Evaluating and Treating Tremor

Topics: Anxiety Disorder | Depressive Disorder

While tremor is traditionally thought of as a neurological issue, the symptom pops up often in psychiatric practice, and some basic knowledge of its diagnosis and treatment comes in handy. Case vignette: A 67-year-old woman whom I’ll call “Paula” came to see me for depression and anxiety. She ascribed her depression to her belief that neighbors

Role of Depression “Risk Gene” Questioned

Topics: Depressive Disorder

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is Approved. Now What?

Topics: Brain Devices | Depressive Disorder

One year ago we reviewed the status of transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression, and concluded with the following TCPR Verdict: “TMS for depression: Approval is highly unlikely.” We were wrong. On October 10, 2008, the FDA approved the Neuronetics Neurostar TMS machine for the treatment of patients with major depression who have failed on

The New Brain Devices in Psychiatry: A Brief Review

Topics: Brain Devices | Depressive Disorder

In this issue of TCPR, we focus on TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), which has just been approved for treatment resistant depression. There are also other brain devices in various stages of research and development. Here is a quick run-down of four of them. VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) VNS is a surgically implanted device that is FDA-approve

Psychotherapy and Medication Roughly Comparable in Treating Depression

Topics: Depressive Disorder

SSRIs show weak advantage over bupropion for anxious depression

Topics: Depressive Disorder

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Brief Update

Topics: Brain Devices | Depressive Disorder

VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) was initially developed and approved for treatment-refractory epilepsy. Cyberonics conducted one sham-controlled study for treatment-resistant depression, and while this double-blind study showed no statistical benefit over placebo, an open-label extension showed enough benefit to impress someone at the FDA. In a controvers

Varying symptom profiles of depression correlated with specific triggering events

Topics: Depressive Disorder

Mindfulness meditation helps with depression of fibromyalgia

Topics: Depressive Disorder

Agitation and Depression in Older Patients

Topics: Antipsychotics | Dementia | Depressive Disorder

Treating Depression in Perimenopause

Topics: Depressive Disorder | Women's Issues in Psychiatry