A blog for all things related to psychiatry and the mind.
This is an image taken by the McNeil lab of a hippocampal growth cone exploring. Growth cones are the part of the neuron (from the axon which has to make connections) that grow outward to seek out other neurons and make connections/synapses. For more information, see this post.
(via fuckyeahmedicalstuff)
(via holdmybonestogether)
ScienceDaily (May 24, 2012) — Experiencing strong emotions synchronizes brain activity across individuals, a research team at Aalto University and Turku PET Centre in Finland has revealed.
Experiencing strong emotions synchronizes brain activity across individuals….
(via fuckyeahpsycharticle)
(via psych-facts)
The stigma keeps us silent. The stigma further injures us. Stick together, be strong, and don’t be afraid to be vocal.
(via stfuconservatives)
![mindovermatterzine:
[Image: A black and white illustrated poster featuring a young person with short hair and a baseball cap, a person of colour with long black hair and a poloneck sweater, an older person with glasses, a moustache and a cigarette, and a person with hoop earrings and a nose stud. From each character spring a series of speech bubbles:
“Dude, you just think you need your insulin medication stuff because you can’t deal with reality”
“*Sigh* I had to put in overtime because Joe went and had a heart attack or something - some people will do anything to get out of work”
“I’m getting very tired of this ‘cancer’ of yours - I think it’s high time you snapped out of it!”
“WHAT?! You mean there’s some guy with cystic fibrosis just walking around? Can’t we lock these people up?”
Overlayed text reads: ‘What if we treated EVERY illness the way we treat mental illness?’
Credit: Susie Campbell]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4halvU3mU1rwzpfto1_500.jpg)
[Image: A black and white illustrated poster featuring a young person with short hair and a baseball cap, a person of colour with long black hair and a poloneck sweater, an older person with glasses, a moustache and a cigarette, and a person with hoop earrings and a nose stud. From each character spring a series of speech bubbles:
“Dude, you just think you need your insulin medication stuff because you can’t deal with reality”
“*Sigh* I had to put in overtime because Joe went and had a heart attack or something - some people will do anything to get out of work”
“I’m getting very tired of this ‘cancer’ of yours - I think it’s high time you snapped out of it!”
“WHAT?! You mean there’s some guy with cystic fibrosis just walking around? Can’t we lock these people up?”
Overlayed text reads: ‘What if we treated EVERY illness the way we treat mental illness?’Credit: Susie Campbell]
Although there’s much less stigma attached to counselling, and many people see a counsellor today, there are still some common myths that are hard to dispel. For example:
1. Once you start counselling – you’ll be going for life: Not true. Brief therapy (which usually lasts a maximum of 10 sessions) is one of the most popular approaches today. Also, although some issues may require more support, the goal is freedom and increased independence - so the client can thrive without additional support.
2. Normal people don’t need counselling: Everyone experiences tough times and stress; and it’s normal to feel sadness or emotional pain when we are faced with a loss, or life deals you a blow. If you broke an arm or leg you would go and get it fixed – so why not get help with the heartaches you face.
3. Having problems is a sign of weakness: No-one’s life is perfect, and we all need extra help. Everyone can benefit from learning new skills, and getting fresh ideas on how to think, act and cope.
4. Counselling’s self-centred and narcissistic: We’re actually less able to be there for others if we’re weighed down and distracted by our personal concerns. For example, consider how a headache stops us focusing on others. It’s the same when we’re struggling with problems in our lives.
5. If I just get on with life things will get better on their own: Time heals nothing – and repressing our problems only works temporarily – as they’ll surface later on. Hence, it’s better to be honest and to deal with issues in order to live a full and satisfying life.
(via mentalillnessmouse)
I believe now that depression can never be fully grasped by mental health professionals who have not experienced it. Though I can’t claim to know everything about depression, I have a unique and powerful perspective: as a suicide survivor, as a sufferer myself, as a patient, and as a therapist. I know that people who are depressed work very hard at living, but much of their effort is fruitless, a waste of energy. It is as if they are in over their heads and don’t know how to swim; the harder they work, the worse things get.
