Clare Mackay
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claremackay.bsky.social
Clare Mackay
@claremackay.bsky.social
440 followers 170 following 61 posts
Prof of Neuroscience, University of Oxford and @thetrichprof (insta, FB, YouTube)

#neuroskyence || #psychscisky || #BFRBs || #trichotillomania || #mentalhealth || #brainhealth || #art || #WomenInSTEM
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claremackay.bsky.social
Clare Mackay @claremackay.bsky.social · Nov 22
There are plenty more things I wish more people knew, but here are my top 6: #bfrb #bodyfocusedrepetitivebehaviors #trichotillomania #trichotillomaniaawareness #dermatillomania #skinpickingdisorder #hairpullingdisorder
#livedexperiencescientist #mentalhealthawareness
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
🔊NEW RESEARCH: Shame plays a major role in hairpulling, a type of body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB), among young people, according to a study by @ox.ac.uk

Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/ajjxz7rz

@claremackay.bsky.social @pollywaite.bsky.social #BFRBs @acamh.bsky.social @oxhealthbrc.bsky.social
An image of Professor Clare Mackay, Professor of Neuroscience, with a quote from her saying: "Many of us with BFRBs know that shame plays a huge role, so it is no surprise that it shows up strongly in this group. What is important is that we have demonstrated that shame is already prevalent in young people aged 13-18, and that it strongly relates to depression and anxiety.”
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
Thanks to Oxford Sparks for the opportunity to talk about BFRBs!
oxfordsparks.bsky.social Oxford Sparks @oxfordsparks.bsky.social · 19d
🎙️ The #BigQuestions #Podcast is back for a brand new series! We're kicking off with a question that we know will resonate with many people...

🤚 Why do I bite my nails?

We chat to Prof Clare Mackay (@claremackay.bsky.social) to find out all about #BFRBs

🎧 www.oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/podcasts/why...
October 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
claremackay.bsky.social
Proud moment as the first BFRB research study from the University of Oxford has been published. Great summary thread here from Polly…
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
Big news!

I loved researching and writing this book, which is all about shedding the shame, and getting really curious about urges to pick, pull and bite.

I can't wait to share it with you! It's out on April 2nd, and is available to pre-order now.

#bfrb #bfrbs #bodyfocusedrepetitivebehaviors
Picuture showing forthcoming book, called 'Keep your hair on: understanding urges to pick, pull and bite' by Clare Mackay, which will be launched in April 2026
September 20, 2025 at 11:31 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
And we’re off! Oxford’s first neurodiversity conference. Massive effort from @ndv-andreiascosta.bsky.social and her army of volunteers. Looking forward to a great couple of days. #ohbrcNFconference
September 19, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxhealthbrc.bsky.social
📢 September is #WorldAlzheimer’sMonth, a time to raise awareness and support those affected by #dementia

Our OH BRC Dementia Theme is pioneering research to shift dementia care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention and personalised management.

🌐 Learn more tinyurl.com/yefntkx2
September 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
commspsychol.nature.com
Following social isolation, adolescents show increased sensitivity to rewards during effort-based decision making and reward learning.
@livia-tomova.bsky.social @sjblakemore.bsky.social @emilyanntowner.bsky.social @stepalminteri.bsky.social @lei-zhang.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Acute isolation is associated with increased reward seeking and reward learning in human adolescents - Communications Psychology
This study shows that, following social isolation, adolescents show increased sensitivity to rewards during effort-based decision making and reward learning. Access to virtual social interactions duri...
www.nature.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
The 6 things everybody should know about body focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs)👇

In this new video, Professor Clare Mackay - aka The Trich Prof - shares the things she wished more people knew about BFRBs: tinyurl.com/4hbybrp2

@claremackay.bsky.social
The 6 things everyone should know about body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs)
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
tinyurl.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:31 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
Thank you Lottie!
July 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxcin.bsky.social
Congratulations to Steve Smith @fmrib-steve.bsky.social for winning the OHBM 2025 Glass Brain Award! This lifetime achievement award recognises extraordinary contributions that drive the field forward - and we can't think of anyone more deserving. 👏👏👏
June 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
claremackay.bsky.social
And for the first time we’ll be exploring the prevalence and impact of body focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs) in a subset. So exciting!
minafazeloxford.bsky.social Mina Fazel @minafazeloxford.bsky.social · Jun 8
After a quiet spell here (because it’s been very busy!) — a big #OxWell update 📣🧠
Over 40,000 students have taken part in the 2025 survey so far — THANK YOU to every student who shared their voice 💬💛
June 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
thementalelf.bsky.social
Psychological distress over 30 years in Great Britain: the times they are a changin’ (or are they?) buff.ly/qpu4p0f

🧵 THREAD

#MentalHealth #PsychologicalDistress #Surveys #GB #30years
May 26, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxhealthbrc.bsky.social
Oxford Brain Health Clinic is leading the way in dementia research participation. Be inspired this #ClinicalTrialsDay and see how you can #BePartOfResearch.

oxfordhealthbrc.nihr.ac.uk/oxford-brain...

@claremackay.bsky.social ay.bsky.social @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
judestevenson.bsky.social
A new publication from University of Bath DClinPsy on #hairpulling #trichotillomania where I was #ExpertByExperience and external supervisor.
May 19, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
medsci.ox.ac.uk
🎉 Huge congratulations to all the @medsci.ox.ac.uk teams and individuals nominated in @ox.ac.uk VC Awards.

The winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor yesterday.

View the winners and highly commended nominations 👉 hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/vice-chancel...
Congratulations
May 16, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
Holly Haines is a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry and Dementia Theme Co-Ordinator at Oxford Health BRC. She highlights that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain – and research shows that this is true throughout the lifespan, even for children and teenagers.
“Things like obesity and physical inactivity affect our heart health and research shows they also affect our brains – potentially as early as adolescence. This means that simple lifestyle changes, like eating healthier and moving more, could protect our long-term brain health.” Holly Haines, Research Assistant, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
May 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we asked researchers what one fact they wished more people knew about brain and mental health.

#ThisIsMyCommunity #MHAWeek2025 #mentalhealth
May 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
claremackay.bsky.social
Rants about things that used to be easy and are now really hard...

Giving blood

I used to be a regular. I would rock up to a clinic at the hospital where I work, deliver my pint of blood, and be back at my desk within 30 mins

1/3
May 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
rethinkcharity.bsky.social
🎉 It's #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek!

💜 Join us. Share this post so that people know where to turn for support.
A graphic displaying 6 different mental health helplines to call during mental health awareness week: - Samaritans (116 123) - Rethink Mental Illness (0808 801 0525) - The Mix (online chat service - themix.org.uk - CALMzone (0800 58 58 58) - Shout (text SHOUT to 85258) - YoungMinds (0808 802 5544)
May 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
Thank you @rethinkcharity.bsky.social for giving BFRBs the prominence they deserve on your website! www.rethink.org/advice-and-i...
May 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
Are you a UK psychiatrist with views to share about self-diagnosis?

We’re looking for UK-based psychiatrists who work with young people aged 10–24 and would be available to take part in a 45-minute online interview

(cont below)

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY 🤩
University of Oxford. What do you think about self-diagnosis of mental disorders? Are you: - A UK based psychiatrist who works with adolescents (aged 10-24 years) - Available for a 45 minute online interview Come take part in our study! Contact: sara.svobodova@bnc.ox.ac.uk or lucy.foulkes@psych.ox.ac.uk for more information
May 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
I've just come across this, published last year, and the findings are surprising and important

Public attitudes towards people with mental health problems improved from 2008 to 2019 - but then *decreased*. Found across three measures of stigma.

Why?

tinyurl.com/mvuhvz3r

(cont)
Fig. 2 Marginal estimates of stigma-related attitudes (CAMI), knowledge (MAKS) and desire for social distance (RIBS intended behaviour), by year (95% confidence intervals). CAMI, Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill scale; MAKS, Mental Health Knowledge Schedule; RIBS, Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale.
May 2, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
vivensa.bsky.social
Like many others, we’ve left X so we’re new around here - and with a new name too (formerly Dunhill Medical Trust). We’re looking forward to connecting with those who have great ideas and methods for improving the health and well-being of older people.
April 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
claremackay.bsky.social
End of an (excellent) era. @heidijoberg.bsky.social gives her last ever WIN talk. It’s been a blast, an honour and a privilege to be involved throughout.
April 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Clare Mackay
oxhealthbrc.bsky.social
A new study in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry reveals that GLP-1RAs, drugs for diabetes and obesity, may help treat dementia.

Researchers from @oxhealthbrc.bsky.social found these medications could have neuroprotective effects.
tinyurl.com/GLP1rasdemen...
April 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM