Diagnosis: Human

Health

Weight Loss Drugs Make People Feel Good—and Bad

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on May 24, 2024

Weight loss drugs are transforming many people physically. But how we feel about them is an important side effect.

Weight loss drugs are transforming many people physically. But how we feel about them is an important side effect.

Health

Doctor Still Knows Best

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on April 17, 2024

What happens when patients resist their doctors' diagnoses? Less than you might expect.

What happens when patients resist their doctors' diagnoses? Less than you might expect.

Trauma

Trauma Lingers for Frontline Nurses

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on November 7, 2023

Frontline workers were confronted with extraordinary suffering during the first year of the pandemic. Many carry emotional trauma from that time with them today.

Frontline workers were confronted with extraordinary suffering during the first year of the pandemic. Many carry emotional trauma from that time with them today.

Long Covid

Patients Are Desperate for Better Long COVID Treatments

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on October 16, 2023

Clinicians often don't have adequate answers for long COVID patients, so they search for cures on their own dime. This can add to financial burdens.

Clinicians often don't have adequate answers for long COVID patients, so they search for cures on their own dime. This can add to financial burdens.

Education

Learning Who to Hate in a Pandemic

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

A new study from Australia shows how stigmas were amplified by media reporting of COVID-19.

A new study from Australia shows how stigmas were amplified by media reporting of COVID-19.

Embarrassment

The Profound Suffering of Chronic Itching

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Chronic itching hurts emotionally as well as physically. New drug treatments offer hope—but addressing the social stigma of scratching is needed, too.

Chronic itching hurts emotionally as well as physically. New drug treatments offer hope—but addressing the social stigma of scratching is needed, too.

Education

Learning About Long COVID From Other "Invisible" Illnesses

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

Seeing is believing, which is a big problem for those living with the extreme fatigue of long COVID and other "invisible" conditions.

Seeing is believing, which is a big problem for those living with the extreme fatigue of long COVID and other "invisible" conditions.

Fear

Monkeypox and the Dangers of "Stigma Power"

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on November 2, 2022

Monkeypox is on the rise. For some politicians, the opportunity to spread fear about infection can be a windfall.

Monkeypox is on the rise. For some politicians, the opportunity to spread fear about infection can be a windfall.

Health

Fails at Reducing Menstrual Stigma

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on July 25, 2022

We need to reduce menstrual stigma. But the policy efforts fall short. Stigma is why.

We need to reduce menstrual stigma. But the policy efforts fall short. Stigma is why.

Health

Understanding the Choice Not to Mask

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on March 15, 2022

Refusing to mask isn't just personal; it's cultural. An anthropologist explains why.

Refusing to mask isn't just personal; it's cultural. An anthropologist explains why.

Stress

Weight Stigma and “Covesity”

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on May 30, 2021

Teasing about weight seems to impede efforts to eat healthy and exercise. A new study shows consistent results across six countries.

Teasing about weight seems to impede efforts to eat healthy and exercise. A new study shows consistent results across six countries.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Complex Reasons Why Some Refuse to Wear a Mask

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on February 17, 2021

No mask, no problem? A new study reveals the thinking behind the refusal to wear a mask.

No mask, no problem? A new study reveals the thinking behind the refusal to wear a mask.

Health

Food, Sharing, and Mental Health in the Pandemic

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on January 19, 2021

More evidence that kindness counts.

More evidence that kindness counts.

Forgiveness

Campus, COVID, and the Blame Game

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on August 21, 2020

What works for keeping college campuses safe? Not blaming students.

What works for keeping college campuses safe? Not blaming students.

Grief

Younger People and COVID Grief

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on July 11, 2020

A new study shows how millions will be affected.

A new study shows how millions will be affected.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

New Study Highlights COVID-19 Suicide Risk

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on June 27, 2020

New research points to four factors driving COVID-19 suicide risks, and suggests prevention strategies.

New research points to four factors driving COVID-19 suicide risks, and suggests prevention strategies.

Health

COVID-19 Is Harming Mental Health in Prisons

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on June 2, 2020

A new study points to ways the COVID-19 pandemic is harming the mental health of prisoners and those working in the prison system.

A new study points to ways the COVID-19 pandemic is harming the mental health of prisoners and those working in the prison system.

Bias

Test Your Coronavirus Bias

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on May 13, 2020

Have you got coronavirus bias? A new online psychological test can reveal it.

Have you got coronavirus bias? A new online psychological test can reveal it.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Call It COVID-19  

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on March 18, 2020

Why labels like “Chinese Virus” make it spread.

Why labels like “Chinese Virus” make it spread.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Surviving a Coronavirus, Only to Be Socially Shunned

Alexandra Brewis and Emily Mendenhall Ph.D. on March 11, 2020

What health workers and their families need to know about the social complications of coronavirus.

What health workers and their families need to know about the social complications of coronavirus.