The hottest Psychiatry Substack posts right now

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Anti-depressants: The trials last 8 weeks; People take them for 8+ years

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 85 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Medications Clinical Trials Public Health Psychiatry
  1. People often take anti-depressants for many years, even decades, but they were only studied for about 8 weeks in trials.
  2. There isn't clear evidence that taking these medications long-term is better than not starting them at all, which raises concerns about their effectiveness.
  3. We need longer and better studies to truly understand the benefits and downsides of anti-depressants, including how they impact things like sexual health.

Perhaps You Would Be a Little Touchy Too

Freddie deBoer • 16429 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Disability Psychiatry Therapy Identity politics
  1. Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood, with many thinking mood swings happen quickly, but the truth is they usually take weeks or months. It's important to really understand how the disorder works.
  2. People are increasingly claiming new and unusual diagnoses for mental health issues, which can undermine the seriousness of established conditions. This shift creates confusion and can affect how we view our own experiences.
  3. Claiming a diagnosis can feel liberating for some, but it can also lead to challenges when others misrepresent these conditions. It's tough when what you know to be true about your own illness feels threatened.

[Débrief] 10 choses à savoir sur le TDAH

L'Atelier Galita • 179 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Neurology Psychiatry Education Parenting
  1. ADHD is not just about attention problems. People with ADHD can have intense focus (hyperfocus) on things they enjoy, but struggle to concentrate on tasks they find boring.
  2. ADHD affects both men and women equally, but many women go undiagnosed because the symptoms can present differently compared to men, leading to a lack of awareness.
  3. ADHD isn't just a childhood issue; many adults also experience it, but they often suffer in silence because they weren't diagnosed as kids and the school environment makes symptoms more apparent.

People with Serious Mental Illness Say Racist and Bigoted Shit All the Time

Freddie deBoer • 13211 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Disability Rights Social Issues Psychiatry Stigma
  1. People with serious mental illnesses can sometimes express racist or bigoted thoughts, which challenges the common belief that mental illness doesn't influence behavior. It's important to recognize that mental health conditions can distort thinking and actions.
  2. Acknowledging the complex relationship between mental illness and behavior is essential. People should not dismiss bad behavior outright but consider the person's mental health struggles and how those may impact their actions.
  3. There’s a cultural tendency to oversimplify mental illness, leading to misunderstandings. It's vital to accept that being mentally ill doesn't exempt someone from responsibility for their actions, but it can complicate how we view those actions.
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When will psychiatry invent the barcode?

Wood From Eden • 1344 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Psychiatry Diagnosis Research Data Analysis
  1. Psychiatry has a problem with labels. Many old labels have been removed without clear replacements, making research and understanding harder.
  2. Using numbers instead of words could help describe a person's mental health better. A barcode-like system could show traits and abilities at a glance.
  3. Psychology is subjective and changes over time. Collecting more data through tests can help improve understanding and research in mental health.

Who is the Real Dr. Peter Breggin, "The Conscience of Psychiatry"?

Freddie deBoer • 7085 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Psychiatry Conspiracy Theories Mental Illness Public Safety
  1. Dr. Peter Breggin is a prominent figure in the modern anti-psychiatry movement, influencing American understanding of psychology with his opinions and academic background.
  2. Anti-psychiatry spans political spectrums and has gained notable influence in popular culture, intersecting with holistic medicine and alternative health viewpoints.
  3. Breggin, while respected in some mainstream circles, holds extreme views like being an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist, casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of psychiatric medications.

Generalized Anxiety: A Dissent

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 255 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Anxiety Psychiatry Mental health
  1. Anxiety can have different underlying causes and may not always fit into a specific medical diagnosis like GAD.
  2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Dizziness Disorder have similarities in terms of having nonspecific symptoms.
  3. It's important for health professionals to ask thorough questions to truly understand the root of someone's anxiety.

Jedi-Level Personalized Dosing of Lamotrigine (Lamictal) in Bipolar Disorder

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 176 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Psychiatry Treatment
  1. The article discusses personalized dosing of Lamotrigine in treating Bipolar Disorder.
  2. Lamotrigine was developed primarily as a treatment for epilepsy and is now utilized for bipolar disorder.
  3. The medication functions based on metabolic and neurological disorders, as explained by physician-scientists.

SXSW Final: Daniel Johnston had a Psychotic Illness, And Lived His Dreams

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 157 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychiatry Medications Humanity Treatment
  1. Daniel Johnston was a prolific songwriter and artist despite battling with a psychotic illness.
  2. His story highlights the complexities of living with mental illness and the impact of psychiatric treatments.
  3. Acceptance, understanding, and balancing the benefits and risks of treatments are crucial in mental health care.

The Psychedelic Trojan Horse

The Bigger Picture • 679 implied HN points • 19 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychiatry Therapy
  1. Psychedelics are emerging as a beacon of hope in addressing global mental health crises, showing promising results in therapy and treatment.
  2. The sacred encounter through psychedelics can lead to deep personal and cultural transformations, expanding perspectives and connections to reality.
  3. It's crucial to maintain a balance between mainstreaming psychedelics and preserving their sacred origins, ensuring ethical practices and honoring indigenous knowledge.

Action Potentials for July

Neurobiology Notes • 98 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Cryonics Astronomy Anti-aging Psychiatry
  1. Analysis of the Drosophila connectome reveals insights about neurotransmitters and information flow in the fly brain.
  2. Cell type annotations in the Drosophila connectome highlight the complexity and comparisons with previous mapping efforts.
  3. Developing a computational model of the Drosophila connectome provides insights into neural activity dynamics and behavioral predictions.

Action Potentials for August

Neurobiology Notes • 58 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Psychiatry Biochemistry Genetics
  1. New microscopy method combines electron microscopy with fluorescence imaging for detailed mapping of cell types, proteins, and synaptic connections in neuroscience.
  2. Memory ensembles in the brain are formed by neurons with high excitability, helping link memories and facilitating memory recall.
  3. Memory engrams exist across multiple brain areas, and bioelectric fields may coordinate memory ensembles distributed in the brain.

On Depression and the Blues

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychiatry Depression Personal Experience
  1. The common belief that depression is just a chemical imbalance is being challenged. Many researchers say we need to look at depression in a more complete way, not just based on brain chemistry.
  2. People often divide themselves into those with serious depression and those without it, but this view is changing. Everyone can experience sad feelings or depression at some point in their lives.
  3. During tough times, like the pandemic, many people felt depressed, showing that mental health struggles are universal. We can understand depression as a part of life rather than a lifelong condition.

Dissent Into Madness: Crazy Conspiracy Theorists

The Corbett Report • 22 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Psychiatry Free speech Government Control
  1. Conspiracy theorists are being pathologized by mainstream media and labeled as mentally ill.
  2. Historical examples show how conspiracy theorists have been targeted and portrayed as delusional by both media and authorities.
  3. Cases like Swinney and Binder demonstrate how conspiracy theorists are at risk of being forcibly detained in psychiatric facilities for their beliefs, especially in the era of COVID-19.

EEGs: What Can They Do?

Rough Diamonds • 3 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychiatry Neurotech
  1. EEGs measure brain activity by recording fluctuations in electrical signals.
  2. Different brain wave frequencies on EEGs correspond to different mental states like sleep, relaxation, alertness, and conscious perception.
  3. Consumer-grade EEG devices are noisier than clinical ones but can still provide useful insights into brain activity, especially for applications like monitoring drowsiness or stress.