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In Practice

A practicing doctor's views on psychiatry and contemporary culture.

Depression
Looking on the Bright Side

Peter D Kramer on December 18, 2008

In the face of the economic crisis, patients' outlooks may be oddly upbeat. For some, the recession offers justification. In their business, they were the ones who counseled prudence. More broadly, financial setbacks accord with the melancholic worldview. 

In the face of the economic crisis, patients' outlooks may be oddly upbeat. For some, the recession offers justification. In their business, they were the ones who counseled prudence. More broadly, financial setbacks accord with the melancholic worldview. 

Depression
No Respect

Peter D Kramer on December 9, 2008

From the New York Times letter section comes further evidence that depression is the Rodney Dangerfield of diseases.

From the New York Times letter section comes further evidence that depression is the Rodney Dangerfield of diseases.

Anxiety
Treating Anxious Kids—Part II: How Much Zoloft?

Peter D Kramer on November 21, 2008

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found Zoloft to be highly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. But is the news all good?

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found Zoloft to be highly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. But is the news all good?

Placebo
Drugs With No Side Effects

Peter D Kramer on October 24, 2008

Internists and rheumatologists prescribe placebos and defend the practice as ethical.Surgeons and neurologists say the drugs they prescribe have no side effects. Are their patients the better for the deception? . . . And should psychiatrists follow suit?

Internists and rheumatologists prescribe placebos and defend the practice as ethical.Surgeons and neurologists say the drugs they prescribe have no side effects. Are their patients the better for the deception? . . . And should psychiatrists follow suit?

Depression
What the Doctor Ordered

Peter D Kramer on October 20, 2008

What does it mean when a patient responds to a very low dose of a drug? Building on his recent posting on gene testing as an aid to prescribing, Peter D.Kramer looks back to a less contentious time, when doctors talked quietly among themselves about the art of prescribing.

What does it mean when a patient responds to a very low dose of a drug? Building on his recent posting on gene testing as an aid to prescribing, Peter D.Kramer looks back to a less contentious time, when doctors talked quietly among themselves about the art of prescribing.