From Freud to Fluoxetine

Borderline Personality Disorder

The Paradox of Borderline Personality Disorder

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on February 5, 2024

Borderline personality disorder is marked by self-defeating, paradoxical, and self-contradictory behavior.

Borderline personality disorder is marked by self-defeating, paradoxical, and self-contradictory behavior.

Trauma

What Trauma Therapists May Get Wrong

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on December 16, 2023

It has become common for therapists to use trauma as a diagnosis, but this practice may be conceptually and theoretically flawed.

It has become common for therapists to use trauma as a diagnosis, but this practice may be conceptually and theoretically flawed.

Psychiatry

The Problem With Too Many Diagnoses

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on November 5, 2023

Patients who have been diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disorders have become the rule, not the exception—with serious consequences for treatment.

Patients who have been diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disorders have become the rule, not the exception—with serious consequences for treatment.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Pathological Jealousy in Borderline Personality Disorder

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on October 20, 2023

While many patients with borderline personality disorder exhibit extreme jealousy, it represents an understudied element of the disorder.

While many patients with borderline personality disorder exhibit extreme jealousy, it represents an understudied element of the disorder.

Personality Disorders

Psychodynamic Approaches to Borderline Personality Disorder

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on August 6, 2023

The severe mental illness can be understood and effectively treated by psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy.

The severe mental illness can be understood and effectively treated by psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Major Meta-Analysis Finds CBT Effective But Not Superior

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on June 26, 2023

A large meta-analysis concludes that the popular therapy does not outperform other modalities in the treatment of depression.

A large meta-analysis concludes that the popular therapy does not outperform other modalities in the treatment of depression.

Psychiatry

7 Obscure but Fascinating Psychiatric Terms

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on May 18, 2023

A brief excursion into rare psychiatric terminology, much of it related to schizophrenia.

A brief excursion into rare psychiatric terminology, much of it related to schizophrenia.

Psychiatry

Still Dying With Their Rights On, 50 Years Later

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on December 30, 2022

Personal Perspective: As resources dwindle, and commitment laws become more stringent, the sickest psychiatric patients remain shut out of the system.

Personal Perspective: As resources dwindle, and commitment laws become more stringent, the sickest psychiatric patients remain shut out of the system.

Psychiatry

Defending Psychiatry: An Interview With Ronald Pies

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on December 15, 2022

Dr. Ronald Pies is one of the world's best-known supporters of psychiatry. Here, he answers questions on the nature of mental illness, Thomas Szasz, and the future of psychiatry.

Dr. Ronald Pies is one of the world's best-known supporters of psychiatry. Here, he answers questions on the nature of mental illness, Thomas Szasz, and the future of psychiatry.

Psychosis

Psychotherapy for Schizophrenia: An Underutilized Treatment

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on November 24, 2022

Few schizophrenia patients today receive any psychotherapy, but it is an important component of treatment.

Few schizophrenia patients today receive any psychotherapy, but it is an important component of treatment.

Psychopharmacology

Review: 'The Rise and Fall of the Age of Psychopharmacology'

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on September 25, 2022

Edward Shorter explores the current state of psychopharmacology—and he isn't afraid to name names.

Edward Shorter explores the current state of psychopharmacology—and he isn't afraid to name names.

Personality

Psychotherapy Orientation and Therapist Personality

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on May 28, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Do therapists’ theoretical orientations reflect differences in their personalities?

A Personal Perspective: Do therapists’ theoretical orientations reflect differences in their personalities?

Psychiatry

Five Must-Read Books on Psychopathology

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on April 4, 2022

A reading list for students of psychopathology.

A reading list for students of psychopathology.

Suicide

A Brief History of Clozapine

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on March 21, 2022

Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic drug; its history is both fascinating and contentious.

Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic drug; its history is both fascinating and contentious.

Psychiatry

Psychosomatic Illness and the Mind-Body Problem

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on December 29, 2021

The concept of psychosomatic illness sheds light on the mind-body problem and demonstrates the need for a pluralistic psychiatry.

The concept of psychosomatic illness sheds light on the mind-body problem and demonstrates the need for a pluralistic psychiatry.

Psychoanalysis

Interpreting the Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on September 21, 2021

Many claim that psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia are meaningless phenomena. Yet, psychodynamic theories suggest otherwise.

Many claim that psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia are meaningless phenomena. Yet, psychodynamic theories suggest otherwise.

Psychiatry

Meaningful Symptoms Are Still Symptoms

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on September 7, 2021

Recent work in British psychology has emphasized the meaning of psychiatric symptoms, but meaningfulness does not render symptoms nonpathological.

Recent work in British psychology has emphasized the meaning of psychiatric symptoms, but meaningfulness does not render symptoms nonpathological.

Trauma

Are We All Mere Products of Experience?

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on August 1, 2021

Some theorists posit that mental disorders are the direct result of experience. Are they right?

Some theorists posit that mental disorders are the direct result of experience. Are they right?

Psychiatry

The Aims of Psychotherapy

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on July 4, 2021

Despite its recent application to endeavors unrelated to psychopathology, psychotherapy remains primarily a form of treatment for mental illness.

Despite its recent application to endeavors unrelated to psychopathology, psychotherapy remains primarily a form of treatment for mental illness.

Psychoanalysis

A Life Devoted to Teaching

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on June 13, 2021

Psychoanalytic social worker and Duke psychiatry professor William S. Meyer discusses his life's passion.

Psychoanalytic social worker and Duke psychiatry professor William S. Meyer discusses his life's passion.