They are the best of times and the worst of times, to borrow a phrase from Dickens. Parties, presents, family – and parties, presents and family. Why do so many people feel so much stress this time of year? Parties are fun to go to – mostly, but then there’s […]
HIGHLIGHTS
37 posts
Many studies show that stress symptoms and disorders are increasing. Not only are more people becoming clinically depressed, but it’s starting at an earlier age. Suicide is second only to accidents in cause of death in teenagers. The average adult weighs 30 pounds more than in 1970. Stress is a […]
Last week, a rep from a pharmaceutical company that manufacture a sleep medication was in my office. He said, “You have a unique practice because you see a lot of patients with sleep problems.” I said, “WRONG! I see the same patients that all psychiatrists and primary care doctors see. The […]
Several years ago I was speaking in a family practitioners office in Marshall, TX. I started out with a question, "If you were treating President Clinton, what would you prescribe him?" He immediately answered, "Prozac." I said, "Good, and that’s because …" He said, "It causes people to commit suicide." […]
I am a bibliophile, a person who loves books. My friends and family would probably say I am more a hoarder of books, journals, magazines and notes. (More about what causes hoarding later.) I love going to book stores and I always see what they have on medicine and neuroscience. […]
Read Part 1 A very successful friend of mine recently said – "I need to come see you. I’m depressed half the time, and I’m having panic attacks." Other than the pressure of a successful business, he has no reason to be depressed. He’s tried a variety of treatments before […]
The last 52 years in psychiatry reflect the lack of solid scientific foundation. We need official diagnoses so we can use our insurance for medications. But diagnoses are not the "be all, end all." I tell patients I’d rather not know exactly what the problem is and be able to […]