From Freud to Fluoxetine

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.

Psychiatry

The Biopsychosocial Model 45 Years Later

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

Psychiatrist George Engel published his seminal paper on the biopsychosocial model in 1977, and it remains the dominant theoretical paradigm in American psychiatry today.

Psychiatrist George Engel published his seminal paper on the biopsychosocial model in 1977, and it remains the dominant theoretical paradigm in American psychiatry today.

Psychiatry

Allen Frances: Portrait of the Psychiatrist as a Young Man

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on April 12, 2021

An interview with Allen Frances, chair of the DSM-IV Task Force, on his life, career, and legacy.

An interview with Allen Frances, chair of the DSM-IV Task Force, on his life, career, and legacy.

Psychosis

Revisiting Silvano Arieti on Schizophrenia

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

The late psychiatrist-psychoanalyst Silvano Arieti offered a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to schizophrenia and its treatment.

The late psychiatrist-psychoanalyst Silvano Arieti offered a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to schizophrenia and its treatment.

Depression

Peter D. Kramer on Depression, Placebo, and Psychotherapy

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

Best known for his bestselling 1993 book "Listening to Prozac," Peter D. Kramer, M.D., offers his thoughts on depression, the placebo debate, and his own career.

Best known for his bestselling 1993 book "Listening to Prozac," Peter D. Kramer, M.D., offers his thoughts on depression, the placebo debate, and his own career.

Deception

Lying and Pseudologia Fantastica

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on February 14, 2021

Pseudologia fantastica is a rare psychiatric syndrome characterized by fantastical lies and intrapsychic motivation.

Pseudologia fantastica is a rare psychiatric syndrome characterized by fantastical lies and intrapsychic motivation.

Psychiatry

Five Historic American Mental Hospitals

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on February 6, 2021

Mental hospitals in the United States have played a central role in the history of psychiatry.

Mental hospitals in the United States have played a central role in the history of psychiatry.

Depression

Depression: Disease or "Experience"?

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on November 27, 2020

A new report by the British Psychological Society argues that depression is not a disease, but we've heard this claim before.

A new report by the British Psychological Society argues that depression is not a disease, but we've heard this claim before.

Psychiatry

Misrepresentations of Biological Psychiatry: A New Report

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on November 14, 2020

A new report suggests that research in biological psychiatry is often misrepresented to the public, leading to popular misconceptions about the nature of mental illness.

A new report suggests that research in biological psychiatry is often misrepresented to the public, leading to popular misconceptions about the nature of mental illness.

Freudian Psychology

On Advice-Giving in Psychotherapy

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on November 3, 2020

Many therapists now seem to proffer in advice-giving, but this isn't psychotherapy.

Many therapists now seem to proffer in advice-giving, but this isn't psychotherapy.

Psychiatry

Remembering David J. Impastato, M.D., Pioneer in ECT

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on August 22, 2020

Dr. David J. Impastato was a world leader in electroconvulsive therapy and the first psychiatrist to administer the treatment in the United States.

Dr. David J. Impastato was a world leader in electroconvulsive therapy and the first psychiatrist to administer the treatment in the United States.

Psychology

Major Psychodynamic Paradigms: The Basics

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on July 19, 2020

Contemporary psychoanalysis is comprised of three dominant paradigms: ego psychology, object relations theory, and self psychology.

Contemporary psychoanalysis is comprised of three dominant paradigms: ego psychology, object relations theory, and self psychology.

Bipolar Disorder

A Return to Lithium: Psychiatry's First Miracle Drug

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on July 6, 2020

Long recognized as the "gold standard" in the treatment of bipolar disorder, there is renewed interest in lithium's short- and long-term use.

Long recognized as the "gold standard" in the treatment of bipolar disorder, there is renewed interest in lithium's short- and long-term use.

Psychiatry

Psychiatric Diagnosis 2.0: The Myth of the Symptom Checklist

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on June 14, 2020

Critics of psychiatry often claim that psychiatric diagnosis amounts to nothing more than checking off a list of symptoms. We describe why this is a dangerous myth.

Critics of psychiatry often claim that psychiatric diagnosis amounts to nothing more than checking off a list of symptoms. We describe why this is a dangerous myth.

Psychiatry

What Is Meant by a Psychiatric Diagnosis?

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on June 7, 2020

Psychiatric diagnoses are not merely descriptive constructs; they reflect bona fide medical disease.

Psychiatric diagnoses are not merely descriptive constructs; they reflect bona fide medical disease.