Psychiatry and Society

Mindfulness

What's the Evidence for Mindfulness for Depression?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on July 26, 2024

Mindfulness-based therapies are increasingly used for the prevention of relapse in depression. Does the scientific evidence back this up?

Mindfulness-based therapies are increasingly used for the prevention of relapse in depression. Does the scientific evidence back this up?

Psychopharmacology

Does Antipsychotic Medication Work?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on July 14, 2024

Antipsychotic medications are prescribed for schizophrenia and other conditions. Despite their side effects, these treatments have substantial benefits and offer genuine hope.

Antipsychotic medications are prescribed for schizophrenia and other conditions. Despite their side effects, these treatments have substantial benefits and offer genuine hope.

Health

Mental Health, Mental Illness, and Everything in Between

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on April 12, 2022

Mental health and mental illness are two ends of a continuum. Psychiatry is at its strongest toward the mental illness end of the spectrum.

Mental health and mental illness are two ends of a continuum. Psychiatry is at its strongest toward the mental illness end of the spectrum.

Happiness

Can the Government Make Us Happy?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

Is the search for happiness an individual task? Governments and communities can do more than we think.

Is the search for happiness an individual task? Governments and communities can do more than we think.

Happiness

How to Be Happy

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on February 16, 2022

Recent decades have seen an explosion of research about happiness. Here's what is useful.

Recent decades have seen an explosion of research about happiness. Here's what is useful.

Depression

Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Winter Blues

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on January 1, 2022

Many people feel sad during the dark months of the year. These strategies could help them feel better.

Many people feel sad during the dark months of the year. These strategies could help them feel better.

Relationships

4 Tips for Giving Holiday Gifts

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on December 19, 2021

How we give gifts often ignores our own experience of receiving them. You might not give the perfect gift, but you can still give perfectly. Here’s how.

How we give gifts often ignores our own experience of receiving them. You might not give the perfect gift, but you can still give perfectly. Here’s how.

Mindfulness

Beyond Mindfulness: How Is Buddhist Thought Relevant Today?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on October 31, 2021

Buddhist thought feels more relevant now than ever as it provides valuable guidance for a halting, uncertain world.

Buddhist thought feels more relevant now than ever as it provides valuable guidance for a halting, uncertain world.

Happiness

Does the Search for Happiness Make Us Happy? Maybe.

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on October 1, 2021

Happiness matters, but finding it can be a challenge. Does it help to take our eyes off the goal and focus on the search? Becoming absorbed in the moment helps.

Happiness matters, but finding it can be a challenge. Does it help to take our eyes off the goal and focus on the search? Becoming absorbed in the moment helps.

Relationships

Erotomania and Delusional Love

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on September 16, 2021

Erotomania is often brought to light when a person engages in disruptive or even criminal acts, such as repeated emailing, persistent telephoning, or other forms of harassment.

Erotomania is often brought to light when a person engages in disruptive or even criminal acts, such as repeated emailing, persistent telephoning, or other forms of harassment.

Suicide

Can We Prevent Suicide and Self-Harm?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on August 16, 2021

Prediction is essentially impossible, but we can still do much to reduce risk.

Prediction is essentially impossible, but we can still do much to reduce risk.

Flow

We Have Forgotten How to Lose Ourselves

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on July 1, 2021

How can we become absorbed in an activity and free our minds? Simple strategies have a big impact.

How can we become absorbed in an activity and free our minds? Simple strategies have a big impact.

Attention

Daydreams Set Us Free, Should We Daydream More?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on June 17, 2021

Have you ever daydreamed your way through a tedious meeting? Your brain is probably telling you that you have better things to do.

Have you ever daydreamed your way through a tedious meeting? Your brain is probably telling you that you have better things to do.

Depression

Is Depression Psychological, Physical, or Both?

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on May 27, 2021

Psychological therapy helps to alleviate depression. So do antidepressant medications. Does this mean that depression is a psychological or physical illness? Or both?

Psychological therapy helps to alleviate depression. So do antidepressant medications. Does this mean that depression is a psychological or physical illness? Or both?

Friends

COVID, Friendship, and Our Better Angels

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on April 5, 2021

In a world with COVID-19, connections matter more than ever. In the words of Epicurus: "It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help."

In a world with COVID-19, connections matter more than ever. In the words of Epicurus: "It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help."

Coronavirus Disease 2019

COVID-19: Real Problems but No Pandemic of Mental Illness

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on November 17, 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic passes, one of the lasting lessons should be that we are stronger, wiser, and kinder people than we ever imagined.

When the COVID-19 pandemic passes, one of the lasting lessons should be that we are stronger, wiser, and kinder people than we ever imagined.

Health

Structural Violence, Social Justice, and Mental Illness

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on September 19, 2020

Remedying the stigma, social injustice, and structural violence experienced by people with mental illness is a challenging, important, and increasingly urgent task.

Remedying the stigma, social injustice, and structural violence experienced by people with mental illness is a challenging, important, and increasingly urgent task.

Grief

What We've Lost, How We'll Recover

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on May 20, 2020

We have lost a lot to COVID-19, but the suffering of other people is continuous with our suffering, just as their happiness is continuous with ours. We will recover.

We have lost a lot to COVID-19, but the suffering of other people is continuous with our suffering, just as their happiness is continuous with ours. We will recover.

Health

Giving Thanks in the Time of COVID-19

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on April 25, 2020

All around the world, health care staff are gowning up, going in, and saving lives. They are stepping towards risk rather than shrinking from it. Thank you.

All around the world, health care staff are gowning up, going in, and saving lives. They are stepping towards risk rather than shrinking from it. Thank you.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Coping with Coronavirus: If You Want To Be Heard, Listen

Brendan Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. on March 25, 2020

Coronavirus presents challenges to well-being that require all of our resources, but they are not insurmountable. We can prevail.

Coronavirus presents challenges to well-being that require all of our resources, but they are not insurmountable. We can prevail.