Psychiatric Times Editors

Medical Marijuana and Mental Health: Cannabis Use in Psychiatric Practice

Poll

As our knowledge about herbal cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoid pharmacology expands, should psychiatrists discuss these issues with their patients?

Discussions With Patients: Medical Marijuana

Slideshows

A report of physician wages across a series of measures over the past year.

Earning Power: A Deep Dive Into Physician Salaries

, by Barbara Schildkrout, MD. Dr Schidkrout’s article was part of the July/August 2019 Special Report collection on neuropsychiatry.

Dr Schildkrout reviews many of the pitfalls when psychiatrists attempt to arrive at a correct diagnostic formulation in neuropsychiatric practice in particular the timely identification of early  (“prodromal”) manifestations and/or atypical presentations of medical illness which may mimic or contribute to a patient’s psychiatric complaints/symptoms.  She also outlines a useful paradigm for differential diagnosis involving the interplay of System 1 and System 2 cognition.

Relevant to this discussion is the important role that psychological/neuropsychological testing can play in clarifying a patient’s neuropsychiatric status.

While psychologists who test psychiatric patients are clearly not immune to many of the cognitive biases cited in this article, the measurement-based data generated by psychodiagnostic tests can help to attenuate their influence.

Regarding the case vignette of Mr O with a suspected Parkinsonian syndrome, testing can, in the context of the history and the findings from the office-based mental status examination, quickly and reliably identify possible deficits which are consistent with such a working hypothesis: Slowed information processing speed and evidence of subtle tremor and/or micrographia; visuo-cognitive difficulties compatible with a possible diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies dementia, and so on. Testing can also address the issue of a possible somatization component via well-validated profiles derived from tests like the MMPI-2 and a sleep disorder profile germane to REM sleep behavior disorder based on self-report instruments like the Neurodegenerative Disease Sleep Questionnaire/NDSQ and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Questionnaire/RBDSQ.

Articles

What is the role of psychological and neuropsychological assessment on a patient’s neuropsychiatric status?

What Is the Correct Diagnostic Formulation In Neuropsychiatric Practice?

This year, we presented new and distinct reports that covered a range of clinical challenges in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Year in Review: 2016 Special Reports

What do you have to say about the Presidential election? Here are the latest offerings from your colleagues about this historic election.

Psychiatry Countdown to the Election

To view the slides in PDF format, click here.Â 

"Everyday experiences made sacramental through magical language, depth of feeling, and wells of knowledge"–one of your peers used this description for a book he found inspiring. Can you think of more?

17 Books Your Colleagues Are Reading

 Baldessarini RJ, Lau WK, Sim J, et al. Duration of initial antidepressant treatment and subsequent relapse of major depression. 

The correct answer is A. Patients with depressive stupor

 Cleare A, Pariante CM, Young AH, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: a revision of the 2008 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines. 

The correct answer is E. Cognitive behavioral therapy

The correct answer is C. Lifestyle factors

Ahn HK, Bae JH, Ahn HY, Hwang IC. Risk of cancer among patients with depressive disorder: a meta-analysis and implications. 

. 2016 Jan 26. doi: 10.1002/pon.4084. [Epub ahead of print]

When should ECT be first-line treatment? What’s the minimum duration of antidepressant therapy? Answer these questions and more.

A 5-Question Quiz on MDD: Round 2

In a study titled “Suicide risk among 1.3 million veterans who were on active duty during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,” 

 found that “veterans exhibit significantly higher suicide risk compared with the US general population.” For more on this topic, see “

Combat Veterans: Adaptation to Transition

,” by Nathaniel A. Brown, MD, who provided the question for this quiz.

1. Kang HK, Bullman TA, Smolenski DJ, et al. Suicide risk among 1.3 million veterans who were on active duty during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. 

After leaving active duty, when are veterans at greatest for suicide?

Mini Quiz: Suicide Risk in Veterans

If you’re a psychiatry resident, fellow, or psychiatrist in practice for less than 5 years, we invite you to share your insights about psychiatry, your interests, ideas, and goals with us, so we can better serve your educational needs. Board members will give us a view from the trenches via occasional emails and a virtual discussion with colleagues once a year.

We won’t take much of your time, but we value your input. We want to hear about challenges in your career, how you learn, what you want from psychiatric publications and websites. We’ll post your name and headshot on an  electronic masthead on 

 with this subject head: Early Career Advisory Board.

We invite you to join our Early Career Advisory Board and share your insights about psychiatry, your interests, ideas, and goals.

Attention: Future Leaders in Psychiatry!

We are seeking your real-life story that can move, teach, and inspire other psychiatrists.

We invite you to share your story of a  memorable experience or encounter with  one of your patients (fictionalized so that  the patient cannot be recognized) that you believe ultimately made you a better  psychiatrist.

 (Your essay, headshot, and bio published in 

• $200 (first prize)!
   $150 (second prize)!
   $100 (third prize)!   

Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing

 (but don’t let these limit your thinking).


• Thought you were in over your head
• Made the wrong choice
• Made a hard choice            
• Connected with a patient in a unique way
• Made an unexpected emotional connection with a patient
• Treated a patient in an unorthodox-but ultimately successful-way


• Send us your story in a Word document (800 to 1200 words).
• Please include your name and contact  email on your submission.
• Email your essay to  

 in the subject head.            
• 

All entries must be received on or  before May 2, 2016.