Can you help me choose a toipc for my dissertation please??

[tiredemma]

Only year two on monday, you would think that they would let us 'enjoy' our summer- . I have just received an email asking me to consider what topic I would like to discuss for my dissertation- we are expected to have a 'plan' for the first week of uni in sept.

It has to be related related to mental health as this is my branch of nursing- im flumoxed- any suggestions from you brainy lot??? ( to get the ball rolling of course- not to write it for me)

I definitely think issues surrounding mental health and pregnancy would be a very interesting topic for a thesis.

I personally suffered horribly with PRE-natal depression - I had such bad morning sickness that I couldn't get out of bed for 6 weeks other than to use the bathroom. I didn't leave my flat for nearly 2 months apart from for doctor's appts, and was off work for 3 months.

You don't hear much about it (all the focus being on post-natal depression) but I have never felt so depressed and alone in my life.

manhattan mama, did yopu ever come across blooming awful? they offered telephone support for people in your position- indeed was often me on the end of the line! what you experienced is quite common, and often apparently links with ptsd and pnd also.

if twere me it'd be 'asessing the potential links between pregnany / birth trauma and pnd, with reference to reported experience of ptsd'

funny, reading your first post, I was thinking along the lines of PTSD and traumatic Birth...looks like that might be what you decided to be doing.

Also interesting and similar I suppose would be PND and the different reasons why women develope it, etc...!

Lou, how does that work to do a BA (Hons) Social Studies and then to do a masters ( I suppose) postdraduate Nursing degree?
I assume you wouldn't be a nurse working on the wards as such after, would you? Just wondering really!

I think PTSD and something birth/child related is the way to go.

excited now!!

8000 word 'literature review'

eeek!

did you have an appendix?
A girl in the 3rd year said that she did full critiques in her appendix, but broke them down briefly for the actual main body.

tiredmama -I'm really fascinated about the idea that a baby smiling at a mum releases certain happy chemicals in the brain and this helps us to cope with the stress of sleepless nights/stressful days etc. I had severe pnd with my 1st and with my second not a sign. I often wonder if it's because ds 1 was a grumpy baby who didn't want to be near dh or myself whereas ds 2 is constantly wants cuddles and sunggles etc and stares at us lovingly. Would pictures of my smiling baby (when he did) have helped me?

Not sure it's what you're looking for but is an interest of mine...

Sally- no doubt I will be harrasing you excessively when I start this.

Thanks everyone for your help/advice, I have had a scoot around on library site for journals and there appears to be a fair amount of stuff relating to PTSD and childbirth, so will prob go down this route.

Peachy - I did come across Blooming Awful towards the end of the worst phase of illness, but I'm based in America and didn't speak to anyone by phone (I think I'd have just cried at them anyway!).

It was bad enough to put me off having another baby anytime soon

MM if you do ever want a chat do cat me- i've had three since and it has gotten less each time, but I knoew of people who never had repeats or indeed one who got worse and ended up with severe pnd

there is fab medication about, the trick seems to be getting it!

Hi Peachy - thanks for the offer (Just namechanged from ManhattanMama!).

I did finally manage to get put on Zofran which brought it under control - still felt sick for the rest of my pregnancy but managed to go back to work and function day to day. Before that I'd been fobbed off with metoclopramide for 2 months even though it wasn't working - it was only when I lost 12 lbs in 3 weeks that the doctor finally prescribed me the good stuff!

Am hoping that next time it doesn't happen, but everything I've read says that it's likely it will.

Hi 3andnomore,

Yes, I did a first degree (BA (Hons)), and because it was relevant to nursing, it skips you through the first year of the nursing qualification. You go straight into year 2, but consolidate slightly, and therefore qualify in 2 years instead of 3.

So, I have BA (Hons) Social Studies, and Accelerated advanced diploma in Nursing Studies, giving me registration on Part 12 of the Nursing Register.

Interestingly, I could also be a social worker in 1 year, by doing a graduate conversion, or a teacher in 1 year, etc.

went into uni today to hand some stuff in and bumped into my fave lecturer. we discussed my possible choice (albeit briefly) and he said it sounds very interesting- he is psychotherapist who deals with PTSD as a clinician and asked if he could supervise me next year!

Im so pleased because he is great and I know will be such fantastic help

Brilliant

You best be around oct time Oct. Im relying on you to pep talk me into a 1st.

lou, thank you for your info, that is really interesting ....and kind of amazing to me, lol! Just wouldn't be possible in germany....iykwim...! You have to train as a nurses and then go up the ladder...!
I wonder what my OT degree could lead me too...having done my nursing (in germany which was back then only a certificate - despite being 3 years, etc....) because in a way, I can still see a future in the sector I am working in right now, which is Social care with young people (10-18)in a residential care environment...I suppose it's a case of there being many ways to rome ( I think that is the saying!?)
Another think that really interests me is Psychology, so, I suppose if I get my BA then I could go on for the masters with psychology, ratehrt then a masters in OT? Might be worth looking at!
Anyway, I do find it all very confusing over here, lol...because in germany your nursing studies will not count in University, and even if you are a qualified Nurse you would still have to study 5 years, forinstance, if you want to study psychology...

te, that is great, just the right supervisor if you are in for that topic!

I thought of another topic today, whilst doing training (teamteach, you may have heard of it) and thinking about the Kids in care and about the parent/child bnd that exists often even in very bad neglict/abuse cases, whilst othertimes some people can go very "oh, I was neglected" despite a very reasonable life, but personal attitude...

I dont think that I could do that 3- I would be depressed finding the literature.

i suppose it's more somethinhg I have come accrooss...personally and proffessionally" hence would like to know about it!