Neurological Affective & Dissociative Symptoms
Our flagship project is a large-scale MRC-funded multimodal study on aetiology, mechanisms, and outcomes in functional neurological disorder, focused on functional (dissociative) seizures and functional motor symptoms.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Dr Merritt Millman, Jessica Davies, Lauren Blunstone, Jemima Uloyok-Job, Yasmine Basamh, Akshaana Manoharan, Dr Snigdha Bhuma. In collaboration with Professor Trudie Chalder and Professor Matthew Hotopf.
Transdiagnostic Remote Monitoring and Lab Investigation of Dissociation in Mental Health (TRIAD)
A lab-based experimental study examining dissociative states in participants with various mental health disorders, combined with smartphone-based monitoring of dissociative states in participants’ daily lives.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Katerina Beklemisheva, Jessica Lyford, Anita Brachimetai, Amy Crellin, Esin Gun Gursoy. In collaboration with Dr Devin Terhune.
Aetiological factors in atypical depression: A mixed methods investigation
This study combines validated clinical measures and in-depth semi-structured interviews to explore potential aetiological factors of relevance to individuals with atypical major depression.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Ruxandra Iona Toma, Lauren Blunstone, Jessica Davies. In collaboration with Professor Mario Juruena.
Symptom subtypes in major depression: A laboratory and field investigation
This project examines psychological and physiological processes associated with mood variability in major depression subtypes using lab-based testing and smartphone-based monitoring.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Xiaotong Li, Amna Akeel, Marta Alonso Fernandez, Esin Gun Gursoy, Katerina Beklemisheva. In collaboration with Professor Mario Juruena.
Mental health and symptom triggers in epilepsy
This study uses in-depth clinical interviews, validated self-report measures, smartphone-based seizure logging, and wearables to assess mental health symptoms and stress in people with epilepsy, and to find out more about how these variables relate to seizure occurrence in everyday life.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Dr Karin Revajova, Ruba Hassan. In collaboration with Professor Matthew Hotopf, Professor Trudie Chalder, Dr Joel Winston.
Yoga4FND
We are conducting a feasibility randomised controlled trial of tailored somatic yoga therapy for people with FND, combined with lab-based experimental testing of potential therapeutic mechanisms.
Research team: Dr Susannah Pick, Emily Kennedy-Barnes, Dr Merritt Millman, Yasmine Basamh, Anel Sandoval Duarte, Jenna Pacelli.
Dance movement therapy for FND
This study is examining the feasibility and acceptability of dance movement therapy for individuals with FND, as well as exploring how this intervention might contribute to adaptive bodily awareness alongside reduced dissociative and functional neurological symptoms.
Research team: Dr Merritt Millman, Dr Susannah Pick.
Emotional awareness, differentiation and bodily representation in FND
This study uses validated online tasks and self-report measures to explore these aspects of emotional and bodily awareness in people with FND, compared to those with anxiety disorders, and non-clinical participants.
Research team: Dr Laura Marsh, Dr Susannah Pick, Phoebe Lawes, Ruhan Bi. In collaboration with Professor Trudie Chalder.
