Psychiatric problems at sea

Disturbed sleep, night watches, living in close proximity to relative strangers, stressful situations and unwanted side effects from seasickness tablets all contribute to an increased risk of mental illness at sea. There have been plenty of reports of people developing psychosis on long oean trips.

Sometimes sea sickness means that long term mood stabilising medication doesn 't get taken or the the medication just got forgotten in the packing list. We know of instances of delerium tremens being precipitated by acute alchohol withdrawl a few days into a "dry voyage". We, ourselves, have had experience of of a crewman member on one of our cruises whose depression was made worse by some of the above factors and became very poorly indeed.

I wonder if other Ocean Cruising Club members have come across psychiatric problems on their voyages and how these resolved themselves? What made things worse and how did the other crew cope with mental illness in their midst?

Simon

Daria,

Interesting that there 's not much already out there so maybe it would be popular?

I had in mind an informal weekend workshop where folk could talk about their own experiences and concerns and build in some practical hands on stuff stitching pig 's trotters back together, playing with catheters and giving subcutaneous fluids etc.

More aimed at problem solving drawing on the experience of our members rather than a rigid course structure.

I will put some ideas down for the February Committee Meeting but would welcome any other comments or ideas on this thread in the Forum.


Simon