Mood Swings

A Psychiatrist Surveys the Mind and the Wider World

Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, MD, MPH is director of the mood disorders and psychopharmacology programs in the department of psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. See full bio

October 2, 2008, Psychiatry

Comments on "The manic-depressive market"

The manic-depressive market

By Dr. Nassir Ghaemi on October 2, 2008 in Mood Swings

I may be the first expert in manic-depressive illness to ever analyze the metaphor of the manic-depressive market. Since I am no expert in financial investing, I will take Warren Buffett's word that the analogy is apt. The question then becomes: Does our most up to date knowledge of manic-depressive illness (MDI) give us any insights about the market? Read More

Here is another interesting

Submitted by Glen on October 23, 2008 - 4:55am.

Here is another interesting analogy. The US is the hippocampus of the worlds financial brain. Its nimble-ism is akin to plasticity. Its plasticity makes it prone to instability (seizures or mood swings). At the same time it can more quickly adapt to disruptions, with neurogenesis based plasticity being related to the speed and ease in which it can adapt.

Of course now we can see that kindling can take place outside of the brain. Perhaps it is time for some IMF ECT.

The manic-depessive market

Submitted by kevin on December 18, 2008 - 3:27pm.

"I may be the first expert in manic-depressive illness to ever analyze the metaphor of the manic-depressive market."

A slightly, er, exuberent claim? See Peter Whybow's book American Mania, albeit for an analysis that goes beyond the market economy:

http://www.peterwhybrow.com/books/americanmania/

correction

Submitted by Dr. Nassir Ghaemi on December 19, 2008 - 5:42am.

thanks for the correction. I will revise the blog post accordingly See also my critique of Whybrow's book in this book review: http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=book&i...