“Objectivity” does not come in a title

Professor Perlis, in a paper titled “Anxiety about Antidepressants” ,  considered “the cognitive and affective biases that may prevent effective treatment“. In this paper Professor Perlis referred to the recent … Continue reading “Objectivity” does not come in a title

Let science always have open gates

British Psychiatry still teaches young doctors to divide the subjective from the objective. I am of the view that this is not just unrealistic but that it is harmful to … Continue reading Let science always have open gates

Delve into brilliant minds

My NHS e-mail regularly receives invites to the Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress. It is a congress that I have never attended as I remain concerned that we still … Continue reading Delve into brilliant minds

Experience is the best teacher

2000 years have passed since Cicero said that: “experience is the best teacher” [Usus magister est optimus] This is the current dictionary definition of experience: As a doctor, scientist, and artist I … Continue reading Experience is the best teacher

Putting caring conversations into practice

Below is my published response to Dr Derek Summerfield’s open question: NHS antidepressant prescribing: what do we get for £266m a year? Putting caring conversations into practice [html fomat]: I … Continue reading Putting caring conversations into practice

Psychiatry, dependent on its authority, is finding withdrawal seriously difficult

In the week that has followed the publication and media reports of this Lancet paper, I have noticed how Psychiatry (my profession) has seemed to be struggling with any threat … Continue reading Psychiatry, dependent on its authority, is finding withdrawal seriously difficult

Words and numbers should be used with equal care

I have submitted the following to the BMJ in response to this research news: Large meta-analysis ends doubts about efficacy of antidepressants Not uncommonly, as part of the scientific community, … Continue reading Words and numbers should be used with equal care

Antidepressant prescribing and informed consent

I have submitted the following to the BMJ in response to this research news: Large meta-analysis ends doubts about efficacy of antidepressants In Scotland, it is estimated that 1 in … Continue reading Antidepressant prescribing and informed consent