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BrainTalk

Treating the criminally insane and further adventures in psychiatry and mental health care

Education
"Crazy: A Creative and Personal Look at Mental Illness"

Stephen Seager M.D. on April 2, 2016

A startling, stunning and creative look at the trials, struggles of suffering from mental illness done by youth for youth

A startling, stunning and creative look at the trials, struggles of suffering from mental illness done by youth for youth

Psychopharmacology
Medical Model? Recovery Model? No Problem

Stephen Seager M.D. on April 20, 2015

Regarding the treatment of serious mental Illness, there is currently a fundamental rift between two camps: the Medical Model and the Recovery Model.

Regarding the treatment of serious mental Illness, there is currently a fundamental rift between two camps: the Medical Model and the Recovery Model.

DSM
The DSM 5 - Who Cares?

Stephen Seager M.D. on April 13, 2015

DSM 5. Misinformation and misconception

DSM 5. Misinformation and misconception

Psychosis
More Treatment = Less Stigma

Stephen Seager M.D. on January 2, 2015

Trying to reduce the "stigma" of serious mental illness?
We've got it all wrong...

Trying to reduce the "stigma" of serious mental illness?
We've got it all wrong...

Psychiatry
When Hell Is the Other Patients

Stephen Seager M.D. on November 14, 2014

A shocking epidemic of violence is heaped on patients and staff at American state mental hospitals.

A shocking epidemic of violence is heaped on patients and staff at American state mental hospitals.

Career
Welcome to the Madhouse

Stephen Seager M.D. on October 10, 2014

"Welcome to the Madhouse." An interview with Stephen Seager MD author of "Behind the Gates of Gomorrah, a year with the Criminally Insane." Interview originally appeared at "Biographile" a Random House website

"Welcome to the Madhouse." An interview with Stephen Seager MD author of "Behind the Gates of Gomorrah, a year with the Criminally Insane." Interview originally appeared at "Biographile" a Random House website

Cognition
You Talk, We Listen

Stephen Seager M.D. on October 3, 2014

Readers respond to our post, "A Cure for Mental Illness, so What?" If you respond to our posts, your replies may be published as well. So let us know what you're thinking.

Readers respond to our post, "A Cure for Mental Illness, so What?" If you respond to our posts, your replies may be published as well. So let us know what you're thinking.

Cross-Cultural Psychology
For the Forgotten Patients

Stephen Seager M.D. on September 16, 2014

Over 3,000 assaults occur at Napa State Hospital in California every year. The numbers may be as high as 10,000. The patients and female staff bear the brunt of this epidemic violence. People have been injured, disfigured, and killed. No one know about this problem. It has been hidden by a culture of silence. Until now.

Over 3,000 assaults occur at Napa State Hospital in California every year. The numbers may be as high as 10,000. The patients and female staff bear the brunt of this epidemic violence. People have been injured, disfigured, and killed. No one know about this problem. It has been hidden by a culture of silence. Until now.

Psychiatry
Cuckoo's Nest and Community Psychiatry

Stephen Seager M.D. on August 22, 2014

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and Community Psychiatry. Both fatally flawed.

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and Community Psychiatry. Both fatally flawed.

Psychiatry
A Cure for Mental Illness.

Stephen Seager M.D. on August 15, 2014

Imagine we had a cure for mental illness? Right now. Today. Not much would change...

Imagine we had a cure for mental illness? Right now. Today. Not much would change...

Depression
Shooting Electricity Into Your Brain

Stephen Seager M.D. on August 8, 2014

Medical science has a 2,000 year history of shooting electricity into the brains of sick people. Here's ten fun facts about that...

Medical science has a 2,000 year history of shooting electricity into the brains of sick people. Here's ten fun facts about that...

Self-Harm
Scorpions and Brain Surgery

Stephen Seager M.D. on August 1, 2014

Using scorpion venom and Kickstarter funding, a brain surgeon makes a startling breakthrough...

Using scorpion venom and Kickstarter funding, a brain surgeon makes a startling breakthrough...

Law and Crime
Patient Shoots Doctor, Doctor Shoots Patient

Stephen Seager M.D. on July 27, 2014

A mentally ill man shoots a Philadelphia psychiatrist. The psychiatrist shoots back. Many questions are raised. Answers requested.

A mentally ill man shoots a Philadelphia psychiatrist. The psychiatrist shoots back. Many questions are raised. Answers requested.

Psychiatry
"Men in Black" Wins

Stephen Seager M.D. on July 25, 2014

Is mental illness caused by nature or nurture? Is it best treated by medications or therapy?
First proposed by Nobel laureate Francis Crick (of Watson and Crick fame), the new science of "Optogenetics"–a combination of DNA, neurochemistry and the manipulation of light–may have a startling new answer.

Is mental illness caused by nature or nurture? Is it best treated by medications or therapy?
First proposed by Nobel laureate Francis Crick (of Watson and Crick fame), the new science of "Optogenetics"–a combination of DNA, neurochemistry and the manipulation of light–may have a startling new answer.