Getting Down and Dirty

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From the Chairman

In today’s busy world, everyone is stretched thin for time. Information is coming from all directions, and we are expected to respond at a moment’s notice.

In chatting with you, our readers, we realize you are not exempt from the seemingly limitless demands from work, family, friends, your conscience, and so on. Since 1985, Psychiatric Times has provided you, the psychiatrist, clinical information you can use to help your patients by distilling and synthesizing current research, guidelines, practice trends, and real-life experiences from experts and thought leaders from around the world. We also share your colleagues’ insights, thoughts, frustrations, and triumphs in today’s world, from exploring the impact of culture on psychiatry and mental health, to the environment, to politics, and even entertainment.

To further support your needs, we have identified six areas within psychiatry that seem to resonate most with you and your practice needs: Addiction and Substance Use Disorders, Schizophrenia and Psychosis, Mood Disorders, Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Neuropsychiatric Disorders, and Psychosomatics. Look for these topic areas highlighted throughout the book. We welcome your feedback on the topics and this new initiative-you are always welcome to drop us a note at PTEditor@mmhgroup.com.

With that in mind, we invite you to read a report about new research on the link between the immune system and schizophrenia, which is highlighted on the cover. Also in this issue, Editorial Board member David N. Osser, MD, provides a brief tutorial explaining the role of lamotrigine in treating bipolar disorder, and Mark A. Oldham, MD, and colleagues present two cases of patients with comorbid psychiatric and medical problems. Plus, to keep you up-to-date, you will find recent conference coverage, with the speakers sharing their insights and take-home messages to improve clinical care. Rounding out our clinical articles, you will find discussions on gun violence as well as a new installment of the thoughtful and acclaimed Critical Conversations in Psychiatry series with Awais Aftab, MD.

Of course, we will continue to bring you the columns and features to which you look forward every issue. This month, the Special Report explores infectious diseases and their direct and indirect effects on mental health and your patients. Look for the piece by Gjumrakch Aliev, MD, PhD, and colleagues that discuss a link between infectious burden and Alzheimer disease. The article, “Psychiatry, Outbreaks, and Pandemics: Lessons Learned,” by Nidal Moukaddam, MD, PhD, helps us understand how infectious outbreaks have shaped the psyche of humanity for centuries (and beyond). And to help you earn CME credit, you can read about treating nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior.

There is so much to read and explore in psychiatry today, and we are delighted you continue to turn to Psychiatric Times as your source of clinical news and information!

Mike Hennessy Sr

Chairman and Founder, MJH Life Sciences