Medicine and Psychology Archives - Robin Shapiro

Proof that Dissociation can be seen in the Human Brain!

The University of Washington medical school does not believe in dissociation and will not teach its psychiatrists about it. Schools that teach only cognitive behavioral therapies do not mention dissociation. It's great to see this research that shows proof that it actually exists. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-neuroimaging-dissociative-symptoms-reveals-wounds.html Novel neuroimaging study on dissociative symptoms reveals wounds of childhood trauma

By Doug Plummer|2022-09-26T20:23:53-07:00September 26th, 2022|Comments Off

Psychotherapy Works! And Not Enough People Use It.

According to a meta-analysis of over 50 studies, psychotherapy works better than medication and (Suprise!) has less side effects. Drugs have better promotion and are easier to get, so more people use meds. Read about it here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120809190641.htm

By Robin Shapiro|2012-08-19T15:44:59-07:00August 19th, 2012|Comments Off

NYT’s Article: Stimulants given to soldiers may increase PTSD.

Dr. Richard Friedman in "Why Are We Drugging Our Soldiers" shows the correlation between Ritalin and Adderall prescriptions and increased PTSD. He cites several studies showing that these drugs enhance the memory of fear-provoking events. Scary and makes all kinds of sense. Read it!

By Robin Shapiro|2012-04-22T13:05:28-07:00April 22nd, 2012|Comments Off

Boston Globe article about supportive family of transgender child

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/12/11/led-child-who-simply-knew/SsH1U9Pn9JKArTiumZdxaL/story.html?s_campaign=sm_fb A lovely article about the supportive family of male twin who knew from the beginning that she was female, and the courageous family that supported her through her life.

By Robin Shapiro|2011-12-12T14:15:22-08:00December 12th, 2011|Comments Off

Psychiatric Diagnoses: The Epidemic of Mental Illness

The New York Review of Books carried and a scathing and mostly right-on article about the medicalization and over-medication of mental illness by Marcia Angell. It's a review of three books about the history of psych meds, the power of the drug companies, and the minimization of psychotherapy. Read it here.

By Robin Shapiro|2011-06-17T15:00:06-07:00June 17th, 2011|4 Comments

Is Schizophrenia Caused by a Retro-Virus?

Fascinating article, The Insanity Virus, in the November online Discover magazine describes studies that show that schizophrenia and MS may be from viruses that trigger the Toxoplasmosis and CMV viruses that most of us already carry. It's a long read that got more interesting (for me) on pages 3 and 4. This article makes personal

By Robin Shapiro|2010-11-14T14:18:29-08:00November 14th, 2010|2 Comments

New Theory Links Chronic Brain Inflammation to Depression

The more stress and depression, the more inflammation. University of California, San Diego, medical school report from Newswise: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/569853/

By Robin Shapiro|2010-10-24T08:17:32-07:00October 24th, 2010|Comments Off

Staff Diaries Prevent PTSD in Surgical Patients

I've written about medical trauma, especially surgeries, creating PTSD. This article shows a simple way to prevent traumatization in some instances.

By Robin Shapiro|2010-09-19T10:52:28-07:00September 19th, 2010|Comments Off

Principles of Trauma Therapy, Briere & Scott

I'm doing research for my next book, Trauma Treatments, and just finished John Briere and Catherine Scott's Principles of Trauma Therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluation and treatment. (Sage Press, 2006). It's a good book, full of common sense and practical advice about trauma survivors. Briere and Scott do a good job explaining the effects

By Robin Shapiro|2009-01-26T10:36:34-08:00January 26th, 2009|Comments Off

New Sybil movie. DID in the media.

CBS aired a new Sybil on Saturday, starring Jessica Lange as the therapist and Tammy Blanchard as Sybil. It was less fantastic and spooky than the original Joanne Woodward/Sally Field movie, and was a realistic depiction of a poly-fragmented DID person. The movie depicted realistic switching behavior, flashbacks, losing time, and amnesia between parts. It

By Robin Shapiro|2008-06-09T20:41:32-07:00June 9th, 2008|Comments Off

Thyroid Disease and Other Differential Diagnoses

It's been 7 months since the start of my thyroid inbalance. Today, I have energy, a focused mind, and no squalls of irritated, anxious, or shut down states. I'm sleeping, my digestion works, my husband is cute again, and my desk has been cleared. I have long periods of contentment and even some joy! It

By Robin Shapiro|2007-10-28T21:00:21-07:00October 28th, 2007|1 Comment

Reading Group: The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy by Cozolino

The next book in the reading group will be The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy, by Louis Cozolino (W.W. Norton, 2003). It's easier to read than you might think, and written by a psychologist, not a medical person, who struggled through the medical/scientific texts in order to bring we clinicians the good news. According to Cozolino, we

By Robin Shapiro|2007-10-23T18:19:41-07:00October 23rd, 2007|Comments Off

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

With my client's permission, here's what I did to clear out Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in 8 sessions: Client: Late 50's, professional, intelligent, a "highly sensitive person" (Elaine Aron), a good connector, with a supportive husband and a circle of good friends. Symptoms: Ears would hurt, throat and tongue swell, face turned red, etc., at the

By Robin Shapiro|2007-08-08T10:19:14-07:00August 8th, 2007|3 Comments

The Trauma Spectrum, by Robert Scaer

The Trauma Spectrum by Robert Scaer (2005, W.W. Norton). According to Scaer: A. Trauma is a continuum. B. What you have to endure during moments of helplessness and hopelessness creates a freeze response. It's the frozen, uncompleted actions that make for PTSD. C. These moments can start prenatally (fetuses feel). The medical process of birth

By Robin Shapiro|2007-05-25T22:15:40-07:00May 25th, 2007|1 Comment

Placebos

Radio Lab, an NPR show, had a great show on placebos and the effect of belief on medicine, for both the patient and the practitioner. Press here to listen to it. If you search around the website you'll find another show on the neurological basis of consciousness.

By Robin Shapiro|2007-05-19T15:51:51-07:00May 19th, 2007|Comments Off