Are Psychiatric Disorders Inflammatory-Based Conditions?
A plethora of studies support the hypothesis that inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders.
Gender Identity Disorder in Prison: Depending on a Diagnosis That Is Soon to Disappear?
September 28th 2012A recent case has caused a flurry of opposing opinions. Not surprisingly, transgender advocacy groups have praised the judge's decision that the inmate in question has an eighth amendment right requiring the state to support and pay for sex reassignment surgery.
An Autistic Child With Psychotic Symptoms
September 20th 2012Autism and schizophrenia may present as 2 separate disorders that need to be differentiated, or treated as comorbid conditions. It is important to remember that some individuals may have both disorders, which has implications when designing appropriate biopsychosocial interventions.
The Epidemic of Military Suicide
September 20th 2012With understandable urgency, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has made suicide one of his top priorities, instructing commanders at all levels to feel acutely accountable for it. The numbers are startling. On average 1 active duty soldier is killing himself each day--twice the number of combat deaths and twice the civilian rate.
Should Physicians Be Experts on Cost?
September 19th 2012Earlier this year the American College of Physicians had to spell out that it is ethically appropriate for physicians to talk about cost with patients. This speaks to how far we as physicians have to go to be fully engaged in this conversation.
Mental Illness Is No Metaphor: Five Uneasy Pieces
September 14th 2012Is the expression “mental illness” merely a metaphor? If so, does that tell us something about the persons we identify as having a mental illness? To clinicians who deal with devastating psychiatric disorders every day-and to those afflicted with these conditions-these questions may seem like a lot of semantic nonsense.
In Memoriam-Thomas Stephen Szasz, MD
September 13th 2012In early September of 2012, a psychiatric colleague and friend passed away. Thomas Stephen Szasz, MD, was Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Here is a personal reflection of the man I met, learned from, and considered a friend and colleague.
Psychiatric Disorders Associated With Suicide
September 12th 2012Suicide involves a complex array of psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors, and it is particularly likely to occur during periods of individual, family, and socioeconomic crises associated with loss and shame. What 3 psychiatric disorders are most often associated with suicide?
Coming Along With the DSM-5: Hybrid Models of Psychiatric Diagnosis
September 12th 2012Do not be surprised if you hear more about hybrid models of psychiatric diagnoses included in DSM-5. The categorical and dimensional model approaches are 2 sides of the same coin as you look at the same patient from 2 different angles.