The Quick Rush To Medicate

I came across a journal article lately that highlights an area of great concern for me and for others in the mental health world. A research paper published in the August edition of the Archives of General Psychiatry (a dense and difficult to read tome), identified a massive increase in the use of antipsychotic mood . . . → Read More: The Quick Rush To Medicate

In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly have made a few appearances lately, telling their story of bravery and determination following the horrific shooting in January that left Giffords near death. Giffords’ has made a near miraculous recovery, due in large part to a hefty dose of luck, and the determination of those around her, . . . → Read More: In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation . . . A New Hope For Treatment Resistant Depression

A former patient wrote this to check in with me . . .

As a former patient of your practice, what are your thoughts on treatment resistant depression? Anything new or in the pipe line? At present I am doing well with Pristiq ,lithium, and Depakote. I am also involved in a sleep study with . . . → Read More: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation . . . A New Hope For Treatment Resistant Depression

Treatment Resistant Depression–Under Recognized and Under Treated

As a psychiatrist . . . as an empathic person . . . it is very difficult to hear stories like the one listed below:

My heart is broke and i Feel I will never leave this deep black dark hole that I cant escape… Im tearing up heavily as I write this message… Ive . . . → Read More: Treatment Resistant Depression–Under Recognized and Under Treated

What Makes Vyvanse So Special? Simple.

As time goes on, I become more fond of Vyvanse as a medication for my patients with ADHD. As my loyal readers know, I am very hesitant to jump on the pharmaceutical bandwagon and I view all new products with great skepticism. Especially when they are re-hashes of old medications as many of the “new” . . . → Read More: What Makes Vyvanse So Special? Simple.

Why Don't I Get Better When All I Do Is Medicine?

I am not bipolar but am on 200 mg of Lamictal and 50 mg of Zoloft. I have tried many meds and I never feel good. I have read alot and done alot of research. I have found that there is no proof of chemical imbalances or that these meds work better than a placebo. . . . → Read More: Why Don't I Get Better When All I Do Is Medicine?

Driving Miss Daisy . . . aka watch what your doin' with them meds!

So . . . I got in my car the other day and, much like every other day, put on my blindfold and sped off to work . . .

“WHAT?????” you might be rightfully saying . . . “put on your blindfold and started driving?????” . . . “you CRAZY!!!”

Well, of COURSE . . . → Read More: Driving Miss Daisy . . . aka watch what your doin' with them meds!

Hard on the Liver??? . . . Good for the mood???

My mother has cirrhosis of the liver and also severe depression. She is 70 yrs. old What would be the safest med for her to take??? She seems to be unable to live and manage her issues due to depression.

In general, depression in the elderly can be very difficult to treat. As with . . . → Read More: Hard on the Liver??? . . . Good for the mood???

Approaching the (possibly) Unapproachable Doctor

I am a 33 year old female diagnosed with major depression 7 years ago and ADD about 5 years ago. I’ve been on several Tricyclics, SSRIs, Cymbalta, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Tegretol, Abilify, Provigil, Klonapin, Synthoid(for slight underactive thyroid possibly contributing to depression),Yaz (for possible PMDD contributing to depression), and Concerta, plus more (many of these I’ve . . . → Read More: Approaching the (possibly) Unapproachable Doctor

Depression Not Getting Better, But Not Out Of Options

Over the past 2.5 years I have been on and off 7 different antidepressants (5 SSRIs, one SNRI) but my doctor has not been satisfied that the benefits outweigh the risks/side effects. He says he is out of drug options and is looking to my psychologist to help me. For about the past year and . . . → Read More: Depression Not Getting Better, But Not Out Of Options