I always enjoy your Sunday Smorgasbord Carrie :)

I very much like the NY Times article "Mind over Medications...." Thank goodness I was referred to a psychiatrist who is also a psychotherapist and uses medication sparingly.

Do I think that EDs and many other psychiatric disorders are linked to changes in brain neurophysiology, or unusual brain neurophysiology? Yes, I think that brain neurophysiology plays a significant role in the susceptibility to developing mental illness. However, I also feel that for many/most mental illnesses, environment and interpersonal factors play a huge (and greater) role.

I am highly sceptical of the DSM because I don't think human experience and suffering can be 'placed in boxes' (i.e. diagnostic categories). The DSM may (or may not) have its uses in terms of decision-making around medical insurance and disability, and it's quicker to give someone a diagnosis (say GHPER-NOS... I made that up by the way...) and a 'magic pill' concoction, but the human mind is governed by human experience and real-life stresses that impact on brain function. It's too simple to blame mental illness on (e.g.) an imbalance of brain neurotransmitters or defective brain wiring. And, the psychopharmacological industry is happily making billions from human suffering. Some of these drugs have awful side-effects and the long term toxicity in humans is unknown...

I am certain that a huge factor in the development of my AN was my inherent neurophysiology, but what triggered my AN was life stresses. Medication was all-but-useless, which is why I would never take it again. What ultimately helped was lots of talking therapy, support from fellow human beings - and me accepting myself for who/what I am.

goodness gracious... good post and links! seemed to keep me reading all day though!!!!

genetics DEFINITELY plays a roll. if you look through families and their tendencies, my dad's side has anxiety, stress problem. both my brothers have sleeping disorders and PTSD from war... me, i got anorexia/OCD/paranoia with food... i didnt create it, but i do think i created the attachment and the brain disorder developed through association

Hey Carrie,

You wouldn't happen to have access to the full article of "Are mental disorders brain disorders?" If you do I would be really interested if you could send it to me! :)

I also enjoyed the Mind over Medications -- I have an amazing psychiatrist now who is practically unique in the field (even the team he works with thinks he is extremely dedicated)because he is extremely dedicated (will personally call for health issues/medication side effects, sees outpatients in addition to being the medical director a program, etc.) and has a great knowledge of CBT. He also runs groups in the day patient and IP programs.

I have to say that working with him in recovery has been good because although he does not have time to sit through a 50 minute session, he will ask general questions about the patients life and he DOES attempt to empathize/correct distorted thoughts and make suggestions in the 20-30 minutes he DOES have.

The more I learn about neuroscience and psychology, the more I am convinced you cannot have one without the other.

I am not sure if you are familiar with systems theory in biology Carrie? (That systems are more than simply the sum of their parts -- can be related to things like enzyme pathways which have different characteristics than predicted by their basic amino acids structure, etc.) The PERSON who is more than their brain chemistry must be treated in ADDITION to the faulty brain chemistry. This is where the value of CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, interpersonal, humanitsic and social cognitive modalities come in handy. We are people and NOT sets of brain interactions and therefore mental health requires a duel approach.

:)

A:)