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Background Recent evidence suggests that the first consultation with a general practitioner (GP) for symptoms of depression may be more than just a vehicle for assessment and management planning (as current guidelines imply). Objectives To identify what patients find helpful, or otherwise, in their first consultation for low mood with a GP. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire and interview study of patients with low mood who had recently consulted their GP, in the North of England. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the consultation, and a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), within 2 weeks. They were also invited to take part in a face–face interview with a researcher. Both sources of data were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. Results Thirty-seven questionnaires were returned; 5 interviews took place. The majority of participants felt better after consulting a GP for the first time for low mood. The factors most commonly cited as helpful were "being listened to" and "understanding or empathy from the GP." Others included "admitting the problem," "being reassured of normality," and "being provided with optimism or hope for change." The most commonly reported difficulty was the patients' struggle to express themselves. Patients often felt that GP follow-up was inadequate. Conclusions These results suggest that the therapeutic benefit of the GP consultation is under-recognized in current guidelines. The results of our study will provide crucial information as to how such consultations can be tailored to improve patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research which examined the occurrence of childhood trauma in children with bipolar disorder. Topics covered include the impact of stress on the treatment course for the children and the rate of childhood trauma in patients with the condition. Also mentioned is the use of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in the study.

An archaeological watching-brief at Tower Green, Tower of London during 2007 revealed the truncated stone foundations and cellar walls of a late medieval/early post-medieval building, with several later phases of brick rebuilding and alteration dating to the mid-and late 17th century. A comparison between the recorded structures and contemporary cartographic sources suggests that these remains are the foundations of a series of buildings known to have occupied the site on Tower Green from at least c.1562-63 to 1685, the latest phase of which was known as the Old Main Guard. An earlier archaeological investigation on the same site conducted in 1975 revealed parts of the same structure. However, it soon became apparent that there was a disparity between the location of several of the same structural features recorded in 1975 and during the current investigation (Parnell 1979). The present work has provided an opportunity to correct this discrepancy in the archaeological record of the Tower of London. As a World Heritage site, much is known of the Tower of London's development and historic role as a fortress and Royal Palace, what is perhaps less well known is its function as a workplace and these recent discoveries have shed some light on the working life of the Tower of London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]