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ANNOUNCING A NEW UNMODERATED DISCUSSION FORUM DEALING WITH ISSUES IN
PSYCHIATRY AND ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
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Psychiatry at mailbase.ac.uk
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*TO SUBSCRIBE:
SEND THE MESSAGE "SUBSCRIBE PSYCHIATRY <FIRSTNAME> <LASTNAME>"
(IN THE BODY OF THE MESSAGE) TO: MAILBASE at MAILBASE.AC.UK
*TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE LIST:
SEND THE MESSAGE TO PSYCHIATRY at MAILBASE.AC.UK
This mailbase list has been set up with the aim of utilising the vast
resources of the Internet on behalf of everyone interested in issues
in psychiatry and abnormal psychology. As with any discussion forum
its value will be proportional to the effort that those contributing
to it are prepared to make in provoking stimulating and thoughtful
debate.
The forum was judged to be necessary because many of the findings
and viewpoints in the fields of psychiatry and abnormal psychology
are both controversial and easily misinterpreted, resulting in a lack
of empathy and understanding between those pursuing radically
different approaches to the aetiology and pathophysiology of mental
illness. It is hoped that the forum will act as a bridge between
those taking a biomedical viewpoint of the study and treatment of
psychopathology, and those taking a more existential or psychodynamic
viewpoint.
It is hoped in particular that amicable discussion will encourage and
support an attitude of mutual respect, producing a more collaborative
approach to these difficult issues, so narrowing the unacceptably
wide gulf that now separates the opposing camps.
All of those wishing to share personal insights, research findings,
philosophical outlooks, clinical case notes, or simple anecdotes on
any of the following, are cordially invited to contribute:
* Methodology: clinical case histories, scientific experimentation,
laboratory models, statistical and analytical methods, meta-
analysis.
* Current and past research papers, unpublished findings.
* Epidemiology of mental illness.
* Concepts of abnormality: The underlying philosophy of psychiatry
and abnormal psychology.
* The history of perceived causes of abnormal behaviour: possession
and witchcraft, physical causes, psychogenic causes.
* The real life experience of mental illness.
* Conflicting Approaches? The Biomedical approach, the psychodynamic
approach, the environmental model: behavioural and cognitive
approaches
* Psychiatric Nomenclature
* Psychometric Testing - Psychological classification and assessment.
* Specific Disorders: Personality disorders, neuroses, paranoid
states, affective disorders, schizophrenia, organic disorders,
eating disorders, sexual dysfunction and abnormality, psychoactive
substance abuse, psychosomatic illness, behavioural disorders in
children.
* Diagnosis, classification, symptomatology, and prognosis of mental
illness.
* Psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneuroendocrinology.
* Disorders of the nervous system and psychopathology.
* Psychiatric emergencies.
* Psycotherapeutic techniques.
* Alternative approaches: meditation, relaxation, etc.
* Physical treatments: psychopharmacology, electro-convulsive therapy,
aversion therapy, psychoneurosurgery, etc.
* Mental illness and the legal system: uses and abuses of psychiatry.
* Mental illness and society: community care, the history of mental
health care, the public perception of the mentally ill.
* Psychopathology and creativity.
* Aetiology: genetics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology.
* Reviews of new publications, journal articles, conferences. Have
you read a stimulating reappraisal, or cogent exposition of your
speciality? If so, let us know.
* Assessment of contributors to the development of psychology and
psychiatry: Charcot, Freud, Jung, Adler, Bleuler, Kraepelin, Meyer
Erikson, Fromm, Rogers, Perls, Frankl, Skinner, Ellis, Laing et al.
The basic underlying philosophy of this forum is: "There is someone
wiser than any of us, and that is all of us." This would also be an
appropriate motto for the Internet, and I would be very happy to hear
from anyone who would like to assist in the compilation of a resource
guide, register of research interests, or any other such extension to
the services offered by this list that would be productive in making
it a more useful tool to the subscribers.
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All comments and suggestions to:
Ian Pitchford <I.Pitchford at Sheffield.ac.uk>
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* Ian Pitchford * I.Pitchford at Sheffield.ac.uk *
* Department of Biomedical Science * University of Sheffield *
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* "If the human race survives, future men will, I suspect, look back *
* on our enlightened epoch as a veritable Age of Darkness." *
* R.D.Laing, 1967. *
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