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Observations – Installment #7

When something unexpectedly unpleasant happens, or even if you have evidence that something undesirable will befall you, search within yourself for the best possible interpretation of that event or circumstance. Depending on the gravity of what happened, initial shock or disbelief is normal, expected and warranted. But from that point forward, languishing is a way to continue punishing yourself. None of us get out of this life unscathed, we’ll all pay the piper in one way or another. We’re here [...]

2019-08-26T01:54:50+00:00
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Depressed, or in a Rut?

The cultural bar for what is considered depression continues to get lower and lower. And fueled by direct-to-consumer-advertising, people are lured into a false sense of security when, as a result of antidepressants, they see presumably happier people dancing in green pastures or enthusiastically petting their dog in the backyard. Such is the lure of a pill for our ills. […]

2013-01-29T08:21:39+00:00
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Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Trends – My Take

Every now and then I read some of the ubiquitous “threads” which discuss the trials and tribulations of those using psychotropic medications. The most frequent discussions are about antidepressants. The commentary uniformly highlights the failures that users are experiencing. This is because people are poorly educated about what to expect from these drugs. Expectations should be addressed at the prescriber level, but often aren’t. And antidepressant users – particularly first-timers – need to hear that these agents can help with [...]

2013-01-14T13:46:07+00:00
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DSM-5 – What It Would Be Wise to Ignore

Well, the Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association has done it – they’ve signed off on a DSM-5 containing changes that are fraught with flaws, replete with overkill and scientifically weak. My advice to clinicians is this: If you have any intention of attending a DSM-5 workshop (or maybe you already have), you should challenge the presenter to address the changes that make absolutely no sense and that will likely lead to considerable over-diagnosis and indiscriminate medication use. [...]

2013-01-14T13:50:45+00:00
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Observations – Installment #6

Producing music is impossible without instruments to generate the sound. Similarly, resolutions are no more than abstract concepts unless they’re accompanied by assertive and concrete action steps to do something. Only the action steps will enforce the daily discipline and accountability needed to transform the resolution into improved performance and desired behavior. Otherwise, nothing measurable will happen. […]

2013-01-14T13:57:26+00:00
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Rethinking Distinct Manic and Depressive Phases in Bipolar Disorder

It’s time to reconsider the “phasic” nature of bipolar disorder. A new international study, titled Investigating Manic Phases And Current Trends of Bipolar or IMPACT of Bipolar, found that 64 percent of patients with bipolar I disorder experience symptoms of depression during episodes of mania. So depression is of significance during the manic phase of this illness for a considerable number of bipolar I individuals. […]

2012-11-08T17:02:07+00:00
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