Neuroscience and Beyond
We are a team of PhD students located in Göttingen, Germany, who share a passion about neuroscience and science communication. On a monthly basis we talk with experts in neuroscience and discuss their research, career path, struggles along the way and current problems in the field.
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen and SFB1286 Quantitative Synaptology in Göttingen. The content of the podcast represents our personal opinions and is separate from the institutions we are working at or collaborate with.
Neuroscience and Beyond
Cognitive Bias, Mental Health, PTSD & Anxiety | Prof. Marcella Woud
Why do some people recover from trauma, while others spiral into anxiety or depression?
In Episode 26 of Neuroscience Beyond, we explore the psychological mechanics behind trauma and healing. Join us for an intriguing conversation with Prof. Marcella Woud, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Göttingen (@uniGoettingen). We discussed the fascinating link between how we interpret the world and how mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression take shape.
In this episode, you’ll discover topics such as:
- How trauma and negative thinking loops lead to PTSD
- Why traumatic memories feel so vivid and intrusive
- Why some people develop PTSD after trauma, and others don’t
- What information processing biases are, and how they relate to anxiety and depression
- Effective PTSD therapies such as exposure-based treatment and EMDR
👉 Plus, many more insights on memory fragmentation, cognitive models, mental health awareness, and how external factors shape cognition.
Timestamps
00:00:00 In This Episode
00:00:25 Introduction
00:01:45 Prof. Woud’s Research Focus, Background Information
00:03:35 What Are Information Processing Biases?
00:05:35 Can Brain Imaging/Activity Explain Long-Term Trauma?
00:07:05 Bridging Cognition and Biology
00:09:23 Defining Mental Health
00:13:15 Why Do Some People Develop PTSD While Others Don’t?
00:15:15 Overthinking and PTSD relationship
00:17:35 What Is PTSD?
00:20:40 Are There Severity Levels in PTSD?
00:23:15 Brain Imaging in PTSD Diagnosis
00:24:15 Traumatic Memories vs Normal Memories
00:28:15 How is PTSD Studied Scientifically?
00:31:15 Why Does Public Speaking Cause Anxiety?
00:35:45 What Triggers PTS?
00:37:05 PTSD, Sleep Problems, Stress and Childhood Trauma
00:39:15 What Are the Treatments for PTSD?
00:42:55 Challenges in Studying Mental Health in the Lab
00:45:00 Do Cultural Differences Affect Mental Health Research?
00:47:05 Why Are Depression Rates Increasing?
00:49:15 Clinical Psychology
00:52:05 Understanding Mental Health
00:54:25 Early Prevention and Access Matter In Mental Health
00:56:15 What Is Consciousness?
01:00:05 Interpretation Biases in Alcohol Use
01:05:29 Psychodelics In Research and Clinical Use
01:08:22 Final Thoughts & Closing
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🔗 Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #Trauma #Psychology #CognitiveScience #Stress #InformationProcessing
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali