All In The Mind

Scientists are still puzzled about the causes of multiple sclerosis. It's a disorder of the brain and nervous system, which usually affects young people in the prime of their lives and can cause extreme disability. We hear some of the latest research into the causes of MS and speak with a man who's lost vital movement in his body, but has found a remarkable resilience in his mind.

Since Anzac Day the nation has been absorbed in the plight of the Beaconsfield miners, and we've been told by trauma psychologists that now the men are safely reunited with family their natural need to talk through their experience will be a vital mental salve.

There are 25 million people in the world suffering from Alzheimer's disease and the figure is forecast to double every 20 years. It's now believed that the changes in our brains that lead to the disease may begin decades before the symptoms appear. What are the early signs, and how can you distinguish them from the natural memory loss that comes with ageing? We also hear from a woman who cares for her husband with Alzheimer's and an Australian scientist who's developing a promising new drug that may stop the disease from progressing.

What led a 20-year-old Australian woman to pose as the descendant of Ukrainian war criminals in order to tell the story The Hand that signed the Paper? Lynne Malcolm speaks with Helen Dale, formerly Helen Demidenko – the woman at the centre of one of Australia's biggest literary hoax scandals. Ten years on and now in her early 30s, what personal insight has she gained from this life-changing experience, and how has she emerged from the furore that her deception unleashed?

We take an honest and sometimes confronting look at how we perceive others and how they perceive us. We hear about the difference between benevolent sexism and hostile sexism and the intricate ways in which we form our prejudices towards others. And, beware - it seems that we may often be judged according to the personality of our pets!

Given that terrorism is an ancient phenomenon it's surprising how little we know about the psychology of terrorists. And without proper understanding efforts to counter terrorism are often based on stereotypes. We speak with two practising psychologists who study the mind of the suicide bomber.

Schizophrenia is caused by a complex range of genetic and environmental factors but it can seem to occur out of the blue. We hear from a father who first knew his son had schizophrenia when he found him curled up in his wardrobe, psychotic, frozen with fear. We find out about some of the early warning signs and how young people with schizophrenia can be helped to cope with the social isolation and impaired thinking abilities that result from this debilitating brain disorder.

One in one hundred people in Australia will develop schizophrenia during their lifetime – it's frightening and alienating, devastating the lives of individuals and their families. Psychiatrists and researchers are still puzzled by the complexity of the disorder. We hear about some recent fascinating insights into the causes and risk factors for schizophrenia. And a young woman tells of her lonely battle to tame her fragmented mind.

The pressure to be thin is more intense than ever – and with around 80% of teenage girls choosing to diet – some slide down the slippery slope into anorexia nervosa. While our knowledge of this puzzling disorder is still limited, some inroads of understanding are being made into what occurs in the starving brain. In this week's program we hear some of the latest scientific research into the mechanisms of anorexia, and a young woman who's on the path to recovery gives a moving insight into what she's been through.

It's now recognised that Omega 3, essential fatty acids mainly found in fish, can help to prevent conditions like cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis – but the evidence is accumulating for just how important fish oil is for mental health and wellbeing. We hear some remarkable findings from a British study looking at the effect of giving fish oil supplements to children with ADHD and learning difficulties. And the figures showing significantly lower depression rates in countries which eat lots of seafood may give you an idea for tonight's dinner!