The InterPsych Newsletter 2(1)
________________________________________________________________
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 THE INTERPSYCH NEWSLETTER AUG-OCT, 1994
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 0: INDEX
Section A: EDITORIAL
The sky is falling or the ground is rising:
Perspectives on changes in the Internet
Sean P. Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief
Section B: INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction to IPN
2. IPN Charter
Section C: INTERPSYCH AND SIG UPDATE
1. InterPsych Update
2. SIG Update:
Clinical-psychology
Depression
Helplessness
Psychopharmacology
Psychiatry
Traumatic Stress
3. SIG list
Section D: ARTICLE
U.S. Health Care Reform and the Therapeutic
State, Jeffrey A. Schaler, Ph.D.
Section E: RESOURCE UPDATE
1. Scientific articles on ALTERED STATES
OF CONSCIOUSNESS - PARAPSYCHOLOGY -
HYPNOSIS - TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY -
HUMAN POTENTIAL - MEDITATION
2. HEALTH INFOCOM NEWSLETTER
Section F: CALENDAR
Section G: ANNOUNCEMENTS
Section H: EMPLOYMENT
____________________________________________________________
INTERPSYCH NEWSLETTER STAFF
____________________________________________________________
Editor-in-Chief: Sean P. Sullivan
Managing Editors: Sunkyo Kwon Joseph Plaud
Assistant Editors: Lori Beth Bisbey Stephanie A. Dobler
Fred Cutter John M. Grohol
Gina Jozaitis Burt Knight
Jeffry Luria Nancy Tice
The InterPsych Newsletter, ISSN 1355-2562, is an electronic
publication of InterPsych. The newsletter is distributed on
a monthly basis free of charge to all members of InterPsych.
InterPsych does not hold itself responsible for statements
made in the InterPsych Newsletter by contributors. Unless
stated otherwise, the material in the InterPsych Newsletter
does not reflect the endorsement, attitude, or position of
the Board of Directors of InterPsych or the editors of the
InterPsych Newsletter.
InterPsych is a non-profit, voluntary organization,
established on Mailbase with the aim of promoting inter-
national scholarly collaboration on inter-disciplinary
research efforts in the field of mental health.
To enquire about the InterPsych Newsletter, please send a
message to Sean P. Sullivan (ssulliva@opal.tufts.edu).
____________________________________________________________
THE INTERPSYCH NEWSLETTER AUG-OCT, 1994
____________________________________________________________
SECTION A: EDITORIAL
THE SKY IS FALLING OR THE GROUND IS RISING
- PERSPECTIVES ON CHANGES IN THE INTERNET -
Over 20 years ago what is today the Internet was born out of
a U.S. Defense Department network called ARPAnet. Deemed to
be unsuitable for defense purposes due to concerns over
security breaches, the network was turned over to the private
sector. Since this time, it has blossomed into a worldwide
aggregation of information and people that has redefined the
way information is used and disseminated.
Already electronic communication has changed and shaped the
world. During the soviet coup in 1991, coup leaders were un-
able to restrict access to information after seizing control
of media outlets as soviet citizens used e-mail and fax
machines to communicate with the outside world. While the
Internet's impact has already been enormous, great changes in
its accessibility and makeup are occurring that will reshape
the role of the Internet in our lives. Concurrently, we must
begin the process of redefining not just what the Internet
is, but what it can be.
To date, the Internet has been marked, and in fact defined,
by an overall lack of planning and organization that has made
finding information difficult to impossible. The amount of
information currently available on the Internet is stunning -
from complete transcripts of all Monty Python episodes to
images taken from weather satellites within the last hour.
Although no one disputes the wealth of information available,
problems have existed finding and accessing this information.
In the past, information was often found by word of mouth, by
reading extensive lists, or by simply stumbling upon it. More
recently, software has been developed allowing Internet
applications to be run on the desktop as opposed to mainframe
terminals. One such application is NCSA's Mosaic, a World-
Wide Web client which permits hypertext searches. One of the
reasons Mosaic has been so immensely popular is the relative
ease with which one can navigate through the net. With the
advent of this and similar software, information is both ex-
panding and becoming more accessible. Consider that current-
ly, in part due to the lack of user-friendly interfaces, most
people's Internet literacy is limited to electronic mail. As
navigation of the Internet becomes more straightforward for
the lay person, the way we communicate and share information
and the Internet itself will be radically altered.
In addition to changes in the ease of accessing information,
the makeup of the people on-line is also changing. Previous-
ly, the Internet was dominated by experienced net-surfers and
new users, or "newbies", were treated as such and
initiated into the ways of the net. Daily more locations gain
access to the net and computer prices drop, and the number of
users grows almost exponentially. Imagine taking a city of 2
million people and adding 10 million! While it is clear this
will irrevocably change the Internet, it also presents
tremendous opportunities.
As the Internet changes from being a novelty to being an
important part of everyday communication, we must strive to
create new and innovative uses for the Internet. Suddenly
communication is not limited by distance or time. Instead of
the latest clinical information being discussed in letters
and brief reports in journals, people have access to
electronic mail groups, such as the many that have been
organized on InterPsych, and can confer with colleagues
around the globe instantly. Imagine how the Internet can
change the everyday life of someone with mental illness.
Whereas previously someone living with manic depression in an
isolated, rural area would have an impossible time finding a
support network outside of friends and family, now that net-
work is available on his or her desktop. The effect that this
type of cultural cross-fertilization will have on disciplines
such as mental health and the world in general is
inconceivable. As a new generation of users is introduced,
our goal should be to promote the utilization of the Internet
in ways never even imagined.
The Internet was designed to be a system that has nothing to
do with the way that it is currently used. For this reason,
it often appears disjointed and chaotic (in fact, it is).
Sadly, it is one of both the banes and the beauties that so
little organization and regulation exists. As the Internet
grows, so its unbridled manner will shrink. Currently, there
is a strong resistance in the Internet community to change.
On the threshold of a new era in usage, we must be pragmatic
about planning for the future and encourage the growth of
the Internet. In addition to changes accessibility, we face a
time when NSF will start charging for access to backbone,
accounts will need to be licensed to ensure accountability,
and restrictions will be imposed on what information can be
transmitted. For better or worse, these changes are
inevitable, and to ensure that they are for the better, we
must decide not only to embrace them but to shape them as
well. If we plan for the future, we will find the future
is now. [SPS]
SECTION B: INTRODUCTION TO IPN
________________________________________________________________
DON'T KILL ME - I'M USEFUL!
The InterPsych (IP) enterprise is an astounding phenomenon:
Few if any lists on the information superhighway have been
able to accomplish so much in terms of recruiting members,
productivity in discussions, and proliferation of information
in the field of mental health within such a short time frame.
The InterPsych Newsletter (IPN) has evolved out of the IP and
- after a pregnant-productive pause - presents itself to the IP-
based and larger "virtual audience" now with a new staff,
format, and mission. This section is devoted to explain you the
crux of its objectives.
With the advent of IP, you might notice more people - previously
not connected to such a powerful medium - proudly remark that
they've returned to 20-500 messages in their mailbox after a
short absence. While this has been a fad for quite some time in
other fields, the IP has been a key player in awarding many more
mental health professionals this credential of social and
academic reputability.
Informational overflow presses each one of us to make rapid
decisions on which messages to acknowledge, which ones to
peruse, which ones to ignore. Most messages that are killed are
boring, unrelated to one's own activities, annoying or deleted
simply for lack of time to read (or think).
Like mainstream social sciences are committed to convey complex
information in a few aggregate numbers, information explosions
on "the net" have led to lists, exclusively devoted to
reporting developments on the internet as a whole or zooming
in on specific facets, like ascend groups, the world-wide web or
gophers. There are also possibilities to monitor the emergence
of new lists and to request automatically compiled summaries of
a day's communication on a given discussion forum.
The newly established InterPsych Newsletter devotes itself to
reduce some of this complexity, while providing readers with
additional insights from more analytical perspectives and a
landscape view of the world of electronically delivered
information as it relates to research and practice of mental
health. As we believe that compiling lists of topics and
resources will be too simplistic and pasting substantial
information on mental health - real or virtual - too long, we
have opted for a healthy mixture of digests, news, information
and original contributions.
The Charter of the InterPsych Newsletter follows. As the IPN is
chiefly delivered in e-mailable format and produced by voluntary
efforts, restrictions had to be made with regard to length of
contributions. However, the IPN strives for highest quality and
the same depth as comparable hardcopy parallels, while adding to
bandwidth, precisely because it relies on electronically based
resources and a highly committed, enthusiastic staff. It is the
IPN's endeavor to provide you with time-saving summaries, up-to-
date information and metaperspectives on voices from the net.
Still, readers of the IPN may be initially appalled by overall
size, but do keep in mind that it spares you from going through
several thousands of lines instead and multiple messages. In the
interest of making reading easier we have sent sections as
separate files so that readers may access sections they want to
read or delete those they do not want more quickly. Also, we
suggest printing IPN for easier reading.
So do bear in mind for forthcoming IPN issues: Don't reach
out for the delete-key too quickly - I'm useful. [SK]
________________________________________________________________
*InterPsych Newsletter Charter*
The mission of the InterPsych Newsletter is to
facilitate the formation of an international,
multidisciplinary community committed to advancing
research, theory, and practice in the field of
mental health. It is our aim to inform and to
promote discussion among professionals in all
mental-health-related fields in the belief that
the electronic-network-based delivery of
information and cooperation of sundry disciplines
will contribute to advancements in the field. To
this end, the newsletter aims to promote:
1) involvement in Interpsych and its continuing
development,
2) dissemination of health-care information
world-wide,
3) international discussion and collaboration,
4) utilization of current resources on the
internet,
5) creation of new and innovative uses of the
internet,
6) theoretical and empirical research.
SECTION C:
INTERPSYCH AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
UPDATE
------------------------------------------------------------
| This section serves to foster awareness among InterPsych's |
| members of discussions in different SIGs and to encourage |
| people to become active in InterPsych. This section |
| contains two general article types: a) Short articles |
| discussing current developments at Interpsych and |
| b) summaries of recent discussions in the SIGs. |
| If you are interested in writing a summary for a group |
| that you belong to, please contact Sean Sullivan: |
| (ssulliva@opal.tufts.edu). |
| To comment on an article in this section, send a message to|
| the IPN Mailbox (udipn@badlands.nodak.edu). |
-------------------------------------------------------------
C-1 INTERPSYCH UPDATE
The Mailbase host that served as the initiating agency for the
psychiatry SIG that eventually spawned InterPsych and its SIGs
decided to withdraw its support as the host for InterPsych
(IP). The rationale for this decision is that the number of
British subscribers to the IP lists is relatively low when
compared with American subscribers. Specifically, Cristyn
Emmett (Cristyn.Emmett@newcastle.ac.uk) of Mailbase said that
the total number of IP members is 6144. The number of non-UK
members is 5825. These numbers were put forward in support of
the decision by Mailbase to withdraw its support from IP.
Although many individuals, such as the President of IP,
Dr. Martin Seligman, and the founder of IP, Mr. Ian Pitchford,
as well as multidisciplinary professionals voiced sound
arguments for the appropriateness of Mailbase to continue its
support for IP, the Mailbase administrators decided to give IP
until December 31, 1994 to find a new host. Since that period
several ideas have been circulated about a new home for IP,
including employing listservs at different institutions. The
American Psychological Association also expressed interest in
hosting InterPsych, and Dr. Joseph J. Plaud, list-owner of the
clinical-psychology SIG, explored the possibility of the
University of North Dakota hosting IP. At this point, the
consensus appears to be to proceed slowly and cautiously
before making decisions on the fate of InterPsych. One thing
appears certain, though: InterPsych will continue to grow and
foster an active exchange of ideas and opinions. Finding a
permanent location for hosting InterPsych's functions seems to
be a matter of identifying the most logical next step, and
proceeding full steam. [JJP]
______________________________________________________________
C-2 SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) UPDATE:
Below are summaries by list-owners for some of the SIGs that
InterPsych sponsors.
CLINICAL-PSYCHOLOGY:
There have been a number of recent topics on the Clinical
Psychology list which have greatly piqued the interest of
the list's members. In the past two weeks, the topics
that have dominated the list's discussion have surrounded
the ongoing political controversy of the American
Psychological Association's elections - carried on
between Lew Lipsitt and Kurt Salzinger, the covariance
between genes and the environment in disorders such as
obesity and hypertension, and the largest topic of
debate, the effects of a proposal to "immunize" pre-
teenagers against depression with Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CAT) techniques.
This last subject is perhaps the most intriguing. Martin
Seligman began the debate with his suggestion that
preteens, aged 10-12 YO, who are at risk of depression be
taught some cognitive behavioral therapy (CAT) techniques
that might help reduce the incidence of depression. This
is not a new idea, which has been suggested by various
studies conducted on this so-called "immunization
effect". However, Seligman's proposal on is new and was
criticized by others on the list, especially and most
thoroughly by Jeffrey Schaler. In a detailed rejoinder to
Seligman's initial and follow-up article, Schaler
examined some of the wide-ranging implications of
Seligman's seemingly-innocuous proposal. Tor Neilands and
David Fresco also contributed to the thoughtful and
thought-provoking debate, which touches upon the need of
preventive medicine, research, law, ethics, and morality.
The merits of clinical vs. counseling psychology were
also debated. Many clinical psychologists felt that
counselors are often not properly trained in a scientist-
practitioner model, and gave examples to support their
positions. Counselors and social workers responded by
saying that broad generalizations shouldn't be made, and
some even said they were better qualified to conduct
psychotherapy. No consensus was reached.
The positions of Chomsky and others were put forth as a
way of debating the position of Skinner and his alleged
theoretical shortcomings (particularly as applied to
understanding verbal behavior). The strengths of a
Skinnerian argument were persuasive. [JMG, JJP]
DEPRESSION:
After some interesting discussion on the evolutionary
adaptiveness of depressotypic behavior, the Depression
SIG has simmered down of late.
Members are invited to share recent research or thoughts
regarding mood disorders, including but not limited to:
neurobiological and psychological vulnerability;
personality and depression; consequences of depression;
description of depression; and co-morbidity with other
disorders. [Contributor: Dr. Thomas Joiner]
HELPLESSNESS:
We're hovering at about 400 members. Dr. Seligman and I
are stepping up our efforts to get us through a
discussion dry spell. Some pretty big names in the field
of helplessness have joined or have expressed interest in
joining.
We will soon begin two new types of discussion:
1) Discussion of in progress work related to helpless-
ness and 2) Theoretical target articles and responses -
but not as formal as an E-journal. Also under
consideration, but probably too preliminary to hype are a
Helplessness gopher site and WWW Page.
[Contributor: Dr. David Fresco]
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY:
The psychopharmacology list has been averaging about 10
messages a day. We now have about 400 members from 16
countries.
Recent discussions have been on such topics as: with-
drawal syndromes following the discontinuation of anti-
depressants; the combined use of psychotherapy and
psychopharmacology; psychotherapeutic agents mentioned in
Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, the use of narcotics for
the treatment of people with depressions; the combined
use of antipsychotics and Psychostimulants; the use of
once a month fluoxetine (Prozac) for the treatment of
women with severe PMS.
[Contributor: Dr. Ivan Goldberg]
PSYCHIATRY:
The Psychiatry mailing list is the special interest group
(SIG) that most people join when they first learn about
InterPsych. It is the most general and the least
specialized of the InterPsych SIGs.
The communications of the Psychiatry group have ranged
from general information-seeking to on-line debates on a
wide variety of topics, with a stimulating, refreshing,
and sometimes startling mixture of perspectives offered
by clinicians, patients, students, researchers,
educators, and many others. Many people actively
participate in group discussions, others choose to simply
observe; some use the group to gather information, others
use it to develop collaborative networks; some find the
discussions in the psychiatry group too wide-ranging and
opt for one or more narrower focused InterPsych SIGs;
others find it just to their liking.
In my opinion, the Psychiatry SIG has played - and will
likely continue to play - two very key roles in the rapid
growth of InterPsych. First, it has been an "on-ramp to
the information highway" for many people who are learning
for the first time about Internet applications in
psychiatry and psychology; second, many of the ideas,
interests, and even some dissatisfactions voiced in the
Psychiatry SIG have propelled the development of other
SIGs. These two roles serve to recruit and educate new
members, and also to stimulate further differentiation
and development of InterPsych.
[Contributor: Dr. Charles Stinson]
TRAUMATIC STRESS:
Our membership is now approaching 600. The number of
messages per day varies from 1-10. Most recent topics of
discussion have included research and treatment issues
associated with false memory syndrome, EMDR, and the
rescue and emotional recovery of those affected by the
Estonia ship disaster that resulted in the death of 900
Swedes, Estonians, and others. The tone on the network is
always constructive, friendly, respectful, and
encouraging. We are especially pleased to have members
from countries outside North America and Europe. There
are a number of study groups led by senior scholars and
clinicians working with more junior members from places
with few resources for developing skills and knowledge
in the area of traumatology. New members are welcome.
[Contributor: Dr. Charles Figley]
C-3 SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP LIST
----------------------------------------------------------
| The following is a list of current InterPsych Special |
| Interest Groups (SIGs). In this issue, we are listing |
| all of the SIGs. In subsequent issues, we will only list |
| new SIGs that have been formed. The name of each group |
| precedes a short description of the group. |
| To join any of these lists, send a message to |
| MAILBASE@MAILBASE.AC.UK with the body: join NAME.OF |
| GROUP YOUR.FIRST.NAME YOUR.LAST.NAME. |
| To leave any list send |
| a message to MAILBASE@MAILBASE.AC.UK with the body: leave |
| NAME.OF.GROUP. |
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1. ATTACHMENT
-----------
This list welcomes discussion on Bowlby-Ainsworth's
theory of attachment. From theoretical and
philosophical issues, to clinical or applied
issues. Particular emphasis is given to
socio-affective and defensive processes, and
unconscious representations.
2. CLINICAL-PSYCHOLOGY
-------------------
This list promotes the exchange of ideas on matters
relevant to clinical psychology, and particularly
to the practice of clinical psychology.
3. CLINICAL-PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
-------------------------
A forum for the discussion of issues related to the
field of Applied Psychophysiology, Medical
Psychology and Biofeedback. The list's primary
purpose is to allow professionals - psychiatrists,
nurses, psychologists, social workers, other
medical personnel to share ideas about clinical
matters.
4. CHILD-PSYCHIATRY
----------------
The Child Psychiatry list is devoted to the
discussion of various issues around Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry. This includes treatment
issues, psychopharmacology, inpatient/outpatient
care plans, emergency child/adolescent psychiatry
etcetera.
5. DEPRESSION
----------
This forum exists for scholarly discussion of
issues related to mood disorders in clinical and
research settings. Integrative biological-
psychological contributions are particularly
welcome. Topics include causation, correlates,
consequences, co-morbidity, treatment/prevention,
etc.
6. EMERGENCY-PSYCHIATRY
--------------------
We encourage the broad discussion of all topics -
medical, psychotherapeutic,social,legal - that
relate to the practice of Emergency Psychiatry. We
invite mental health professionals, students, and
users to contribute their research, clinical
wisdom, questions, and personal experiences.
7. FORENSIC-PSYCHIATRY
-------------------
To serve as a forum for the scholarly and collegial
discussion of issues in forensic psychiatry.
8. HELPLESSNESS
------------
Learned Helplessness and Explanatory Style was
created to discuss the latest research on animals
and humans, biological substratum, depression,
anxiety, prevention, CAVE, politics, children,
personal control, health, battering, bereavement,
PTSD, sex differences, pessimism, work,
heritability.
9. INTERPSYCH-ADMIN [CLOSED]
--------------------------
A closed forum for debate amongst those responsible
for the administration of InterPsych, including
trustees, members of the board of directors and
advisory board, journal and newsletter editors and
associate editors, regional representatives,
committee members, and other staff and volunteers.
If you want to help develop InterPsych send a note
to: InterPsych-admin-request@mailbase.ac.uk
outlining your experience.
10. MANAGED-BEHAVIOURAL-HEALTHCARE
------------------------------
All contributions relevant to Managed Behavioural
HealthCare are welcomed. A particular emphasis is
the development of multidisciplinary
outpatient-based treatment provider groups.
Discussion topics include: best clinical practices,
outcomes research, insurance, case management, and
informatics.
11. PSY-ART
-------
This list deals with the psychological study of the
arts, especially literature and film. Most of us
apply psychoanalysis, but some of us use cognitive
science, experimental psychology, or reader-
response studies. We welcome comments from any
psychological orientation.
12. PSYCH-CURRENT-ISSUES
--------------------
This list is for discussion of current issues in
Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and related fields.
Topics might include Provision of Mental Health
Services; Ethical Issues; Professional Development/
Training; Public Image of Psychiatry and
Psychology; and The future of Mental Health
Services.
13. PSYCHIATRY
----------
Many research findings and viewpoints in psychiatry
are controversial,leaving a gulf between those
pursuing radically different approaches to mental
illness. This forum will act as a bridge between
those taking a biomedical approach and those taking
a psychodynamic approach.
14. PSYCHIATRY-ASSESSMENT
---------------------
This sublist focuses on research and clinical
issues related to use of psychological tests
(including traditional clinical instruments &
normal personality measures) in psychiatry and
clinical psychology.
15. PSYCHIATRY-RESOURCES
--------------------
This list is intended for those who wish to
co-operate in the compilation of a resource guide
to enable clinicians and academics in the areas of
psychiatry and abnormal psychology to gain maximum
benefit from the facilities available over the
Internet.
16. PSYCHOANALYSIS
--------------
This list is designed to promote dialogue about
psychoanalysis in all its aspects including
clinical practice, psychoanalytic theory,
education, organizational issues, relations with
other disciplines, and applications to the
humanities, social sciences and public policy.
17. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
------------------
The purpose of the Psychopharmacology mailing list
is to provide a forum for the professional
discussion of all aspects of clinical
psychopharmacology. Clinical psychopharmacology is
broadly defined as the treatment individuals with
psychiatric disorders through the use of
psychotropic medications. All mental health
professionals, and graduate students may subscribe
to the Psychopharmacology Mailing List.
18. PSY-LANGUAGE
------------
For discussions related to language and
psychopathology. Discussions could include:
theories of language and their relevance for the
study of psychopathological speech, new research
and publications in the area, requests for help
with one's own research.
19. TRANSCULTURAL-PSYCHOLOGY
------------------------
Discussion of the delivery of mental health
services to diverse cultures. Topics may include,
cultural differences in views on mental disorders,
culture-specific syndromes, collaboration between
Western and traditional healers, and cultural
variance in symptoms.
20. TRAUMATIC-STRESS
----------------
This list promotes the investigation, assessment,
and treatment of the immediate and long-term
psychosocial, biophysiological, and existential
consequences of highly stressful (traumatic)
events. Of special interest are efforts to identify
a cure of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)
SECTION D: ARTICLE
----------------------------------------------------
| In this section is an non-reviewed article |
| submitted by Dr. Schaler. In the future, this |
| section will be devoted to refereed research |
| articles. To submit an article to this section, |
| please send an ASCII version of the manuscript |
| to the IPN Mailbox (udipn@badlands.nodak.edu). |
---------------------------------------------------
U.S. HEALTH CARE REFORM AND THE THERAPEUTIC STATE
Jeffrey A. Schaler
"What has allowed us to get to the point where mental
illness and substance abuse services are viewed as
essential components of a comprehensive medical bene-
fit package," explains Tipper Gore, holder of a
master's degree in psychology and wife of Vice Pres.
Gore, is that as a country, "we have come to recognize
that mental and addictive disorders are real medical
disorders just like other physical illnesses; they are
diagnosable and treatable," (1). Ms. Gore says that 23
percent of people between the ages of 15 and 54, and
16 percent of Americans ages 65 and older, suffer from
"depression." Five percent of all children under
the age of 8 have "severe emotional disturbances"
and at least 10 percent of children in the U.S.
manifest a specific "learning disability." Alcohol
use disorders allegedly affect approximately 23 % of
the population, and drug use disorders affect about 12
%. On the basis of these statistics, it would appear
that 89 percent of the American population suffers
from mental and addictive disorders. In other words,
almost everyone is sick. I think we need to take
another look at the difference between mental [fake]
and physical [real] illness. For the policies that we
implement based on explanations for behaviors and ill-
ness can vary significantly. "Ideas," wrote Richard
Weaver, "have consequences," (2). Ms. Gore endorses
the "medical model" of behavior. She advances the idea
that biological factors determine "mental disorders."
There two other explanatory models used by social
scientists - and the public is generally unaware of
that. Psychological models focus on self-environment
interaction. Those may include free-will oriented,
existential perspectives on human behavior, as well as
deterministic approaches such as psychoanalysis and
behaviorism. Those may also include volitional-
learning approaches such as social-cognitive theory.
Sociocultural models explain abnormal behaviors
through norms and mores. Those proponents may
question the existence of mental disorders, i.e.,
that they are social inventions, not scientific
discoveries. For example, they view homelessness as a
socioeconomic problem. Ms. Gore sees it as untreated
mental illness. What we may do [or won't do] about
homelessness varies by the explanation that we give
for it. It's important for the public to realize that
psychology and psychiatry are not "hard" sciences like
chemistry or engineering. Behavior is choice, the
function of moral agency. Thus, the state should con-
sider the view that mental disorders are unlike
physical illnesses, before it gets too involved in the
"diagnosis" and "treatment" field. There are good
arguments against the idea that mental illness and
addictive disorders even exist. Certainly, the
medical model dominates public policy. However, by
scrutinizing mental and physical illness we may con-
clude that the two are quite different. Policy makers
should take these points in consideration. For
example, mental and addictive disorders are
"diagnosed" and "treated" based on symptoms, or sub-
jective complaints. Medical disorders are usually
diagnosed and treated based on signs, or objective
tests.
In mental and addictive disorders, people are
designated "patients" against their consent. In
medical disorders, treatment without consent occurs
only in cases of unconsciousness, for children, and
contagious disease. Real diseases occur in the body,
usually involve lesions, and are present at death.
That's not true for mental and addictive disorders.
There are no definitive lesions for any of the mental
and addictive disorders. Mental and addictive dis-
orders are diagnosed by something that a person does
and feels, e.g., acting in a peculiar fashion,
complaining of hopelessness. Real diseases are some-
thing that a person has, e.g., a person has cancer,
diabetes, or heart disease.
Mental and addictive disorders are behaviors and
thus a function of personal values. Real diseases have
little to do with morality. Clearly certain behaviors
may lead to disease: Smoking is a behavior that may
lead to cancer. Heavy drinking is a behavior that may
lead to liver disease. No matter how "good" or "bad"
people are, they're equally susceptible to con-
tracting a disease, e.g., AIDS. Furthermore, people
can change behaviors through desire, but they cannot
change their disease by desiring to be well. People
labeled with addictive disorder are often "treated"
with spiritual-conversion experience, e.g., "turning
one's life over to a higher power" as in Alcoholics
Anonymous. That's not so for physical diseases. More-
over, drug addicts get "better" when they give up
heroin and cocaine. Diabetics get worse when they give
up insulin (3). Finally, real diseases are listed in
standard textbooks on pathology. Mental and addictive
disorders are not. Most behaviors referred to as
mental and addictive disorders are categorized in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American
Psychiatric Association as not having an organic base:
"The diagnosis is made only when it cannot be establi-
shed that an organic factor initiated and maintained
the disturbance," here referring to "schizophrenia,"
(4). As Thomas Szasz explains, the medicalization of
socially deviant behavior is moralism masquerading as
medicine, (5). The government has no place telling
people how to behave, when their behavior harms no one
but themselves. I submit that the government has no
place telling people how they should regard them-
selves, e.g., dictating self concept. When government
gets involved in "treating" mental disorders that's
exactly what it ends up doing - dictating an
"appropriate" way for people to think about themselves
and the world. As constitutional scholar Lawrence
Tribe wrote: "Not surprisingly the [Supreme] Court has
insisted that activities actually going on within the
head are absolutely beyond the power of government to
control. In a society whose whole constitutional
heritage rebels at the thought of giving the govern-
ment the power to control men's minds, the governing
institutions, and especially the courts, must not only
reject direct attempts to exercise forbidden
domination over mental processes; they must strictly
examine as well oblique intrusions likely to produce,
or designed to produce, the same result," (6) That
church-state entanglement through health-care reform
may bring unanticipated conflict regarding First
Amendment rights violations is one reason why
coverage for mental and addictive disorders is
inappropriate. The fact that mental and addictive dis-
orders are quite different from "real" diseases is
another. The economic drain on coverage for legitimate
diseases that people cannot control because of
"mental-health coverage" is perhaps the most
important, (7). While Ms. Gore, as Mental Health Ad-
visor to Pres. Clinton, asserts that people with
"mental illness" and "drug addictions are just like
those with cancer, diabetes, AIDS, and heart disease,
a person with diabetes is hardly like a heroin addict.
Those struggling with cancer are hardly like people
labeled "manic-depressive." Psychiatry and psycho-
therapy should remain personal, contractual engage-
ments and belong in the private sector, free of any
and all state intrusion and involvement.
Notes
1. Gore, T. (1994). Moving policy toward medical
reality: Mental and addictive disorders and
the Health Security Act. Treatment Today,
Vol. 6., No. 1, 6-9.
2. Weaver, R. (1962). Ideas have consequences.
Chicago: Phoenix Books.
3. The idea was suggested to me by Nelson Bolero,
MD, in 1989.
4. American Psychiatric Association. (1987).
DST-III-R. Washington, D.C.; American
Psychiatric Association, p. 187.
5. Szasz, T. (1994). Cruel compassion:
Psychiatric control of society Us unwanted.
New York: Wiley.
6. Tribe, L. (1988). Constitutional law, 2nd
Ed., p. 1315.
7. Hilzenrath, D.S. (1994). The quandary over
Mental health care costs. The Washington
Post, July 25, A6.
SECTION E: RESOURCE UPDATE
--------------------------------------------------
| This section is intended for articles describing |
| new resources to encourage the use of resources |
| currently available on the net. |
--------------------------------------------------
E-1 Scientific articles available via anonymous
FTP on ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS -
PARAPSYCHOLOGY - HYPNOSIS - TRANSPERSONAL
PSYCHOLOGY - HUMAN POTENTIAL - MEDITATION
As an aid to education and communication, Charles
T. Tart, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the
Davis campus of the University of California,
internationally known for pioneering scientific
work in the above and related areas, is gradually
making reprints of his published journal articles
and miscellaneous papers available, via anonymous
ftp, to whoever is interested. These are mostly
from scientific journals, but are generally quite
readable to the educated layman. Computer users
with access to the Internet can access the
archive as follows:
Connect to ftp server, "ftp.ucdavis.edu".
Log in as username "anonymous".
Send your e-mail address as the ident/password string.
cd to /pub/fztart.
A "dir" command will show you what is available.
A "get" command will retrieve documents.
The file "current-contents" will be updated regularly,
showing what papers are available, often with an abstract
of each. For more information, contact Jonathan Steven
Hurwitz, jsh@hsri.org
E-2 HEALTH INFOCOM NEWSLETTER
The Health InfoCom Newsletter, issues HICN751 and
HICN752 are now available for pickup. The table of
contents are listed below. For more information
contact David Dodell, Editor, HICNet Medical
Newsletter (david@stat.com)
The Health Infocom Newsletter can be requested in
one of three ways:
FTP: vm1.nodak.edu /HICNEWS as HICNxxx.NWS
MOSAIC: Asia/Pacific: http:
//biomed.nus.sg/MEDNEWS/welcome.html
Americas: http:
//cancer.med.upenn.edu:3000/
E-MAIL: file-request@stat.com:
The first line of text much be:
get /waffle/files/mednews/hicnxxx.nws
__________________________________________________
HICNet Medical News Digest Sun, 16 Oct 1994
Volume 07 : Issue 51
Today's Topics:
[MMWR 11 Oct 94] Vaccination Coverage of 2-year
Old Children
[MMWR] Missed Opportunities to Vaccinate
Pre-School Children
[MMWR] Childhood Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
[MMWR] Certification of Poliomyelitis
Erradication
[MMWR] Update: Human Plague - India, 1994
Scientists Net Major Shrimp Allergen
Low-Cal Diets: Can they prolong life?
___________________________________________________
HICNet Medical News Digest Sun, 16 Oct 1994
Volume 07 : Issue 52
Today's Topics:
Internet Availability of PEEM Guidelines
forecasting Vector-Borne Disease.
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology - Fall
1994 Courses.
AIDS Daily News Summaries.
SECTION F: CALENDAR
--------------------------------------------------------------
| For free listing of your conference or event, please send us|
| the following information: dates of event, title, sponsor,|
| location, continuing education credits (if applicable),|
| and the name, e-mail address, physical address, and phone|
| number of a contact person. All notices should be sent by|
| the first Friday of the month to the IPN Mailbox: |
| (udipn@badlands.nodak.edu). |
--------------------------------------------------------------
*OCTOBER*
October 29, Annual conference of the New York
Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. Fordham
University. The subject this year is the
narcissistic and the difficult patient in
Psychoanalysis. (jacques450@aol.com)
*NOVEMBER*
November 4-6, Current Topics In the Law and
Mental Health. The Westin Hotel, Seattle,
Washington, USA. Sponsored by Missoula
Psychiatric Services. For Registration and
Information, contact: Professionally Planned
Ltd, Post Office Box 5626, Missoula, Montana
59806, 406-542-7526
November 11-13, Objectivity and Truth in the
Natural Sciences, the Social Sciences and the
Humanities. Boston Marriott, Cambridge, USA.
For information call (609) 683-7878, or
e-mail: (nas@nas.org)
November 12-13, The 7th Symposium on
Creativity, Psychopathology and Adaptation.
Theme: Women and Creativity. The Department of
Psychiatry of the Montreal General Hospital.
Contact Cathy Tsagaroulis, Room 675, 1650
Cedar Avenue, Montreal, P.Q. H3G 1A4. Please
include name, address, telephone number and
practice/ affiliation.
November 18-20, European Trauma Conference:
Trauma Treatment in the 90's: Towards the 21st
Century. Presented by the UK and Finland
Members of the International Association of
Trauma Counsellors. The Birch Hotel, Haywards
Heath, Sussex, United Kingdom. Conference is
endorsed by Saybrook Institute. Contact: Lori
Beth Bisbey (100334.3363@compuserve.com),
phone:44-342-323107. Fax:44-342-324316.
November 27-December 9, SOFSEM'94: XXI-st
International Winter School on theoretical and
practical aspects of computer science.
Milovy, Czech Republic. Organized by Czech and
Slovak Societies for Computer Science and
Czech ACM Chapter SOFSEM (SOFtware SEMinar).
Contact: (sofsem@muni.cz)
*JANUARY*
January 18-22, Authority, Leadership and
Organizational Life, A Residential Conference
sponsored by The Center for the Study of
Groups and Social Systems, Boston Center of
the A.K. Rice Institute, Mont Marie Conference
Center, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. For
brochure and application contact: Dannielle
Kennedy, Ph.D. Associate Director for
Administration, 54 Clairemont Road, Belmont,
MA 02178, 617-489-4734
*APRIL*
April 3-7, The Tenth Biennial Conference on
Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science
organized by the Society for the Study of
Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of
Behaviour. Halifax Hall of Residence &
Computer Science Department, University of
Sheffield, Sheffield, ENGLAND. Contact:
Conference programme chair, John Hallam,
Department of Artificial Intelligence,
University of Edinburgh, 5 Forrest Hill,
Edinburgh EH1 2QL, SCOTLAND. Phone: + 44 31
650 3097, FAX: + 44 31 650 6899. E-mail:
(john@aifh.edinburgh.ac.uk)
*MAY*
May 23-25, International Conference on
Research and Practice in Attention Deficit
Disorders, Jerusalem, Israel. Division of
Special Education of The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, and B'Yahad, the Israeli national
parent's education and support organization
for families of children with Attention
Deficit Disorders. Scholarly papers are
currently being solicited. Tom Gumpel, Ph.D.,
Chair, Scientific Committee, The Hebrew
University of Jerusalem,
(TGUMPEL@vms.huji.ac.il)
*JUNE*
June 21-24, Twelfth Annual International
Conference in Literature-and-Psychology,
University of Freiburg, Freiburg in Breisgau
(Germany). Please send your title and a
150-word abstract to Professor Andrew Gordon
at IPSA (agordon@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu). For
more information, contact Norman N. Holland
(nnh@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu)
*JULY*
July 10-13, "20th International Conference on
Improving University Teaching". Hong Kong.
For instructions on submitting a paper or
proposal and further information about the
conference, e-mail (iut@umuc.umd.edu)
SECTION G: ANNOUNCEMENTS
--------------------------------------------------
| This section contains general announcements that |
| are relevant to the InterPsych Community. Send |
| announcements to the IPN Mailbox: |
| (udipn@badlands.nodak.edu). |
--------------------------------------------------
1. INTERPSYCH JOURNAL - Request for Input
InterPsych is in the process of negotiating with
two publishers regarding publication of an
electronically distributed, peer-reviewed journal.
Initial plans are to publish short empirical
articles in psychiatry, clinical psychology, and
experimental psychopathology.
We are currently gathering additional information
to include with the proposal that we are submitting
to the publishers. As part of this effort it would
be useful to hear from members of the academic
community about those aspects of electronically
distributed journals that would influence decisions
about submitting or subscribing to (or reading)
such a journal.
Relevant factors might include mode of access,
cost, level of scholarly review, stature of
editorial board, scope of content coverage,
circulation, speed of publication, etc.
We would be pleased if you would take a few moments
to send us your opinion on these matters. Please
direct comments to David L. DiLalla, Ph.D.
(GA3977@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU)
2. GRANTS
The International Research and Exchanges Board
(IREX) has just recently released information
concerning grant opportunities for United States
citizens and universities, at the graduate-level
and higher, for the academic year 1995 - 1996.
Eligibility differs from program to program, but
all IREX grants are targeted to scholars of the
social sciences /humanities pursuing academic
interests in the Newly Independent States, Central
& Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
More comprehensive information on IREX funding can
be obtained from our gopher server: info.irex.org,
port 70. Users without gopher capability should
contact (irex%irexmain@irex.org) for more
information.
3. DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNS AVAILABLE
The new Directory of Research Opportunities for
Clinical Psychology Interns, edited by Jack
Blanchard, is now available. One hundred and fifty
five programs are described. One of the most
important features of the new Directory is a
listing of the psychological interventions that are
taught and/or supervised at each site. The list is
derived from the Division 12 Task Force chaired by
Dianne Chambless. This is a gold mine of
information for prospective interns. Those wishing
to purchase the Directory may call Graywind at
518-438-3231. Please let your students know about
this outstanding Directory! (U21B4@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU)
4. PANEL ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN'S
SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING
Dr. Haste is putting together a panel proposal on
the development of children's scientific
understanding for the BPS Annual Conference which
is April 1-4 in Warwick. The deadline for the
proposal submission is October 31. If anyone is
interested in joining in, please contact him with a
brief summary of your proposed paper.
(H.E.Haste@bath.ac.uk)
5. CARE IN PLACE: The International Journal of
Networks and Community.
Care in Place offers an international forum for
reviews and reports of developments in human
services, legislation and theory. Care in Place
emphasizes cross-professional relationships and the
widest possible focus on all groups served by
community or neighborhood systems. Send
manuscripts to: Professor Phil Barker (Editor)
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle
Upon Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon
Tyne NE1 4LP, ENGLAND Fax: 091 227 5108
(P.J.Barker@Newcastle.ac.uk)
For subscription or single copies, either contact
your usual supplier or:
Routledge Subscriptions, ITPS Ltd., Cheriton House
North Way, Andover SP10 5BE, United Kingdom
Fax:+44(0)264 342807
Rates: Institution: $90.00 (USA/Can) Personal $46.00
6. ATTENTION IP MEMBERS ATTENDING AABT
David Fresco will be maintaining of list of
InterPsych members who will be attending the AABT
in San Diego, CA., USA. Members interested in
meeting should contact him at
(fresco@gibbs.oit.unc.edu)
7. PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER COURSE SURVEY
We are conducting a survey about the availability
of a course on the PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER at the
undergraduate level in Psychology. If your
University program offers a course on this topic,
could you please send us a short description of it
(curriculum); please specify if the course is
obligatory in your program. Please send your answer
to (pac@cam.org)
SECTION H: EMPLOYMENT
--------------------------------------------------
| This section is intended for listing current job |
| openings in positions relevant to InterPsych |
| members. Send job postings to the IPN Mailbox: |
| (udipn@badlands.nodak.edu). |
--------------------------------------------------
BOARD CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIST
The Augusta Mental Health Institute has an
available position for a board certified
psychiatrist to join a staff of ten in treating the
most seriously ill in the State of Maine with
state-of-the-art care. We offer the opportunity
for satisfying practice in a friendly collegial
environment. Salary and benefits are highly
competitive. South-central Maine offers a
comfortable and pleasant style of life. Please
send your CV to William Anderson, M.D., Director of
Clinical Services, Augusta Mental Health Institute,
P.O. Box 724, Augusta ME 04332-0724 USA.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICE-Maine Mental Health
Facility Augusta Mental Health Institute is
currently taking assertive steps to re-focus on its
true mission and move toward a stronger emphasis on
community based treatment. We are seeking an
individual with strong leadership/administrative
skills to guide the department of Social Work
Services in the crucial role it will play in AMHI's
future. We need a candidate with an MAW and at
least 3 years of clinical background who has a
thorough understanding of hospital/community
systems with an emphasis on creative discharge
planning. Specific experience with individuals
suffering from major psychiatric disorders is
essential. We offer a competitive salary and major
benefits package offered to State of Maine
employees. If you are looking for a challenge with
the opportunity to truly make a difference, please
send your resume and letter of application to:
Nicole Morin-Scribner, Assistant Director of Human
Services, P.O. Box 724, Augusta ME 04332-0724 USA
AA/EOE
_________________________________________________
INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA invites
applications for permanent, tenure-track positions
in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (ASSOCIATE/FULL PROFESSOR)
and DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR);
initial appointment is for
September, 1995. The current department of 24
offers an APA-accredited PsyD in clinical
psychology which follows a practitioner model of
training with a strong commitment to science-based
education. Approximately 10-15 graduate
students are accepted annually. The department also
houses the Center for Applied Psychology, a
clinical services facility, which provides
opportunities for clinical training and research.
On the undergraduate level, the department offers
1. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (Associate/Full Professor,
depending on qualifications): Applicants should
have a doctorate from an APA-accredited
program; eligibility for Pennsylvania licensure is
desirable. Preference will be given to applicants
who can contribute to graduate teaching and
supervision in the area of psychological assessment
and/or clinical neuropsychology. Outstanding
applicants with expertise in other areas of
clinical psychology
including behavioral medicine and child/family
therapy will be considered.
2. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (Assistant Professor):
Applicants should have a doctorate in developmental
psychology; preference will be given to applicants
with a specialization in child psychology. Teaching
responsibilities will include undergraduate courses
in child and adolescent psychology; other course
assignments will depend on the applicant's
expertise and interests. FOR BOTH POSITIONS, a
commitment to excellence in both undergraduate and
graduate education and research is essential.
Individual initiatives in any form of scholarly
activity, including grant writing, are encouraged.
IUP is the largest university in Pennsylvania's
State System of Higher Education and is located
approximately 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Applications should be received by Feb. 15, 1995
for full consideration; review of applications will
continue until the positions are filled. Letters of
application, vitae, transcripts, three letters of
reference (one of which must be from your current
employer/supervisor), and supporting materials
should be sent to: Dr. Mary Lou Zanich, Chair -
Clinical Search Committee or Developmental Search
Committee, 316-P Clark Hall, Department of
Psychology, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705-1068. Women
and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
IUP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.