Reflections on attention, self-knowledge, and the mental health profession.
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I reflect on what it means to be healthy in this age of digital distraction.
This is a seriously low-energy podcast. I really need to learn how to bring some enthusiasm to these things, but it’s hard to hone the ol’ podcasting skills when you only put out one every few months. Live and learn!
Here are the links to the two articles about which I riffed on:
Andrew Sullivan: I Used to be a Human Being
Chris Kresser: What is health?
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I respond to Brant Cortright’s thesis that one’s rate of neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells) may be the most important biomarker for one’s brain health.
I recently blogged about all this here.
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I ramble on about the inadequacy of current terminology to describe “integral” mental health perspectives, and then introduce one such perspective — the critical psychiatry of Dr. Joanna Moncrieff.
Relevant media:
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I string together some loosely formed thoughts about the centrality of critical thinking in all walks of life.
Related media:
Critical Thinker Academy: Good website with lots of free resources about critical thinking
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss the new depression screening guidelines proposed by the The US Preventive Services Task Force, the response to these guidelines by Allen Frances, and the perils of podcast procrastination.
Related articles:
(Debate between Karina Davidson and Allen Frances)
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss my current perspective on Ken Wilber’s “Integral Theory” and the associated community, especially in light of the recent New York Times article on Marc Gafni, a known sexual predator who is unconscionably endorsed as a leader in the integral community.
Related media:
– Brief description of the “Four Quadrant” model of Integral Theory
– “A Spiritual Leader Gains Stature, Trailed by a Troubled Past” – New York Times article on Marc Gafni
– Blog post by Judy Rogers, one of Marc Gafni’s victims
– Articles critical of Gafni, by William Harryman of Integral Options Cafe
– My blog post on Ken Wilber, “Has Ken Wilber jumped the shark?”
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I talk about the anti-authoritarian pushback against mainstream mental health perspectives, highlighting an excellent video presentation by psychologist Bruce Levine.
Related media:
– My recent blog post on Levine’s presentation
– Levine’s article, “Why Psychiatry Holds Enormous Power in Society Despite Losing Scientific Credibility“
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I revisit an incredibly important and sadly under-appreciated article (written in 2011) by Dr. Roger Walsh called Lifestyle and Mental Health. The article outlines eight major lifestyle factors that are woefully underestimated and underutilized in the field of mental health, despite overwhelming evidence of their psychological (and physical and social) benefits.
Here’s the abstract:
Mental health professionals have significantly underestimated the importance of lifestyle factors (a) as contributors to and treatments for multiple psychopathologies, (b) for fostering individual and social well-being, and (c) for preserving and optimizing cognitive function. Consequently, therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) are underutilized despite considerable evidence of their effectiveness in both clinical and normal populations. TLCs are sometimes as effective as either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy and can offer significant therapeutic advantages. Important TLCs include exercise, nutrition and diet, time in nature, relationships, recreation, relaxation and stress management, religious or spiritual involvement, and service to others. This article reviews research on their effects and effectiveness; the principles, advantages, and challenges involved in implementing them; and the forces (economic, institutional, and professional) hindering their use. Where possible, therapeutic recommendations are distilled into easily communicable principles, because such ease of communication strongly influences whether therapists recommend and patients adopt interventions. Finally, the article explores the many implications of contemporary lifestyles and TLCs for individuals, society, and health professionals. In the 21st century, therapeutic lifestyles may need to be a central focus of mental, medical, and public health.
In my opinion, Walsh’s article has the potential to influence and unify the fields of mental health, public health, and medicine in much the same way as Dr. George Engel’s biopsychosocial challenge for biomedicine did back in 1977. The following is a list of resources related to Walsh’s article:
PDF of the article in American Psychologist
Lifestyle and Mental Health topic page on Dr. Walsh’s website
Dialogue between Roger Walsh and philosopher Ken Wilber (Part one)
Dialogue between Roger Walsh and Ken Wilber (Part two)
Full video presentation at University of California, Irvine
UC Irvine presentation in ten parts via YouTube:
(1) Impact of Lifestyle on Mental Health
(2) Exercise Benefits Body, Brain and Mind
(3) Eating for Mental Health: What Kind of Diet Is Best for Brain and Mind?
(4) Fish Oil and Vitamin D: Supplements That Benefit Body, Brain and Mind
(5) The Effects of Nature and Technology on Mental Health
(6) Relationships: The Most Powerful Factor Affecting Wellbeing
(7) Recreation and Mental Health: Good Times Make for Good Minds
(8) Relaxation and Stress Management:The Benefits of Letting Go and Letting Be
(9) Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health
(10) Helper’s High—Feeling Good by Doing Good
There is also a documentary multimedia project in development, 8 Ways to Wellbeing, that will feature Walsh’s work on TLCs. Here are two promotional videos:
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I review an excellent article by Allen Frances in which he excoriates us all for turning a blind eye to those in our society who need mental health services the most.
Here is the article that was referenced in this discussion:
What Drives Our Dumb and Disorganized Mental Health Policies? by Allen Frances
In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss the issues of upcoding, downcoding, and “diagnosing for dollars” — practices that mental health professionals too often engage in, for various reasons, when they are beholden to managed care insurance systems.
Here are the media resources that were referenced in this discussion:
Prezi Presentation: Diagnosing in a Managed Care Environment, by Sharon Savino