ExperiMentations

Gaslighting

The Anatomy of Gaslighting

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on May 21, 2023

A new study of gaslighting identifies key gaslighting dynamics, perpetrator motives, and impact on survivors.

A new study of gaslighting identifies key gaslighting dynamics, perpetrator motives, and impact on survivors.

Family Dynamics

For Siblings of the Medically Complex and Disabled

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on May 8, 2023

People who grow up with disabled siblings can be considered survivors who have have a special set of emotional needs.

People who grow up with disabled siblings can be considered survivors who have have a special set of emotional needs.

Relationships

7 Ways People End Friendships

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on April 17, 2023

Research on how people end friendships identifies seven major strategies and 43 specific actions taken, shaped by personality, age, and gender.

Research on how people end friendships identifies seven major strategies and 43 specific actions taken, shaped by personality, age, and gender.

Therapy

The Ethical Use of Social Media in Mental Health

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 13, 2023

Social media is a powerful platform to advance mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access. However, clinician-influencers and the public need to weigh the risks.

Social media is a powerful platform to advance mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access. However, clinician-influencers and the public need to weigh the risks.

Personality

Are There 3 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 5, 2023

Identifying sub-types of clinical conditions helps patients, their families, and clinicians identify core features to guide treatment planning.

Identifying sub-types of clinical conditions helps patients, their families, and clinicians identify core features to guide treatment planning.

Therapy

How to Feel, Think, and Act Wisely

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 20, 2023

Researchers develop an integrated wisdom model, complete with algorithms for wise behavior, based on a review of the existing literature.

Researchers develop an integrated wisdom model, complete with algorithms for wise behavior, based on a review of the existing literature.

Psychiatry

3 Pillars of a Happy Life

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 19, 2023

A systematic review of happiness research identifies three key elements—health, hope, and harmony—distilled into an integrated model of the determinants of happiness.

A systematic review of happiness research identifies three key elements—health, hope, and harmony—distilled into an integrated model of the determinants of happiness.

Sex

Considering Sex Therapy? How You See It Makes All the Difference

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 15, 2023

Research reveals people's attitudes about sex therapy, identifies barriers to treatment, and opens pathways to care.

Research reveals people's attitudes about sex therapy, identifies barriers to treatment, and opens pathways to care.

Trauma

The Impact of Racism on the Developing Brain

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 6, 2023

New research on structural brain imaging and race-related adversity identifies key brain regions affected specifically by racial adversity.

New research on structural brain imaging and race-related adversity identifies key brain regions affected specifically by racial adversity.

Sexual Abuse

Relieving the Shame of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 30, 2023

Narrative research reveals that sharing childhood sexual abuse often servies as a pivotal moment in recovery.

Narrative research reveals that sharing childhood sexual abuse often servies as a pivotal moment in recovery.

Adolescence

How Do Gifted Adolescents See Themselves?

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 17, 2023

How gifted adolescents view themselves is critical for understanding how to best support their development to ensure future happiness and productivity.

How gifted adolescents view themselves is critical for understanding how to best support their development to ensure future happiness and productivity.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD Among Ukrainian Civilians in the Russia-Ukraine War

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 16, 2023

The first research to survey civilians during war time shows the toll of war and provides direction for humanitarian efforts.

The first research to survey civilians during war time shows the toll of war and provides direction for humanitarian efforts.

Imposter Syndrome

Pinning Down Imposter Syndrome

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 5, 2023

54 key items define the imposter phenomenon in the newly researched Imposter Phenomenon Assessment instrument.

54 key items define the imposter phenomenon in the newly researched Imposter Phenomenon Assessment instrument.

Relationships

The 6 Biggest Relationship Deal-Breakers

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 3, 2023

From clingy to gross, research identifies 6 red flags people watch for in short- and long-term relationships.

From clingy to gross, research identifies 6 red flags people watch for in short- and long-term relationships.

Child Development

Hope for Couples Coping with Shared Childhood Trauma

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 29, 2022

Two factors get in the way of good relationships for couples with childhood maltreatment. Nevertheless, they can change how they cope, to enjoy more satisfying connection.

Two factors get in the way of good relationships for couples with childhood maltreatment. Nevertheless, they can change how they cope, to enjoy more satisfying connection.

Relationships

The 5 Kinds of Teen Love

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 26, 2022

Research identifies five distinct classes of teen romance, with associated risks and rewards.

Research identifies five distinct classes of teen romance, with associated risks and rewards.

Personality

Six Ways Self-Defeating Humor Takes a Terrible Toll

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on December 19, 2022

Research studies on the indisputable negative effect of self-deprecating humor, suggesting ways we can unlearn bad habits and up our social use of humor if we so desire.

Research studies on the indisputable negative effect of self-deprecating humor, suggesting ways we can unlearn bad habits and up our social use of humor if we so desire.

Attention

How Witnessing Pain Online Brings Us Together

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 28, 2022

New research shows how collective attention to pain brings us together, identifying key factors that cultivate empathy, belonging, and collaborative action.

New research shows how collective attention to pain brings us together, identifying key factors that cultivate empathy, belonging, and collaborative action.

Narcissism

Do I Matter? I Know I Do, But I Don't Always Feel Like I Do

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 14, 2022

A more nuanced picture of narcissism is emerging from research dedicated to determining the roots of narcisstic fragility and strength.

A more nuanced picture of narcissism is emerging from research dedicated to determining the roots of narcisstic fragility and strength.

Grief

4 Lessons Learned from Long-Term Grief

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 2, 2022

Loss can be, and often is, life-altering. While each person's process is unique, there are important shared commonalities.

Loss can be, and often is, life-altering. While each person's process is unique, there are important shared commonalities.