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Original poster

To Think Ch4 loosing it is... Irresponsible?

71 replies

TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 20:48

I've only watched one episode, and I had issues with some of that episode (specifically the use of the phrase "psuedoseizures" on live TV), however, the thing that is really irritating me is the phrase

"Suicide is a trend. A trend" in the opening scenes of the episodes. It's stated by a teenager, and whilst I get that's her opinion, it's a freaking dangerous one to be shared so publicly by Channel 4 in a program that is supposed to be educating the public about mental health in the UK.

OP posts:
ILoveMyDog14 · 07/02/2020 21:18

What's wrong with saying "Pseudoseizures"?

Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 21:24

ILoveMyDog14

It implies they are not really seizures...

OP posts:
U2HasTheEdge · 07/02/2020 21:26

Pseudoseizures are a thing though. Why can't they be mentioned?

I don't know what context the 'trend' comment was said in, so can't comment.

NerrSnerr · 07/02/2020 21:28

A pseudoseizure is a term used for non-epileptic seizures. It's a real medical term.

Sparklesocks · 07/02/2020 21:29

Do they meant trend as in ‘trendy’ or a trend as in data/statistically?

Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 21:29

It is the terminology "pseudoseizures"; it's reccommended they are referred to as Non Epileptic Attacks, either psychogenic seizures or dissociative seizures.

OP posts:
Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 21:32

A pseudoseizure is a term used for non-epileptic seizures. It's a real medical term.

No, it's an outdated term but the terminology implies that the seizure is not a real seizure. The proper, correct, and up-to-date terminology should have been used whilst filming.

The trend thing, yes, as in it is trendy...

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 07/02/2020 21:35

I think they have a complaints process if you want to follow up with them

JemimaPuddleCat · 07/02/2020 21:36

Wasn't the trend comment regarding self-harm, not suicide?

Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 21:37

JemimaPuddleCat

That'll teach me not to proof read - yes, it was self harm not suicide.

@MNHQ please can you edit my original post?

OP posts:
Crockof · 07/02/2020 21:41

But as uncomfortable as it is to read self harm is a trend. Well I always think of it as contagious. Also it's competitive, there is a hiarachy of self harm, with people competing with each other. This is basic terms it's the jist.

5zeds · 07/02/2020 21:44

I think both terms are correct and not offensive.

ILoveMyDog14 · 07/02/2020 21:45

She didn't seem to be having any type of seizure though, so whether it's "pseudo", "dissociative" or "non epileptic", they all point to the same thing...she wasn't having a seizure.

Also, yes; a teenager talked about self-harm being a trend. It is among a lot of teenagers. What's wrong with saying this? I don't understand?

studentadvice · 07/02/2020 21:47

DM has non epileptic attacks ... now heavily discouraged from calling them seizures as apparently makes it worse ... I still use pseudoseizures with HCPs as at least they recognise the term !!

Scarlettpixie · 07/02/2020 21:47

A trend is not always a fashion (or a good thing). It can mean the general direction in which something is developing or changing. Would that be correct in the context it was used?

ConsiderTheCentre · 07/02/2020 21:49

There are people who for any number of reasons display ‘seizure’ like symptoms without actually experiencing a seizure.

studentadvice · 07/02/2020 21:51

Mums do look like epilepsy though to the untrained eye - all limbs jerking, incontinent, tongue biting, eyes fixed etc - it is horrendous . The only sort of thing that makes you realise it isn’t epilepsy is that she can cough, sneeze, kick you away and sometimes answer you . Very distressing and very real condition - I often wish my mum had help when hers started in 1979 !!

LokiLocks · 07/02/2020 22:04

Just because it is labelled a 'pseudo-seizure' does not mean it is not treated as seriously by mental health professionals. I would use 'conversion' but this term has since gone out of favour too. The individual has no more control over the seizures than someone with epilepsy and it should be, and often is, treated as a serious and debilitating condition. At first glance the term may seem dismissive but the terminology is constantly changing and it is easy to fall foul of it. Although, I do think that certain individuals and even medical professionals (neuro etc.) have the potential to use it dismissively, on the whole mental health professionals treat it seriously and with compassion.

RositaEspinosa · 07/02/2020 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DaisyDreaming · 07/02/2020 22:14

I don’t see anything wrong with her stating that she feels it’s a trend, there are teens who self harm

I felt so bad for Mae’s mum (was that her name?) when they did the watching the family meal thing, she must of felt so psychoanalysed for anything she did or didn’t say. I don’t see how they learnt anything from that about her problems. I really hope she was offered more support than just the focus on weight restoring like they showed.

Also the little girl was autism was sad, it was clear early on she was autistic. Makes me wonder as she was so much happier after the diagnosis and understanding herself that if she had been diagnosed earlier, would she ever have reached that point

Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 22:20

LokiLocks It is advised that that terminology is no longer used.

I know NEAs are still very real. Please read what I am writing, it is incorrect and outdated terminology (and yes it has been proven that that specific terminology does and has led to people who experience these attacks not being taken seriously).

RositaEspinosa Have you watched it and see the rest of the girl's comments? To me anyone that self harms needs some form of support.

OP posts:
FoamingAtTheUterus · 07/02/2020 22:26

Self harm definitely is a.trend in my niece's school, those along with a hospital bed selfie are like a.badge of.honour.........the worrying thing is the quieter ones who are quietly overlooked are being ignored by the kids who just need to get off social media and live in the real world.

Pseudo seizure is a seizure caused by stress or anxiety. It's non epileptic. Therefore it's a false seizure and.i.imagine non life threatening (( happy to be corrected tho ))

whiplashy · 07/02/2020 22:29

Self harm is definitely a trend. The girl that said it is proof of that

Original poster
TraumaSaurus · 07/02/2020 22:32

Pseudo seizure is a seizure caused by stress or anxiety. It's non epileptic. Therefore it's a false seizure and.i.imagine non life threatening (( happy to be corrected tho ))

I will correct you. It is not a "false" seizure, and the terminology "pseudo seizure" is outdated, and has been for years, because it perpetrates comments like yours being made.

They are very real, but do not have the same cause as epileptic seizures. Would you call a diabetic seizure false? Because those also don't have the same causes as epileptic seizures.

And actually - people are much more likely to suffer harm during a dissociative seizure than they are an epileptic seizure.

But, the point of the thread was the terminology, which you have now just proven, so thank you.

OP posts:
5zeds · 07/02/2020 22:36

People are more likely to suffer harm from a dissociative seizure ? Are you sure? There is a fairly statistically significant chance of death from epileptic seizure.