Yearly Archives: 2019
On Whose Authority?
The problem with authoritarianism is that it shuts down the possibility of ordinary people (that’s all of us) creating anything new. Can therapists give up our addiction to knowing what’s “the right path,” what’s the “smart” answer, what’s the solution to the problem, in favor of supporting our clients to create new ways of building their lives?
Is the American Psychological Association Addicted to Militarism and War?
From CounterPunch: At times the APA has taken public stands on key perils and injustices in our society. But when the focus shifts to war, the APA turns silent, or worse.
The Role of Racial Bias in the Overdiagnosis of Schizophrenia
Researchers detect disparity between white and African American patients diagnosed with schizophrenia when symptoms of a mood disorder are present.
The Role of Intergenerational Trauma in the Perpetuation of Childhood Maltreatment
A new study examines the role parent borderline pathology plays in the perpetuation of childhood maltreatment.
In Defense of Anti-Psychiatry
Last year, Ronald Pies, MD and Mark Ruffalo, LCSW published an article titled "The Reality of Mental Illness." In it they claim that "most of what is asserted by antipsychiatry is easily refuted by the scientific evidence." Why then do they not refute it? The reality is that they malign us because they have no rational response to our criticisms.
Helping People to Constructively Engage with Voices
When voices are engaged with creativity and compassion, the result can be a positive change in the relationship with voices, leading to much greater peace of mind. But how can people learn how to facilitate this? A new video series by Charlie Heriot-Maitland, Rufus May and Elisabeth Svanholmer offers some practical ideas.
Psychiatrist Who Argued That Being Gay Is Not a Disorder Dies at 82
From The Advocate: Richard Green was a longtime LGBTQ ally and one of the first psychiatrists to speak out against the labeling of homosexuality as a mental disorder.
“Dad, You Were Right”: I Got Better When I Stopped Treatment
Through all the years that I was a mental patient, my parents were excellent advocates who constantly questioned what the docs were doing, even though my own faith in psychiatry was unwavering.... Amazingly, what cured me was not some type of “treatment,” but getting away from drugs and therapy.
Why Did the FDA Approve This New High-Dose ADHD Drug?
From Healthline: Purdue’s new product, Adhansia XR, is currently one of the highest-dose ADHD drugs available on the market — and they want to go higher.
Researchers Fail to Replicate Evidence for “Biotypes” of Depression
A new study casts doubt on whether such biotypes for depression exist.
Mother Sues Over Daughter’s Suicide Attempt in School Isolation Booth
From The Guardian: Evidence suggests that isolation booths are being used as a "dumping ground" for children, particularly those with special educational needs.
Valuing Posttraumatic Growth in Psychosis
Individuals who experience psychosis can also experience posttraumatic growth, which can be a central component of the recovery paradigm.
Media Errors in Covering “Mental Health” – Advice to Fellow Writers and Editors
In 2015, I published a BuzzFeed feature story about Teresa Sheehan, a woman who was diagnosed with "schizoaffective disorder" and was shot by police. At the time I didn’t realize that it was my job to take the point of view of people who’ve been psychiatrically diagnosed very seriously. I was terrified of appearing to challenge the profession of psychiatry.
Update on Marci Webber: Will the Nightmare Ever End?
According to the law, when an NGRI patient is no longer mentally ill and dangerous, they are supposed to be released. Marci petitioned for discharge and has a hearing scheduled for May 7-9, 2019. It is critical that we convince the judge that Marci should be discharged. She is finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate life under the present circumstances.
Childhood Trauma Can Impact Our Gut Bacteria
From Technology Networks: A history of trauma or abuse has been reported in up to half of adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), at a prevalence twice that of patients without IBS.
What Happens When Someone Invalidates Your Feelings
From Dr. Henry Cloud/Boundaries: Connection and trust happen when one heart meets another. What destroys connection and trust like nothing else? Invalidation.
Lee Coleman – The Insanity Defence, Storytelling on the Witness Stand
An interview with Doctor Lee Coleman, in which we focus on psychiatry in the courtroom and why the psychiatric expert witness role may be failing both the individual on trial and society at large.
The Lonely Wave: On the Failure of Group Therapy
If you put mortally desperate people in a room together, what do you expect? Emotions will spill over and people will jostle for time and topic. In my groups, even the most kindhearted had attempted to either become the center of attention or slink away into silence, often leaving early with a whispered “sorry” and a quick shuffle out of the room.
Antidepressant Use Linked to Longer, More Frequent Psychiatric Rehospitalization
New study finds that antidepressants may negatively impact recovery after psychiatric hospitalization.
The New Yorker Peers into the Psychiatric Abyss… And Loses Its Nerve
The New Yorker's story on Laura Delano and psychiatric drug withdrawal is a glass-half-full story: It addresses a problem in psychiatry and yet hides the deeper story to be told. A story of how her recovery resulted from seeing herself within a counter-narrative that tells of the harm that psychiatry can do.
How the Way We Talk About Addiction Can Make It Harder for People to...
From CBC: "It is entirely possible that in the future our children or grandchildren are going to look back and be aghast at how we have treated people who use drugs."
Number of Children Going to ER With Suicidal Thoughts, Attempts Doubles, Study Finds
From CNN: The average age of a child at the time of evaluation was 13, and 43% of the visits were in children between 5 and 11.
More Physical Activity-Based Mental Health Interventions Needed in Schools
What physical activity-based programs are being implemented in schools, how are they being researched, and what kind of impact have they made?
Constructing Alternatives to the DSM: An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Raskin
Dr. Raskin discusses psychotherapists’ dissatisfaction with current psychiatric diagnostic systems and explores alternatives.
Struggling Parents, Burdened Social Services: What We Can Change
Parents encounter many obstacles when trying to secure adequate educational, medical, psychological, and social supports for their children. These “dense bureaucracies” hurt not just families, but everyone.
