analysing our thoughts, behaviour, and emotions/feelings.

When we learn to use the ABC model, we can begin to intervene and take control of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Its name refers to the components of the model. Here’s what each letter stands for:

(A)   Activating event/trigger – The actual event and your immediate interpretations of the event.

(B)   Beliefs about the event – This evaluation can be rational or irrational and correct or incorrect.

(C)   Consequences – How you feel, and what you do or what other thoughts follow.

Here is an example of a negative belief/perspective:

1. What is the Activating Event? i.e. My friend passes me in the street one afternoon and doesn’t smile, wave or even acknowledge me.

2. What is your Belief about that event? What thoughts do you have? i.e. I believe that she’s just being rude or is upset with me about something that happened last week.

3. What feelings do you have when you think that? i.e. I feel resentful that she ignored and I’m scared she’ll say something negative about me to our mutual friends.

Here is an example of a positive belief/perspective:

At this point, you go back to:

1. The activating event, which remains the same, but then you challenge the automatic thought that you had about the event.

2. What else could that event mean? Identify other possible beliefs or explanations. Try to at least give a neutral explanation. I.e. She might just be having a bad day because she’d had to work through lunch, and was now focused on grabbing a quick snack for the bus home. Whatever it was, she was probably just too distracted to say hi and will probably call later for a catch-up.

3. What feelings do you have when you think that the alternatives are possible? I.e. I feel reassured that she’s not holding onto the event from last week and I feel safe that she won’t talk about me behind my back.

4. How does your behavior change as your feelings change? Example: I don’t waste my time thinking about something that has nothing to do with me.

Activating events/triggers DO NOT cause your emotions

The underlying idea behind the ABC model is that “external events (A) do not cause emotions (C), but beliefs (B) and, in particular, irrational beliefs (IB) do”

The B is considered to be the most important component because CBT focuses on changing beliefs (B) in order to create more positive consequences (C). Often there isn’t much we can do about the activating event or adversity (A) as that’s normally out of our control.

This is a very basic form of CBT and, as with a more intensive form of the technique, it can only work if you are open to changing your thoughts and understand and accept that your thoughts influence your behavior.

The ABC 3 colum form is a staple CBT worksheet, and you can use something like this — with or without the pretty baubles.

ABC Model to help you manage distressing thoughts and feelings

The ABC technique is designed to collect information about what led to a specific distressing belief/thought. On a blank piece of paper, write along the top column (1) Activating event, column (2) Belief, and column (3) Consequences.

An example of how the model might be used to describe a particular situation is given below:

You could turn your belief of the above situation around. As already mentioned, you can’t often control the activatting event (A) but you could change your belief/thought (B) to a more rational and neutral one i.e. “My boss hasn’t complained before so maybe he’s just making conversation, or assessing to see whether I need more time.” The consequences (C) wouldn’t feel so dire i.e. You might feel more relaxed and ask him if it’s urgent, how urgent it is, can you have more time?”

This reflection will challenge your negative beliefs and hopefully, your angry feeling will dissipate.

ABCDE model to further change your negative thoughts/beliefs

Over and above the ABC model, there’s the ABCDE model too — D meaning to dispute negative thoughts and E for exchanging you negative beliefs/thoughts (B) to something more rational and nuetral. See how you can use this model to effectively make positive changes to your negative beliefs — in my next post!

Over to you

What do you think? Are you familiar with the explanation of the ABC model? In which situations would you apply this tool? Do you recognize irrational thoughts on a personal level? How can the ABC model help you?

Self-help for anxiety disorders

There are many evidence-based self-help activities you can practice yourself to reduce your anxiety, such as:

• attending a self-help course in person, or online
• use muscle relaxation techniques. Try it now. Let your shoulders slump down from your ears, wiggle your neck side to side, unclench your jaw, and give it a little wiggle. Uncross your legs and unclench your fists, lay your palms and fingers gently on your thighs, and remind yourself that your body cannot be relaxed and tense at the same time. You can practice this on the bus, at work, at home, practically anywhere. Just make sure you do it regularly throughout the day and this will help to calm you down when you most need it.
• put a few drops of lavender (known to ease anxiety) on a tissue, exhale long and slow through your mouth then slowly breathe the scent in through your nose. Do this for 3-4 minutes — and relax. Lavender oil is also available as a once-daily capsule for anxiety, . 
• try mindfulness or other forms of meditation.
• exercise regularly or do something fun with family, friends, or your partner.
• go for a long walk, get in touch with nature.
• try to stop smoking.
• cut down on the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink.
• try some of the free mental health apps and tools online.
• adjust your lifestyle to make it less busy, hectic, and rushed.
• Learn how to set boundaries and to say ‘NO’.
• take part in activities that give you pleasure, make you feel competent, or give you a chance to take a break from other, more stressful activities.
• see some more tips to help with your anxiety and panic attacks here

Self-help therapy refers broadly to the idea of treating one’s own emotional or psychological problems, without the assistance of a therapist. However, it’s important to discuss your symptoms and possible treatments with your GP, to ensure the most appropriate care is provided to you.

Of course, the above list is not exhaustive and some might say “this or that doesn’t work for me.” But sometimes we give up too easily; we give something a go, it doesn’t work immediately — sometimes it takes practice and patience.

Over to you

What do you think about anxiety, the effects, and impact it has on our daily lives? Perhaps you have some self-help tips you could share? I look forward to your thoughts and comments, and of course, I’ll answer any questions.

Definition of chronic stress

Chronic stress is consistent with feeling pressured over a prolonged period of time, lasting at least longer than a month. It’s extremely debilitating and is associated with greater risk of disease including hypertension, weakened immune system, and cardiovascular problems. It might also lead to insomnia, feelings of anxiety, panic attack, and depression.

We previously looked at the fight or flight response, which is an automatic reaction to a stressful or frightening event. We’d notice the dramatic psychological (e.g. negative and/or racing thoughts) and physiological (e.g. palpitations, nausea, dizziness) reaction to a specific event (e.g. having to give a speech or presentaion a work). Awful, yes? However, once that stressful situation passes our symptoms fade, we’d relax a little and are able to get on with our day.

When stress becomes chronic

Unlike acute stress that dissipates and leaves us somewhat calmer, chronic stress steadily drains our psychological resources, leaving us feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.

Prolonged and excessive stress may result in burnout, where we feel overwhelmed, drained, and unable give any more – mentally or physically. We may think we’ve got little or no control, often we can’t see a way out, and feel incapable of changing our dreadful situation.

What causes it

A build up from acute stressors together with big life stressors can cause chronic stress, for example:

• Divorce, or even marriage
• Major life changes like moving home, a new baby
• Death of a loved one
• Changing jobs or losing a job
• Long-term financial hardship
• Relationship stress with family, friends, colleagues
• Traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, theft, rape, or violence against you or a loved one
• Physical and/or mental abuse
• Chronic illness or disability
• Taking care of an elderly or sick family member
• Being constantly overworked

Symptoms

Chronic stress can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally, and also how you behave. It’s not always easy to recognise when stress is the reason you’re feeling or acting differently. Symptoms of chronic stress might include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Panic attacks
• Sleep problems; too much or too little
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Unexplained aches and pain
• Chest pains and high blood pressure
• Regular indigestion or heartburn
• Feeling sick, dizzy or fainting
• Sudden weight gain or weight loss
• Under or over eating
• Developing rashes or itchy skin
• Sweating
• Changes to your period or menstrual cycle
• Existing physical health problems getting worse
• Unfocused and/or distorted thinking
• Inability to concentrate/focus
• Forgetfulness
• Easily irritated/angered
• Snapping at people

This list is not exhaustive, and you’d probably feel several of the above at any one time, together with feeling out of control, overwhelmed and unable to cope.

What we can do about it

Given the potential impact of prolonged stress, learning ways of managing, reducing, and preventing stress can be important tools for mental and physical health and wellbeing.

In the first instance, identify what triggers your stress and try to understand why this is. Write out your to-do list everyday to help you reassess your priorities and note the thoughts you’re having about the stressful situations you’re facing. Writing can be a very therapeutic way of dealing with stress, and you’ll more than likely spot a pattern of when or why you’re most stressed. Identifying your triggers is the first step in what’s known as the 4 A’s of stress management: avoid, alter, adapt, and accept.

Avoid

the trigger by learning to say NO (and mean it) i.e. to extra babysitting, to drinks with colleagues, or driving everyone around etc. And don’t feel you have to apologise or make excuses for saying NO. You could take the sting out of saying NO by maybe saying ‘NO, not today’, and stop right there! The first time I said NO to my brother-in-law when he asked me to babysit his daughter for the fourth time one week – I felt awful. But he was so shocked he just said ‘Oh, okay, I’ll come and pick her up’.

Furthermore, if you have social media posts tempting you with distractions — say NO. Avoid and say no to things and situations (even friends) that prevent you from staying focused on your tasks. As I write, I’ve just realised that I went off on Facebook writing groups distracting me from the job at hand — finishing this post — today!

Alter

Sometimes stressful situation can’t be avoided. Bearing this in mind, try to change things. Alter your situation i.e. asking someone else to pick up the dry cleaning, asking other school parents to take turns in getting the kids to football/swimming etc. Enlist help in completing household tasks. Ask the kids to hang up their coats, put their shoes away, and put their dirty clothes in the washing basket. You need to remind yourself too — stop trying to fit everything in and being all things to all people. Tell others what you need from them respectfully, and calmly but firmly. Always use “I” statements i.e. saying “I feel overloaded and unappreciated, can we find a way to resolve this?”

Adapt

Thinking you can’t cope (with all of this stress) is one of life’s greatest stressors. That’s why adapting — which often involves changing your standards or expectations — might be more helpful in dealing with stress. Do you really, really have to edit, re-edit and re-edit your blog posts again, leaving other tasks and chores to build up? Is a big house or more money really going to make you happier if you’re always stressed out? Is a shiny, spotless home really necessary all the time, especially when it’s such hard work? Sometimes “good enough” really has to be good enough. If you can’t change the situation, work on changing yourself by adapting.

Accept

that things are what they are — ‘it is what it is’ my sons often say!

However, acceptance is not the same as resignation, it simply means observing the moment without resistance, not giving in to it.  Take a few minutes of mindfulness; just focus on your breathing, allow thoughts to come and go, just focus on your breathing and keep doing that. Allow your shoulders to drop down from your ears, unclench your jaw and give it a little wiggle (or not, if you’re in public). Just take those few minutes to relax then focus on what you can do next.

This may mean learning to take a step back and stop trying to control other people and their actions. Remember, you can’t change other people, but you can change the way you respond (to their constant demands). Voice how you feel more freely, be more compassionate towards yourself, and learn to forgive or work on strategies to change the things you can change.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference, Reinhold Niebuhr.

Other forms of help for chronic stress

Our wonderful NHS (UK) suggests the following

• try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional
• You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
• find out more about their 10 stress busters – including getting started with exercise and setting aside time for yourself
• plan ahead for stressful days or events – planning long journeys or making a list of things to remember can really help
• consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
• listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides

Over to you

Do you have any other tips to support people experiencing chronic stress? What works for you? I know some people say that Mindfulness or relaxation doesn’t work for them — and that’s okay — try another of the suggestions. Just don’t stress about it 🙂

Fight or flight in animals in response to threat

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. It’s an evolutionarily ancient phenomenon that might be better understood in animals.

When faced with a threat most animals can defend themselves by fighting or fleeing. A stotting gazelle coming across sabre tooth tiger will launch instantly into a physical state designed to help it adapt to the threat i.e. fight or flight. Initially, however, the gazelle might freeze, and not because it’s too frightened to move. Freezing lets the gazelle seek evidence of potential danger. The sabre tooth tiger might have identified the slower-moving sloth as it’s target. And said gazelle can happily stott away, stress free, having no need to fight or flee.

Fight or flight in humans in response to perceived threat

We humans also have the same flight or fight instincts tho’ fortunately, we’re rarely, if ever, in the same situation as the stotting elk. Threat/stress/fear for us is generally a response to challenging or new life events such as a job loss, exams, deadlines, finances, poor health, or divorce.

Verywell / Joshua Seong

We experience stress because it is an evolutionary tool that keeps us alert, out of danger and surviving. It helps our bodies gear up for action—like avoiding an oncoming truck. We still have the same “fight or flight” respsonse as the stotting gazelle but in a different way. Like when I had to give presentations at university I’d be so nervous that my mouth dried up, my heart pounded, and my hands shook. I had to fight through it as the only other option was unimagineable — turning on my heels and fleeing.

No matter how many times I practised my presentation skills calmy at home in front of the mirror, presenting at uni still evoked anxiety, bordering on panic.

Some years later, as a senior nurse practitioner, I was required to do presentations for junior staff and I could cope with that. However, having to present to more senior staff, including our Chief Executive brought back my anxiety tenfold. I enrolled on a three day presentation skills course after which we were to deliver a five minute presentation to everyone on the course. Heart hammering, mouth like cotton wool, and shaking inside, I delivered the presentation and at the end asked if there were any questions. Hands shot up and the first person I looked at said “I have a question — why are you on this course? You’re a natural.” Others nodded and agreed that I looked so relaxed and confident, and came across well. Who’d have thought!

Stress presents itself in many forms

Stress is a common and normal physical response to challenging or new situations and can look and feel different for different people. Short-lived feelings of stress are a regular part of daily life i.e. your boss is more demanding today, or maybe you’re going to miss a deadline. Of course you’re stressed. This is what’s know as acute stress. It’s short term, it won’t last longer than your workday, and it may actually benefit you in some ways.

Situations that may cause acute stress

• running late for work, college, picking up the kids
• an impending deadline
• argument with loved one
• you’ve needlessly overspent this week
• your upcoming exam
• having lost phone, keys, purse
• sitting in a traffic jam
• presentations

However, it may be an every day occurence and on top of that you’re having a tough time at home, maybe you’re always short of money, and certain relationships are constantly fraught. When these feelings become long-lasting, or chronic, they can severely impact your health. This type of stress can become dangerous if you don’t try to overcome it.

Let’s take a break, then in my next post I’ll explain how you can overcome acute stress before we move on to chronic stress.

In the meantime, do you experience acute stressors at work or at home? Are you able to mange these effectively? Do you have any tips you’d like to share?

This mental health nurse retiree is off to the Caribbean

Well look at me — the Caribbean, indeed. Hubby decided to surprise me with a far away holiday and we’re off tomorrow. I know this isn’t my normal type of post but I thought I’d get a bit more personal this time round.

We’re off on the trip of a lifetime — four weeks in sunny St Vincent and Bequia, and I think I’m excited. See the funny thing is, because of my Transverse Myelitis, I have no internal sensation from my boobs down. Therefore I don’t get the fluttering of butterflies that excitement often brings. Only my head/brain can tell me how I’m thinking – not feeling. So, as I said, I think I’m excited,

We start our journey from London at five tomorrow morning. I’ve checked us in online — tick, printed the tickets — tick, got all the sun creams — tick. I’ve done all the hard work but guess who still has to pack? Oh, everything’s ready to go in my case but hubby keeps telling me I’m taking too much. Hey, we’re going for four weeks….. and heck, I have no intention of ironing out there.

Being medically retired has some benefits

Fortunately, since I was medically retired from my mental health nurse days, we’ve been to lots of places. But the Caribbean’s always been on my bucket list — tick. Oh, and — we’ve got our own tour guide — we’re going with a pal who’s from St Vincent. I am so looking forward to exploring some of the Islands, enjoying the sun and the beaches but mostly to trying the local food like plantain, salt fish and ackee. The last time I tried it was when I was helping a patient to budget, shop for and cook food that he enjoyed. However, despite asking him to wash his hands before any food preparation, I never quite trusted that he’d washed the snot off the back of his hand. Many of you might know that I get queasy just thinking about bodily fluids, and snot’s high up there. Urgh!

Moving on – quickly

Because of my disability and sometimes low mood it’s great that I have things to look forward to. And boy, there’s lots this year! When we get back (did I tell you we were going to the Caribbean 😜) we’ll go up to Scotland to visit my family for a few weeks. After that we’re taking off on a tour through France to visit friends and to attend the D Day 80th Anniversary. Then we’re off to Atina in Italy with family and friends, before moving on to Spain for a few weeks to see our other good friends.

Well, I need to get a couple of hours sleep in so I’m off now. Let me know if you’re holidaying this year and where you’re going.

I recently shared an article about NHS privatisation written by DR JULIA GRACE PATTERSON💙founder and Chief Executive of EveryDoctor. EveryDoctor is a doctor-led campaign organisation fighting for a better NHS. They believe

• in a future NHS where every patient is safe and every staff member is supported.
• in an NHS that remains in public ownership, free at the point of delivery.
• that the UK government should halt and reverse NHS privatisation. No one should be seeking to profit from public healthcare. 

Head on over to EveryDoctor to see the brilliant work they’re doing, and get involved. In the meantime, Dr Julia wants to tell us about the amount of public money that is being funnelled into the private mental health sector.

The following is all Dr Julia’s work

and she writes:

This is a subject that is close to my heart, because my background is as a psychiatry doctor. I think of mental health as one of the “canaries in the mine” for the NHS. What was happening in NHS mental health services ten years ago is what has now happened across the board; underfunding, under-investment, loss of key staff, and privatisation.

If you’re working in a socially deprived area, and many of your patients are extremely unwell and extremely vulnerable, you see the impact of politicians’ bad decisions, because they impact peoples’ lives in huge and horrible ways. I looked after people who did not have a solid social architecture; a network of people keeping them well, safe, and cared for. In those circumstances, when you cut away public services, you are cutting away their safety. It’s that simple.

How private companies are receiving vast amounts of money

Ten years ago, mental health patients faced overcrowding on wards, or their support worker had such a large caseload that they didn’t receive enough attention, or they had to travel a long way from home to get the care they desperately needed.

What is happening now, ten years on? I bet you can guess. Private companies have swooped in, to “help”, and there are now vast sums of public money making their way into private companies who are propping up the NHS in various ways.

Why it’s bad that mental health serivces are still being outsourced

● Because private companies skim off the services or treatments that can generate the most profit, leaving the NHS to provide the costly, complex treatment.
● Because the tendering of contracts is burdensome, bureaucratic and expensive. Guess who foots the bill? The NHS of course.
● Because if it doesn’t work out for a private company, they can exit, creating turmoil for local patients and staff alike.
● Because in psychiatry there are various subspecialties, for example child and adolescent in-patient psychiatry, older adult care, or psychiatric intensive care. These services are not being planned properly to allow equal NHS provision
across the country. NHS patients being treated in private facilities often have to
travel far from home, away from the local support teams and away from their loved ones, who struggle to visit. All of this impacts on a patient’s ability to get better and get home safely.

EveryDoctor is now researching how much public money is finding its way to the private mental health sector, and the findings are staggering.

How much money is spent on private mental health hospital beds

We haven’t finished this work (it’s complicated and time-consuming), but here’s just one example we’ve found so far:

We asked NHS Trusts how much money they are spending on private mental health hospital beds for patients. One trust has said that in 2019 they spent £2,695,544. In 2023, they spent £14,082,289. This is staggering, and it’s happening because NHS mental health beds have been cut back so significantly by the Conservative government since 2010.

We are working as hard and as quickly as we can on this research, because privatisation is bad for patients, bad for NHS staff, and bad for the future of the NHS. The only way we will hold politicians to account effectively is if we show them the facts, and demand better. Every single person in this country deserves better than this. Thank you so much for being a member of EveryDoctor and helping us to do this work!

Over to you

The above article makes me so bloody angry. And it should make you angry too. One trust has said that in 2019 they spent £2,695,544. In 2023, they spent £14,082,289. Abso-bloody-lutely staggering indeed! And right under our noses! What are your thoughts on our wonderful free NHS? ny thoughts? If you’re in the UK, will you get involved in EveryDoctor‘s campaign to keep our NHS Public?