Too many times psychiatrists apply the same medication to patients who might be complaining about similar symptoms when their symptoms come from a cause that is uniquely differentiated than another cause. Prescription medications for depression or anxiety are not like aspirin that can be used for multiple issues. Proper treatment requires careful and persistent diagnosis. … Read more
When medications have assisted a patient through an emotional crisis or resolved a chronic mood disorder and the patient has demonstrated stability for a reasonable period of time, a consultation will be in order to discuss discontinuing medication. We first want to see how they do when we taper back to a lower dose. In fact, with some … Read more
Sometimes, if people have never sought out a “head doctor,” there’s some reluctance and anxiety about the initial meeting. I’ve heard plenty of rumors as to how other doctors conduct their first interviews with clients, but I’d like to share with you how my first doctor-patient interview is done in my office to better put your anxieties … Read more
Lately, the media has given a lot of attention to “Black Box Warnings” for increased risk of suicide for patients under 18 years of age to mid-20s who are prescribed psychotropic medications. For every highly publicized individual instance of a radically adverse response to medication, there are thousands of patients who have benefitted from treatment and … Read more
At least one out of every 75 people suffers from Panic Disorder, which is something of a subset of a number of Anxiety Disorders. Anxiety Disorders involve processes that are both mental and physical, and create problems that are both mental and physical. One reason why these sort of mood disorders are so difficult to treat … Read more
Children are typically ignored in our everyday adult lives of social interactions and business dealings. It is much easier to allow the parents to describe the symptoms and explain what is going on with their son or daughter, but if we as physicians fail to personally make a connection with the child, we not only run … Read more
In traditional medicine, it’s sometimes easier to focus on the primary (or only) complaint when patients come in. Granted, some patients who see me do have just one primary issue or complaint, and that’s what I call the beginning of the rabbit hole. In most cases, if asked enough questions, we can uncover more minor issues that … Read more
About a week ago, the world watched, horrified, when news broke that Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately flew his 149 passengers and fellow staff to their deaths in the French Alps. As news of his life began to filter through, we were introduced to a young man (only 27) who had suffered bouts of depression … Read more
From Dr. Paul Corona’s book, Healing the Mind and Body, Volume 3 We’re so fortunate to live in a time when many excellent medications are widely available to relieve depression and other symptoms. In one generation, the treatment of anxiety and depression has moved from symptomatic medications and narcotics – that did little more than dull the emotional … Read more
Depression is a subject few people care to discuss. Many people have an aversion to depression because they equate it with defeatism, a weak self-image, lack of will power and the sissy’s response to life’s challenges. Still others fear that it can invade at any moment and then stubbornly refuse to leave. My discomfort with the word … Read more