FDA: Updated Labeling for Benzodiazepines ‘to Include Abuse, Addiction and Other Serious Risks’
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced labeling changes for benzodiazepines.
Writing
A selection of writing on psychotherapy, psychology, psychiatry and related subjects.
Psychologist Paul Watzlawick’s ‘Blasphemic Remark’
In the 1990s, psychologist Paul Watzlawick was conducting a training seminar when he made the following controversial remarks.
Waiting For Your Turn to Speak
'When people think you’re dying, man, they really, really listen to you instead of just—'
Sally Satel and Scott Lilienfeld on Addiction: Quitting is the Rule, Not the Exception
Psychiatrist Sally Satel and psychologist Scott O. Lilienfeld offer hope to those struggling to overcome a dependence on drugs in their book, Brainwashed.
On the Limitations of the ‘Talking Cure’
Ideally, talking is only one component of the therapeutic process. Without corresponding efforts to alter one’s behaviour, a commitment to talking about problems can become its own vice.
10 Wise Aphorisms from The Bed of Procrustes by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Author Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms is chock full of wise words. Here are ten of my favourite aphorisms from the book.
UN Special Rapporteur Dainius Pūras: Biomedical Approach ‘Still has an Important Role to Play’
Earlier this year, the United Nations published a report by Special Rapporteur Dainius Pūras. The report expands on a 2017 publication (also authored by Pūras), which called for ‘little short of a revolution in mental health care’ to overturn the prevailing biomedical paradigm.
Interview with a Psychiatrist
A satirical interview with a psychiatrist inspired by the 1999 comedy, Office Space.
Highlights from Dainius Pūras’ 2020 UN Report
Highlights from the United Nations’ 2020 report authored by Special Rapporteur Dainius Pūras.
Behavioural Geneticist Robert Plomin: ‘There Are No Disorders, There Are Just Quantitative Dimensions’ (Extended)
Behavioural Geneticist Robert Plomin recently spoke with author Sam Harris on the Making Sense Podcast (Episode 211 – The Nature of Human Nature).