Author: editor

When educating patients about eating disorders (EDs), does it matter whether we focus on biological or psychological causes? According to groundbreaking research by Dr. Brett Deacon and colleagues, the answer is a resounding yes. Their study, published in Behaviour Research and Therapy, reveals that how we explain eating disorders can significantly impact patients’ expectations for…

Emetophobia, the specific phobia of vomiting, is a surprisingly common yet under-researched anxiety disorder that affects approximately 1.7-3.1% of men and 6-7% of women. Despite its prevalence, treatment approaches have been largely unstandardized and sometimes ineffective. A case study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders demonstrates how exposure therapy was successfully used to treat…

In the evolving landscape of mental health care, one of the most significant policy questions has been whether psychologists should have the right to prescribe medication. This issue, known as “prescriptive authority for psychologists” (RxP), has generated considerable debate within the profession. Dr. Brett Deacon, a respected researcher now at the University of Wollongong, conducted…

In a creative and thought-provoking piece published in The Behavior Therapist, Dr. Brett Deacon of the University of Wyoming offers a powerful critique of the dominant biomedical approach to mental health in the United States. His satirical “NIMH Mad Libs” article challenges many assumptions that have guided mental health research and treatment for decades, with…

In the complex interplay between culture, belief systems, and mental health, researchers continue to discover fascinating connections that help us better understand the human mind. One such connection exists between religious beliefs and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition affecting millions worldwide with intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Dr. Brett Deacon and his colleagues at the…

In an era where health information is constantly at our fingertips, many of us have experienced that moment of panic after noticing an unusual bodily sensation or reading about a disease with symptoms similar to our own. While concern about our health is normal, for some people, these worries can spiral into persistent anxiety that…

For many people suffering from anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, some of the most unsettling symptoms can be feelings of unreality. These sensations—formally known as depersonalization and derealization—can be profoundly disturbing, yet they’re often overlooked in treatment. Depersonalization involves feeling detached from yourself, as if you’re observing your body from the outside or experiencing your…

For decades, the “chemical imbalance” theory has dominated how we understand and talk about depression in the United States. You’ve likely heard it from doctors, advertisements, or mental health organizations: depression results from a chemical imbalance in the brain, particularly involving serotonin. This explanation has been promoted to reduce stigma and encourage medication use—but what…

In a revealing study published in the journal Behavior Modification, researchers Dr. Brett J. Deacon and Leilani J. Hipol from the University of Wyoming uncovered concerning patterns in how mental health professionals treat anxiety disorders. Their findings highlight a significant disconnect between what science tells us works best and what therapists actually provide in real-world…

In an eye-opening study published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review, Dr. Brett J. Deacon of the University of Wyoming presents a comprehensive critique of the dominant approach to mental health care in the United States. His paper, “The biomedical model of mental disorder: A critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy…