Mood Swings

Philosophy

Daniel Dennett: An Appreciation

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on May 9, 2024

Daniel Dennett, the philosopher of mind, was the Santa Claus of modern philosophy.

Daniel Dennett, the philosopher of mind, was the Santa Claus of modern philosophy.

Depression

Positive Illusions and the Future

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on December 30, 2023

Ready to celebrate the new year? Not so fast....

Ready to celebrate the new year? Not so fast....

Career

Why You Should Change Your Life Every Decade

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on January 24, 2023

For everything, there is a season. You don’t need to be an expert at the same thing forever. The greatest obstacle to success is success.

For everything, there is a season. You don’t need to be an expert at the same thing forever. The greatest obstacle to success is success.

Psychiatry

Questions About Herschel Walker's Self-Reported Mental Illness

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on October 19, 2022

Did the Georgia Senate candidate have dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality), now cured and gone, as he claims? Or might he have something else?

Did the Georgia Senate candidate have dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality), now cured and gone, as he claims? Or might he have something else?

Depression

Has the Serotonin Hypothesis Been Debunked?

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on October 1, 2022

A recent review paper claims it debunks the serotonin hypothesis for depression. But it was never a legitimate hypothesis, so there is nothing to debunk.

A recent review paper claims it debunks the serotonin hypothesis for depression. But it was never a legitimate hypothesis, so there is nothing to debunk.

Leadership

Society Without the Mother

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on September 12, 2022

The death of Queen Elizabeth II reveals a weakness of American democracy, the absence of a unifying parent-figure for the entire society.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II reveals a weakness of American democracy, the absence of a unifying parent-figure for the entire society.

Genetics

Life of the Model Scientist Lindon Eaves

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on April 28, 2022

What is it like to be a great scientific researcher?

What is it like to be a great scientific researcher?

Leadership

Volodymr Zelenskyy: Can Comedians Be Great Crisis Leaders?

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on March 14, 2022

Does Vlodomyr Zelenskyy's past as a comedian help him in his role as a crisis leader today?

Does Vlodomyr Zelenskyy's past as a comedian help him in his role as a crisis leader today?

Leadership

What Will Vladimir Putin Do Next?

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on March 11, 2022

The diagnosis of public figures can be done either rightly or wrongly.

The diagnosis of public figures can be done either rightly or wrongly.

Psychosis

QAnon, Psychosis, and Angry Relatives

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on February 25, 2021

QAnon is false but it is not delusional. It's far too normal.

QAnon is false but it is not delusional. It's far too normal.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Pandemic Diary

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on January 21, 2021

Pandemic diary: How COVID-19 speeds up while its cure is given out slowly.

Pandemic diary: How COVID-19 speeds up while its cure is given out slowly.

Memory

In Memory of Frederick Goodwin

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on January 21, 2021

Reflecting on a great psychiatrist and man, Frederick Goodwin.

Reflecting on a great psychiatrist and man, Frederick Goodwin.

Martin Luther King through the eyes of his friend, Michael Haynes.

Leadership

Coup de Grace: How Trumpism Ends

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on January 7, 2021

How the psychology of a manic leader and his conformist followers leads to an attack on the Capitol.

How the psychology of a manic leader and his conformist followers leads to an attack on the Capitol.

Mania

New Year's Eve in a Pandemic

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on January 1, 2021

Normally, we are all manic on New Year's Eve, celebrating an unrealistic attitude toward the future. This year was different.

Normally, we are all manic on New Year's Eve, celebrating an unrealistic attitude toward the future. This year was different.

When a large part of the nation rejects a legitimate election, in the context of increasing racial and social strife, has America's decline begun?

Psychology

The Psychology of the 48 Percent

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on November 7, 2020

Trump lost. Why did 48 percent of voters vote for him?

Trump lost. Why did 48 percent of voters vote for him?

Freudian Psychology

False Consciousness

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on October 31, 2020

Why do some voters vote against their own interests? The history of the 20th century offers clues for the current election.

Why do some voters vote against their own interests? The history of the 20th century offers clues for the current election.

Psychology

The Psychology of Untruth

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on October 31, 2020

Why the truth is the opposite of the current president's attacks.

Why the truth is the opposite of the current president's attacks.

President Donald Trump

Mary Trump Demolishes the Goldwater Rule

Nassir Ghaemi M.D., M.P.H. on October 25, 2020

The Goldwater Rule is wrong. Now Mary Trump makes a strong case as to why it is wrong as applied to her uncle.

The Goldwater Rule is wrong. Now Mary Trump makes a strong case as to why it is wrong as applied to her uncle.