Volume 26, Number 4

Physicians' Resistance to Dealing with Alcoholism
Many doctors aren't actively participating in the development and implementation of alcohol-screening techniques, despite evidence supporting the value of brief interventions in identifying and treating early problem drinkers. The focus here is on increasing physician awareness of both problem drinking and available pharmacological treatment options. Read More

Psychiatrists Strive to Assure Patient Safety
Concerned about safety in your practice? This article offers step-by-step prevention strategies, as well as guidelines for coping with problems as they occur. Read More

Personality Traits Can Predict Best Treatment for Depression
Imagine determining a treatment for Major Depression Disorder (MDD) according to patient's personality--and thus increasing the likelihood of a better patient outcome. Drs. Bagby and Quilty offer persuasive evidence to suggest that the best treatment option may come from a thorough analysis of the patient's temperament. Read More

Cholesterol Metabolism and Suicidality
The link between low level serum cholesterol and suicide spectrum disorders is examined in-depth through an interpretation of epidemiological cohort studies, forensic analysis and experimental studies with animals, including the clinical implications for suicidal patients as well as Smith-Lemli-Opitx Syndrome carriers. Read More

COMT Gene Variant and Birth Weight Predict Early-onset Antisocial Behavior
Despite the fact that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects only 5% of school age children, the more we know about the disorder, the better chance clinicians have at alleviating its disruptive symptoms. This article explores two specific factors, COMT gene variant and birth weight, and their ability to predict antisocial behavior in kids with ADHD. Read More

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women
Hypoactive sexual desire is defined by evidence of a persistent or recurring deficiency of sexual fantasies, thought, and/or receptivity to sexual activity, causing significant personal distress and/or interpersonal difficulties. Read More

Improving the General Health of People with Intellectual Disabilities
This article proves the unfortunate fact that those with intellectual disabilities often inadequate healthcare. Dr. Kerr poses critical follow-up questions: why is healthcare frequently denied to those that need it most, and what can be done about it? Read More

Prognosis of Depression in Old Age and Middle Age: How Do They Compare?
What are the chances of patients with late-life depression achieving remission? How does age affect the risk of recurrence? How do other factors play in? In his lesson, Dr. Mitchell examines the prognosis of late-life depression when stratified by age. Read More

Antipsychotic Medications in Pediatric Patients: The Importance of Safety and Tolerability
Atypical antipsychotics are not approved for use in children and adolescents; it is unwise to assume that this population will respond to these medications as adults do. In this review, Drs Patel and DelBello discuss the side effects and metabolic abnormalities associated with several specific drugs. Read More