The InterPsych Newsletter 2(1)
IPN 2(1) Section C: InterPsych and Special Interest Group Update
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THE INTERPSYCH NEWSLETTER AUG-OCT, 1994
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SECTION C:
INTERPSYCH AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
UPDATE
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| 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). |
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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]
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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
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| 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
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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
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This list promotes the exchange of ideas on matters
relevant to clinical psychology, and particularly
to the practice of clinical psychology.
3. CLINICAL-PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
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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
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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
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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
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To serve as a forum for the scholarly and collegial
discussion of issues in forensic psychiatry.
8. HELPLESSNESS
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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]
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)