We invite you to weigh in on the case vignettes presented in this space. The cases are culled from the real-life experiences of the authors, and many have previously been published in Psychiatric Times within the context of a clinical article. The identity of the patients in each of these cases has been altered. We feature them here because each case involves at least one diagnostic or therapeutic decision dilemma.
The first half of the 20th century saw 2 world wars, indiscriminate aerial bombing of civilians, the dropping of the atomic bomb, and the Holocaust-all of which created intense trauma for soldiers and civilians.Yet it was not until the American intervention in a post-colonial civil war in Southeast Asia that the psychiatric community in the 1970s formally described what we now call PTSD.
In many climates, a cold February is relieved a bit by the Super Bowl and then by Valentine’s Day-a symbol of hope for falling in love, sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly.
Here we present how to assess safely patients who become oppositional or menacing in a clinic or office.
Mostly prose with effective inclusion of poetry, author Jill Bialosky adds an important survivor’s perspective in her book of her sister's suicide. To clinicians in particular, the book may serve as a window into the psychic lives of those left behind following a tragic end.
Charles Dickens might well say of American psychiatry, “These are the best of times and the worst of times.”
Like all other sectors of government, state mental health budgets will be slow to recover and will be shaped by current policy priorities and litigation mandates imposed in multiple states.
A new study examining conventional “start low, go slow” nutrition replenishment protocols for hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) that have been recommended by professional organizations and it's outcomes.
Research is needed to define clinical biomarkers and genetic screens that could be used to identify early stages of dementia and to link clinical syndromes with the later development of dementia.
The recent spate of Op-Eds in the New York Times says it all: both the psychiatric profession and the general public have strong feelings about the pending DSM-5-what many in the media like to call “Psychiatry’s Bible.” These emotions are certainly understandable.
While she curses and cries . . . I imagine I am the pilot . . . who ditched his Airbus
Cedars, the preeminent private hospital in L.A. and considered the “hospital to the Hollywood stars,” said it would continue staffing of psychiatric support that is an adjunct to patient care throughout the medical center.
Suicide continues to be the third leading cause of death in youths aged 10 and older. Several new studies shed further light on suicidal behavior in children and adolescents.
This article outline a previously undescribed mechanism for understanding the molecular relationships between the hypothalamus and high-fat diets. Do they also hint at the creation of a fat pill?
During my career-initially as a caddy and now as a psychiatry resident-I’ve had the immense privilege of listening to the stories of others. Here's one of those stories.
Although the child welfare system, private adoption agencies, families, schools, health care providers, and churches all provide opportunities for safely relinquishing children, tragedies continue to occur.
Here's a sampling of Psychoeducational Resources with live links including those available from the NIMH (NIMH Schizophrenia_ and Learning About Healthy Living.
Schizophrenia is often characterized by lack of insight, treatment nonadherence, and poor prognosis. However, research suggests that patients with schizophrenia benefit immensely from learning about their illness.
For a great list of resources that are recovery-based check out this list geared toward educating providers about recovery.
My recent blog stimulated 2 interesting responses that illustrate the stark contrast between DSM-5 fantasy and DSM-5 reality. Together they document why publication must be delayed if DSM-5 is to be set right.
Project GREAT efforts in psychoeducation are geared toward educating providers about recovery so that they can, in turn, transform their own practices to be in concert with the recovery model.
Any physician can predict death as the outcome of a fatal illness, but the physician who can predict death from among seeming randomness has certainly acquired a superior level of insight.
Father and son psychiatrists offer the following advice, in the Oslerian spirit of honoring and guiding trainees-today’s psychiatric residents-who will become tomorrow’s psychiatric leaders.
Information and topics of special interest to psychiatry residents and early career psychiatrists can be found on the Resident's Corner page. We invite you to visit.
Consumers, mental healthcare professionals, researchers and public health advocates can now access comprehensive information on all aspects of integrative mental healthcare via a new Web site launched by the International Network of Integrative Mental Health.
My three criticisms of DSM-5 have been: (1) risky suggestions; (2) bad writing; and (3) poor planning and disorganization.