The Science of Psychotherapy In Conversation with Dr Chris Aiken on "Bipolar, No So Much".
Jan 15, 2025
Dr. Chris Aiken, a psychiatrist and the director of the Mood Treatment Center, dives into the intricate world of bipolar disorder. He reveals how cultural contexts can shape the signs of mania, discussing distinct examples from various communities. Aiken emphasizes the bipolar-unipolar spectrum and the role of circadian rhythms in managing mood disorders. He shares exciting insights about the gut microbiome's impact on mood and offers practical strategies like 'social rhythm therapy' to help stabilize mental health. A thought-provoking exploration of mood in modern life!
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From Arts To Bipolar Discovery
- Chris Aiken describes his shift from arts to psychiatry after noticing mood disorders among creative peers.
- He began using screening instruments on his patients and discovered many more bipolar features than expected.
Punk Rocker Nearly Fired For Mania
- Chris recounts evaluating a punk musician whose wild acts seemed normal in his culture but alarmed his band, who nearly fired him.
- Cultural norms determine whether behaviors cross into pathology or remain accepted eccentricities.
Bipolar As A Spectrum
- Bipolar and unipolar depression were historically inseparable and later split by DSM-III into different diagnoses.
- Many patients fall in a middle spectrum with mixed or brief hypomanic features, motivating a spectrum view.
