Psychiatry and Mental Health

The current research in Huntington's disease still leaves us with more questions than answers. We know the causative gene, identified the proteins involved, and can postulate the mechanisms. Yet despite the universal outcome from this disease, patients may still live much of their adult lives productively, leading to added dfficulty in making life choices. Dr. Robert Klitzman, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, joins host Dr. Maurie Pickard on the subject of counseling patients with Huntington's Disease through life's milestones.

What is the one screening question you can ask your patient to identify if they have a drinking problem? What solutions can you offer as a general physician, outside of counseling programs to help your patient stop drinking? What pharmalogical options are on the market to help patients stop drinking? Do they work? Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of the Treatment and Recovery Research Division of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism talks with Dr. Larry Kaskel about the role a general physician can take in screening and treating patients who drink too much.

Given the pervasiveness of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the United States, Dr. Mark Willenbring says, “we need to be intervening at a much earlier stage and providing treatment to a much broader range of people then we currently do.” Dr. Willenbring, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to talk about new information from epidemiologic research on the prevalence and progression of heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders. In addition, Dr. Willenbring discusses the subtypes of alcohol dependence, and the nature of AUDs, in the context of DSM revisions.

Understanding the unique stressors of growing up in today’s world is an important part of treating children and adolescents. One of the most challenging events that our children endure is the college application process. Competition for spots at top colleges is at an all-time high. How does this affect our children and their families? Author of Fat Envelope Frenzy, Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Dartmouth College, Joie Jager-Hyman joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

Dr. Leon Sloman has developed a new comprehensive evolutionary model of depression and anxiety which may prompt a radically new approach to psychotherapy. He joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss IDS – the involuntary defeat strategy.

How do the age of first sexual intercourse and the emotional aspects of that experience contribute to later adult sexual functioning? Dr. Lori Brotto joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss her research in this area.

Status epilepticus. What does that bring to mind? For most of us, we think of convulsions. But this is not always the case. Epileptologist Dr. Rama Maganti discusses nonconvulsive status epilepticus with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

The American economic environment has drastically changed since the 1970s, and we now live in a world of material desire. Almost anything imaginable is available to purchase, and many of our patients choose to buy frivolities instead of spending their money wisely. How can understanding the psychology of debt help us to help them? Dr. Stuart Vyse will be discussing his latest book, Going Broke: Why Americans Can’t Hold on to their Money with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

Over the last 30 years, debt, bankruptcy and now home foreclosures have risen to crisis proportions. In addition, the personal savings rate of Americans is at its lowest point since the Great Depression. What is wrong with us? Dr. Stuart Vyse will be discussing his latest book, Going Broke: Why Americans Can’t Hold on to their Money, with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

Alcohol abuse is a common concern for many patients afflicted with chronic pain conditions. What are we learning about alcohol use specific to patients with sickle cell anemia? Is alcohol perhaps more help than hindrance? Dr. James Levenson, professor of psychiatry, medicine and surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, shares his expertise in sickle cell disease with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.