There are subjects on which it is difficult to have a calm conversation. Euthanasia, assisted dying and the limits of medical intervention are among them. They bring together grief, fear, personal experience and deeply held beliefs about the value of human life. Yet the difficulty of the conversation is precisely why we need to have..
Read moreEmbodiment, Microbiota, and Meaning-Making
Embodiment, Microbiota, and Meaning-Making: An Interdisciplinary Conversation with Andrew T. Austin This article examines an extended interview with Andrew T. Austin, integrating perspectives from microbiome research, psychotherapy, systems theory, Freemasonry, and symbolic cognition. The discussion highlights emerging challenges to reductionist models of mental health and explores the continuity between ancient symbolic practices and contemporary psychological..
Read moreSelective Eating Disorder/ARFID/Food Phobia
For the past few months, I have been collecting field data regarding the patterns and trends of ARFID, who it affects, how it affects them and the overall experience of therapy and treatment services. Some interesting patterns and trends emerged and I’d like to summarise them here. Please be aware that these are very generalised..
Read moreHeart Rate Variability (HRV)
As a former nurse with rather a lot of experience in cardio-electrophysiology, I cannot pretend to not despair at the frequency with which I see Heart Rate Variability (HRV) being touted by coaches and therapists. From what I understand, HRV first entered the pop-therapy domain via Callahan's nonsensical "Thought Field Therapy (TFT)", where an improvement..
Read morePoop Transplant Update: Did it work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85A7yJZLuP0&rel=0 Summary: Andy gives an update on the faecal microbiota transplant he had in Slovakia in January, which ran over ten days. He says it did not help his condition, although his general well-being has improved. He explains what the procedure involves, mentions that the risks can be considerable, and invites reasonable questions in the..
Read moreARFID – Preliminary Data
For the past few months, I have been collecting field data regarding the patterns and trends of ARFID, who it affects, how it affects them, and the overall experience of therapy and treatment services. Some interesting patterns and trends emerged, and I’d like to summarise them here. Please be aware that these are very generalised..
Read moreMore on Masks: Hospital Waiting Rooms and Assaults on Staff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDb0QPK_feE&rel=0 Summary: Andy draws on his past experience working in a hospital accident and emergency department to describe how the public behaved in waiting rooms and why many attended when they did not need emergency care. He says the public does not see what staff deal with behind the scenes, including Covid patients, and objects..
Read moreMask up, People!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IgQ94fdLyk&rel=0 Summary: Andy responds to viewers who object to mask wearing after he shared posts from healthcare staff about difficult behaviour from Covid deniers in hospitals. He says he has a personal interest in others wearing masks because he does not want to catch Covid again. He also discusses trust in government, media and pharmaceutical..
Read moreSuch an unhealthy bunch, so why don’t these geniuses heal each other?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaGwxmv0glg&rel=0 Summary: Andy notes that whenever a health scare reaches the news, many therapists, coaches and tapping or EFT practitioners quickly offer instant remedies online. He asks why people who claim to cure disease do not heal each other, and mentions that real medical treatment, such as surgery, is currently being delayed for many patients...
Read moreVaccination and public attitudes during the pandemic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkHOB9xK5vs&rel=0 Summary: As a follow-on from the mask video, Andy shares his views on vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounts catching typhoid in 1998, explains in general terms how some vaccines are produced and why rapid development led to scepticism, and discusses how people weigh individual choice against protection of others. He gives his..
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