Couch in Crisis

The thorny issue of “end-of-life care” is likely to remain controversial in the US, with physicians themselves holding a wide variety of views.

In this podcast, Dr Mark Komrad explores the relatively new Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) law in Canada, and how it may be on the verge of opening medical euthanasia to certain qualified psychiatric patients

This month's roundup features noteworthy stories from around the web: the humanitarian crisis at the border, new gaming disorder diagnosis, a medication investigation of over 26,000 adult patients, a boundary-busting neurologist, and physician and celebrity suicides.

A clinical psychiatrist and medical ethicist reviews some of the history, the data, the emerging reality of a remarkable slippery slope, and some profound ethical concerns raised by these practices.

Four psychiatrists have joined the distinguished members of our Editorial Board. And our Editorial Director passes the torch.

Why aren’t we Americans as happy as we should be, given all the wonderful things we have in our lives?

With greater expertise in user experiences, psychiatrists can position themselves to more strongly guide technology companies in building and implementing better apps.

Might a lower prevalence suggest that it is less a problem?

A tribute to the life and work of psychiatrist Walter Weintraub, MD.

Are they hallucinations or distortions?

The game looks disarmingly simple. In fact, it’s alarmingly complex.

A month ago, we opened a poll about the Goldwater Rule and its controversy regarding the mental status of President Donald Trump. Here's what we found.

Over the years, I have found a number of metaphors, adages, and even a parable to be helpful in letting my patients know that they have been heard and to provide them with psychological comfort and support.

The last major study of the prevalence of schizophrenia in the US was carried out in the early 1980s. The results from that study have been used for 3 decades.

A response from the NIMH director.

A review of the video game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and implications for psychiatry.

Between 2006 and 2016 the overall US suicide rate went up from 10.97 to 13.26 per 100,000 people. Those numbers may seem small, but they reflect an increase of just over 20% in these 10 years.

Labeling a (clinically unexamined) public figure as "dangerous" can do as much or more harm as promulgating a specific psychiatric diagnosis.

This author makes a case against paid peer support for people with mental illness.

The loss of our psychiatrist colleagues reminds us to appreciate them while they are alive.

How many of you support the APA position on the Goldwater Rule? Let us know in this poll.

While ostensibly The Butterfly Effect tells the story behind the wide availability of free internet pornography, the psychiatrist listener will quickly appreciate that this is only the beginning of the story.

In addition to the indirect positive effect that Dr. King had on the self-esteem of so many, he implicitly connected his work to psychiatry. Who better to associate MLK's vision of “Beloved Community” than psychiatrist Phyllis Harrison-Ross?

The media has tremendous power in delivering messages to the public about mental illness. This year, the media got it wrong.

For a long time, we have relied to a large extent on phenomenology and diagnosis to plan treatment strategies, but advancements in psychiatry are changing that for the better.