November 27, 2015 Why there is always a reason for optimism No one walks out of a movie or throws a book in the garbage because, in the middle of the story, all seems lost for the hero or heroine. We instinctively understand that, no matter how bleak the circumstances, triumph or survival or redemption is still possible
November 27, 2015 The Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes divorce: Psychiatry vs. Scientology? When Katie Holmes recently filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, she also filed for sole legal custody and primary physical custody of her daughter Suri. The divorce proceedings may pit one or more psychiatrists against Mr. Cruise, because such experts are traditionally required to substantiate that an individual is unable to reasonably exercise parental rights. And since the Church of Scientology is very hostile to psychiatrists, friction between the profession and the church could skyrocket during the proceedings
November 27, 2015 Be wary of the American Psychiatric Association The American Psychiatric Association (from which I resigned in protest, some time ago) is at it again—making up, then retracting, new diagnoses that their committees generate and debate. It's as if though those committees have some sort of microscope trained on humanity, identifying new pathologies and yelling, “Voila! We have found another illness! Behold the mind malady on the slide!”
November 27, 2015 The American Psychiatric Association scam The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is in danger of losing the little credibility it still enjoys. The organization is chasing medical insurance company reimbursement money by empowering “working groups” to invent whole new diagnoses by committee
November 27, 2015 The psycho side of love With Valentine’s Day at hand, it may seem an odd time to reflect on love gone overboard, into obsession, but to be honest, I was never much for Hallmark cards. Genuine, balanced romance and over-the-top addictive attachment actually have the same chief ingredient
November 27, 2015 New drug could help curb crime With far less fanfare than they deserve, Alkermes Pharmaceuticals is setting out to revolutionize the penal system and help stop prison overcrowding by finally getting at one of the indisputable medical causes of crime (including violent crime): alcohol and drug dependence
November 27, 2015 Ketamine: A miracle antidepressant? More data is now available—this time from the Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, Texas—suggesting that the “club drug” ketamine can rapidly relieve symptoms of major depression
November 27, 2015 Not guilty by reason of insanity On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley, Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and was suffering with a psychotic mental illness. He was found to be not criminally responsible for his actions due to that illness and confined to a psychiatric hospital. Testimony is now underway in the federal hearing that will establish whether Hinckley should be allowed extended visits to his mother’s home to pave the way for his release to the community
November 27, 2015 iPhone's Siri: Psychological Poison? From my perspective as a psychiatrist, Siri, the iPhone’s virtual assistant, could prove more toxic psychologically than violent video games or some street drugs
November 27, 2015 Sex Offenders at School and Next Door The taped phone conversation between the wife of Syracuse assistant head basketball coach Bernie Fine and Bobby Davis, Fine’s alleged sexual assault victim, should be required listening for every mental health professional in America—and probably, every parent
