Authors
Latest:
Light Treatment for Nonseasonal DepressionDaniel F. Kripke, M.D. has studied the relationship between biological rhythms and depression since the early 1970s. He states that seasonal responses in many mammals are controlled by the photoperiod. Therefore, it seemed that depression might be analogous to winter responses and that light might be an effective treatment.
Latest:
Advances in Psychiatry: Understanding Indigenous CulturesEpidemiological research has shown that the Māori people of New Zealand are approximately twice as likely to have serious psychiatric illness compared with non-Māori. Here, a child and adolescent psychiatrist describes her work in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Latest:
Effect of Gender Differences on the Cardiovascular System in Patients With Mental DisordersTricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics are known to prolong cardiac repolarization and induce QTC interval prolongation, possibly putting patients with mental disorders at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism of gender difference in vulnerability for cardiovascular diseases is still unclear, but the role of hormones is one of possible explanatory factors.
Latest:
Collaborative Care Meets Hospital Medicine: Proactive Consultation-Liaison PsychiatryMental illness accounts for a third of all years lived with disability and is associated with twice the relative risk of all-cause mortality. An estimated 8 million deaths are attributable to mental disorders every year, with two-thirds due to comorbid medical illness.
Latest:
The μ-Opioid System and Antidepressant ResponseThis article discusses the role of µ-opioid receptors (MORs) in antidepressant treatment and major depressive disorder (MDD). Specifically, it focuses on how the endogenous opioid system affects response to pharmaceuticals.
Latest:
The Adolescent BrainAn expert Q&A with Laurence Steinberg, PhD. His newest book offers insights into the malleable adolescent brain and provides guidance to parents hoping to better understand adolescents.
Latest:
Technology in Psychiatry: Year in ReviewAs technology continues to expand exponentially, so does our potential to harness these technological capabilities to expand the field of psychiatry. At Psychiatric Times this year, we highlighted a range of topics on these advancements.
Latest:
Medical Marijuana and Mental Health: Cannabis Use in Psychiatric PracticeHere's why psychiatrists and other mental health professionals need to understand the relationship between cannabis and mental disorders.
Latest:
Introduction: Strategies for TreatmentWhen thinking about recent advances in psychopharmacology, we often point to new molecules with similar mechanisms of action but with better safety and tolerability profiles, or to molecules with novel mechanisms that effect positive change greater than that with existing treatments.
Latest:
Management of Psychosis in Parkinson DiseaseFor some patients with Parkinson disease, the neuropsychiatric complications are a greater source of morbidity than the motor dysfunction. This article focuses on the management of psychosis in Parkinson disease.
Latest:
Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st CenturyPeople are different, according to conventional wisdom - the saying generally used in explaining varying opinions, attitudes or ways of thinking. Why then is it not a given that people are different in basic brain functions such as learning and intelligence?
Latest:
Is Computer Addiction a Unique Psychiatric Disorder?Although it may be tempting to say that almost any rewarding activity can become addicting, new research appears to indicate that, at least in the case of Internet use, that may not be the case. In fact, "Internet addiction" may actually be a sign for other psychiatric disorders.
Latest:
Avoiding the Path of Least ResistanceIn this insightful interview, experts discuss the journey toward a more humanistic approach in psychiatry, the challenges of integrating biological and psychosocial aspects, and the need for comprehensive training for future psychiatrists.
Latest:
Setting Up a Neurology-Based Infusion Center: Rationale and Guidelines"No longer a pipe dream," is the suggestive lead-in of a widely distributed press release issued last October touting the potential benefits of cannabinoid compounds in the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD), Lou Gehrig disease-or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-and a number of other debilitating conditions, as reported during last fall's 2004 annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. According to Daniele Piomelli, PhD, an expert in cannabinoid research and professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine, certain cannabinoid compounds can be harnessed to "provide select benefits to patients while avoiding some of the unwanted effects" associated with marijuana use. Compounds of greatest interest have been WIN 55212-2, delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and anandamide.
Latest:
An Early Warning Sign for ViolenceBullying and being bullied put adolescents at risk for developing violent behaviors. Depression and anxiety are two of the underlying issues related to this type of behavior. Recognizing the warning signs may help mental health care professionals prevent violence in the adolescent's life.
Latest:
Glucose DysregulationThe atypical antipsychotics have become the treatment of choice for patients with psychotic and other behavioral disorders. However, case reports, retrospective studies and epidemiological data suggest that these medications may be associated with new-onset type 2 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Latest:
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Abuse/ Dependence and Co-Occurring Social Anxiety DisorderSocial anxiety disorder and drug addiction commonly co-occur in the same individual, complicating the presentation, course and treatment of both disorders. Using drugs or alcohol may be a coping mechanism for social anxiety; however, many treatments for addiction are group-based approaches, which would be especially challenging for people with social anxiety disorder. This article provides a brief overview of what is known about the co-occurrence of these disorders, as well as possible treatment interventions for this population.
Latest:
Unexplained Physical Symptomshe key manifestations of DSM-IV somatoform disorder are unexplained physical symptoms or complaints that tend to coexist with other psychiatric syndromes or are linked to psychological issues. These symptoms typically lead to repeated medical or emergency department visits; are associated with serious discomfort, dysfunction, and disability; and lead to significant health expenditures.
Latest:
Outside the Pill Box: The Systems-Based Practice of PsychiatryMeet "Gary," whose case provides an introduction to the value of systems-based practice.
Latest:
Pharmacogenetics to Predict Treatment Outcome in Substance Use DisordersThis brief communication highlights the importance of genetic predictors and moderators of treatment research in the field of substance use.
Latest:
Digital Health as an Enabler for Patient-Centric, Outcome-Based CareConsidering challenges and opportunities in digital health solutions for mental health care.
Latest:
Managing the Aftermath of Patient-on-Staff ViolenceViolence by patients towards staff members is an inherently complex matter for the physically and/or psychologically injured person. An expert in the field of forensic psychiatry answers a reader's question about what clinicians can do in the aftermath of an assault.
Latest:
Creative Media in PsychotherapyNonverbal cues speak just as loudly as words. How can video be used to capture these subtle cues and help patients make progress in therapy?
Latest:
Reasons Patients Doubt Medication-Resistant Delusions in SchizophreniaOur study suggests that most delusional patients, even those with high positive symptom scores, may have at least 1 RFD that precedes a clinical intervention specifically directed toward encouraging doubt. These preexisting “islands of doubt” may offer a useful foothold to begin the CBT process.
Latest:
Psychocutaneous DisordersPsychological problems are often manifest in the skin. In fact, it is estimated that between 20% and 30% of all skin disorders have some psychological component. Many patients who have psychocutaneous disorders-which are often direct evidence of or secondary to psychological abberations-drift from one physician to another, trying to find one savvy enough to cure their “skin condition.” Furthermore, although they have sought many medical opinions already, patients afflicted with psychocutaneous disorders almost always present as “an emergency.” While pharmacological intervention may benefit such patients, traditional mental health interventions are almost always required if the aberrant behavior is to cease.
Latest:
Violence in Bipolar DisorderWhat is the association between bipolar disorder, trauma, and violence? Here: a guide to assessing violence potential in bipolar patients.
Latest:
Mini Quiz: DSM-5 BasicsDSM-5 stands out for the introduction of several new specifiers, which will allow for more accurate coding. Which of the items mentioned in this quiz did not change in DSM-5?
Latest:
Take 5 Before You Give 5: The Dos and Don’ts of Political ContributionsCommon legal questions about political donations are discussed.
Latest:
Issues in Psycho-Oncology: What Clinicians Need to KnowAn overview of select topics in clinical psycho-oncology, including assessment and management of delirium and brain lesions, mood and anxiety disorders, medication adverse effects, and existential death anxiety.
Latest:
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in SchizophreniaThere is currently great controversy over the issue of obsessive-compulsive behaviors in schizophrenia. Are patients who display these behaviors suffering from a separate subtype of schizophrenia?
