“My Brain Made Me Do It” Becoming Common Defense
From Scientific American: Criminal defense strategies are increasingly utilizing neurological evidenceâpsychological evaluations, behavioral tests and brain scansâto potentially mitigate punishment. Last week, a group of scientists met...
New Study Concludes that Antidepressants are “Largely Ineffective and Potentially Harmfulâ
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry concludes that âantidepressants are largely ineffective and potentially harmful.â
Psychiatrists Warn Policymakers Benzodiazepine Overuse Could Lead to Next Epidemic
Although opioid addiction and overuse have garnered significant national attention, similar trends in benzodiazepine overprescription and overuse continue to go unnoticed.
Royal College of Psychiatrists Accused of Misleading Claims
From The Herald: A group of mental health experts and patients have submitted a formal letter of complaint accusing the Royal College of Psychiatrists of...
Prozac Preschool
From Pacific Standard: Young children are increasingly being prescribed psychiatric drugs. However, there is very little research on the safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs...
“Largely Ineffective and Potentially Harmful”
In this interview for SciLogs, Dr. Michael P. Hengartner critiques the current research on antidepressant drugs and the state of biological psychiatry.
"One has to realize...
New Site Names Companies Who Fail to Report on Clinical Trials
From Pacific Standard: The U.S. government has never penalized anyone for breaking a law that requires institutions to report the results of clinical trials. A...
Outdoor Education Tied to Psychological and Academic Benefits
How the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN) in outdoor education environments can peak student interest and boost intrinsic motivation.
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Canât Directly Alter Brain Patterns, Researchers Find
Due to the thickness of the scalp and skull, transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is incapable of targeting networks of neurons in the brain.
How Relational Therapy Enhances a Sense of Self and Relationships
Relational therapy can be informed by the intersubjective dynamics observed in early childhood to facilitate the development of healthy relational patterns and a strong sense of self.
More Critiques of the Lancet Antidepressant Study
Researchers and advocates have continued to critique The Lancet's recent study claiming to prove definitively that antidepressants are more effective than placebo. Below are a...
Depression Test May be Inaccurate for Black Adolescents, Study Finds
Researchers find that psychometric properties in the CES-D, developed for White adults, may not adequately measure the lived experience for Black adolescents.
Anti-depressants: “I’ve Lost My Identity and Who I Am”
From BBC: Mad in America Radio Host and Program Director James Moore speaks about the impact that antidepressant withdrawal has had on his life.
"The 46-year-old has...
Majority of Counselors Lack Training to Treat Racial Trauma, Study Finds
The percentage of clients who have experienced racial trauma far exceeds the percentage of counselors who are trained to identify and treat it.
ADHD More Severe in Children Exposed to Pollution and Economic Deprivation
ADHD behaviors were linked to the presence of both high levels of pollutants and persistent economic deprivation at birth and through childhood.
Queer History â Itâs Not Always Straight Forward!
From Standpoints: The profession of psychology has played a significant role in the erasure of queer history due to its historical pathologization of queer identities.
"A...
Study Explores Meanings of Bipolar Disorder to Those Diagnosed
The narratives about Bipolar Disorder promoted by drug companies may influence how those diagnosed understand themselves.
Dr. Pies Defending Psychiatry’s Position on Auditory Hallucinations
On September 4, 2017, psychiatrist Ronald Pies published an article titled: "Hearing Voices and Psychiatryâs (Real) Medical Model." Let's take a look at the six fundamental assumptions that the eminent and scholarly Dr. Pies assures us "underlie the model most psychiatrists actually use in their clinical work."
When Data Doesn’t Mean What We Think It Does
From The New York Times: In recent years, social scientists have become increasingly concerned about the "replication crisis," i.e. the dearth of reproducible research results....
Critiques of a New Research Study on Antidepressants
A new meta-analysis claiming to prove once and for all that antidepressants are an effective treatment for moderate to severe depression was published just a few days...
Race and Class Affect Teacher Perceptions of ADHD Medication Use
Study uncovers teachersâ attitudes surrounding ADHD medication use and examines the influence of race and social class on teacher beliefs.
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Interventions Target Depressive Symptoms
A new study finds self-coldness predicts depressive symptoms and supports self-compassion as a buffer.
Checking Facts About Gun Violence and Mental Illness
From The New York Times: The recent Florida school shooting has led to widespread conversations about links between gun violence and mental health issues. Journalists...
Schizophrenia Patients Calmed by Video Game
From BBC: In a recent study, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were able to reduce the power of their hallucinations by playing a video game.
"All 12...
Researchers Question Findings of Some Correlational Studies
In a new study, researchers argue that correlational studies may not sufficiently account for alternative explanations, and offer suggestions for mitigating this danger.
