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February 08, 2008
Many patients unaware of additive effects of prescription drugs
On the front page of its Personal Journal section, the Wall Street Journal (2/7, D1, Wang) reports that many people "are often woefully unaware of the potential serious consequences of the additive effects of prescription medications," and medical examiners frequently "find multiple drugs in toxicology reports of people that died of drug overdoses."
The "most commonly abused groups [of drugs] are strong opioid or narcotic painkillers, such as OxyContin (oxycodone) or Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone), stimulant medications such as Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and Concerta (methylphenidate), and sedatives for sleep or anxiety, such as Xanax."
The most dangerous prescription drugs "are those that act on the central nervous system and suppress breathing," with opioid analgesics ranking among "the most potent." The Journal notes that "[t]aking multiple drugs is also dangerous, because the breakdown of the drugs in the liver may be slowed, in effect keeping the drugs in the body for longer, which could cause toxicity."
Related Link:
- "When Mixing Medications Can Be Deadly," Shirley Wang, Wall street Journal, February 7, 2008.
Posted by admin at 11:52 AM
February 06, 2008
2008 MFP Outstanding Merit Award Nominations Open
The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry is now taking nominations for its annual Outstanding Merit Awards. Nominees will be vying for the 2008 awards; deadline for nomination is March 13, 2008. The nomination form (in Word and PDF document formats) is available in the "Related Link" section below.
This award honors a meritorious endeavor by a person, project or organization within Maryland which accomplishes one or more of the following: increases public awareness and understanding of mental illness, enhances the quality of care for psychiatric illness, and reduces the stigma of mental illness.
Related Link:
- Download 2008 Outstanding Merit Award nomination form (Microsoft Word document)
- Download 2008 Outstanding Merit Award nomination form (PDF document)
Posted by admin at 08:42 PM
Epilepsy Drugs Linked to Suicidal Thoughts
The Wall Street Journal (2/1, B6, Dooren) reports that the FDA stated on its website that "it looked at nearly 200 clinical studies involving the 11 drugs, and found a doubling of the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior."
According to the agency, "patients receiving any of the 11 drugs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal behavior or ideation, or 0.43 percent, compared to 0.22 percent of patients receiving placebo in studies involving about 44,000 patients." Furthermore, the increase in risk "was observed as early as one week after starting an anti-epileptic drug, and continued through 24 weeks."
According to the New York Times (2/1, A22, Harris, Carey), the "medications are primarily used to help epileptics control seizures," as well as "to calm the surges in energy and mood that, along with bouts of depression, characterize bipolar disorder." Several of the drugs (for example, Topamax [topiramate] and Neurontin [gabapentin]) "are sometimes prescribed for chronic pain and headaches, as well."
Related Links:
- "Suicidal-Thoughts Risk Is Linked To Drugs Used to Treat Epilepsy," Jennifer Corbett Dooren, Wall Street Journal, February 1, 2008, p. B6.
- "F.D.A. Finds Increase in Suicide Symptoms for Patients Using Seizure Medications," Gardiner Harris and Benedict Carey, New York Times, February 1, 2008.
- "FDA Alerts Health Care Providers to Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior with Antiepileptic Medications," FDA press release, January 31, 2008.
Posted by admin at 09:37 AM
February 05, 2008
Manic: a Memoir
Terri Cheney is a successful entertainment lawyer who has represented many celebrities. She has earned a large income from which she has a beautiful home in Beverly Hills and a Porsche. At the same time she has engaged in a desperate struggle with a bipolar illness that has deeply undermined her life. She tells her story in a memoir entitled Manic.
A review of Manic is contained in the Feb. 3 blog of "Blogcritics."
Related Links:
- "Book Review: Manic: A Memoir by Terri Cheney," Rebecca Wright, Blogcritics.org, February 3, 2008.
Posted by admin at 11:58 AM
February 04, 2008
Macbeth is next for Baltimore Washington Center for Psychoanalysis
Macbeth: Genesis of Tyranny
Psychoanalytic Post-show Discussion
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Following the 2 pm performance at the Folger Theater ( 201 E. Capitol St., SE, Washington, DC)
Incited by the witches' prophecy and his ambitious wife, Macbeth journeys into the heart of darkness in a quest for the throne. Menace and magic surround William Shakespeare's chilling Scottish tragedy.
On March 29, following a 2:00 pm matinee, Samuel T. Goldberg, MD, of the Baltimore Washington Center for Psychoanalysis will provide a short talk and facilitate an audience discussion. All are welcome. CEUs and CMEs are available for mental health professionals.
Purchase tickets by February 28th to receive a discounted group rate for this performance. Call 202-675-0367.
Practicing psychotherapists may use this play and discussion to explore and grow in understanding the interplay between psychodynamics, motivation and action. For more information about the program, call 301-470-3635 or 410-792-8060, or visit www.bwanalysis.org. For more information about the play, performed February 28‚ April 6, 2008, visit www.folger.edu/theatre.
Posted by admin at 04:40 PM