Posts Tagged ‘psychiatry’

Fear of Failure, Self-Perception, and the Power of Positive Thought

Failure is a word that mental health practitioners hear often. It can be a catchall for anxiety, depression, frustration, and disappointment at not meeting the expectations one has for themselves or that are derived from their family and friends.  More concretely, failure can be framed in connection with an inability or lack of desire to […] Read more…

The Deification of Perfectionism in an Age of Anxiety and Suicide

The mythology of perfectionism in the public eye often comes across as harmless, even endearing.  Sitcoms from “The Odd Couple” featuring the ultra-fastidious Felix Unger to “Modern Family’s” Alex have portrayed perfectionists as quirky but lovable folks who are simply a bit more focused and particular about their environment or work than the average person. […] Read more…

The Looming Retirement of the 15-minute Med Check

The 15 Minute Medical Check: “Medical Management” vs. Care and Connection New research published in a paper  titled “Psychiatric Services in Advance,” (http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.201600133)  by Dr. William Torrey of the Dartmouth Geisel School of medicine has reinforced the essential connection between doctor and patient, and discredits an unfortunate trend in psychiatric care for conducting 15-minute “medical […] Read more…

A Non-invasive & FDA Approved Treatment for Treatment Resistant Depression

Meet rTMS: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation One treatment modality gaining favor in the Psychiatric care world is Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ( rTMS ).  TMS is part of a group of treatments called Interventional Psychiatry that also include ketamine therapy and ECT. Approved by the FDA in 2008, rTMS is a safe, non-invasive neuromodulation therapy directed […] Read more…

Year-Round Mental Health Awareness and Resources

Mental Health Conversations and Community Should be Available All-Year-Round May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a Psychiatrist, I find it a welcoming sign that the stigma of mental illness seems to be diminishing with each passing year. In the spirit of encouraging people to address their mental health in a constructive way, I wanted […] Read more…

The Healthy Selfie: Self-Perception and the Psychology Behind These Simple Snapshots in Time

“It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world.  The relationship between what we see and what we know is never settled…The reciprocal nature of vision is more fundamental than spoken dialogue.”  –John Berger, Ways of Seeing “My selfies give me power.” —Kim Kardashian Understanding the Psychology of “Selfies”  Selfies-self-generated portraits-are ubiquitous in […] Read more…

talk therapy vs antidepressants

Talk Therapy vs. Antidepressants: Understanding Your Treatment Options

How do Depression Treatments Compare? In 2017, there are more ways than ever to treat depression. Quite often, patients will need to try a couple different treatment options before they find the one that they respond to most effectively. The two main categories of depression treatment are talk therapy and antidepressants. Commonly, a combination of […] Read more…

Politics and Psychiatry: The Unshakable Correlation

It has been a politically heated time in the United States for the past couple years, although it certainly seems to have reached a climax over the past six months or so. There is a correlation between politics and psychiatry that often goes unacknowledged. It impacts both patients and psychiatrists in a big way and […] Read more…

College Students and Mental Health: Severe Anxiety Becoming the Norm?

The Glamorization of College-Life and the University Experience Long after college, many people are inclined to glamorize their college experience, recalling the thrill of learning, endless social opportunities, and late-night gatherings that blend together in an idyllic re-imagining of their campus experience. But the pressures of academia: social, financial, and academic, have created a hothouse of […] Read more…

New Dad’s Survival Guide

What Should You Expect as a New Dad? Society and Reality May Have Different Ideas On a recent episode of the HGTV program House Hunters filmed in Des Moines, a beaming expectant mother smiled at the camera and, responding to a point of disagreement with her husband, exclaimed, “I’m pregnant and I get what I […] Read more…

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