Description: Ok here we go…. This sounds like science fiction BUT … what if we could implant electrodes into our brains into specific locations and then, when necessary, such as when were are clinically depressed, we could use the implanted electrodes to stimulate those areas of the brain and by doing so normalize the functioning… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Clinical Psychology
Suicide Prediction Algorythms: Possible? Ethical? Essential?
Description: Suicides are preventable, but, ….. predicting suicide attempts so that timely assistance and support can be offered is incredibly difficult. Part of the problem, from an epidemiological perspective, is that suicide is a statistically rare event (annually 11 per 100,000 per year in Canada currently) but still, 10 people a day commit suicide in… Read more »
PTSD with Ecstasy as a Treament Add-on?
Description: I have posted a number of times in the past on the topic of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – search PTSD in the Weekly Updates search window). Symptoms of PTSD are worryingly common among retiring military veterans. The rate in the general population is just under 10% while the rate among returning vets… Read more »
Rapid Onset Gender Dysmorphia: Research Issues and Challenges
Description: Gender Dysphoria is a diagnostic category in the DSM-5. You can find a description and the diagnostic criteria here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/conditions/gender-dysphoria . The question of what sorts of variables contribute to an individual of one sex having feelings that they are actually another sex (and yes, I realize that speaking of sex in a binary… Read more »
Child and Teen Anxiety Increasing: What to Do?
Description: To carry the epidemiology theme a bit further think about the answer to this question: Are children and teens more anxious today than in the past (in previous generations)? Think about what you have heard or read in the media about this question and then think about whether you have seen any research data… Read more »
Are Client Status/Outcome Assessments Problematic or Necessary?
Description: In my previous post (http://wileypsychologyupdates.ca/general-psychology/abnormal-psychology/should-clinical-psychologists-routinely-assess-client-status-and-outcomes-or-do-they-already/) I discussed and provided an article link to the issue of whether clinical psychologists should (be required to) routinely objectively assess the status (wellbeing) and outcomes of their clinical clients. One of the arguments against having clients complete a status assessment prior to each therapy session is that the… Read more »
Should Clinical Psychologists Routinely Assess Client Status’ and Outcomes? Or do they already?
Description: Clinical Psychologists who are involved in providing therapy to people have a number of ethical standards to which they must adhere (you can download the Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics here: https://www.cpa.ca/docs/File/Ethics/CPA_Code_2017_4thEd.pdf) . One of those standards states that practicing psychologist should “Strive to provide and/or obtain the best reasonably accessible service for… Read more »
ADHD: Is Some of It Perhaps a Bit Adaptive in Modern Times?
Description: So here is a thought: In psychology we typically talk about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) as an unquestionably undesirable thing. Look at its name, we view it as a deficit and a disorder. There is no doubt that there are many situations and circumstances where ADHD would NOT be adaptive (school usually being one… Read more »
Searching for the Origins of Schizophrenia
Description: Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population and while there are treatments that can be partially effective there is no real cure. An understanding of the origins of schizophrenia, of how it emerges, could move us towards earlier identification and could suggest new treatment avenues. As it has been discussed in our textbooks, schizophrenia… Read more »
Pitching Apps/Sites for Mental Health: Fad or global change in mental health management and promotion?
Description: The Calgary Distress Centre (in my home town) started out as a call-in center, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Until recently its only form of contact with distressed individuals was over their phone lines and that worked very well as a way for people to find someone to talk to… Read more »
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