Description: In “the old days” ( a couple of hundred years ago) the general understanding of fever (an above average body temperature) was a problem in and of itself. The fever was seen as the disease. Efforts were made to reduce the fever (cold compresses etc.) and sometimes it went away and the person got… Read more »
Posts Categorized: mental illness
Royal Psychedelics?
Description: It is fascinating to see how some ideas, theories and research pop up in the popular press as opposed to in peer review research journals that are not generally read recreationally. Perhaps you have run across articles and related references recently to the potential efficacy of psychedelics in the treatment of depression and other… Read more »
Sorting SAD and Winter Blues
Description: Even if you like winter (I do not) and you can manage the cold and have winter things you like to do, like skating or skiing, you may find that you have less energy in winter or you may notice other symptoms. For those of us who live at northern latitudes one thing we… Read more »
Treating Nightmare Disorder
Description: You can probably recall a time when you had a nightmare, a really bad dream that woke you up, was unsettling and that made it hard for you to get back to sleep. I apologize if re-awakening that memory has re-unsettled you, I am sure it will pass and not continue to bother you…. Read more »
Treating Depression: Beyond SSRI’s?
Description: Over the more than a few years that I have taught introductory psychology classes I think one area where I have consistently struggled involves the neuroscience of brain functioning and its place and role in our understanding of human psychological functioning. This is partly due to my not having had a lot in the… Read more »
Covid and Depression: Correlation and/or Causation?
Description: I know it would not surprise you to hear that there is a correlation between Covid-19 and depression. I mean, the financial, social and physical disruptions associated with the pandemic impacted everyone’s mood and wellbeing even if they did not contract the virus. All of that would be even more true for those who… Read more »
Interoception – A General Sixth Sense?
Description: Can you list your basic senses? Of course, right? There is sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. The term ‘sixth sense’ is typically reserved for things that seem mysterious and perhaps even a bit magical like getting a feeling that something bad or good is about to happen or that someone is following you… Read more »
Is High-Functioning Depression a Thing (a Distinct Disorder)?
Description: Is clinical depression a categorical disorder? By this I mean is it something that you either have or do not have? Well, the diagnostic categories of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ARE defined in an all-in fashion but are all people who meet the diagnostic criteria for depression equally depressed? That does not… Read more »
Self-Narratives and Mental Illness
Description: Are you the same person today that you were 5 years ago? How about 10 years ago? A quick answer is, “of course, yes!” but as time, personal and developmental mount up the question becomes more challenging. Typically starting in the adolescent and emerging adult years it can become harder, and perhaps even impossible… Read more »
Can We Treat Depression with De-Magicked Mushrooms?
Description: It is not a big secret so you have likely heard or read references to findings that antidepressant medications do not work for somewhere around 30% of those to whom they are prescribed and that most of those for whom they DO work will find at some point that they no longer work, and… Read more »
Books for Success!
