Dr. Gary L. Sidley (gsidley)

I retired from my role of Consultant Clinical Psychologist in 2013 and am now a freelance writer. Based in the United Kingdom, I worked in the National Health Service as a mental health professional for 33 years. My areas of expertise include psychological interventions for severe/complex mental health problems (psychosis, depression, emotionally unstable personality disorder) and the promotion of recovery approaches within the psychiatric system.

As my my career progressed, I became increasingly disillusioned with western psychiatric services, and much of my writing reflects this discontent.

My interests away from work include football (I am a life-long Burnley supporter), music (Leonard Cohen is one of my heroes) and, increasingly, writing both non-fiction and fiction.

In the Spotlight

Psychiatric Atrocities: 10 Shameful Interventions Inflicted on the 'Mentally Ill'

Over the last 200 years, the psychiatric profession has been Continue »

In the Spotlight

Anti-Psychotic Drugs: 10 Things You Should Know About Pills for Delusions and Hallucinations

Anti-psychotic drugs are widely used within psychiatric services as a first-line treatment of schizophrenia. A review is presented of the Continue »

In the Spotlight

Psychosis and violence; do people need protecting from the mentally ill?

The general public often perceive people with psychosis as highly dangerous, a Continue »

In the Spotlight

Suicide rates and suicide risk factors

Many myths are associated with suicide. What follows are 9 snippets of information about suicide, all supported by research, that are intended to promote a better understanding of the subject.

In the Spotlight

Why Psychiatric Professionals Are the Main Culprits of Stigmatisation

The stigma suffered by users of psychiatric services can be more disabling than the actual mental health problems. This article discusses how professional staff unintentionally stigmatise their patients.

In the Spotlight

Stigma and mental health problems: 3 elements to maximize the effectiveness of anti-stigma campaigns

The three crucial elements of effective anti-stigma campaigns for people with mental health problems are outlined, together with references to the relevant research.

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  Psychology & Psychiatry

  Psychiatry and the misuse of power: the powerless role of the psychiatric patient

  7 years ago

  This article discusses the reasons for, and effects of, the huge and enduring power differential between those deemed to be 'mentally ill' and the psychiatric professionals employed to help them.

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  20
  Stigma of Mental Illness

  Why Psychiatric Professionals Are the Main Culprits of Stigmatisation

  4 years ago

  The stigma suffered by users of psychiatric services can be more disabling than the actual mental health problems. This article discusses how professional staff unintentionally stigmatise their patients.

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  14
  Mental Health Therapy

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - 7 questions to ask yourself to decide if CBT will benefit you

  11 years ago

  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems. However, some people are more likely to benefit from this form of psychological treatment than others. In this hub, seven questions are posed that will help ...

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  12
  Mental Illness & Treatment

  'Schizophrenia' Recovery Rates: Psychiatry Isn't Working

  6 years ago

  Has psychiatry brought benefits to people suffering from schizophrenia? Evidence is presented from studies 1.comparing recovery rates in the under-developed world with those in the west; 2.comparing progress over the last 100 years in psychiatry with that achieved in other medical specialisms; 3....

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  37
  Psychology & Psychiatry

  Psychiatric Atrocities: 10 Shameful Interventions Inflicted on the 'Mentally Ill'

  4 years ago

  Over the last 200 years, the psychiatric profession has been guilty of inflicting interventions on the 'mentally ill' that have ranged from eccentric to the sadistic. Although packaged as being for the good of the individual or society, the recipients of these so called treatments, the mentally...

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  20
  Clinical Depression

  Anti-Depressant Drugs: 12 Things You Should Know About Pills for 'Depression'

  5 years ago

  Anti-depressants are less effective than commonly claimed by doctors and drug-companies. Despite this, anti-depressant drugs are prescribed for millions of people across the developed world. Twelve snippets of information are provided to convey a more realistic picture of their utility.