Differential Diagnosis of Psychotic Symptoms: Medical “Mimics”
December 3rd 2012The number of medical diseases that can present with psychotic symptoms (ie, delusions, hallucinations) is legion. A thorough differential diagnosis of possible medical and toxic causes of psychosis is necessary to avoid the mistaken attribution of psychosis to a psychiatric disorder.
Balancing Your Professional and Personal Life (Part 1)
November 30th 2012Career fulfillment, free time, maximum revenue-a perfect combination for every clinician-but seldom realized. Here, an expert on professional “burnout,” Dr Joseph Weiner discusses strategies that can enhance career satisfaction.
Silver Linings Sometimes Come in Pill Bottles
November 30th 2012Although a romantic comedy, Silver Linings Playbook does not romanticize mental illness for the patient or for the family. What the film does display though is that a life with mental illness effectively treated can be filled with meaning, happiness, and love.
From Bath Salts to Spice and Beyond-Elucidating Emerging Drugs of Abuse
November 22nd 2012Spice, Bath Salts, and Salvia are emerging drugs of abuse, with patients increasingly turning to these agents. Since their legal status varies and they can be difficult to detect on standard drug tests, their popularity may be increasing.
Atypical Depression in the 21st Century: Diagnostic and Treatment Issues
November 20th 2012Identification of atypical features is important in the treatment of depression for both treatment selection and prognosis, especially when initial measures prove ineffective. The concept of atypical depression has evolved over many years, and now it appears timely for a further revision.
Social Media Tools for Mental Health Professionals (Part 1)
November 19th 2012Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are increasingly turning to social media to help build, manage, market, and diversify their practices. But how to use social media still maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality? Details here.
Risk Management in Psychiatry: Tips From an Insider on How to Avoid a Malpractice Suit
November 17th 2012What steps should you take to avoid being sued? The answer to this all important question can be heard in this video, which stars Skip Simpson, a nationally recognized attorney who has spent his career litigating medical malpractice case
Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder: Questions to Consider
November 16th 2012What are the options for treating major depressive disorder in children and adolescents? This case offers readers a chance to give their feedback and to interact with the authors, who will present teaching points based on your comments.
You Can’t Turn a Sow’s Ear Into a Silk Purse
November 14th 2012The DSM-5 leadership is trying to put a brave face on its badly failed first stage of field testing and has offered no excuse or explanation for canceling its second and most crucial quality control stage. This field testing fiasco erases whatever was left of the credibility of DSM-5 and APA.
The HEADS-ED: Review of a Mental Health Screening Tool for Pediatric Patients
November 6th 2012A new screening tool based on the previously developed mnemonic designed to assist physicians with obtaining a psychosocial history from adolescents as part of a routine visit was developed by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Practical Tips From New Research on ADHD
November 6th 2012Research over the past 2 decades has demonstrated that ADHD occurs frequently and causes considerable suffering in patients and their families. ADHD begins in early childhood and persists through adolescence and into adulthood in 70% of those affected.
Minding Our Zeros and Ones: Are Psychiatrists Ready for Neurotechnology?
November 3rd 2012Neurotechnology refers to the science of applying our emerging understanding of the brain, consciousness, thought, and higher-order activities of the mind into developing technologies. The tools of neurotechnology, however, are not new for psychiatrists.