by Harper West | Sep 13, 2016 | DSM, Uncategorized
I heard an NPR Snap Judgment segment today called “Crash and Burn” that exposed the complete fallacy of the current psychiatric diagnosis system enshrined in the DSM-5 or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It was a classic case of what is wrong...
by Harper West | Jul 21, 2016 | Mindfulness, Self-Acceptance, Uncategorized
It may seem counterintuitive, but truly accepting emotional experiences is actually the best way to manage them, as this blog notes. I’d add some neurobiological information: One reason that acceptance works biologically is that it reduces the threat or fear...
by Harper West | Jul 28, 2013 | Psychology, Uncategorized
“Fight-or-flight” is a concept I discuss in depth in “Pack Leader Psychology,” because I believe this primal fear response is key to understanding human behavior. This natural survival instinct is also a powerful driver of human emotions and interactions,...
by Harper West | Feb 25, 2013 | DSM, Uncategorized
As the American Psychiatric Association (APA) prepares to publish the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May 2013, there has been considerable debate about the changes in this document. Client advocacy groups and...
by Harper West | Aug 13, 2012 | Uncategorized
July 13, 2012 Probably not a news flash: Owners of stereotypically aggressive dog breeds such as Germen shepherds and Rottweilers are more likely to be angry, hostile and aggressive. So finds a research study from Ireland, reported in HuffPost and shared by a friend....