All Posts by Sandra Steingard, M.D.
Why I don’t do “med checks”
I don’t do “med checks”. What do I do?
Full Article
April 25, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs, Uncategorized
You Are What You Eat – Part 2
There has been much attention in this site to the role of psychiatry and psychiatrists for people who are experiencing mental or emotional distress. One area that I have chosen to focus on with my patients is food since it is a place where I believe I can have a positive impact on their lives.
Full Article
April 22, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs, Mind/Body, Non-Drug Approaches, Recovery/Empowerment
You Are What You Eat
Food is the most important thing any of us ingests and it seems foolish to not pay careful attention to the foods we choose to eat.
Full Article
April 8, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs, Mind/Body, Non-Drug Approaches
What is in a Name: One Psychiatrist’s View of Psychiatric Diagnosis
What do I tell my patients about diagnosis? I try to explain what a diagnosis is and is not. It is a label that reflects that the person has reported certain symptoms. It is a label for the symptoms not for the person.
Full Article
March 25, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
In Praise of Families
This anecdote is offered as a story in praise of families and a recognition of their importance to the process of recovery.
Full Article
March 16, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
Why I Prescribe
This is about neuroleptics. It is about psychosis or madness or whatever term one prefers. It is about people 18 years and older. I take Robert Whitaker’s and others’ criticisms of psychiatry seriously. As noted in previous blogs, I am …
Full Article
March 3, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs, Uncategorized
The Emperor’s Antipsychotic Drugs
I avoid drug reps but I can not stop them from finding me through the mail. Over the past few months, I have received reprints of an article from The American Journal of Psychiatry (1), reporting on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lurasidone from the company that makes this drug. Since I had it in my hands, I read it. What I found was surprising. Rather than leaving me impressed by lurasidone, it left me wondering what happened with olanzapine (Zyprexa).
Full Article
February 25, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
On a Paradox Revealed: Discontinuing Neuroleptics
In Anatomy of an Epidemic, Robert Whitaker posits that long-term exposure to neuroleptics does more harm than good. I will discuss how I have wrestled with this in my practice.
Full Article
February 2, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
Is It All in Your Head?
In a recent NPR story, there was a discussion of the serotonin theory of depression. It was acknowledged by the scientists who were interviewed that there is no evidence of a serotonin deficiency in the brains of people who are depressed.
Full Article
January 25, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
Evidence, Bias, and Anecdote
I suspect that many people who come to this website are not fans of psychiatry. Although I am also critical of various aspects of psychiatric practice, I continue to go to work every day, where I treat many people. One …
Full Article
January 10, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs
Introduction: Anatomy of a Psychiatric Practice
In anticipation of this first blog post, I have spent some time wondering how I arrived at this point in my career. I have practiced psychiatry for 30 years. My work has primarily been with people who are experiencing psychotic …
Full Article
January 3, 2012 | Categorized in: Blogs