Psych Unseen

Psychopharmacology

Will New Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia Be Game Changers?

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 25, 2023

Two new medications offer novel mechanisms of action to treat patients with schizophrenia who don't respond to other antipsychotic drugs.

Two new medications offer novel mechanisms of action to treat patients with schizophrenia who don't respond to other antipsychotic drugs.

Psychopharmacology

Antipsychotic Therapy Since the 1950s: Little Has Changed

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 21, 2023

For years, a combination of bad luck and financial risk aversion has stifled antipsychotic drug development.

For years, a combination of bad luck and financial risk aversion has stifled antipsychotic drug development.

Conspiracy Theories

Why Are Celebrity Deaths and Illnesses Blamed on Vaccines?

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 30, 2023

Belief in vaccine misinformation is fueled by the illusory truth effect, the innuendo effect, and rising anti-establishment sentiment.

Belief in vaccine misinformation is fueled by the illusory truth effect, the innuendo effect, and rising anti-establishment sentiment.

Cognition

Nonbelievers and the "Holy Trinity of Truth Detection"

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 12, 2023

Nonbelievers aren't nihilists who don't believe in anything. They use cognitive flexibility, intellectual humility, and analytical thinking to accept that others may disagree.

Nonbelievers aren't nihilists who don't believe in anything. They use cognitive flexibility, intellectual humility, and analytical thinking to accept that others may disagree.

Psychiatry

Pathological Belief: The 5 Stages of Ideological Commitment

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 5, 2023

The more passionately, stubbornly, and defensively we hold onto ideological beliefs, the greater the risk of distress, interpersonal conflict, and potential violence.

The more passionately, stubbornly, and defensively we hold onto ideological beliefs, the greater the risk of distress, interpersonal conflict, and potential violence.

Psychosis

A Differential Diagnosis of Demonic Possession

Joe Pierre M.D. on May 25, 2023

Cases of purported demonic possession appear to be on the rise. There are several possible explanations beyond the simple dichotomy of "real" vs. "delusional."

Cases of purported demonic possession appear to be on the rise. There are several possible explanations beyond the simple dichotomy of "real" vs. "delusional."

Identity

Enacted Identities: Multiplicity, Plurality, and Tulpamancy

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 13, 2023

Here's how newer expressions of plural identity can update old views of dissociative identity disorder.

Here's how newer expressions of plural identity can update old views of dissociative identity disorder.

Identity

The Debate Over Whether Dissociative Identity Disorder Is "Real"

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 7, 2023

Resolving the debate over dissociative identity disorder should focus less on trying to answer whether the disorder is "real" and more on how and why identities are "enacted."

Resolving the debate over dissociative identity disorder should focus less on trying to answer whether the disorder is "real" and more on how and why identities are "enacted."

Trauma

Are Mental Disorders Brain Diseases or Trauma Reactions?

Joe Pierre M.D. on January 30, 2023

The biopsychosocial model steers away from reductionistic "either/or" debates.

The biopsychosocial model steers away from reductionistic "either/or" debates.

Media

Will Elon Musk Make Twitter a Wild West of Misinformation?

Joe Pierre M.D. on December 1, 2022

Removing content moderation and allowing anyone to buy a blue check is not the way to become "the most accurate source of information in the world."

Removing content moderation and allowing anyone to buy a blue check is not the way to become "the most accurate source of information in the world."

President Donald Trump

Does Violent Political Rhetoric Lead to Real Violence?

Joe Pierre M.D. on November 6, 2022

The more we normalize violent political speech, the more we can expect political violence in our future.

The more we normalize violent political speech, the more we can expect political violence in our future.

Altruism

Impact of the Economy on Swing Voters

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 25, 2022

As we head into the midterm elections, voters can’t afford altruism.

As we head into the midterm elections, voters can’t afford altruism.

Trust

Mistrust, Misinformation, and the Possibility of Civil War in America

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 26, 2022

Widespread false beliefs aren't a symptom of individual mental illness but a sick society and ailing democracy.

Widespread false beliefs aren't a symptom of individual mental illness but a sick society and ailing democracy.

Health

Tin Foil Hats: Tired Trope or Sign of the Times?

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 25, 2022

From clothing to jewelry to electronic devices, modern-day tin foil hats are big business that exploit fears about technology.

From clothing to jewelry to electronic devices, modern-day tin foil hats are big business that exploit fears about technology.

Addiction

What the Fentanyl? The Straight Dope on a Synthetic Opioid

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 18, 2022

Fentanyl is the number one cause of opioid overdoses, but the medication has important medicinal uses, and myths about aerosolized fentanyl exposure abound.

Fentanyl is the number one cause of opioid overdoses, but the medication has important medicinal uses, and myths about aerosolized fentanyl exposure abound.

Anxiety

The Anxiety Paradox

Joe Pierre M.D. on May 23, 2022

The more we try to run from our fears, the stronger they become.

The more we try to run from our fears, the stronger they become.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Scientific Expertise vs. the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Joe Pierre M.D. on April 18, 2022

A conversation with Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess.

A conversation with Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess.

Environment

Why Don't People Believe in Climate Change?

Joe Pierre M.D. on April 2, 2022

Climate change denialism takes many forms and has many causes, but it's not the biggest challenge of fighting global warming.

Climate change denialism takes many forms and has many causes, but it's not the biggest challenge of fighting global warming.

Trauma

Misinformation and Trauma: How to Watch a War Online

Joe Pierre M.D. on March 6, 2022

In the internet era, staying informed about a war means steering clear of misinformation while not taking in so much that we feel hopeless.

In the internet era, staying informed about a war means steering clear of misinformation while not taking in so much that we feel hopeless.

Psychosis

Does "Mass Formation Psychosis" Really Exist?

Joe Pierre M.D. on January 21, 2022

Claims of "mass delusion" and "mass formation psychosis" are being used inappropriately as pejoratives to denigrate our ideological opponents and advance political agendas.

Claims of "mass delusion" and "mass formation psychosis" are being used inappropriately as pejoratives to denigrate our ideological opponents and advance political agendas.