Addiction & Substance Use

Nonverbal cues speak just as loudly as words. How can video be used to capture these subtle cues and help patients make progress in therapy?

There are two goals in the acute treatment setting (e.g., emergency department): initiation of treatment and reducing the symptoms of agitation and aggression that frequently accompany an acute psychotic breakdown. Treatment options and considerations are reviewed.

The FDA approved two new intramuscular, immediate-release formulations of atypical antipsychotics. Both olanzapine (Zyprexa IM) and ziprasidone (Geodon IM) were recommended as safe and effective for the treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia.

A groundbreaking program at UCLA goes into inner-city schools to help students work through trauma. By learning how to deal with the trauma itself and reminders of the trauma, students are able to improve their academic and social performance.

Psychiatrists can play a vital role in determining whether or not a patient will be a good candidate for an organ transplant. Using a case vignette, Dr. Garton explains how she helps a transplant team make the best possible decision.

(Additional information regarding violence and trauma can be found in the Special Report section of the April 2001 issue of Psychiatric Times-Ed.)

The author examines how temperature and length of day can affect mood and behavior, both in a general population and a group of inpatients. In both groups, there were two peaks of violent behavior, one in May-June and one in October-November, which correspond with the equinoxes. Is it possible to track violent behavior in various geographical areas depending upon weather and length of day?

In this overview of research into the biopsychosocial changes caused by traumatic events, Dr. Novac discusses psychopathology, brain development and the effect a traumatic event can have on the victim's family-even long after the event occurred.

"Stalking" is defined as repeated and persistent unwanted communications and/or approaches that produce fear in the victim. The stalker may use such means as telephone calls, letters, e-mail, graffiti and placing notices in the media. A stalker may approach or follow the victim, or keep their residence under surveillance.

Most studies have found clear gender differences in the prevalence of depressive disorders. Typically, studies report that women have a prevalence rate for depression up to twice that of men (Bebbington, 1996; Nolen-Hoeksema, 1987).

California's recent passage of Proposition 36 mandates treatment instead of incarceration for illegal drug offenses. Proponents believe the measure will save the state millions of dollars in the long run and will be more effective in curbing drug abuse than the war on drugs. Critics argue it is hamstrung, cannot achieve its goals and will only negatively impact successful drug court programs.

The National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression awarded the 2000 Nola Maddox Falcone Prize. A brief description of each recipient's contributions to research with affective disorders is given.

Men's Reactions to Female Sexual Coercion

APA Annual Meeting Highlights New Research

With more and more Americans engaging in gambling activities, odds are high that psychiatrists may see patients who have some sort of gambling problem. What can be done about this problem, and how can these patients best be treated?

Smoking is not only a comorbid condition for schizophrenia; it may also have an effect on other psychiatric conditions.

America's policy regarding illegal drugs has been accused of being a failure and being racially biased against blacks and other minorities. The author asserts that while drugs and crime exist in all parts of the society, problem-generating drug use and serious crime are indeed concentrated among the urban poor, some of whom are black. He further explores what this disproportionate drug-related suffering means when it comes to the provision of addiction treatment, law enforcement resources and other responses to the problems spawned by addiction.

This article presents addictive behavior as a chronic illness rather than an acute illness. Studies of characteristics and treatment of addiction, similar to that of other chronic illnesses, are discussed.

Results from the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse show significant increases in rates of prescription drug abuse. Other surveys show similar findings. An overview of the most commonly abused drugs and suggestions for preventing abuse are reviewed.

Although comprehensive theories of addiction recognize the etiological importance of environmental and cognitive factors, it has been widely accepted for many years that addiction is also a brain disease and that individuals differ in their susceptibility to this condition.

Psychiatrist Bennet B. Braun, who claims his career was destroyed when his APA liability insurance provider settled a malpractice suit against his wishes, has now sued the APA, holding them liable for his losses.

More patients are reaching the old-old demographic-those age 75 and above-with psychiatric conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Research has shown that with some careful screening and precautions, ECT is a safe, effective treatment option for these patients.

In addition to reports on psychotherapeutic agents now available and anticipated in the United States, the presentations at the 22nd annual Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP) Congress, held from July 8 to 13, in Brussels, provided a unique view of varied investigational compounds and approaches outside our country.

Arguing that participation in any aspect of death penalty cases is an ethical conflict for physicians-and specifically psychiatrists-Dr. Freedman calls for physicians' organizations to join the American Bar Association's goal of a moratorium on executions. The author himself opposes the death penalty.

Known as "the cancer of mental illness," schizophrenia can core a life, robbing a previously well-functioning person of what made the person uniquely them.