A novel study tries to explain what appears to be the diametrically opposite nature of traits associated with autistic-spectrum disorders, on the one hand, and psychotic-spectrum disorders, on the other. With a particular focus on autism and on schizophrenia, the authors link social brain development and other phenotypic traits to evolutionary biology and genetics.
What should we be asking about the social, cultural, historical and evolutionary contexts in which compromised mental health arises and how it is compounded? Has humanity lost its way somewhere? Is it heading for its own imminent destruction via anthropogenic climate change, exhaustion of planetary resources and geopolitical conflict? Professor Colin Feltham is taking the dark view seriously. Here, he shares a precis of his new book, “What’s Wrong With us? The Anthropathology Thesis”.
Over in our practice development section, I’ve reviewed DEVONthink, a remarkable software package that brings artificial intelligence to the job of managing and using large collections of information. At first I thought it could make a great tool for mental health practitioners doing research and running a small business, but now I realise it can a secret weapon for just about anybody who needs to manage a flood of information.
It’s September 11th, and I’ve been wondering about that phrase ‘post-9/11’. Politicians use it often in referring to how the world changed following the terrorist attacks 6 years ago. I wonder whether they think we all share the same understanding; or do they just want us to think that they share ours? How DID the world change after 9/11? What does that phrase ‘post-9/11’ mean to you?
Following the success of Dr Carver’s new column in the ‘Ask the Psychologist’ section, we’ve decided it’s time to add a new voice to the main site blog as well. I’d like to welcome Sarah Luczaj to the site!
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
