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Gut feelings: the future of psychiatry may be inside your stomach. Her parents were running out of hope.

Gut feelings: the future of psychiatry may be inside your stomach

Their teenage daughter, Mary, had been diagnosed with a severe case of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as ADHD. They had dragged her to clinics around the country in an effort to thwart the scary, intrusive thoughts and the repetitive behaviors that Mary felt compelled to perform. Even a litany of psychotropic medications didn’t make much difference. It seemed like nothing could stop the relentless nature of Mary’s disorder. Their last hope for Mary was Boston-area psychiatrist James Greenblatt.

Greenblatt started by posing the usual questions about Mary’s background, her childhood, and the onset of her illness. That’s what prompted Greenblatt to take a surprising approach: besides psychotherapy and medication, Greenblatt also prescribed Mary a twice-daily dose of probiotics, the array of helpful bacteria that lives in our gut. Her parents may have been stunned, but to Greenblatt, Mary’s case was an obvious one. Read next: Amar Toor. 6 Things You Thought Wrong About Introverts. If common stereotypes have anything to say on the matter, it's that introverts are socially awkward loners who abhor large crowds and don't like people very much.

6 Things You Thought Wrong About Introverts

An introvert may not be a particularly friendly or happy person, but hey, at least they're smarter and more creative than the average extrovert. Despite comprising an estimated one-third of the general population, introversion may be one of the most frequently misunderstood personality traits. But the silent revolution of introverts -- catapulted into the spotlight largely by the work of Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking -- is shedding light on the experience of introverts living in a culture that tends to value extroverted qualities like assertiveness and outspokenness over solitude and quiet contemplation. 1.

All introverts are shy -- and all shy people are introverts.

Mood Disorders

U.S. News Best Hospitals: Psychiatry. Study: People With a Lot of Self-Control Are Happier - Lindsay Abrams. INFJ Profile. Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging by Joe Butt Profile: INFJ Revision: 3.1 Date of Revision: 8 Aug 2010 Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life.

INFJ Profile

Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power. INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress. "There's something rotten in Denmark. " INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas where INFJs frequently find their niche. Functional Analysis: Introverted iNtuition Introverted intuitives, INFJs enjoy a greater clarity of perception of inner, unconscious processes than all but their INTJ cousins.

Extraverted Feeling Introverted Thinking The INFJ's thinking is introverted, turned toward the subject. Extraverted Sensing.

Case Studies

Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist. Volunteer. Depression.