Re:

11/25/12

To the editor:

As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst interested in neuroscience, I applaud Alissa Quart's highlighting the manner in which brain science findings are often conveyed in a misleading, reductionistic, pseudo-authoritative manner by the media.  This is especially relevant for people with mental illness who may, inadvertently, be encouraged to view their suffering as devoid of context or meaning outside of a 'biological' explanation.  While this may serve a valuable de-stigmatizing role, there is a real risk that modalities of treatment that are not typically considered 'biological' (i.e., talk therapy) though, of course they are, become devalued and underutilized.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry S. Sandberg MD