The Dissenter

#872 Heather Berlin: Impulsive and Compulsive Disorders, and the Study of Consciousness

7 snips
Dec 11, 2023
Heather Berlin, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine, dives deep into the fascinating world of impulsive and compulsive disorders. She elaborates on conditions like kleptomania and OCD, revealing how they overlap and their neural mechanisms. The conversation shifts to the complexities of consciousness, tracing its historical roots and examining the unconscious mind's role in creativity. Additionally, Berlin tackles the controversies in scientific theories surrounding consciousness and the importance of effective science communication.
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INSIGHT

Impulsive vs. Compulsive Disorders

  • Impulsive disorders involve acting without foresight for immediate pleasure, despite consequences.
  • Compulsive disorders involve behaviors to remove negative feelings, like anxiety.
INSIGHT

Psychiatric vs. Neurological

  • The distinction between psychiatric and neurological disorders is arbitrary, as the mind and brain are interconnected.
  • Neurological disorders have clearer organic causes, but both types can have mental health consequences.
INSIGHT

Neural Basis of Disorders

  • Impulsive disorders show decreased activation in the orbital prefrontal cortex, while compulsive disorders show overactivation.
  • The basal ganglia play a role in compulsive behaviors.
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