Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine

A parent's death: Helping a  child after devastating trauma

Reamer L. Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, Lloyd "Chip" Taylor, PhD December 06, 2011

PAs are ideally situated to intervene in situations of parental loss. We can do much to help these children, such as providing practical strategies that help create environments that support healing and normal development.

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.

Ask a Librarian!—July 2011

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC, Susan Klawansky, MLS, AHIP July 08, 2011

This month's topics are using Medline Clinical Queries and the definition of mental health professional.

Ask a librarian!—June 2011

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC, Susan Klawansky, MLS, AHIP June 08, 2011

This month's topics are tools to help you appraise the medical evidence you find and searching out your state laws on involuntary psychiatric commitment.

Is it ethical to substitute restraints for  adequate treatment resources?

Alexandra Godfrey, MS, PA-C, Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C December 08, 2010

Given that the potential for abuse is considerable, the authors suggest that a policy of minimally restraining patients, increased training, and optimizing restraint alternatives is vital to prevent unethical practice.

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.

Tobacco dependence: How should a busy clinician intervene?

Jean Covino, DHSc, MPA, PA-C February 01, 2010

A combination of brief counseling and appropriate pharmacotherapy produces the most promising outcomes for patients willing to quit.

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.

Autistic disorder: Early interventions can improve outcomes

From CSAC, the clinical and scientific affairs council of the AAPA July 15, 2009

Media attention has increased awareness of autism; however, much of the information is misleading and/or confusing. PAs need to have reputable sources of information in order to help patients and their families.

The risk of tramadol abuse and dependence: Findings in two patients

James D. Stoehr, PhD; Alison C. Essary, MHPE, PA-C; Chrissi Ou; Rob Ashby, MD, PLC; Michel Sucher, MD, FASAM, FACEP July 13, 2009

Tramadol dependence is controversial, but these cases provide a blueprint for recognizing and treating similar patients in your practice.

Cross-cultural perspectives on intimate partner violence

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC, Diane Bruessow, RPA-C, DFAAPA, Mufiyda Abraham, PA-C; Robert David Coleman, MPAS, PA-C; Kelly C. McCarthy, BS; Trisha Harris-Odimgbe, MS, PA-C; Cindy K. Tong, MS, PA-C April 01, 2008

Addressing intimate partner violence through an ecological model and viewing it as amatter of public health can improve identification, treatment, and prevention.

Hypochondriasis: Meeting the management challenge

J. Glenn Forister, MPAS, PA-C; Billy James, PhD July 01, 2007

Patients who remain convinced they are ill despite all medical evidence to the contrary are among the most difficult to care for in all of medicine.

Is "reparative" therapy in the best interest of the patient?

F. J. Gianola, PA, DFAAPA June 01, 2007

The physician (who is the PA's supervising physician) shares his concerns with the PA about the patient's homosexuality, which he says is an "unhealthy" lifestyle.

PAs in psychiatry: Improving care for the underserved

Connie S. Shanks, PA-C, MPAS April 01, 2007

With an increasing number of patients requiring mental health services and a growing shortage of mental health providers, PAs can play a key role in expanding access to mental health care for underserved areas.