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Science Isn't Golden

Matters of the mind and heart

Psychiatry
MLK Birthday Address: Stopping Gun Violence

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on January 21, 2013

It's one serious mistake to assume that therapists can prevent violence and another serious mistake to assume that background checks of people diagnosed with mental illness will reduce gun violence.

It's one serious mistake to assume that therapists can prevent violence and another serious mistake to assume that background checks of people diagnosed with mental illness will reduce gun violence.

Grief
The Hurry to Heal: Therapists Cannot Explain Everything

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on December 18, 2012

The experts cannot yet explain the Newtown shootings and maybe never will be able to. But there are questions all of us can ask and actions we can take.

The experts cannot yet explain the Newtown shootings and maybe never will be able to. But there are questions all of us can ask and actions we can take.

Psychiatry
Human Rights Day Dec. 10: Freedom from Psychiatric Labeling

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on December 10, 2012

Being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder often deprives people of basic human rights while failing to reduce the suffering for which they initially sought help. Actions are being taken to end that deprivation.

Being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder often deprives people of basic human rights while failing to reduce the suffering for which they initially sought help. Actions are being taken to end that deprivation.

Meditation
Who Cares? Hard Data About Avoidance of Veterans

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on November 8, 2012

Keeping veterans at arms' length, too few American civilians recognize their common humanity with those who have served in the military. But we need to find that common humanity and connect.

Keeping veterans at arms' length, too few American civilians recognize their common humanity with those who have served in the military. But we need to find that common humanity and connect.

Psychiatry
Patients Harmed by Diagnosis Find Their Voices

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on April 28, 2012

This weekend, in a pioneering move, a number of people harmed in a wide array of ways by psychiatric diagnosis are asking the creators of the diagnostic manual to take responsibility for the way that, through failing to follow ethical principles, they have misrepresented their book as scientifically-grounded and caused immense harm.

This weekend, in a pioneering move, a number of people harmed in a wide array of ways by psychiatric diagnosis are asking the creators of the diagnostic manual to take responsibility for the way that, through failing to follow ethical principles, they have misrepresented their book as scientifically-grounded and caused immense harm.

Spirituality
A Place for Women to Be Safe, Plan Their Futures

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on March 21, 2012

As Women's History Month continues, some of the least-recognized women are those who serve or have served in the military. Since women have until very recently accounted for only a tiny fraction of servicemembers and veterans, and since women have not officially been in combat positions, many people have not even been aware that they are considered "veterans."

As Women's History Month continues, some of the least-recognized women are those who serve or have served in the military. Since women have until very recently accounted for only a tiny fraction of servicemembers and veterans, and since women have not officially been in combat positions, many people have not even been aware that they are considered "veterans."

Domestic Violence
Steps Anyone Can Take to Help Stop Interpersonal Violence

Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on March 9, 2012

Women's History Month is a good time to look at the still painful, complicated problem of what used to be called "wife battering" and is now called the genderless "domestic violence" (DV). Although some people have claimed that there is no sex difference in the perpetrating of domestic violence, women are less likely to initiate such violence and more likely to be injured.

Women's History Month is a good time to look at the still painful, complicated problem of what used to be called "wife battering" and is now called the genderless "domestic violence" (DV). Although some people have claimed that there is no sex difference in the perpetrating of domestic violence, women are less likely to initiate such violence and more likely to be injured.