Could computers replace some of our mental abilities?

I always marvel when I see the handwritten manuscripts of authors who wrote in the period before computers existed. The ability to organise information so well in our minds in this way may have been lost to the word processor. Now a neuroscientist [here] warns that artificial intelligence could ‘… kill your memory, fracture your attention span and wreck your creativity over time’. As computers offer new abilities, we may lose our mental equivalents. This could result in a kind of ‘digital dementia’. With mental as well as physical abilities, the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ would seem to apply.

Young adults seem less responsive to talking therapies

A study, described here, has found that young people (aged 16-25) with anxiety and depression are 25% less likely to recover with talking therapy treatment. They seem to find it more difficult to ‘navigate’ services for adults, finding it harder to regularly attend therapy sessions. This is of particular concern as rates of common mental health problems are increasing in this group. More than a quarter report now experiencing such difficulties, up from 17.5% in 2007.

Waiting list woes for those who experience mental health difficulties

Whilst waiting lists are reducing for those who have some physical health issues, unfortunately, this article [here] says that this is not the case for those with mental health issues. In May 2025, there were almost 15000 patients with a severe mental illness who had been waiting longer than 78 weeks for treatment. The article includes a case study of someone who has had ‘complex PTSD’ who, whilst desperate for help, has only seen a psychiatrist once in the ten years that she has had the issue.

More information about mental health challenges that might be triggered by social media

I have previously written about some of the stresses associated with social media consumption, for instance, here. The effects of online activities ‘ghosting’ (cutting off contact with someone) and ‘gaslighting’ (causing someone to question their perception of reality) have been reported [here]. Broadly speaking, they can trigger depression and paranoia in some younger people.

Possible dangerous medication side effects for a few

SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a group of medications that are commonly used for the treatment of depression and some other mental health issues (as described here). Whilst some research [here] suggests that generally, SSRI use does not increase suicidal behaviour, anecdotal reports [here] indicate that some people are adversely affected and can, as a result, feel more suicidal. If you experience any troubling side effects, speak to your doctor immediately.

Work as a team with your family doctor!

The medical literature used to use the term ‘compliance’: how much you comply with the doctor’s instructions. This concept has evolved into ‘concordance’: an agreement which both you and the doctor come to after discussion and negotiation. In the latter, you and the doctor are acting as a team. This approach means that patients are much more likely to follow the treatment plan. This article [here] describes how doctors have a choice regarding which antidepressants they describe. If a medication is not helpful, let your doctor know and ask them whether an alternative is available.

Antidepressants and weight gain

This article [here] describes how taking antidepressants can cause weight gain. This can then have a negative impact on mood or cause some people to stop taking their medication altogether. A positive ‘takeaway’ message is that other antidepressants have much less of an effect on weight. If you are upset by weight gain as a result of taking your tablets, I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about the matter.

Exercise and brain health

It has long been known that exercise is beneficial for good mental health. With this in mind, here in the UK, ‘exercise on prescription’ schemes have allowed depressed individuals to have access to free gym sessions (see here). However, exercise may help us on a more fundamental level. This article [here] describes how it can beneficially change the chemicals in the brain together with its physical structure. In so doing it can reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Adjusting breathing to help with stress

The regulation of breathing can be an important tool in the management of stress. Sometimes people over-breath if stress results in a ‘fight-flight’ response. Alternatively, under-breathing can occur in a ‘freeze’ response which can also be triggered by stress. Both of these can fuel unpleasant bodily changes. These breathing patterns are part of natural responses which helped us cope in prehistoric times. However, they can exacerbate matters in the modern age where different and more chronic types of stress can be experienced (for example, work-related stress). This article [here] describes situations (including those involving panic and stress) in which consciously adopting certain patterns in breathing can be useful.

Sleep, health and depression

Whilst a change in sleeping pattern is known to be a symptom of depressive disorder, this article [here] presents evidence that a lack of sleep can also make someone more likely to develop depression. In particular, those who sleep less than five hours per night are more vulnerable.

Sleep hygiene has been the topic of previous blog entries. This can help individuals to get a good night’s sleep. One element of this involves having a regular bedtime routine. This article [here] states that having a regular bedtime can impact daytime eating choices. This can influence gut bacteria which can, in turn, impact upon things such as obesity levels and stroke risk.

The negative effects of 'people pleasing'

People pleasing can fuel stress, depression and low self-esteem. People pleasing involves consistently placing others’ needs above one’s own. As a result, personal needs are neglected and control over aspects of lifestyle is lost. This article [here] describes the phenomenon which apparently the film star Jennifer Lawrence suffers from. A general component of treatment for this issue is assertiveness training. A self-help course for this can be found here.

Early onset Alzheimer's disease

This condition was reported in the media after TV personality Fiona Philips was diagnosed with it at 61 [as reported here]. The article lists some factors that can reduce the risk of developing the disease. This article [here] states that new treatments are on the horizon and with these early diagnosis is important. Early clues include the development of certain eye and hearing conditions, as well as changes in language comprehension such as more difficulty in understanding sarcasm.

The benefits of daytime napping

Recent research suggests that napping may be good for brain health [see here and here]. It may slow the rate that the brain shrinks as we age. The researchers state that napping may protect the brain by compensating for deficient sleep. I would suggest caution here in that often in people who struggle to sleep, napping in the day can subsequently decrease the likelihood of them getting a good night’s sleep. So, one element of sleep hygiene (see the previous post) often involves cutting out daytime napping. In this way (as with most things) it may be a matter of finding the best balance for you.

A good night's sleep

Sleep is very important when it comes to staying mentally alert and healthy. This article [here] outlines some of the more practical and environmental causes of poorer sleep. The positive habits involved in helping to get a good night’s sleep are together called ‘sleep hygiene’. These articles [here and here] touch on some of these. There are disorders that are associated with sleep. For example, ‘sleep apnoea’ involves breathing being negatively affected during sleep [see here and here]. Some people are fearful of falling asleep. This is termed ‘somniphobia’ [see here]. Sometimes Somniphobics are fearful of experiencing ‘sleep paralysis’. This is a condition where you cannot move your muscles whilst falling asleep or waking up [as described here]. Do you have problems sleeping? If so, I would recommend talking to your family doctor as a first step.

Things not to say or do with your children

Parenting is at times stressful and difficult. If a parent has a significant psychological issue or is struggling in this role for other reasons, it can have a negative impact on the child. This is something I sometimes hear about in my clinical practice when I ask clients about their background experience. This article [here] offers a summary of some research which supports one aspect of this connection (hostility) and offers some helpful guidance for parents. To illustrate some of the challenges in parenting, here a psychologist suggests that some of the things that are said commonly to support children may, in fact, be unhelpful to their development.