April 27th 2024
The experts weighed in on a wide variety of psychiatric issues for the April issue of Psychiatric Times.
Commentary: A Victory for Patients
November 1st 1997In the spring of 1997, legalization of physician-assisted suicide seemed inevitable. In the space of a month, two appellate courts had declared a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, overturning long-standing state laws in New York and Washington that prohibited the practice. Many observers expected the U.S. Supreme Court to follow suit. Earlier, Oregon had become the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Although that decision was still being contested in the courts, had the Supreme Court recognized and accepted a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, Oregon was ready to become the first state in which it was practiced.
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Late-Life Depression, Dementias- Top Educational Priorities for AAGP
November 1st 1997Lack of energy, recurrent thoughts of death and difficulty with concentration are viewed by more than half of medical decision-makers in families as natural components of aging rather than as symptoms of clinical depression, according to a Louis Harris and Associates survey. Additionally, 93% of all adults polled said they believe depression is a normal side effect for those suffering from a medical condition.
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Psychiatrists: Shortage or Surplus?
October 1st 1997A number of parameters determine how many psychiatrists our nation needs. First is the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders. Second is the kind of clinical care individuals with mental disorders will need, and who will provide that care. Individuals with mental disorders require a thorough diagnostic assessment. Does this need to be provided by a psychiatrist? Obviously, some individuals will need medications as an aspect of their care. These medications must be prescribed by a physician. Does that physician need to be a psychiatrist? Some individuals with mental disorders will need psychotherapy. Does the psychotherapy need to be provided by a psychiatrist?
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Defining Your Needs Is a Good Place to Start
August 1st 1997A colleague recently told me that he is actively treating more than 250 patients at three separate locations. "Do you think I need a computer?" he asked. That is a question many psychiatrists are asking as they see more patients and do an increasing amount of paperwork to maintain the same income they earned with far fewer patients just five years ago.
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Intrapsychic Focus Can Have Lasting Benefits for Patients
December 1st 1996In recent years, psychiatry and psychoanalysis have been drifting apart. As has been stated, psychiatry is losing its mind as it concentrates on chemistry and biology. This is a pity, because it is always good to have a mind.
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Venlafaxine in the Treatment of Depression: Practical Considerations
January 1st 1995Venlafaxine (Effexor) is a novel antidepressant recently released to the American market. Its entry into the antidepressant market has been much heralded. The lay press has described the drug as "Prozac with a punch," and many patients were asking for it long before it was available. As the hoopla settles down, we are learning that venlafaxine is a potentially important drug with both advantages and disadvantages over other available antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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