Keeping the brain in mind: why neuroscience matters to 21st-century psychiatrists. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tracy, Derek K.
• Editors: Cuttle, Gareth; Burn, Wendy
• Is Part Of: BJPsych advances. Volume 26:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Neuroscience, -- psychiatry, -- education and training; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bja.2020.13
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4678

Abstract

SUMMARY: Psychiatry intertwines mind and brain, sometimes in a strained marriage. Psychiatrists feel the criticism of a 'narrow' biological or medical (and medication) focus, and we are very aware of the limitations of all treatments and diagnostic systems. Many understandably move towards a more social approach, seeing individuals in their wider lives. But there are dangers in losing the brain, something unique to our specialty in the world of mental health. This reflective piece calls for us to rediscover the joy of the science of the brain, which augments, not conflicts with, psychosocial approaches.