Psychiatry notes

Psychiatry Notes
Howard R. Belkin, M.D. and Barbara Herzig Belkin, M.D. Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapy for Adults, Adolescents, and Children Preventive Therapies Reduce Likelihood of Depression Following Stroke In a trial of 176 non-depressed patients with recent stroke, those who
received Lexapro or problem-solving therapy were significantly less likely
to develop depression in 1-year of follow-up than were patients who received placebo, according to a study published in May in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ―The implication of this study is that all patients who have a stroke — if they are able to take antidepressants — would benefit by the use of antidepressants, because of previous data that we have that show that mortality is increased and recovery is slowed by the existence of depression," lead study author Robert G. Robinson, M.D. Psychopharmacology
After adjustment for a previous history of mood disorders, patients who and Psychotherapy
received placebo were 4.5 times more likely to develop depression than for Adults,
were patients who received Lexapro and 2.2 times more likely to develop Adolescents, and
Children
depression than were patients who received problem-solving therapy. Insomnia and anxiety are closely related in a variety of ways. The
conditions coexist frequently in the clinical practice of medicine and may even involve common etiologies. Both can be symptomatic manifestations of other conditions. In addition, both can represent distinct, primary conditions or syndromes in their own right. Insomnia is commonly comorbid with anxiety disorders and in particular with GAD, PTSD, and panic disorder. In addition, anxiety itself can be comorbid with insomnia disorders such as primary insomnia. Persistent insomnia is associated with a heightened risk for the emergence of anxiety disorders. Insomnia and anxiety are, therefore, intricately intertwined. Additionally, the presence of insomnia in the context of an anxiety disorder introduces a clinical complication because many of the available treatments for anxiety disorders do not have predictably positive effects on insomnia complaints. In such cases, psychotherapy and pharmacologic techniques are available for treatment.
New Findings in Youth Anxiety Disorders
In a recent European study of over 3000 individuals from the ages of 14
to 24, with social anxiety disorder that began at an early age, there was an
increased risk for the development of subsequent depression. This finding
was especially true in young females. This study demonstrated that during
the first 3 decades of life, social anxiety disorder is associated with a
substantial increase in risk of future depression. The study calls attention
to the morbidity associated with social anxiety disorder and the
importance of early treatment of the disorder. Treatment with both
medication and psychotherapy appears to be effective in the treatment of
the early –onset anxiety disorder and the prevention of subsequent
depression.

Depressive Conditions Linked to Asthma Severity Depressive conditions reported by both patients and their physicians are
associated with increased asthma severity, according to a report in the
May issue of the journal Chest.
During the lifetimes of patients with asthma, depressive conditions are not
unusual and are more common than in the general population. The
estimated lifetime rate of depression is 40%, and depressive symptoms
may affect up to two thirds of patients with asthma. Depression and
asthma may each exacerbate the other.
Because most patients receive both their asthma and mental health care in
the primary care setting, diagnoses made by primary practitioners, as well
as by psychiatrists, are crucial to ensure that patients are treated for both
disorders.

Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapy for Adults, Adolescents, and Children
Located off of S. Adams, North of Lincoln

Source: http://www.birminghamcounselingcenter.com/files/2008_Summer_Newsletter.pdf