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Current Questions:
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Depression |
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Can chronic depression lead to physical symptom as a real, not imaginary, pain in my lower back spreading up to my spine, shoulder, neck and head?
I went recently for few many test-cardio, lyme, candida, thyroid, kidney, liver. They look- OK /negative but I’m still having inside shaking and pain described above. |
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My son will be 14yrs by April 2008. Since the last few months, he has had fears of death. He hates the word "TERRORIST" and is afraid of terrorism. He has the phobia that soon we will all die, and he will be left alone. Previously, he was a lively child surrounded with friends and was a fun loving boy. Now since the last 5-6 months, he prefers to be alone and likes to be in his room and does not want to mingle with any of his peer groups. On the other hand, he prefers to be with boys elder to him. He is not interested in studies anymore and is not participating in any sports or extra curricular activities.
I am genuinely worried about my son because now I find him totally a different individual. Please help me out. |
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Dysthymia |
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"Do I have dysthymia? I read an article on dysthymia and started to think I might have this condition. I think most of my friends would describe me as a really nice, guy, easy-going, pretty social.
In general, I operate at a low energy level. Sometimes I feel like I totally lack emotion. My memory in general isn't great. It has probably been five years since I've woken up and really felt energized and ready to go.
I remember I used to have days like this--maybe six times a year--and really thinking it was strange that I felt so good. This was my first clue that I was maybe not feeling the way I should. When I was younger, in grade or middle school, I remember crying over simple things, and feeling lots of anxiety over performing in school.
Drugs are a big turn-off for me and the thought of talking about my feelings to a therapist isn't appealing at all to me. Any advice would be appreciated."
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Light therapy, depression and sleep |
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What exactly is Light Deprivation? I live in Illinois and around this time every year I feel "blue", not depressed per say, just kind of "blue".
I find that if I visit a tanning salon, maybe once a week, it does seem to help. But I would like a clear definition, and is tanning really helping? |
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Lyme Disease |
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On a SPECT Scan I recently had it showed moderately, severe global, cortical hypoperfusion with heterogeneity.
The pattern is consistent with encephalitis or vasculitis such as an infection eg. Lyme disease. I have been on Augmentin 1500mgs. a day since September.
What does this mean? Should antibiotic be changed? |
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Medical illness and psychiatric disorders |
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What causes a person to complain and be preoccupied with minor illnesses such as nausea? How should the caretaker respond? |
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Schizophrenia |
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How do children of paranoid schizophrenic parents avoid becoming schizophrenic themselves when they have learned their entire lives to cope, deal and manage around schizophrenic behaviors in their parents? |
Recent Questions:
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Adult attention deficit disorder |
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What characteristics do you look for in determining if a man in his late 50s has ADD if he has been diagnosed and treated with Zoloft for depression for 10 years and also carries hepatitis C with a low viral count?
Also can these three diagosis be intertwined with dementia or Alzheimer's disease? |
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Anxiety |
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How do mood and anxiety disorders increase the risks of dementia? |
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My daughter has been diagnosed with anxiety. She is 16. She is presently not attending school. She is able to go out with friends and sometimes go places with our family. She stays in bed until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I feel her biological clock is messed up.
She had trouble leaving the house when she was 9, she did go to school only. Then again in 7th grade she stopped going to school at the end of the year and returned to school in January of 10th grade. She was great. She had a 3.8 average all of freshman year and she was weaned off prozac . Last Feb when she got onto 10 mg Prozac she couldn't go places, because she was anxious again. She tried to go to school but could not. As they increased the Prozac again, nothing worked and at 40 mg, she became manic.
Now she is on Effexor, and seems good but cannot get back to school. She has home instruction but there are days she won't get out of bed and doesn't know why. Some days she can't go, and I think it is because she didn't understand an assignment. Other days I think OCD thoughts keep her in bed.
How do we help with her biological clock? Should we use melatonin? Should she be reevaluated? She wants to go to school but doesn't know why she doesn't go.
Right now we need a therapist too her txpist is moving. Do you think she needs to go to a hospiatl for intensive therapy? She isn't suicidal , she does not use drugs or alcohol. This is a puzle and we need guidance. Thank you. |
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Bipolar Disorder |
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Are any studies being conducted to determine the effectiveness of Omega Fish Oil as a mood stabilizer? I understand a study never replicated and performed some six years ago found it was somewhat effective.How can a substance with no significant market prospects be given a decent hearing? |
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Does depression in teen years indicate a strong possibility of bipolar disorder later in life? |
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Has any information been published on the co-occurrence of Type 1 diabetes and Bipolar Disorder? |
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Have you encountered any instances where the Omega 3 fatty acids, had an adverse affect on the patient? I ask because it was prescribed to me with my regular medications, and it made me worse in the area of anger, (rather rage). |
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Is it possible in all intances to clearly
distiguish between bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia ? Thanks |
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What exactly is "bipolar disorder" and how does it differ from depression? |
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What signs should parents look for in terms of a child with possible bipolar condition? Obviously the mood swings, but what specific day-to-day activities or behavior of a young child or adolescent provide warning signs for parents? |
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Borderline personality disorder |
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My daughter is 23 years old and has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Another psychiatrist has diagnosed her with bipolar.
Regardless, she has had two suicide attempts, been on every medication and combination known to her doctor, and is now going through ECT for the second time. Nothing seems to help.
Are there any other treatments or facilities that can help her with the depression, anxiety, weight gain, severe head aches, etc? |
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Brain imaging |
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Can repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) be used to treat stroke victims or those with head injuries?
Specifically, can motor control and reflexes, as well as memory and speech be improved through RTMS? |
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Child and Adolescent |
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What is the pathology behind an intense fear of death as a child? |
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Will a child's perception of his or her parents' marriage and of family life affect his or her susceptibility to depression in adult life? |
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Circadian rhythms and clinical chronobiology |
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What exactly is "chronobiology"? |
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Combining medication and psychotherapy |
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After 2 months of treatment of depression, I m feeling improvement. I'm taking Paxil 40 mg (paroxetine) in morning and Risperdal 1 mg (risperidone) along with Klonopin 2 mg (clonazepam)at night.
This combo effectively reduced the symptoms of depression, but I'm not feeling enthusiastic and I want to elevate my mood.
I want to know whether bupropion or methylphenidate can help me feel enthusiastic or elevate my mood? |
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Depression |
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Are people with kids generally less or more depressed than those without kids? |
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Are there indirect effects of infection that can cause depression? |
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Can anti-depressants have negative (biological or genetic) side-effects on my future children (especially when taken by a male)?
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Do infectious diseases cause depression? |
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Do the rates of depression vary among different ethnic groups? |
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Given that most states of depression are not due to an underlying infection, could you tell us what clues tip you off that infection may be the cause in specific patients? |
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How can you be certain that the person is not just in a normal state of depression and not clinically depressed? |
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How do childhood relationships and experiences affect the likelihood of being depressed in adult life? |
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How do you get a clinically depressed person to get the help that is needed? We know someone who has sat in a dark room for 2 weeks, lost his job and is in trouble. He is not eating or watching TV. Just sitting there. What can we do? |
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How does depression affect someone's physical health and well-being? |
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How is depression different from sadness? |
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How many Americans suffer from chronic depression? |
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I am a young adult who suffers from depression and have been on cymbalta for more than two years. I feel happy, but I often have trouble articulating thoughts and words, and mid-sentence I'll freeze, and blank out.
Is this a side effect of my medication?
How can I exercise my mind and mouth to help prevent this situation?
Also, I drink a large quantity of diet soda daily. Is it eating away my brain? |
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I had depression for about 40 years. I am 66 years old and started having symptoms around age 25.I have been on all types of antidepressant. They all work for awhile but then return. I'm about to give up.
I will not try electric shock treatment. Tried depakote and tried lithium, this did not agree with me. What can I do? Please help me. |
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I would like to boost my self confidence and be more bold. Can a Psychiatrist help me? |
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I’ve read about SPECT tests used in the diagnosis of depression, besides the mental examination of course. How reliable are they? Why aren’t they widely used yet? And how can I trust a diagnosis that is solely based on a conversation, no matter how long and/or extensive it is and even after ruling out other causes through a physical examination? |
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If somebody has a treatment refractory depression at a young age with cognitive deficits that go beyond what is normal for major depression is it appropriate to seek a thorough medical workup? If so, what tests should be done, and what specialists should be seen? |
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If someone has a first serious depressive episode, how likely is it that they will have another depressive episode in their life? |
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If someone has been seriously depressed all their lives and now has fibromyalgia, how do you get them to excerise and eat right when all they will do is sleep and eat? With fibromyalgia it is supposed to be important to exercise, but with depression they do not have the energy or the ability to do it. |
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Is depression something that can go away without treatment, either medical or therapy, or do you have to get treatment in order to get over it? |
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Is there a connection between anger and depression? |
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My son attended a rehab center for substance abuse at the age of 14. He is now 16 and is involved with AA and is seeing a therapist. He has been sober for over 2 years. He is on celexa and wellbutrin. Although he has made progress, he is very unmotivated, not curious and flat in expression. His IQ is above normal. What can be done to help him live a more positive and active life ? |
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The girl with whom I had an affair with is getting married with my full consent, but I couldn't get her out of my mind. I'm depressed and we both work together. Will I be able to come out of this depression? I'm suffering for the past one month with mostly crying. |
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What are the most common symptoms of depression?
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What is a depressing reality? |
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What is depression? |
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What is most misunderstood about depression? |
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What is the differance between celexa and wellbutrin sr?? Is one better for depression than the other one? |
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What kind of therapy is best for depression? |
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Why do people get depressed? |
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Why do people with severe depression often complain about having tremendous pain in many areas of their body, specifically head, stomach, esophagus and chest and what causes constipation if they're still eating, but in smaller amounts? |
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Why would depression medication lower or obliterate reflux problems? My friend is reflux free now that she is on depression medication, and the change was immediate. She has had major reflux and excess acid problems for over 15 years and the last year had reflux problems even after drinking water. She's taken most of the reflux medications out there until the doctor pressed her to take depression medicine (the doctor felt she was depressed) my friend believes she was stressed not depressed. |
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Would you say the causes of depression are mostly genetic, societal or environmental? |
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Dysthymia |
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How is dysthymic disorder different from normal sadness or unhappiness? |
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How is dysthymic disorder different from other types of depression? |
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I am a young woman who has had dysthymia for over ten years. I have tried medicines and therapy, but haven't gotten better. Do you have any suggestions on what to do next? |
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What are the main symptoms of dysthymic disorder? |
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What is dysthymic disorder and how is it diagnosed? |
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What is going on in the brain of someone who is dysthymic? |
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What medication or medications do you think have worked the best for patients with Dysthymia?
I have Dysthymia and I have tried about 10 different anti-depressants and have found that Effexor is the only thing that has helped somewhat.
Also Adderall helped me alot but my doctor that gave it to me retired and my new doctor refuses to give it to me. What are your thoughts on this?
Is Adderall a bad drug? |
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Eating Disorders |
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A female friend, who is 5' 2 "tall and weighed 103 pounds, has lost 20 pounds over 2 years. Her main complaint is burning in her GI tract. She believes it is reflux and gastritis, and her GI doctors call it visceral hypersensitivity.
This burning and a lack of response to traditional GI therapies have thrown her into a deep depression, acute anxiety and insomnia. She is afraid to eat because of the subsequent burning.
Nothing has worked for her. Is this an eating disorder? How do you get someone to eat if they are so afraid of pain from eating? |
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Do antidepressants work in the treatment of Anorexia? |
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I am a runner and was told that my stress fracture may mean I have an eating disorder. Could this be true? |
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I have been suffering from depression and an eating disorder for a couple of years. Although, I have been in treatment for the eating disorder and have made some progress, the depression is still debilitating and feels endless. Some professionals have told me that anti-depressants are not effective if you are at a low weight.
Has this been studied and do you believe it to be true? At what BMI do anti-depressants work effectively? |
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I think my friend might have an eating disorder, she has lost a lot of weight over the last few months. She is 5ft. 7in. and weighs approximately 8st. I've noticed she only eats in the evening {crisps, nuts or fitness bars}. What can i do to help her? |
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I'm 5ft 7ins tall and weigh 8stone. This isn't too underweight is it? I eat {evenings only} crisps or nuts. |
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Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) |
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Can someone with treatment refractory depression who also has a mild learning disability try ect or could it make the learning disability worse? |
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I was told by a psychiatrist that the new theory about ECT is that it "basically fries the brain". Is this accurate? |
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If somebody has epilepsy, is it still possible to have ECT when all other treatments have failed for depression? |
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GENERAL |
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Can depression cause problems with language? |
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how do i tell if i am depressed or have depression? |
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What is cognitive remediation and who is it helpful for? |
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What is the difference between a behavioral neurologist and a psychiatrist? |
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Why is it that most good psychiatrists don't take insurance? What happened within the evolution of this field of medicine where it is acceptable and common practice not to take insurance? Most "top" internists, neurologists, cardiolologists, etc., take insurance--why is psychiatry different? |
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Geriatric depression |
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For people over 60, how can depression be prevented? |
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Law and psychiatry |
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I was recently diagnosed with a medical condition that for the past few years has been misdiagnosed as a treatment refractory psychiatric condition. What sort of compensation am I entitled to from the psychiatric community? |
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Is it appropriate to sue your psychiatrist if he overlooks a medical reason for your psychiatric condition which is later found out? |
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Light therapy, depression and sleep |
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Are light visors effective in treating SAD? I have found one that emits 2500 lux. Is this light output strong enough to counteract SAD? |
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Does seasonal affective disorder subside in more temperate climates? |
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I have had insomnia for 2.5 years now, taking several medications. Have you studied if light therapy can be helpful to insomnia sufferers? |
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I have heard that dawn simulators can achieve the same results as light therapy in the treatment of S.A.D. Is this true? If so, are there any specifications regarding the type of dawn simulator? |
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I haven’t heard of negative air ionization therapy before. What is it? |
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I was just wondering what your studies have shown on the application and effectiveness of broad vs. full spectrum light box sources for bright light therapy solutions. From what I have read, it looks like full spectrum might be the way to go as long as the light source is radiation sheilded and grounded. What do you think? |
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I work in a cubicle with 6-foot high panels, so I don't get any natural light during the day. I have just started using a 10,000 lux light box upon waking. Would it be helpful to also use a desk lamp version of the light box for a short period of time while I am at work? |
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In the answer to another question you distinguished between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum ligths. What is the difference, and what kinds of lights produce each? |
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Is halogen light (provided any UV is filtered out and one can stand the heat) an alternative light generating method for light therapy? |
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Is it possible that working in an office (for between 3-7 hours at a time) with no natural light at all, and fluorescent tubes that are not designated "full spectrum light" might cause continual depression similar to SAD? |
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Wouldn’t more outside light benefit me as much as a light box could? |
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Lyme Disease |
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What is the treatment for lyme disease? |
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Medical illness and psychiatric disorders |
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Are there doctors who specialize in medical illnesses that cause worsening of psychiatric disorders? |
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Can you tell me if there is a causative link between schizophrenia and primary generalized epilepsy or between chlozaril and epileptic seizures? |
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Having a mental illness makes one more likely to have a medical condition. This is due to numerous reasons, genetics, stress, medications, and probably because medical conditions are frequently overlooked when your mentally ill. This needs to change!
Are there advocacy groups that fight for thorough medical workups for all of the mentally ill? Psychiatrists need to instead of just focusing on trying to find the perfect cocktail of medications for their patients, or delving into strange psychobabble ideology; incorporate other fields of medicine into their treatment regiment; especially, when previous treatments have proven to be unsuccessful.
Psychiatrist should be well rounded physicians especially in fields that can effect mental health like neurology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, cardiology, etc. The treatment of the mentally ill needs to change. |
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There are so many medical conditions that can superficially manifest themselves as psychiatric conditions. Isn't it about time that psychiatry treat not just the symptoms but become well versed in figuring out the possible physical reasons? |
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Medication |
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Could there be an underlining reason why someone might have adverse responses to antidepressant medications when prior to four years ago did not?
If what happens after taking antidepressants is this; immediate positive response that only last a day and then stops and starts to cause language difficulties,confusion and sometimes extreme fatigue,what could this possibly be from? If this person because of the strange and horrific response from medications is afraid to continue experimenting with medication should they be dubbed "non compliant" or is it more complicated than that?
What should be done to help this patient? |
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I was taking Wellbutrin xl for 4 weeks and the doctor changed it for SR and generic. I will like to know the difference and if I shoud change them for the original. Tomorrow is my first day taking Wellbutrin. SR generic is a round big yellow tablet. Please can you help me? I'm afraid is not the same. |
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder |
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Can OCD affect cognition?
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Psychoanalysis |
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Is examining the childhood and early family history beneficial in therapy?
If so, why. |
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Is psychoanalysis a religion, a philosophy, or a science? |
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Why is pschoanalysis still practiced when it is clinically proven to be less effectice than other forms of therapy?
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Schizophrenia |
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Can chronic stress cause schizophrenia? |
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Doctors have given conflicting diagnosis for my brother's mental illness. Some say schizophrenia and others only acute depression. He is currently on treatment for depression.
Is there any definitive test for schizophrenia? We have heard about MRI tests - none have been done on my brother so far. Thank you. |
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I've read that new research has shown marijuana use can cause schizophrenia in people with a predisposition for this brain disorder. The subtype, disorganized schizophrenia, especially. Why is this? |
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My Ex has schizophrenia. My daughter is 3 years old, but she is showing early signs of the illness, i.e. delayed speech, flat affect, lack of eye contact. Who can help?
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My mother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia at a very young age and has suffered from the condition for over 40 years.
I am 19 years old and seeing gradual changes in my behavior patterns. These changes could be due to growth or hormonal changes given my age, however, given my inherited traits this could be cause for concern.
Am I at a great risk for developing Schizophrenia?
What can I do now to prevent/inhibit onset? |
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What specific treatment options are available for eliminating or minimizing referential thinking in patients with schizoaffective disorder? |
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Self-injury |
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If my friend cuts herself and puts out cigarettes on herself, what can I do for her? What treament options does she have from professionals? And what causes this? |
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Sexual dysfunction |
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Is gender identity disorder treatable? After treatment, will a person who suffers from this disorder ever be able to live a normal life, like someone else who doesn't have this disorder?
I have gone through the APA website, and it clearly states : "Nothing can change sexual orientation." This implies that it is inborn and remains as it is till death. Is this true?
Other websites/organizations claim treatment is available to change sexual orientation - I am terribly confused!!!
It would be great if you can throw some light into this very important and serious problem in my life! |
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Are any antidepressants more (or less) likely to cause sexual side effects?
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Are some people at higher risk of getting sexual side effects from
antidepressant treatment? |
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Are the sexual side effects of antidepressant medications reversible? |
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How can you tell if it is the antidepressant medicine causing sexual side effects? Or whether it is the depression? |
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How often do sexual side effects of antidepressant treatment occur? |
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I would like to know the answer to the question I have been asking many and have been receiving contradictory replies:
"Is Gender Identity Disorder treatable?" After taking enough treatment, will a person who suffers from this disorder ever be able to live a normal life, just like someone else who doesn't suffer from this disorder?
The APA website clearly states : "nothing can change sexual orientation." Is this true? Other websites/organizations claim treatment is available in many countries to change sexual orientation - I am terribly confused!!!
It would be great if you can throw some light into this very important and serious problem in my life! |
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If sexual side effects are common with SSRI treatment, why does the
PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) say that they are not common? |
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What are the most common sexual side effects of antidepressant (SSRI) medications?
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What can be done to help people
with sexual side effects from SSRI treatment? When should you get treatment?
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What research has been done on sexual side-effects of antidepressant medications? |
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What research has been done on sexual side-effects of antidepressant medications? |
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When in antidepressant treatment do sexual side effects occur? |
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Why do SSRI antidepressants cause sexual side effects? |
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Smoking Cessation |
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I successfully quit smoking (decades-long habit) a full year ago; I have recently begun experiencing dreadful tastes with every breath I draw. I can best describe these tastes as "wet ashtray". Mouthwashes of various types, extreme brushing of teeth/tongue/reachable areas of throat do not help, nor does eating strong-flavored foods.
My medical doctor has never heard of this and offers no suggestions. Any insight you can offer would be much appreciated. |
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I was told by a psychiatrist once that smoking would help the kind of depression that I have. So, I tried to get rid of my depression by chain smoking. Instead of helping, my depression worsened and I developed a pulmonary condition. I guess he doesn't subscribe to the doctrine "above all else, cause no harm" . Do you think that psychiatrists should tell their patients not to smoke? Or do you think that there are certain psychiatric conditions that benifit from smoking and outway the major and likely risk of dying from lung cancer, stroke or heart disease? |
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Is it common for people who give up smoking to suffer increased depression or anxiety, over and above the physical cravings? I gave up five months ago, and after about a month became very depressed, and started suffering panic attacks.
This lasted about a month and gradually got better. But I've heard of this happening to other people, and it was suggested to me that it may be part of the rebalancing process of the various hormones that affect brain function. I had no other major stresses in my life when this happened, and was well over the physical craving stage of giving up, which really only lasts a few days. |
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What is smoking cessation? |
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Substance Abuse |
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Are there any medications to help me stop using cocaine? |
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Are there medications that can help me stop drinking and not go back to the bottle? |
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Does Columbia offer a one-day detoxification from heroin or prescription pain killers? |
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How do I decide whether to try an outpatient or inpatient alcohol detoxification? |
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How do I know if I need drug or alcohol detoxification? |
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If I drink a bottle of wine every night and want to stop drinking, do I need alcohol detoxification? |
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I'm addicted to Fioricet? How do I stop? |
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I've heard that buprenorphine is a new medication for heroin addiction. What is it and how does it work? |
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What is GHB? If I've been using it a lot, do I need to detoxify from it? |
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What is methadone maintenance? How does it work (if it does)? Isn't it just substituting one addiction for another? |
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Questions by Subject:
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Adult attention deficit disorder |
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Anxiety |
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Bipolar Disorder |
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Borderline personality disorder |
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Brain imaging |
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Child and Adolescent |
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Circadian rhythms and clinical chronobiology |
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Combining medication and psychotherapy |
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Depression |
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Dysthymia |
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Eating Disorders |
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Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) |
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GENERAL |
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Geriatric depression |
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Law and psychiatry |
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Light therapy, depression and sleep |
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Lyme Disease |
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Medical illness and psychiatric disorders |
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Medication |
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Medication side effects and toxicity |
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder |
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Psychoanalysis |
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Schizophrenia |
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Self-injury |
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Sexual dysfunction |
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Smoking Cessation |
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Substance Abuse |
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