Why do some people experience severe anxiety, depression, addiction, or psychosis, and how have psychologists attempted to understand and treat these conditions? Across history, mental illness has been understood in many ways, from moral failing or spiritual disturbance to disorders of the body’s chemistry. Today, research in psychology, neuroscience, and medicine seeks to explain how changes in the brain give rise to the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that define mental illness. 

In this course, we will explore the science of mental health by examining the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. We will consider how researchers study the brain and behaviour, how discoveries in brain science have shaped modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and how the stigmatisation of mental illness has influenced policies and practices over time. Through a combination of readings, case studies, and first-person accounts of mental illness and recovery, we will examine topics including the biology behind our behaviour, the diagnosis of mental illness, and the range of therapies used to treat psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, and addiction. We will also examine emerging areas of research, including the renewed interest in psychedelic substances as emerging treatments for trauma-related disorders.

A residential study trip includes a visit to the Bethlem Museum of the Mind and the Wellcome Collection, where students will examine the historical development of psychiatric diagnosis and explore contemporary cultural perspectives on the brain, body, and medical knowledge. 

Professor: Jared Schwartzer, Professor of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, jjschwar@mtholyoke.edu