Clinical Psychiatry News back issues from June 2007:
Medicare says no to VNS for refractory depression.
Jun 01, 2007; ... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has determined that it will not cover vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. The therapy, marketed by Cyberonics Inc. of Houston, has been successful in epilepsy but has been more controversial as a depression ...
Clarifying the record on Betty Ford.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jun 01, 2007; ... I think it is important to set the record straight on where Betty Ford underwent treatment for alcoholism ("Ford Center Hailed for Impact on Addiction Treatment," March 2007, p. 26). She did not receive her treatment at San Diego Naval Medical Center, but at Long Beach Naval ...
Who's making the diagnoses?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jun 01, 2007; ... I agree with most of what the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry says about treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ("Academy Releases New Parameter on Treatment of ADHD," March 2007, p. 1). Likewise, I endorse most of Dr. John T. Walkup's theories about Tourette's ...
'Ethics police' enforce draconian rules.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jun 01, 2007; ... I'm sure I am not alone when I say that the self-appointed "ethics police" have taken to a new extreme the topic of pharmaceutical sales promotions to physicians ("Medical Schools Just Say No to Drug Reps' Gifts," January 2007, p. 47). Despite the assertions in the article, ...
Is psychiatry evidence-based medicine?(POINT/COUNTERPOINT)
Jun 01, 2007; ... We must rely on the best evidence we have. The practice of evidence-based medicine is the integration of individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research, and further integrating this with the patient's values and ...
A call for buprenorphine certification.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Young people living in middle class and affluent suburbs are dying in unprecedented numbers because of their addictions to opiates. Most of these deaths are the result of addiction to diverted prescription analgesics, used alone or with alcohol and benzodiazepines. As a ...
Rating scales are just one evaluation tool.(Adult Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- Mental health rating scales cannot replace clinical judgment, but they can be useful tools for clinicians, Dr. Martha Sajatovic said at an international congress sponsored by the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. Rating scales such as the ...
Debate reopens on lithium, bipolar mothers.(Adult Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- A new study of 10 mother-infant pairs has raised the question again of whether lithium is a safe therapy when bipolar women breast-feed, Dr. Marlene P. Freeman said at a psychopharmacology conference sponsored by the University of Arizona. The investigators ...
Father's depression, anxiety affect children.(Adult Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Symptoms of depression and anxiety in fathers contribute to psychopathology and impair function in their college-aged children, Kimberly Renk, Ph.D., said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. "Our ...
A new study says that patients experiencing losses often are diagnosed with depression when their reactions are normal. Are psychiatrists too quick to label patients as depressed?(FINK! STILL AT LARGE)
Jun 01, 2007; ... The term "depression" has evolved into one that is highly misunderstood, because it is used by laymen to include moments of sadness and feeling blue, and numerous other symptoms related to conditions such as ennui or alexithymia. On the other hand, some of our fellow clinicians ...
Treating avoidant personality disorder.(THE PSYCHIATRIST'S TOOLBOX)
Jun 01, 2007; ... One of the most challenging people I've treated was a man in his 40s who had lived a lonely, isolated life as a bookkeeper for a large textile firm. He had his own private office--which allowed him to keep socialization with coworkers to an absolute minimum--and essentially ...
Maternal BPD predicts poor social functioning in offspring.(Adult Psychiatry)(borderline personality disorder )
Jun 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- A large study indicates that mothers with symptoms of borderline personality disorder may be more likely to have adolescent offspring with problems forming relationships, Nathaniel H. Herr and his colleagues reported in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the ...
Measured interpretation of CATIE encouraged.(Adult Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Dr. Alan J. Gelenberg is not persuaded that the trade-off inherent in a return to first-generation antipsychotics would be worth it. Recent reports show that first-generation antipsychotics are less expensive than the newer drugs. But Dr. Gelenberg, professor ...
Selective vitamin supplementation may improve cognitive functions.(Adult Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... WASHINGTON -- Supplementation with vitamins [B.sub.6] and [B.sub.12] and folate in younger to middle-aged adults improves motor speed and sequencing ability on neuropsychological tests, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind trial. In older adults, low levels of ...
The art of Mark Boritz.(VISIONARY ART)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Artist Mark Boritz holds a bachelor's degree in photography from Empire State College in New York, but he still considers himself self-taught. Mr. Boritz, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn who loves New York City's architecture and skyline, used to wander around the city taking ...
Many factors influence PTSD development.(Adult Psychiatry)(posttraumatic stress disorder)
Jun 01, 2007; ... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- Various kinds of risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder and numerous countervailing factors might singularly or collectively promote vulnerability or protection in people who experience traumatic events, Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D., reported at an international congress ...
Environmental factors key in anxiety disorders.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... ST. LOUIS -- Anxiety disorders may be transmitted from one generation to the next by specific family environmental factors such as parental modeling, overcontrolling parental behavior, and family conflict, according to a study presented at the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorders ...
Pain relievers.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)(Cartoon)
Jun 01, 2007 ... "I'm familiar with invisible friend issues. I ...
Kids' coping ability minimizes peer victimization.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... BOSTON -- Adolescents' beliefs in their own coping abilities can help mediate the psychosocial impact of relational victimization in school, results of a study have shown. Students who can disengage themselves from the role of victim, who avoid self-blame, and who use active ...
Positive parenting helps keep early-maturing girls on track.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... BOSTON -- Positive parenting practices can minimize the impact that negative peer influence has on early-maturing girls and thus can reduce the risk of externalizing problems, results of a study have shown. For this reason, psychosocial interventions targeting at-risk girls ...
Multiple types of abuse lead to PTSD, other comorbidities.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)(posttraumatic stress disorder)
Jun 01, 2007; ... HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- The more complex a child's victimization history, the more likely he or she is to experience multiple negative outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use, Benjamin E. Saunders, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the ...
Drugs most often abused by eighth graders in 2006.(DATA WATCH)(List)
Jun 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Drugs Most Often Abused by Eighth Graders in 2006 Marijuana 11.7% Inhalants 9.1% Amphetamines4.7% Vicodin 3.0% OxyContin 2.6% Ritalin 2.6% Tranquilizers 2.6% ...
For girls on risperidone, don't measure prolactin.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- A 6-year-old girl with autism is treated with risperidone 0.5 mg twice daily, and after 2 months of treatment her behavior is improved, and there are no noted side effects. But her serum prolactin is clearly elevated for her age at 45 ng/mL. What should you do? ...
Risk of PTSD is higher in those with history of family problems.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)(posttraumatic stress disorder)(Clinical report)
Jun 01, 2007; ... SAN DIEGO -- A high proportion of America's youth experience or witness a violent event, and a family history of substance abuse or mental health problems increase the risk that these youth will develop posttraumatic stress disorder or depression. Those are the findings of a ...
Thimerosal exposure during pregnancy not linked to autism.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Exposure to thimerosal-containing Rh immunoglobulin during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder, said Dr. Judith H. Miles and T. Nicole Takahashi. Overall, 214 mothers of 230 children receiving treatment for an ...
Before drugs, think 'S.E.L.F.' for hypersomnia.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)(Social interactions, Exercise, Light, and Food)
Jun 01, 2007; ... RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF -- Behavioral treatments should be the first line of defense when treating children with hypersomnia, Dr. Raphael Pelayo said at a meeting on sleep disorders in infants and childhood. Dr. Pelayo developed the mnemonic S.E.L.F. to help children, parents, and ...
Try reserving melatonin for severe insomnia.(Child/Adolescent Psychiatry)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Melatonin may help children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder get more sleep, but behavior benefits are negligible, said Kristiaan B. Van der Heijden, Ph.D., of the Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, the Netherlands, and colleagues. Surprisingly, melatonin had no ...
Staff key to heading off psychiatric emergencies.(Geriatric Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... NEW ORLEANS -- Educating staff to spot triggers for disruptive behavior in long-term care facility residents and to effectively prevent escalation is key to helping head off psychiatric emergencies, Dr. Amita Patel said at the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric ...
Stroke and Alzheimer's pathology raise risk of dementia.(Geriatric Psychiatry)(Clinical report)
Jun 01, 2007; ... BALTIMORE -- The interaction of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease pathology appears to significantly increase the risk of dementia, Dr. Richard O'Brien said at a meeting on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders sponsored by Johns Hopkins University. "Having ...
Brief intervention works despite comorbidities: depression, impulsivity do not impede change for trauma patients with mild, moderate alcohol problems.(Addiction Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Depression and/or impulsivity do not get in the way of behavioral change for trauma patients who have participated in a brief motivational intervention for alcohol abuse, results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of ...
Perspective.(Community Psychiatry)
Jun 01, 2007; ... It takes more than education to change behavior. Yet, when the public became aware of the consequences of severe bullying--bullying rooted in hatred or hostility and akin to a form of torture--everyone ran to the cottage-industry approach of education-only antibullying programs without any ...
Bullying and school violence.(PREVENTION IN ACTION)
Jun 01, 2007; ... News that the college student behind the Virginia tech massacre had been the victim of bullying during middle school and high school was not surprising. In fact, given the available data on common characteristics of perpetrators of school violence, it could almost be expected. ...
Isometric exercise may benefit patients with chronic pain.(Pain Medicine)
Jun 01, 2007; ... WASHINGTON -- Low-intensity isometric exercise appears to significantly ease the perception of pain in healthy young adults, suggesting that such maneuvers could be a pain management tool for older adults with chronic pain conditions but limited mobility, according to research presented at ...
LDL drug reduces blood glucose in diabetes.(Across Specialties)(low density lipoproteins)
Jun 01, 2007; ... SEATTLE -- The LDL cholestorol-lowering agent colesevelam also lowers blood glucose levels significantly in type 2 diabetes patients already on oral diabetes medication, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. ...
Pain relievers.(Across Specialties)(Cartoon)
Jun 01, 2007 ... "You can't change unless you're willing ...