Benzodiazepines vs Antidepressants for Anxiety Disorders
December 19th 2013A recent systematic review and meta-analysis that compared benzodiazepines with antidepressants for anxiety disorders has triggered a debate among clinicians about first-line treatments, efficacy for specific disorders, and adverse effects.
The Clinical and Treatment Implications of Co-Occurring Mania and ADHD in Youths
December 17th 2013The relationship between bipolar disorder and ADHD remains unclear; however, this combined condition may represent an important genetic and clinical subtype with distinct psychopathology, familiality, and treatment response.
CDC Report Finds ADHD Diagnosis, Treatment in Children and Adolescents Continue to Rise
December 4th 2013ADHD is on the rise according to a new report from the CDC, and most youngsters with the diagnosis are receiving treatment for the disorder. But the report raises a number of clinical implications . . .
Tipsheet: 5 Subtypes of Stalkers
November 29th 2013A stalker may approach or follow the victim, or keep their residence under surveillance, setting up a perpetual cycle of fear for the victim and frustration or anger for the perpetrator. Here, subtypes of stalkers to determine which type of behavior his or her communications suggest.
Psychosis Risk Syndrome Is Back
November 26th 2013"Psychosis Risk" can now be diagnosed as “Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome” and used to bill for insurance reimbursement. Many bearing the diagnostic label are young adolescents and adults in whom schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder will never develop.
The Role of Electronic Cigarettes for Tobacco Dependence Treatment
November 20th 2013Stopping smoking affects the metabolism of a number of drugs used in the management of mental illness. Here, a summary of the author's published study on whether e-cigarettes with nicotine were more effective for smoking cessation than nicotine patches.
Smoking Cessation: What’s Next?
November 20th 2013Smoking is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the US. The majority of smokers want to quit, but only a fraction achieve this annually. New evidence shows it is possible to teach patients to weaken the link between craving and smoking until they are able to ride out any craving–and consequently quit.
Rural Telepsychiatry: The Future Is Bright
November 15th 2013Various populations of patients can benefit from telepsychiatry. The goal is not to replace local mental health resources but to enhance existing capabilities. This article articulates successful interventions as well as topics to consider when developing a telepsychiatry service.
Diagnosing Psychiatric Disorders: The Synchronization of DSM-5 and ICD-10-CM
November 13th 2013The two most widely used classification systems are ICD-10 and DSM. These systems are mutually influential. Recent diagnostic guides highlight the importance of an integrated approach to presenting problems in a patient-centered framework. Specifics here.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression and Alzheimer Disease: An Emerging Therapy
November 11th 2013Demographic shifts and rising life expectancies will lead to an epidemic of chronic neuropsychiatric disease, and societal and public health costs will be enormous. Deep brain stimulation--a procedure that interfaces directly with the neural elements that drive pathological behavior--could be useful.