Volume 25, Number 4

Use of Psychometric Principles in Evaluating the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Clinicians will become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the Hamilton Depression (Ham-D) Rating Scale and will see how psychometric concerns are leading some researchers to question its ubiquity. Read More

Depression and Work Impairment: Can Enhanced Treatment Be Cost-beneficial?
Depression is associated with enormous economic burdens, on the order of $83 billion per year in the United States alone. Lost work productivity from depression accounts for the majority of these economic costs. Clinicians will be able to better understand the economic costs imposed by depression and review ways to address these burdens. Read More

Long-term Outcome of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: The Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder
The authors suggest that 3 groups of patients with anxiety and depressive disorders--good, intermediate, and poor prognosis--can be identified without the need for DSM diagnostic labels. Clinicians will follow the Nottingham Study as it shows the possibility to identify these groups very early in assessment and without a process of trial and error. Read More

Assessing and Treating the Bipolar Patient With Comorbid Substance Use Disorder
Clinicians will understand the implications of comorbid substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), and review principles of assessment of patients with comorbid bipolar disorder and substance use disorder (SUD). They will also learn principles of treating patients with comorbid BD and SUD. Read More

Suicidality Among Pathological Gamblers
Pathological gambling is a significant public health problem. Pathological gamblers frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric conditions and are at risk for suicidal behavior, including completed suicide. Clinicians will have a greater understanding of the factors that may increase the risk of suicidal behavior among pathological gamblers, and will further utilize this understanding in assessing suicidal risk in other patients in their clinical practice. Read More

Responding to Clinicians After Loss of a Patient to Suicide
There are two kinds of psychiatrists: those who have had a patient commit suicide and those who will. Clinicians will learn why suicide is conceptualized as an occupational hazard of mental health work as well as review role-related recommendations on how to respond in the event of patient suicide in one's own practice. Read More