Introduction: Comorbidity, Cognition, and Pharmacotherapies
June 9th 2011In this Special Report, Helen M. Pettinati, PhD, and William D. Dundon, PhD, discuss prevalence, assessment, clinical features, and treatment issues with respect to individuals with co-occurring major depression and alcohol dependence.
Biomarkers Oversold In Medicine: Implications for Psychiatry
June 8th 2011John Ioannidis, MD, of Stanford University has published a paper with wide implications for medicine and also for psychiatry. He finds that many influential studies have made exaggerated claims purporting to find connections between biomarkers and medical illness.
Who Needs DSM-5? A Strong Warning Comes From Professional Counselors
June 8th 2011I just received a very important email from Dr Dayle Jones who chairs the DSM-5 Task Force of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The ACA has provided a much needed wake-up call for the American Psychiatric Association.
Australia's Reckless Experiment In Early Intervention
June 8th 2011A charismatic psychiatrist, Patrick McGorry has recently gained heroic status. First he was chosen to be Australia's Man Of The Year. Now, he has convinced the Australian government to spend more than $400 million over 5 years to fund his plan for a nationwide system of Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centres.
What’s in It for Psychiatrists?
June 2nd 2011The challenge to learn enough relevant information about a patient in brief medication (and evaluative) sessions still exists. And there is also the challenge of picking a medication that will be acceptable and valued-both from a symbolic and biological standpoint.
Black Psychiatrists of America Speak About Desmond Tutu
June 2nd 2011On behalf of the Black Psychiatrists of America, we are writing to the American Psychiatric Association regarding the recent “issues” that have been raised by some members of your association with respect to Archbishop Tutu being this year’s convocation speaker at your annual meeting in Hawaii in May.
Top Clinical Articles: Studies You Won't Want to Miss
May 26th 2011To identify what psychiatrists and other physicians may need to know about recent studies in internal medicine, Monique Yohanan, MD, MPH, a physician editor at Epocrates, Inc, reviewed several articles published during the last year that she considers newsworthy and most likely to influence clinical practice.
Self-medication for Anxiety Increases Risk for Substance Use Disorders
May 25th 2011Patients with anxiety disorders who self-medicate with alcohol or drugs may be increasing their risk for developing incident substance use disorders, according to a study presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s recent annual meeting.
A Growing Crisis in Mental Health Among the Nation’s Elderly?
May 24th 2011A report of dropoffs of elderly individuals at hospitals, elderly persons being reported for socially inappropriate behavior, and an increase in 911 calls concerning elderly relatives with dementia attacking family members and caregivers.
Nearly Half of Kids in Inpatient Psychiatric Program Receive Antipsychotics
May 24th 2011In a decade-long study of antipsychotic prescribing for hospitalized children and adolescents, researchers found that antipsychotics were used in 44.3% of patients and were often prescribed for behavioral disorders, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders as well as psychotic disorders.
Top Medical Articles of 2010: Three on Vitamins and Supplements
May 23rd 2011In response to mounting physician interest in vitamins and dietary supplements, Monique Yohanan, MD, MPH, a physician editor at Epocrates, Inc, reviewed her picks for articles about vitamin D, calcium, and glucosamine that she considers “most likely to influence clinical practice” at the recent APA meeting in Honolulu.
Video: The Physician as Patient: Challenges in Evaluation and Rx
May 23rd 2011Watch as Glen Gabbard, MD, and his colleagues Holly Crisp-Han, MD, and Gabrielle Hobday, MD, discuss some of the challenges you may face when you are called on to assess another physician. This topic was the focus of a workshop at the APA meeting.