Spring Awakenings and Awareness

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Spring is universally celebrated as a time of rebirth and renewal. As we emerge from the dark days of winter and look to brighter—literally and figuratively—days, we also are reminded of the hopes of remission, recovery, or at least improved quality of life for patients with mental illness. Perhaps that’s why May was chosen as Mental Health Month.

Established in 1949, the monthlong observance was meant to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness and as a means to support those with mental illness. For the general public, the month serves as a good reminder of the resources available, and needed, to support vulnerable individuals. Of course, within the field of psychiatry, every day is Mental Health Month.

With that in mind, this issue of Psychiatric Times™ is filled with clinical insights and pearls, research reviews, and thoughtful commentaries, all pushing the field forward. For instance, Holly Betterly, MD, and Ruby Barghini, MD, shed light on the global misuse of Apetamin, a supplement that has gained attention on social media and is being sold illegally to enhance body figures. Apetamin contains the first-generation antihistamine cyproheptadine, which, because of its anticholinergic and sedative properties, has been investigated as an off-label treatment for a wide range of psychiatric conditions. Nonetheless, these supplements are associated with safety concerns that you as a psychiatrist should know about, and Drs Betterly and Barghini detail those issues.

Meanwhile, there is abundant awareness of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which continues to be a problem for many patients. In this month’s continuing education article, Lawrence T. Park, MD; Sarah H. Lisanby, MD; and Carlos A. Zarate Jr, MD, explore promising strategies for TRD, from novel psychopharmacologic agents to neurostimulation. They discuss the safety and efficacy of these options to help you make the best treatment decisions for your patients.

In fact, from cover to cover, you will find some of your favorite contributors and sections as well as new authors and new ways of looking at clinical dilemmas. We hope the articles in this issue of Psychiatric Times™ put a little spring in your step and in your practice. ❒

Mike Hennessy Jr

President and CEO, MJH Life Sciences®