Chronic pain is typically defined as pain lasting longer than three months, resulting from either a disease process or bodily injury that has not resolved as expected. It is a major and complex public health reality for almost one-third of the US population.
How often are you faced with patients who come to you with “I’m exhausted,” “I have no energy,” “I’m dragging,” or “I can’t stay awake”? If you’re like most psychiatrists, you see this often, and at times simply giving a sleep aid is an unsatisfying or ineffective solution.
Since our feature article on “New Antidepressants” in the May 2012 TCPR, you may have heard some buzz about yet another new antidepressant undergoing clinical trials, this one with the less-than-sexy name ALKS-5461. Some news outlets have promoted it as “revolutionary.” What exactly is it?
Trip Gardner, MD
Chief of Psychiatry, Penobscot Community Health Care Medical Director, Penobscot Community Health Care Homeless Services
Dr. Gardner has disclosed that he has no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity.
The health care system seems to be evolving towards the integration of primary and mental health care. What are the benefits of this model and how will it affect psychiatrists?
James Recht, MD
Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Recht has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
In this article, the focus will be restricted to the following non-invasive technologies: transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS; magnetic seizure therapy (MST); transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (t-VNS); and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Cary S. Gunther, PhD
Neurologist and psychiatrist in private practice, Voluntary Faculty, New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center
Dr. Gunther has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
Most clinicians are familiar with the use of brain CT scans in an emergency situation. But what about other imaging modalities? How are they being employed to add to the understanding of mood disorders? And when might they be appropriate for general clinical use?
Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby, MD
Lawrence C. Katz Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University
Dr. Lisanby has disclosed that she has received grant, research, and equipment support from several device manufacturers. Dr. Balt has reviewed this article and found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.
What is the current usage, popularity and techniques for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Dr. Lisanby brings us up to date on the changes in the field of ECT.
Glen Spielmans, PhD
Associate professor of psychology, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN
Glen Spielmans, PhD, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
Does marijuana affect cognitive function? There seems to be no shortage of opinions on this question, but no prospective, longitudinal study has ever been published. Until now, that is.