Brain function can start declining 'as early as age 45'

Some interesting research being done in the UK shows that brain function can start declining "as early as age 45". Previous research had suggested that cognitive decline does not begin much before the age of 60.

These new findings indicate that the early changes in Alzheimer's could begin much earlier than we once thought. Take a look at the short video above!

A documentary about Mental Illness in Ethiopia

After the Italians left during their occupation of Ethiopia, Amanuel Hospital was used as an asylum for the mentally ill. There were no psychiatrists or nurses; the patients were just locked up. 

However, Amanuel Hospital has changed alot over the last few decades, in large part due to a collaboration with the University of Toronto. Here, you get a close look into this beautiful country and how a psychiatry residency was established. 

The stigma of mental illness remains one of the main obstacles in treating mentally ill patients. Seeing a psychiatrist is often the last resort in Ethiopia, where the majority believe that mental illness is caused by spirits. People usually seek a number of traditional healers before even considering seeing a psychiatrist.

Psychiatry Career Paths

The few short videos featured above give you a picture of the breadth of psychiatry.


The following are featured: addiction psychiatry, military psychiatry, child & adolescent psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, and resident mentorship.   

Synesthesia: senses linked together

Synesthesia is a condition where people are born with 2 or more of their senses hooked together, making them see sounds, taste colors, hear smells, etc.

It is estimated that 1 in 90 people have synesthesia, and if you have one type of synesthesia, you have more than a 50% chance of having another type of synesthesia.

This video is one of the best I've seen about this unique condition! Take a look!

Jerusalem syndrome

From the youtube summary: 

The Jerusalem syndrome is a group of mental phenomena involving the presence of either religiously themed obsessive ideas, delusions, or other psychosis-like experiences that are triggered by a visit to the city of Jerusalem.
It is not endemic to one single religion or denomination but has affected Jews, Christians, and Muslims of many different backgrounds.

Rare and Unusual Psychiatric Syndromes

Great find by Deb!
http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/rare-psych?src=mp&spon=25

Number 2 explains Capgras syndrome, a disorder which is characterized by a person's delusional belief that an acquaintance (usually a spouse or close family member) has been replaced by an identical looking imposter.

Here's a clip of a patient with Capgras syndrome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqBGzkz1oDU
David even believed the house he was living in was an imitation of his real house!

Telepsychiatry in Australia

Telepsychiatry is the use of communications technology to provide psychiatric services from a distance. 

Its application has provided a tremendous boost in mental health services to remote communities. 

Here, you get glimpse of telepsychiatry in Australia, an international leader in the field. The limitations and advantages of using telepsychiatry were well explained here (click the red title to access it)