Monthly Archives: April 2016

Astute readers of obituaries know that “died unexpectedly” is a common euphemism for “died by suicide”. The family and friends of suicide victims are often reluctant to openly discuss the cause of death because of profound sadness, sense of privacy, … Continue reading →

One hypothesis about bipolar disorder treatment is that antidepressants may be safer and more effective in patients with type II bipolar disorder than in those with type I bipolar disorder. These authors studied 21 patients with type I bipolar disorder and … Continue reading →

The Tip sheet below lists factors that may help identify uni polar depression. TIPSHEET: FACTORS THAT SUGGEST BIPOLAR DEPRESSION RATHER THAN UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION ■ Prepubertal onset of symptoms ■ Brief duration of depressed episodes ■ High frequency of depressed episodes ■ Seasonal pattern ■ Postpartum … Continue reading →

Bipolar disorder causes havoc in patients’ lives. Even in the best of circumstances, successful treatment is challenging. Treatment targets constantly shift; patients are frequently nonadherent; and comorbidity is the rule, not the exception. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is often difficult. … Continue reading →

I experienced an interesting confluence of events the other day. My 11-year-old son has been finding out about the great power of online information. Although we limit his access to assistance with homework, he is already a digital whiz kid … Continue reading →