Lithium’s Neuroprotective Effects | Psychiatric Times. Well, this is a spectacular reversal! We have always worried about Lithium causing “brain damage,” right? It’s toxic, you say, and it’s bad for the brain! Well, I have been hearing a different tune for the past 5-7 years: Lithium is neuroprotective. That means it helps the brain […]
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This month, a very sophisticated genetic study took a look at the differentiation of psychotic disorders from controls. They looked at both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They looked at which genes were more active in brain tissue, and correlated this to a history of psychosis. Specifically, they looked at increased gene activity, as a reflection […]
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The approach to psychiatry in primary care is a mix of art and algorithm. Often family doctors turn to evidence-based approaches established by recognized authorities. I have included the most common psychiatry algorithms, roughly based on the Canadian Psychiatric Association recommendations: Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) (May 2009, Practice Support Program, BCMA) Panic Disorder(PD) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) […]
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Well, this version appears to be from the standard work of Dialetical Behaviour Therapy, and from what I can tell, it is put on a repository website, dbtselfhelp.com, for public consumption. I think I am in the spirit of the website by linking to it, and including this KEY page. When you are down…..it’s hard […]
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Courtesy of CBIS Manual, June 2009, British Columbia (link to document here)
Courtesy of the CBIS Manual, June 2009, British Columbia: Depression’s Energy Budget Every day, we wake up with “resources” available for our use that day. These resources might be energy, time, sense of well-being, motivation, etc. The amount of available resources changes every day, even throughout the day. If we consistently spend beyond our resources, […]
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Here is a very nice, concise review from the CBIS Manual of very common cognitive thinking errors. The theory goes, if you change how your think, you change how you feel. In my opinion, this is solid gold. It is bang on, and very helpful. If you are ever vigilant, constantly watching how you react […]
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GROUNDING EXERCISE! Purpose • Grounding is a calming and centering method that helps you to become more focused in your body and on the present moment. It reminds you of your strength and ability to cope in the present. Process • Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your hands […]
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Abdominal Breathing Exercise Purpose • Your breathing is directly related to the level of tension you carry in your body. • I f you breathe shallowly, in your chest, you will become more tense and more anxious. This kind of breathing stimulates the sympathetic branch of your nervous system, which is connected to the “fight, […]
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I am so fond of Vitamin D3. It’s clearly a fad that is refusing to die; and, like most medical fads, the journals overflow with evidence in favor of the snake oil cure of the day. I have to admit, though, that while I try to be skeptical, the tsunami of articles and studies make […]
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Dr. Joris Wiggers 