Psychiatry and Mental Health

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Guest: Jan Shifren, MD

Most research reveals 30 to 40 percent of women in the United States say they have sexual issues. A recent study examined how many women consider their sex issues to be a problem. With host Dr. Lauren Streicher, Dr. Jan Shifren, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, looks at the findings of her research. The two review the impetus for the study, questions that were asked from 30,000 participants, and what has been gleaned from the results. The two also touch on whether testosterone and Viagra should be prescribed to help women who are distressed by their sexual issues.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Guest: Eugene Lipov, MD

Women who have hot flashes may experience episodes up to 80 times a week. Estrogen is the most common treatment, but oftentimes it's just not enough. Dr. Eugene Lipov, an anesthesiologist and medical director of Northwest Hospital's Advanced Pain Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois, discusses with host Dr. Lauren Streicher his pioneering use of the stellate ganglion block to alleviate hot flashes for women. The two cover the procedure for administering the block, the success rate and complications, as well has how Dr. Lipov came up with the concept. Dr. Lipov also talks about how the block aids in better sleep patterns for post menopausal women.

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: Donald Robinson, MD

Many commonly used medications are being implicated in increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, for example proton pump inhibitors. Psychotropics are getting scrutiny as well. Dr. Donald Robinson, professor of pharmacology and medicine at the University of Vermont and the author of more than 175 scientific papers on neuroscience topics, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to explain which psychotropics are especially risky and why.

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: David Sarwer, PhD

We know that the weight loss outcome following bariatric surgery can be impressive - patients lose as much as 35% of their initial body weight in the first 18 months post-op. Does their psychosocial outcome also improve? Host Dr. Leslie Lundt welcomes Dr. David Sarwer, director of clinical services at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to discuss what happens after bariatric surgery.

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: David Sarwer, PhD

Understanding the psychosocial aspects of treating morbid obesity may help us improve the success rate of these patients postoperatively. Dr. David Sarwer, the director of clinical services at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, explores the psychological workup of the pre-op bariatric surgery patient with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD

Guest: Mishka Terplan, MD

Researchers have no way to determine how significant the problem of substance abuse and pregnancy really is. Very few women will be open and honest when it comes to answering questions about elicit drug use. So how do doctors get their patients the proper help? Dr. Mishka Terplan, an associate professor at the University of Chicago, looks at the issues of universal drug screening for all pregnant women, confidentiality, inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation programs and the stigma of being a substance abuser, with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo.

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: Edward Shorter, PhD

Recently-trained physicians may consider barbiturates and tricyclic antidepressants footnotes in history. But have they dismissed the most effective therapeutics in psychiatry? Dr. Edward Shorter, professor of psychiatry and the Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine and at the University of Toronto, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to talk about the evolution of antidepressants

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: David R. Spiegel, MD

Patients who are not forthcoming about their alcohol history jeopardize our ability to provide the best possible clinical care. Many instruments such as the CAGE rely only on the patient's self-report. Luckily, we have several biomarkers to assist us. How and when to use which test? Dr. David Spiegel, associate professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the consultation-liaison service at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss the specifics of blood tests to detect alcohol misuse.

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Guest: Christopher Drake, PhD

Can cardiovascular stress research teach us anything about insomnia? Dr. Christopher Drake, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and a bioscientific staff investigator at the Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Disorders and Research Center joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss his research into the insomnia stress test.

Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

Guest: Daniel Alford, MD, MPH

Current research from Boston Medical Center indicates that education in addiction medicine among American medical students and residents is largely inadequate. What is being done to ensure that patients at risk receive optimal medical care from appropriately trained personnel? Joining host Dr. Mary Leuchars is Dr. Daniel Alford, associate professor of medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in Addiction Medicine section of general internal medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. The topic of discussion is how to expand training in addiction medicine for young medical professionals, assessing the methods developed at Boston Medical Center.