A New Report on Pain in America: Like Déjà Vu All Over Again
December 2nd 2011The report notes that pain is a significant public health problem that affects more than 100 million Americans, costs our society at least $560 to $659 billion annually, and can be severely detrimental to the lives of sufferers.
Video: Neuroimaging. . . Is It Still a Research Tool in Psychiatry?
November 30th 2011Neuroimaging… is it still a research tool in psychiatry, or is it ready for prime time? In this video, Jair Soares, MD, of the University of Texas at Houston, touches on the main brain imaging techniques and their possible uses in mental health practice.
Video: Medical and Behavioral Models to Manage Aggression in Youth
November 30th 2011Aggressive behavior is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation with a mental health professional in community-based settings. Dr Hendren presents a neurodevelopmental model for the assessment and treatment of aggression in youths.
Video: Medical Malpractice: A Focus on Technology
November 30th 2011Many health care professionals do not know how standards of care and medical malpractice are determined. This lack of knowledge can result in either inadequate communication or defensive medical treatment. Dr Rodgers reviews malpractice standards and addresses issues regarding technologies such as email, social networking, and cyber-treatment.
Video: The Sense of Humor and Mental Health
November 30th 2011The subtleties of the sense of humor may reveal alterations in mental status, yet it is often overlooked when assessing patients. It is a valuable area of inquiry and may shed light on problems of social relatedness as well as highlight resilience and coping mechanisms. Dr Greenberg discusses the use of the sense of humor in assessing well-being and how to use the sense of humor therapeutically.
DSM-5: APA Responds to American Counseling Association Concerns
November 24th 2011On November 21, 2011, John Oldham, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), wrote a response letter to Don W. Locke, EdD, president of the American Counseling Association, who had some concerns with proposed revisions for DSM-5.
DSM-5: Petitions, Predictions, and Prescriptions
November 22nd 2011Some months ago, I received a stern admonition from my family doctor. My fasting blood sugar of 99 mg/dL was “right on the border”, he said, and I had better work on bringing it down. “But,” I protested, “when I was in medical school (in the 70s), the normal FBS range went up to 110 mg/dL!” "Well,” he replied a bit huffily, “they changed the criteria!”
Video: Sexual Desire and Its Deficiencies
November 22nd 2011Diminishing libido is a symptom of depression, but antidepressants do not always restore sexual interest. Loss of desire may be the cause of depression, not its consequence. Dr Levine explains the nature of sexual desire and its relationship to arousal including the various biogenic, psychogenic, interpersonal, and cultural factors that contribute to problems associated with sexual desire.
Video: Perinatal Anxiety Disorders: Risks, and Treatment Options
November 17th 2011Perinatal anxiety disorders are common and pose risks to women and their offspring. Here, Laura Miller, MD, speaks briefly on panic disorder, PTSD, and OCD during pregnancy and post-partum, and she offers strategies for crafting effective treatment plans.
Video: Evaluating Depression in Older Patients
November 17th 2011Mood and cognitive disorders are major public health problems, and care for patients with such conditions is of growing importance as the population ages. Here, geriatric psychiatrist Jeffrey Lyness, MD, of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York offers teaching points about the evaluation of depression in older persons.
You Say “Yes,” I Say “No,” You Say “Goodbye,” and I Say “Hello”
November 17th 2011In theory, psychiatrists possess no special skills for determining capacity of a patient to accept or refuse medical care, yet a large percentage of a psychosomatic physician’s work nonetheless involves capacity evaluations.