ExperiMentations

Authenticity

Dark Authenticity, Narcissism, Psychopathy, Machiavellianism

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on April 29, 2024

Dissecting dark authenticity along specific dark traid facets yields actionable information about how effectively to navigate moral and therapeutic dilemmas.

Dissecting dark authenticity along specific dark traid facets yields actionable information about how effectively to navigate moral and therapeutic dilemmas.

Authenticity

From Authenticity to Dark Authenticity

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on April 18, 2024

We tend to associate authenticity with goodness and morality. But dark personality traits can be truly authentic, turning conventional notions of authenticity inside-out.

We tend to associate authenticity with goodness and morality. But dark personality traits can be truly authentic, turning conventional notions of authenticity inside-out.

Relationships

What It Means to Be in a Situationship

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 25, 2024

So, you are in a situationship. But what exactly is that? Recent research sheds light and poses important questions about this newest iteration of relationships.

So, you are in a situationship. But what exactly is that? Recent research sheds light and poses important questions about this newest iteration of relationships.

Punishment

Why You Might Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 6, 2024

Spite often drives punishment. The problem, researchers find, is that it's not always worth the benefit; it often leads us into excessive self-sacrifice.

Spite often drives punishment. The problem, researchers find, is that it's not always worth the benefit; it often leads us into excessive self-sacrifice.

Optimism

Introducing Practical Optimism: A Model for Effective Change

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 26, 2024

How to live well, using science and clinical wisdom to implement a variety of tried-and-true practices.

How to live well, using science and clinical wisdom to implement a variety of tried-and-true practices.

Personality

Behold the "Brainprint" of Your Basic Mental Activity!

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 16, 2024

New research opens up potential avenues for understanding the rich and detailed landscape of the wandering mind. Could a "brainprint" be possible?

New research opens up potential avenues for understanding the rich and detailed landscape of the wandering mind. Could a "brainprint" be possible?

Self-Control

The Well-Lived Life: What Does It Take to Flourish?

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 13, 2024

What specific factors are associated with a life well-lived?

What specific factors are associated with a life well-lived?

Environment

Four Profiles Defining Teen Response to Climate Distress

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 6, 2024

Climate change, and climate anxiety are here to stay. How adolescents cope, and how to foster resilience and effective action while preserving well-being, are key considerations.

Climate change, and climate anxiety are here to stay. How adolescents cope, and how to foster resilience and effective action while preserving well-being, are key considerations.

Relationships

The 3 Core Elements of Romantic Love

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 4, 2024

What is love? New qualitative research identifies three main factors: positive responsiveness, authentic connection, and a sense of stability.

What is love? New qualitative research identifies three main factors: positive responsiveness, authentic connection, and a sense of stability.

Education

Listening and Learning to Navigate Tough Work and Social Groups

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 28, 2024

Asking "How are they right?" is often more useful than "How am I right?"

Asking "How are they right?" is often more useful than "How am I right?"

Marriage

Building a Successful Intercultural Marriage and Family

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 24, 2024

Couples in mixed marriages face unique challenges and opportunities. Researchers have identified four major areas to focus on in building a satisfying and durable partnership.

Couples in mixed marriages face unique challenges and opportunities. Researchers have identified four major areas to focus on in building a satisfying and durable partnership.

Psychoanalysis

Sage Advice on Being a "Good Citizen" in a Complex World

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 22, 2024

Engaged citizenship is especially important in a fragmented world.

Engaged citizenship is especially important in a fragmented world.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

A Brief Update on Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Treatment

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 15, 2024

Geriatric Psychiatrist and Researcher Dr. Ariel Gildengers discusses cognitive problems and dementia, early detection and potential interventions.

Geriatric Psychiatrist and Researcher Dr. Ariel Gildengers discusses cognitive problems and dementia, early detection and potential interventions.

Career

This Is Your Day

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 12, 2024

Is it possible for a tiny decision to make a big impact? Surprisingly, infinitesimal self-help practices can be effective, when bigger commitments will fail.

Is it possible for a tiny decision to make a big impact? Surprisingly, infinitesimal self-help practices can be effective, when bigger commitments will fail.

Narcissism

Introducing the Gifted Narcissist

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 31, 2023

When narcissists are gifted, it can be a blessing or a curse. Complex factors lead gifted narcissists to fail or flourish.

When narcissists are gifted, it can be a blessing or a curse. Complex factors lead gifted narcissists to fail or flourish.

Sex

17 Factors Influence Childhood Sexual Abuse Disclosure

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 11, 2023

Recovery starts with disclosure, or sharing what happened, under safe conditions. A synthesis of over two decades of work shows what helps and what hinders breaking silience.

Recovery starts with disclosure, or sharing what happened, under safe conditions. A synthesis of over two decades of work shows what helps and what hinders breaking silience.

Artificial Intelligence

How Embracing Complexity Could Foster Enduring Peace

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 4, 2023

We've created an increasingly complex, in many ways wondrous, world. Now what do we do?

We've created an increasingly complex, in many ways wondrous, world. Now what do we do?

Attention

Making Effective Choices in the Timeless Present Moment

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 29, 2023

Thinking of change only on a linear timeline restricts our imagination and freedom, taking us out of the present moment—where we really exert influence, where the action is.

Thinking of change only on a linear timeline restricts our imagination and freedom, taking us out of the present moment—where we really exert influence, where the action is.

Resilience

24 Evidence-Based Ways to Train and Track Resilience

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 4, 2023

Resilience has emerged as key to health and recovery from traumatic experiences. Here are 24 specific actions for cultivating resilience.

Resilience has emerged as key to health and recovery from traumatic experiences. Here are 24 specific actions for cultivating resilience.

Trauma

On the Ground After October 7

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on October 25, 2023

An interview with an Israeli-American in Tel Aviv working to make sense of events and remain positive and constructive.

An interview with an Israeli-American in Tel Aviv working to make sense of events and remain positive and constructive.