Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

Tag Archives: teen counselor

“SAD” MAY BE HEREDITARY

February 26th, 2016

It probably seems odd that I’m writing about seasonal depression when spring
is right around the corner. But in October, I did a blog about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 48469167_sThe symptoms mimic those of depression, and the disorder is believed to be triggered by changes in daylight, making it more prevalent in the late fall heading into the winter months when the days get shorter. Well, now it seems there might be a gene that predisposes a person to SAD. The details were published today in the in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Because SAD almost always occurs during the winter months, researchers have believed the condition was triggered by light or rather the lack of light. It is believed that the changes in sunlight affect the circadian rhythms of people with SAD messing up their biological clocks. It is also believed that the increase in the production of melatonin, which is produced at higher levels in the dark could also be a cause.

The researchers in this new study analyzed a group of patients with SAD and also with another sleep disorder called Familial Advance Sleep-Phase syndrome. They identified a mutation in a gene called PER3 suggesting that this gene might both affect sleep and mood.

You can click below to read more of the details of the study. This team of researchers actively believes that there is a gene connection. Dr. Louis Ptáček, also a professor of neurology at the UCSF School of Medicine, said to MNT, “This is the first human mutation directly linked to seasonal affective disorder, and the first clear sign of a mechanism that could link sleep to mood disorders.”
This is an exciting time in research because the more we understand what causes these disorders, the better treatment options we can offer to patients.

LINKS
Seasonal affective disorder: first human gene mutation discovered
Don’t Be Sad
Does seasonal affective disorder actually exist?

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS FOR BABIES – REALLY?

December 14th, 2015

Is it possible that psychiatric medications tested on adults and meant to treat adult psychiatric disorders are now being used to treat psychiatric disorders in children younger than two years old? So it seems according to The New York Times story last week. “Still in a Crib, Yet Being Given Antipsychotics” by Alan Schwarz.

12285416_sAccording to the NYT story, “Cases like that of Andrew Rios, in which children age 2 or younger are prescribed psychiatric medications to address alarmingly violent or withdrawn behavior, are rising rapidly, data shows. Many doctors worry that these drugs, designed for adults and only warily accepted for certain school-age youngsters, are being used to treat children still in cribs despite no published research into their effectiveness and potential health risks for children so young.”

Using drugs “off-label” for treating all kinds of conditions from cancer to ADHD has become so common that almost every drug at some point is prescribed off-label. Off-label means the medication is being used in a manner not specified in the FDA’s approved packaging label or insert. Off-label prescribing isn’t necessarily bad. It can be beneficial.

In child and adolescent psychiatry, the majority of the drug prescribing is done off-label. Few medications are approved for young people, but making these valuable medications unavailable because drug companies have not tested them for all conditions and populations would cause a lot of prolonged suffering and even deaths. This is the case for hundreds of drugs, not just psychotropic medications. Studies have been coming out showing the helpfulness of psychotropic medication in young people, and hopefully, science and research will continue to catch up with clinical reality.

One problem with children under two receiving these medications is that one cannot get the feedback that you get treating older children and adults. Babies have very limited language skills and cannot participate in guiding treatment decisions. Additionally, the effects of these medications on the development of the young body of a baby are not known, and I think it is rational to worry about the high possible vulnerability of infant tissues.

As much as I believe in using drugs off-label I believe that babies should not be given psychotropic medication. Further tests are needed, and behavioral modifications should be tried first.

LINKS
Still in a Crib, Yet Being Given Antipsychotics

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.