InkBlot w Manan

Manan Thakrar

Manan is a Consultant Psychiatrist, based in London. He loves reading and talking to Interesting People DeepDiving into their lives, their work and their interests. Subscribe to the podcast and stay tuned.

Episodes

  1. 01/06/2024

    1.12 Evolution of Psychiatric Diagnosis : Dr Bhaskar Mukherjee

    Summary The conversation covers the evolution of psychiatric diagnosis from Wilhelm Griesinger to the development of DSM-5, highlighting the influence of psychoanalysis, biopsychosocial model, and the limitations of the DSM system. It also delves into the historical context of psychiatry, the impact of hyper-nationalism, and the role of social media in shaping scientific collaboration. The conversation delves into the limitations of DSM and ICD criteria in psychiatry, the impact on clinical trials, and the need for a new taxonomy of brain disorders. It also explores the future direction of psychiatry, the merging of neurology and psychiatry, and the potential impact of AI on humanity. Keywords: psychiatry, DSM, psychiatric diagnosis, Wilhelm Griesinger, psychoanalysis, biopsychosocial model, hyper-nationalism, social media, scientific collaboration, DSM, ICD, psychiatry, clinical trials, taxonomy, brain disorders, neurology, AI, humanity Takeaways The historical evolution of psychiatric diagnosis from Wilhelm Griesinger to the development of DSM-5. The influence of psychoanalysis and the biopsychosocial model on psychiatric diagnosis. The impact of hyper-nationalism on the practice of psychiatry and the role of social media in shaping scientific collaboration. The limitations of DSM and ICD criteria in psychiatry have led to challenges in clinical trials and the need for a new taxonomy of brain disorders. The future direction of psychiatry may involve the merging of neurology and psychiatry, leading to a new discipline focused on treating the whole brain and spinal cord. The potential impact of AI on humanity raises questions about the development of sentient AI and its implications for the future of humanity. Evolution of Psychiatric Diagnosis Impact of Hyper-Nationalism on Psychiatry The Impact of AI on Humanity The Future Direction of Psychiatry "Today, what we are going to be discussing is something which would be very fascinating or interesting, I think, for a lot of not only students, but also for practicing consultant psychiatrists like ourselves." "Any discussion of psychiatric diagnosis should start with Wilhelm Griesinger, the unknown father of psychiatry whom psychiatry does not remember." "DSM-3 was not only a diagnostic manual, it was a political manual, it was a social manual." "DSM and ICD criteria's limitations have led to challenges in clinical trials and the need for a new taxonomy of brain disorders." "The merging of neurology and psychiatry may lead to a new discipline focused on treating the whole brain and spinal cord." "The potential impact of AI on humanity raises questions about the development of sentient AI and its implications for the future of humanity." Chapters 00:00Evolution of Psychiatric Diagnosis 18:54Influence of Psychoanalysis and Biopsychosocial Model 27:51Impact of Hyper-Nationalism on Psychiatry 36:05Role of Social Media in Scientific Collaboration 42:49Challenges of DSM and ICD in Psychiatry 54:35The Future Direction of Psychiatry 01:29:20The Impact of AI on Humanity

    1hr 28min
  2. 18/05/2024

    1.11 My CESR Story : Dr. Sharath Vishwaraj

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Manan Thakrar interviews Sharath Vishwaraj about his journey to obtaining the CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) in psychiatry. They discuss Sharath's training in India, his move to the UK, and his experience with the CESR fellowship program. They also touch on topics such as the evaluation form, the importance of a supportive trust, and the challenges and successes of the CESR pathway. In this part of the conversation, Sharath Vishwaraj discusses the evidence he submitted for his portfolio. He mentions that he received support and guidance from his team, which gave him confidence in his submissions. He submitted roughly 30 case histories, with two cases each from child and adolescent psychiatry and older people's psychiatry. He also provided evidence of his work in child and adolescent psychiatry through case-based discussions and presentations. For older people's psychiatry, he submitted his formulation and had discussions with the consultant. He also discussed the evidence he provided for psychology, including CBT and psychodynamic psychotherapy cases. He diversified his evidence by including different diagnoses and populations, such as mood disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. He also highlighted the importance of reflection and summary statements in his portfolio. In this conversation, Sharath Vishwaraj and Dr. Manan Thakrar discuss the process of submitting a CESR portfolio. They provide advice on how to approach the portfolio, including the importance of specialty-specific guidance, evidence triangulation, and reflections. They emphasize the need for computer skills and organization in managing the portfolio. They also highlight the importance of emotional support and teamwork throughout the process. Sharath expresses his gratitude to the individuals who supported him during his CESR journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Initial Journey 03:32 Congratulations on Obtaining CESR 04:56 CESR Without MRC Psych 09:14 The CESR Fellowship Program 14:23 Insights from the Evaluation Form 23:06 The Role of a Supportive Trust 25:45 Navigating the Challenges of CESR 26:45 The Benefits of CESR Evaluators as Tutors 27:42 Submitting Evidence for the Portfolio 33:02 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Older People's Psychiatry Evidence 37:38 Inpatient Evidence 39:52 Assessment Team and Community Team Evidence 41:39 Diversifying Diagnoses and Populations 44:54 Importance of Reflection and Summary Statements 48:39 Navigating the Specialty-Specific Guidance 49:38 Triangulating Evidence and Reflections 50:36 The Importance of Computer Skills 51:35 Emotional Support and Teamwork 59:29 Organizing Your Portfolio for Submission Say Hi to me on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mananrt/

    1hr 7min
  3. 20/04/2024

    1.9 My Mental Health Story : Bipolar Disorder : Gabe Howard

    Summary In this conversation, Gabe Howard shares his journey with bipolar disorder and the challenges he faced growing up. He discusses his childhood, the misconceptions his parents had about his symptoms, and the impact it had on his mental health. Gabe also talks about his experience living in a small town and the differences he noticed compared to a big city. He opens up about his first contact with mental health services and his first psychiatric hospitalization. Lastly, he shares how he coped with the grief of a failed relationship. In this conversation, Gabe Howard shares his personal experience of dealing with the loss of a relationship and the challenges he faced in grieving and moving forward. He discusses the importance of making future plans and finding stability in life. Gabe also highlights the ups and downs of recovery and emphasizes that stability is not a straight line. He sheds light on the challenges in the mental health care system, particularly in the United States, and the need for improvement. Gabe shares his journey as a mental health advocate and the importance of bringing a personal perspective to the conversation. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 05:23Childhood and Upbringing 12:15Early Signs and Symptoms 24:23First Contact with Mental Health Services 28:26First Psychiatric Hospitalization 30:46Coping with Grief 31:14Dealing with the Loss of a Relationship 33:22Moving Forward and Making Future Plans 35:40Finding Happiness and Stability 40:27Ups and Downs in Recovery 43:24Challenges in the Mental Health Care System 48:24Advocating for Mental Health 54:44Working in the Mental Health Field -------------------- Follow Gabe on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askabipolar/ https://linkin.bio/gabehoward29/ -------------------- Track: Noise — gbry.svg [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Noise — gbry.svg | Free Background Mu...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/noise-gbrysvg -------------------- Like | Share | Subscribe to the channel for further episodes and content. -------------------- Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mananrt/

    1hr 2min
  4. 07/04/2024

    1.8 Understanding Psychographics : Barry LaBov

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Manan Thakrar interviews Barry LaBov, a marketing expert and author, about the role of psychology in marketing. They discuss the concept of psychographics and how it goes beyond traditional demographics in understanding consumer behavior. LaBov provides examples of how companies use psychographics to target specific populations and create effective marketing strategies. They also explore how psychographics can shape a company's internal culture and help define its unique identity. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity and sincerity in marketing and the evolving nature of the field in the global economy. In this conversation, Barry LaBov discusses the power of differentiation in branding and marketing. He highlights the aspirational brand of Apple and how it has become synonymous with innovation and aspiration. LaBov emphasizes the marketing genius of Steve Jobs and the importance of unique attributes in a brand. He also discusses the significance of understanding customer psychographics and the role of employees as the face of the brand. LaBov explores the challenges and considerations in making pivots and changing brand identity. He shares case studies of companies that failed to adapt and the consequences of not understanding customer psychographics. LaBov concludes by discussing the importance of aligning employees with the brand's vision and managing HR and quality control in scaling businesses. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting 01:40 Introducing Barry LaBov and his book 03:19 The Role of Psychology in Marketing 04:31 Understanding Psychographics 06:41 Psychographics in Action: Harley Davidson vs BMW 07:36 Psychographics in Marketing Church Insurance 09:04 Identifying Psychographics in Different Professions 12:38 Psychographics and the Unique Identity of Companies 15:01 Discovering the Ethos of a Company 24:04 Using Psychographics to Define a Company's Uniqueness 29:58 Psychographics and the Evolution of Marketing 31:52 Psychographics and the Impact on Companies 34:48 The Aspirational Brand of Apple 37:15 Creating Synonymity with Innovation and Aspiration 38:50 The Marketing Genius of Steve Jobs 40:41 The Importance of Unique Attributes in a Brand 43:35 Understanding the Psychographics of Customers 45:01 The Importance of Employees as the Face of the Brand 46:38 Knowing When and How to Pivot 48:26 Balancing Innovation and Stability in a Brand 52:24 Identifying Core Values and Making Pivots 55:27 Factors in Deciding to Change Brand Identity 57:51 Consequences of Not Understanding Customer Psychographics 58:18 Case Studies of Companies that Failed to Adapt 01:02:19 Aligning Employees with the Brand's Vision 01:03:12 Managing HR and Quality Control in Scaling Businesses ----------------------------------- Find and know more about Barry on: www.labov.comwww.barrylabov.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241/https://www.facebook.com/LabovMarketing/?paipv=0&eav=AfYfHwUcDhnak_zlZkMNgOnLxAwBaB2qAoKDcOsVkaiwkF1GfPzUCX9Rx0wsmsny5Q&_rdrhttps://www.instagram.com/labovmktg/https://Twitter.com/labovandbeyond ---------------------------------------- Music Courtesy: In Your Eyes - Tobjan / tobjanmusic Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/44AZXiUMusic promoted by Audio Library https://bit.ly/3P7hXet ------------------------------------------- Say Hi to me:Follow me on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mananrt/ / mananrt

    1hr 10min
  5. 21/03/2024

    1.7 DeepDive Neurobiology of Delusions & Hallucinations : Dr Bhaskar Mukherjee

    Summary Dr. Bhaskar Mukherjee discusses the normal functioning of the brain and how it responds to various challenges. He explains the evolutionary perspective of the brain and its role in controlling the body's internal environment. The brain continuously adjusts and adapts to changes in the external and social environment. Dr. Mukherjee also highlights the importance of understanding normal brain function before discussing pathology. This part of the conversation explores the normal physiology and pathology of the brain, specifically focusing on delusion and hallucination formation. It discusses the distinction between illness behavior and depression, as well as the role of personal opinions in psychosis. The chapters also delve into the neuroscience behind delusion and hallucination, including the executive function, motivation, and reward circuits. The molecular basis of these phenomena is explored, along with the cellular metabolic profile and neuronal vulnerability. Additionally, the role of neuroanatomical defects, glial support, and the innate immune system is examined. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the molecular surveillance pathway and its connection to cancer. In this conversation, Dr. Bhaskar Mukherjee discusses the molecular pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, highlighting the role of neuronal activity and genetic abnormalities. He explains the connection between psychiatric symptoms and the development of malignancies, emphasizing the importance of molecular surveillance genes. The conversation then delves into the understanding of obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit traits, challenging the traditional diagnostic approach. Dr. Mukherjee also addresses the conundrum of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) and the need for a comprehensive treatment approach. The conversation concludes with a call for humility and continuous learning in the field of psychiatry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:30 Basic Working Knowledge of the Brain 12:42 Normal Functioning of the Brain 15:18 Psychosis and Development of Symptoms 37:09 Moving towards Pathology 38:06 Differentiating Illness Behavior and Depression 39:04 Psychosis and Personal Opinions 42:03 The Basis of Delusion 43:14 Hallucinations and Sensory Perception Abnormalities 47:19 Visual and Auditory Systems 51:20 Neuroscience of Delusion and Hallucination 52:50 Executive Function, Motivation, and Reward Circuits 56:48 Molecular Basis of Delusion Formation 01:00:16 Normal Physiology and Pathology 01:01:43 Neurobiological Basis of Delusion and Hallucination 01:03:22 Molecular Neuroscience and Brain Complexity 01:04:14 Cellular Metabolic Profile and Neuronal Vulnerability 01:06:12 Neuroanatomical Defects and Glial Support 01:09:26 Misdirected Synapses and Innate Immune System 01:17:11 Pacemakers and Intracellular Molecular Front 01:19:09 Molecular Surveillance Pathway and Cancer 01:20:40 Molecular Pathogenesis of Psychiatric Disorders 01:25:42 Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive and Attention Deficit Traits 01:44:08 Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) 01:58:30 The Need for a Comprehensive Treatment Approach in Psychiatry 02:01:28 The Importance of Humility and Continuous Learning in Psychiatry

    2h 3m
  6. 02/03/2024

    1.6 My Mental Health Story : @Schizophrenic.NYC

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Manan Thakrar interviews Michelle Hammer, the founder of Schizophrenic NYC, about her mental health journey and the inspiration behind her clothing line. Michelle shares her experiences with schizophrenia, including the onset of symptoms in ninth grade and her struggles with self-esteem and relationships. She also discusses her childhood in Westchester and her decision to start her own business. The conversation provides insights into the challenges faced by individuals with mental health conditions and the importance of destigmatizing mental illness. In this conversation, Michell Hammer discusses her experiences with mental health and the challenges she faced. She talks about finding comfort in close friends and the reluctance to seek help. Michell shares how she eventually accepted help in college and the role that medications played in her journey. She also highlights the challenges in the US mental health system, including limited access to therapy and expensive medications. Michell discusses her experiences in psych wards and the stigma she faced. Finally, she shares her resilience and the various mental health initiatives she is involved in, including her podcast. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Introduction to Michelle and Schizophrenic NYC 14:06 Childhood and Growing Up 19:06 Finding Comfort in Close Friends 20:06 Reluctance to Seek Help 20:40 Accepting Help in College2 2:35 The Role of Medications in Mental Health 27:38 Challenges in the US Mental Health System 33:03 Experiences in Psych Wards 35:55 Stigma and Resilience 37:42 Other Mental Health Initiatives

    37 min
  7. 17/02/2024

    1.5 "Investors hesitate to put money in a Mental Health Startup" conversation with Mikul

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Manan Thakrar interviews Mikul, a product manager at Microsoft, IIT and IIM alumni and co-founder of Mood Cafe, a mental health startup. They discuss the background and conceptualization of Mood Cafe, the challenges faced during the development process, and the entrepreneurship and mental health connection. Mikul shares insights into the research and development of Mood Cafe, including the creation of a game-based mental health assessment. He also discusses the financing and revenue model of the startup and mentions some competitors in the market. In this conversation, Mikul shares his experiences with Mood Cafe, a mental health startup in India. He discusses the mental health landscape in India and the challenges faced by startups in the industry. Mikul also talks about the cost and operations of Mood Cafe, including funding, staffing, and marketing strategies. He addresses the legal and ethical concerns of providing mental health services and highlights the importance of profitability in sustaining a startup. Mikul explores the role of AI in mental health and envisions an ideal universally acceptable mental health startup.Takeaways Mood Cafe was conceptualized as a solution to bridge the gap in mental health support and provide accessible and anonymous help. The development of Mood Cafe involved extensive research, including the creation of a game-based mental health assessment. The startup faced challenges with video and audio during the conversation, leading to the decision to record the interview over Zoom. Entrepreneurship and mental health are closely linked, and Mood Cafe aimed to provide support for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The financing of Mood Cafe involved initial funding from alumni and government grants, but the revenue model faced challenges due to the reluctance of users to pay for mental health services. Competitors in the market included one-to-one help platforms and other mental health startups focused on counseling and therapy. The mental health industry in India is still evolving, with few startups focused on core innovation outside of counseling. Profitability is crucial for the sustainability of mental health startups, and unit economics should be considered from the beginning. AI can play a significant role in mental health, assisting with tasks such as initial assessments, reminders, and personalized interventions. Collaboration across fields, such as psychology and business administration, is essential for the success of mental health startups. An ideal mental health startup would incorporate AI, self-help resources, community support, and a diverse range of mental health experts. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 03:01Conceptualizing Mood Cafe 09:04Challenges with Video and Audio 11:28Continuing the Discussion on Mood Cafe 31:40Entrepreneurship and Mental Health 37:04Research and Development of Mood Cafe 43:14Financing and Revenue Model 50:31Competitors in the Market 52:06The Mental Health Landscape in India 56:23The Cost and Operations of Mood Cafe 59:26Marketing Strategies and User Acquisition 01:02:14Addressing Legal and Ethical Concerns 01:03:13User Engagement and Complaints 01:09:10The Importance of Profitability in Mental Health Startups 01:13:23The Role of AI in Mental Health 01:21:24The Ideal Mental Health Startup

    1 hr
  8. 12/02/2024

    1.4 "1200 patients EVERYDAY" Dr Nimesh Desai talks about working at AIIMS, NIMHANS and IHBAS

    Dr Nimesh Desai is the former director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi, India. Through his glorious career of over 4 decades, he has worked in NIMHANS, AIIMS and BJ Medical, Ahmedabad, all premier Psychiatry institutes in India. In this fascinating conversation, he reveals how he and his team built a mental health service which serves over 1200 patients in community services and 300 inpatient beds EVERY DAY. He also talks about homelessness for the mentally unwell and the Mental Health Care Act of India. Sit back, make yourself a kadak chai and watch as Dr Desai takes us on a journey of over 4 decades like only he in his masterful oration can. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Impactful Encounter 01:40 Journey in Psychiatry 02:47 Training and Influential Psychiatrists 05:14 Specialization and Work at NIMHANS and AIIMS 07:12 Differences between General Hospital and Psychiatry Institute 08:37 Joining IHBAS and Challenges Faced 09:04 Role in IHBAS and Fulfillment 12:57 Reforming Mental Health Institutions 17:41 Multi-Stakeholder Reality and Mental Health Care Act 23:16 Role of Spirituality in Mental Health Organizations 26:10 Over-Psychiatrization and Preventative Needs 29:46 Challenges with Mental Health Care Act 36:12 Cultural Contextualization of Human Rights 43:16 Psychiatrization and Phenomenology 48:03 Broad Interests in Psychiatry and Mental Health 49:23 Importance of Popular Culture in Psychiatry 50:18 Universal Models of Mind and Mental Health 51:12 The Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care 52:22 Sociological, Technological, and Economic Development and Mental Health 53:23 The Role of Spirituality in Mental Health 54:22 The Impact of Socioeconomic Changes on Mental Health 55:15 The Dilemma of a Welfare State 56:00 Empowering Individuals with Disabilities 56:44 Negative Utopias and the Future of the Human Race 57:41 The Resilience of the Human Race 58:34 The Role of AI in Mental Health Care 01:02:02 The Future of Mental Health Professions 01:13:15 Self-Care and Care for Mental Health Professionals

    1hr 12min
  9. 12/02/2024

    1.3 "CESR is very doable" conversation with Dr Nandini, Ex Associate Dean for Equivalence RCPsych

    Hear this conversation with Dr Nandini Chakraborty, who is the Ex Associate Dean for Equivalence (CESR) for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK. She is currently heading recruitment for training for Royal College of Psychiatrists. In this conversation, Manan and Dr Nandini talk about their CESR journey, misconceptions about CESR, the new KSE domains and how the equivalence pathway has changed over the years. Like, share and subscribe to this video to share it with people who are planning the CESR Pathway. Follow me on instagram for more updates :   / mananrt   Purchase Dr Nandini's book here : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Non-training...00:00 Introduction and Background 02:37 Dr. Nandini's CESR Journey 18:03 Becoming Associate Dean of Equivalence 23:53 Understanding KSE Domains 41:21 Language and Mapping of Evidence 45:23 Addressing Misconceptions and Support for IMGs 46:46 Getting Started with the Portfolio 51:52 Submitting the Application and Evidence 53:11 Knowing the ILOs and HLOs 54:04 Efficiently Organizing Evidence 55:31 Avoiding Duplicate Evidence 55:59 Submitting the Application and Timeline 56:57 Naming Documents and Verifiers 57:54 Tips for Document Organization 58:22 Document Numbering and References 58:43 GMC's Document Organization 59:11 Triangulated Evidence and Reflections 59:42 GMC's Ordering of Documents 01:00:11 Verifiers and Referees 01:00:22 Qualifications and Core Training 01:01:17 Qualifications and Subspecialties 01:02:34 Cohorts and Portfolio Requirements 01:05:26 Timeline Changes and HLOs 01:06:51 Cohorts and Portfolio Differences 01:10:38 HLO2 and Case Histories 01:13:04 Equivalence for Subspecialties 01:16:41 Value of Additional Qualifications 01:19:07 International Recognition of CCT and CSER 01:21:28 Non-CCT Specialties and Recognition 01:27:09 Availability and Navigation of the Book 01:40:43 Inspiring Success 01:41:13 Future Discussions on CESR 01:41:50 Video Upload and Book Links

    1hr 41min

About

Manan is a Consultant Psychiatrist, based in London. He loves reading and talking to Interesting People DeepDiving into their lives, their work and their interests. Subscribe to the podcast and stay tuned.