Depression

Animal-assisted therapy: Do patients experience a medical benefit?

Leona Hamrick, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA August 01, 2011

Statistically significant changes are not often seen in studies, but patients report feeling better after interaction with an animal and that alone should justify the use of animal-assisted therapy.

A adolescent experiences difficulty focusing, mood swings, and insomnia

Brian T. Maurer, PA-C December 24, 2010

A 15-year-old male's ADHD medications seem to worsen his anxiety and other existing symptoms.

What do I do about treatment-resistant depression?

Mary L. Hewitt, PA-C, MS March 25, 2010

Patients who don't respond to their antidepressant should be evaluated carefully for compliance, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and social stressors. Switching drugs or combination therapy may be warranted.

Major depression: Screening and treatment

From CSAC, the Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council of the AAPA November 06, 2009

Depression is under-diagnosed in primary care and other settings, but screening is as simple as asking the patient two brief questions.

Referral to a dietitian uncovers why this woman cannot lose weight

Louise Lee, MHA, PA-C October 12, 2009

This eating disorder is probably often missed in primary care because the condition is so difficult for providers to recognize.

PTSD: How to recognize the many faces of this hidden disorder

James E. Meyer, MD, FACP September 02, 2009

A broad view of the etiology of PTSD can help clinicians take a more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.

QRS: Alzheimer's disease; Myasthenia gravis

Dawn Colomb-Lippa, MHS, PA-C, Amy M. Klingler, MS, PA-C, Margaret King-Schumacher, PA-C,MJ July 21, 2009

Features, signs and symptoms, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis are reviewed. Questions and answers that highlight important facts about these diseases are also included.

Is an FDA alert harming patients?

Eric Schuman, MPAS, PA-C May 13, 2009

An FDA alert intended to halt life-threatening combination use of triptans and antidepressants could prevent effective migraine therapy.

How biological abnormalities separate CFS from depression

Katherine M. Erdman, MPAS, PA-C March 01, 2008

Chronic fatigue syndrome and depression share symptoms and may coexistbut thanks to new efforts spearheaded by the CDC, skilled clinicians can more easily tell them apart.