In this entry of my brain damage series, I’ll provide a clinical example to convey how the cultural dynamics of stigma can play out in clinicians’ behavior. Once upon a time, I acted as an advocate for a woman I’ll call Cindy, who was suffering from depression and cognitive difficulties... Read more →

There is a phrase in the medical world that a lot of doctors can relate to - Unconscious Competence. Sigmund Freud, the famous Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, first described the unconscious as part of the mind that lay outside of someone’s conscience, working behind the scenes. Freud eventually... Read more →

Every year in the United States, approximately 44 million people are diagnosed with a mental disorder. Of those diagnosed, roughly 19 million suffer from depression and 4 million others suffer from some form of generalized anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, not everyone with a mental disorder seeks treatment.... Read more →

Who wants to admit that they need to see a psychiatrist? There is often an inner sense of shame and disgrace when people seek psychiatric consultation, yet the pain of mental illness compels many people to seek help from family doctors or psychiatrists. Most people who suspect mental illness initially... Read more →

Interviewee: Sophie, age 11-15, from illinois was diagnosed with “Last year in April, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and clinical depression at the North Shore Wellness Center”. Before I was depressed/had anxiety, I was living a full, happy life. I had lots of friends,... Read more →

There is a time when a mentally ill person may realize that they need help. Symptoms worry them or others enough that they consider getting treatment. But the White House Conference on Mental Health identified stigma as the most important barrier to treatment for the mentally ill. (1) More than any other... Read more →

Osteopathically informed psychiatry recognizes the biopsychosocial principle that the body is able to affect the mind. Consider for example the phenomenon of chronic disease-related depression that asserts when depression is analyzed in the context of preexisting disease, its prevalence is much higher... Read more →

Interviewee: Kelly, age 41-45, from Washington was diagnosed with “BiPolar 1 with rapid cycling-PSTD-Anxiety-Insomnia-Fibromyalgia. With Psychiatrist and Rumatologist in February 2000″. I have done alot of research online and reading books and from my Psychiatrist. I have learned how to tell... Read more →