The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy E107 - The Evolution of Psychiatry (w/ Dr. Adam Hunt)
Jan 17, 2025
Dr. Adam Hunt, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge and host of the Evolving Psychiatry podcast, discusses groundbreaking insights into evolutionary psychiatry. He explores the relationship between human evolution and conditions like depression and ADHD, emphasizing cultural context in mental health. Adam delves into the role of individual personality traits, their societal advantages, and the importance of self-awareness in fostering personal and community growth. He also touches on the moral implications of self-development and the future of psychiatry.
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Evolutionary Paradox of Mental Illness
- Mental disorders are paradoxical: they arise at peak reproductive age, are long-lasting, and common.
- This suggests an evolutionary reason for their persistence, not just pathology.
The Hadza and Depression
- An anthropologist observed a Hadza woman's depression after her husband left.
- The tribe intervened, brought the husband back, and the woman recovered quickly.
Depression: Causes and Solutions
- Depression's causes (job loss, divorce) also imply solutions.
- Frame these as a "menu of options" for patients to enhance their awareness and agency.
