Couch in Crisis

How we respond to political issues in society is the quintessential ethical challenge mental health clinicians face today. Should psychiatrists set aside diagnosis of public figures amidst sweeping changes in the United States?

Physician-assisted suicide violates the norms of Hippocratic medical ethics. Involuntary hospitalization to prevent suicide affirms those norms, according to the authors.

"Go out into the real world; work in prisons, in run-down towns with high unemployment or with refugees or in remote areas. Go overseas or into underprivileged parts of your own country. And that is how you learn about real psychiatry," says Niall McLaren, MBBS, FRANZCP, in the next installment of Conversations in Critical Psychiatry.

This third in the series provides advice to families on how best to cope with the psychiatric problems of a family member.

In the spirit of honoring and guiding trainees, the authors provide advice to today’s psychiatric residents-the psychiatric leaders of tomorrow.

Recently DSM-IV Chair Allen Frances, MD wrote 50 pieces of advice to clinicians on how best to help their patients. It seems fitting, then, to provide an equal portion of advice for patients who seek help from those clinicians.

Is an ancient, conflict-loving personality archetype undermining our pro-social values?

Here it is-the 50 most important things Allen Frances, MD, has learned in over 50 years studying psychiatry.

The “deinstitionalization” movement was meant to correct a stream of neglected patients, a demoralized and disengaged staff, and disappearing doctors. That didn't happen.

Durkheim believed it was useless to prohibit newspapers from publishing stories of the ultimate act of self-harm. But he was wrong.

Just because something is legal does not make it ethical, in the opinion of this psychiatrist, who turned down an invitation to be a presenter on the topic of PAS.

A close analysis of the psychodynamics of Cain’s crime shows us something important about his mentality-not to be confused with mental illness.

Reframing is being tested as a potentially viable way to address intractable conflict where sacred values are at issue. In memory of Johan Verhulst, MD.

Nature provides both physical and psychological benefits. How does this healing through exposure to nature occur?

The world is a better place without a "tyrant of the day" taking over and cracking down with rigid rules. This and other life lessons after 40 years in psychiatry.

Psychiatrist Boris Vatel, MD and others respond to “Debunking the Two Chemical Imbalance Myths (Again),” by Ronald W. Pies, MD. Check out this lively exchange, with an addition from other readers.

It is a rare feat for a conceptual book on psychiatry to generate as much acclaim, influence, longevity, and readership within the profession as has The Perspectives of Psychiatry. Paul R. McHugh, MD is featured in this Conversations series.

The author reminds us of our responsibility to make each decision and choose each action wisely and thoughtfully in life.

Let us honor him by discussing his work and helping to bring it even further along. Carl Bell, MD, in memoriam.

Moving toward a bio-psycho-sociocultural model of major depression.

Conversations in Critical Psychiatry with Derek Bolton, PhD, recognized internationally as a disginguished voice in philosophy and psychiatry.

It takes decisive action, not words, to really end stigma.

Migrant children were being endangered, with potentially devastating effects on their mental health and development, and we requested policy changes.

Just recently, an adolescent patient refused to meet with me individually, saying, “People from your country kill us.” But we survived-as a country and as a family.

The tender moments that call for true empathy are often failed by the demands of the traditional physician-patient relationship.