Stories by Hal Arkowitz

People are not always devastated by a death and should be allowed to recover in their own ways

Although many therapists think it is possible, research raises doubts

Severe mental illness alone is not generally enough to cause violent behavior

Research suggests limits to looking on the sunny side of life

For some heavy drinkers, the answer is a tentative yes

The insanity defense, rarely used, is widely misunderstood

Why Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura won't solve your problems

How destructive is Internet porn?

Men are more dangerous, but women can be just as aggressive

A diagnosis of schizophrenia is not always grounds for despair

Eyewitness testimony is fickle and, all too often, shockingly inaccurate

Are non-Western conditions truly distinct from those in the U.S. and Europe?

Researchers point to external causes of—and fixes for—the obesity pandemic

If you have the idea that every patient curses unpredictably, think again

Does a full moon really trigger strange behavior?

Studies confirm that during hypnosis subjects are not in a sleeplike state but are awake

Reviews and recommendations from the October/November 2008 issue of Scientific American MIND

A better understanding of the path from stress to anxiety to full-blown panic disorder offers soothing news for sufferers

Former drug and alcohol users can show impressive results without professional treatment, through the phenomenon of self-change

The jury's out on whether animals can initiate long-lasting improvements in mental health

The popular perception of incurable sex criminals may be quite off the mark

It is not quite what you may think