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How are psychopaths made? Are we more depressed now than ever before? Is chocolate really as addictive as cocaine? Join top scientists from the University of Liverpool as they attempt to answer these difficult questions, taking us on a journey from the world of psychopaths through to mental wellbeing. Our scientists will bust myths about psychopaths, depression and addiction, and you might even learn how to resist those delicious chocolates…but probably not. Hosted by comedian and mental health campaigner Jake Mills, the night will be filled with science, games, learning and laughter!
Comedy with Jake Mills
Jake Mills
(Comedian, writer and mental health campaigner)
His work in comedy has seen him perform all over the country and Jake was shortlisted for the Leicester Mercury award & has performed with some of the biggest names in comedy. Recently, Jake has become an influential figure in campaigning against the stigma attached to mental health issues. After speaking openly about his own battle with depression and a subsequent suicide attempt, Jake’s story was covered widely in the national media. Through speaking publicly about his own battle, Jake has become a well-respected advocate for improved mental health provision in the UK.
Psychopaths as Children
Dr Luna Centifanti
(Senior Lecturer and Research Tutor for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme)
The world of the psychopath is a mystery. I’ve been interested in finding out about the emotional world of people with psychopathy, and how that emotional world might develop from early childhood through to adolescence. In this talk, I will explore anecdotes, research, and personal experiences. I hope to paint a picture for you, the audience, on what psychopaths feel and how they “read” other people’s feelings. Of importance, I consider how their bland emotional world might make it easy for them to take advantage of other people. I will also bust some myths about psychopathy as a disorder.
Feeding the Mind: Is Chocolate really as Addictive as Cocaine?
Dr Charlotte Hardman
(Lecturer in Psychology)
Why is it so difficult to stop eating the chocolates even though we’re full? A popular idea is that certain foods are addictive and that “food addiction” explains why so many people are overweight. But does food really have the same effects on the mind and body as hard drugs? Or is food addiction simply a myth or an excuse for over-eating? To answer these questions, I will talk about the latest scientific research on food addiction with a particular focus on the role of psychology. I will consider the similarities but also the key differences between eating and substance use disorders.
Wellbeing and Depression: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Dr Praveetha Patalay
(Lecturer in Population Mental Health and Child Development)
Why do we think that the opposite of the things that make us happy are the things that make us feel sad? I’ll be challenging this idea and exploring the factors that are related to our wellbeing and feeling depressed: do they ever overlap?
By looking at research on our mental (ill) health across generations, I’ll also try to answer the question: Are we more depressed now than ever before?
By looking at research on our mental (ill) health across generations, I’ll also try to answer the question: Are we more depressed now than ever before?
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