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Original papers: Sitara Vikram, Nishi Yarger, Adrian Coxell, and Michael Maier Video self-observation: a means of improving insight in psychosis Psychiatr Bull 2008; 32: 341-344 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Electronic letters published:

A Balancing Act

Vishweshwari Bhadravathi   (13 September 2008)

A Balancing Act 13 September 2008
Vishweshwari Bhadravathi, Specialist Registrar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Solihull CAMHS MBBS MRCPsych Send letter to journal: Re: A Balancing Act vishuhari2002{at}yahoo.com Vishweshwari Bhadravathi	It was interesting to read the article 'Video self-observation: a means of improving insight in psychosis,'Sep08. Using videos for training purposes (interviewing clients, teaching sessions etc) are well known in clinical practice. Such techniques are widely used in various therapeutic settings as well, especially Systemic Therapy. The technique per se could be used for any clinical presentation with presumably a similar positive impact on insight into diagnosis and treatment. The caution that needs to be seriously considered is, as the authors mention, the distress and embarrassment caused to the clients while watching themselves during a psychotic/manic phase. A number of patients, after recovery, describe a feeling of shame and guilt about destroying property, physical promiscuity etc exhibited during a manic phase. It would be vital to look at the impact of such sort of visual insight on their future self esteem. Also, from a clinical governance point of view, a lot of strict regulations need to be put in place in terms of storing, viewing and sharing this material - especially in today's age of YouTube culture.