Psychiatry

People who have multiple sclerosis become less likely to take risks, for both clinical and demographic reasons, a study found.

“We have shown for the first time that the correlation between ADHD symptoms and binge eating in women depends mainly on a common hereditary susceptibility for the two disorders,” Johansson Capusan explained. “Much of the correlation between alcohol dependence and ADHD can also be explained by genetic factors."

As one of the most popular movie franchises in history, Star Wars has reached a wide range of people across the globe. Some have seen ways to apply lessons from the movies to help in the diagnosis of mental health patients.

As smartphones become more prevalent throughout society, work is being done to see how they can help with patient health in ways that previously were not possible.

Recent research from the Duquesne University School of Nursing has shown that a relatively low-intensity intervention delivered in community settings led to significant improvements in diet, activity and general health among participants. This type of intervention approach can play a key role in promoting aging in place and preventing transition to a higher level of care.

The MD Magazine editors rounded up the 10 best stories from September – did you read them all?

Online software can reduce attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviors in children, according to findings published in Pediatrics.

While there are some things medical professionals can do to help address sexual issues in relationships most of their work can focus on helping the patients help themselves overcome the issues they are facing in their daily lives.

In these busy times there can be many things that can get in the way of a healthy relationship on a variety of levels. Identifying these barriers and knowing what to do about them can be very difficult issues to tackle for patients and providers alike.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more sensitive to the cumulative effects of punishment than typically developing children, according to according to findings published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

The issue of physician assisted suicide can cause people to fervently pick one side or another. For some, their belief is so strong that they are moved to do things they may not have done in their career beforehand.

For many psychiatrists one of their biggest challenges in their daily practice is working to show patients that suicide is not the solution to their problems. Changes in the criteria for physician assisted suicide in Europe which include allowing mental illness as a criteria can fly in the face of that mission.

The issue of physician assisted suicide is one that has been debated both in the medical community and in the general population. Recent law changes by some European countries have brought the issue to the forefront perhaps more than ever before.

Multiple sclerosis is perceived differently by the patient and physician – after all, they’re in two different boats. However, this disconnect could make managing the disease a more complicated journey.

Will our next president be medically fit? And how much is the public entitled to know about candidates’ personal health?

Ravi Prasad, Phd, Stanford University, shared his work with the Stanford Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Pain Program to help improve patient quality of life.

Whether it’s drugs or procedures, there are different strategies for managing chronic pain. However, when psychological symptoms come into play, treatment may need to take an alternative course.

Pain management is everyone's job. It's a human problem.

"Opiates are not the first line for every condition; they should not be reflexively prescribed," said Alexis LaPietra, DO, St. Joseph's Medical Center.

There is a lot of regulatory scrutiny, media attention, and confusion about managing pain, so patient education should be at the forefront of physicians' minds.

Pain is the single most common reason people seek medical attention - more than heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Dr. Fricton of the University of Minnesota and HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research explored how to make transformative care a practical part in treating patients with chronic pain.

Unlike many other diseases Alzheimer's has a unique impact not only on patients but loved ones who see the changes it can cause more than the people it affects directly.

Once a proper diagnosis is made there are a few options doctors and patients can consider when treating Alzheimer's Disease. This includes not only treatment options but how to manage the disease long term.

There are many factors which can contribute to a patient developing Alzheimer's which goes beyond proteins which may be found in the brain.

As new diagnostic techniques are designed for dementia and Alzheimer's Disease in particular it can help with the development of new medications.

It was not very long ago that the only way to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease was after a patient had died. Since that time, a lot has been learned about the disease and other forms of dementia.

It has been more than 30 years since the popular television show M*A*S*H went off the air but there is still much that can be learned from the show, particularly when it comes to psychiatry in the military.

As conditions like PTSD have been brought to the forefront work has been done to help not only current service members but also veterans who may be dealing with that and other conditions during and after service.

In a team approach to medicine there can be a variety of specialties included in helping improve a patient's overall well being. In some places art therapy is being included in this approach.