Almost Addicted

Addiction

Some Physicians Are Being Forced to Pass Polygraph Tests

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on March 23, 2024

Doctors who are suspected of having substance use disorders are often required to undergo evaluations that require them to pass polygraphs if they want to keep practicing medicine.

Doctors who are suspected of having substance use disorders are often required to undergo evaluations that require them to pass polygraphs if they want to keep practicing medicine.

Burnout

U.S. Med Students Need Better Access to Mental Healthcare

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

The pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of medical students. Med schools need to provide insurance coverage that covers students when they seek help.

The pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of medical students. Med schools need to provide insurance coverage that covers students when they seek help.

Psychiatry

Why Is It So Hard to Get an Appointment with a Child Psychiatrist?

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on June 13, 2023

If a child needs mental healthcare in a crisis, recent data suggests that getting it is not likely to be easy.

If a child needs mental healthcare in a crisis, recent data suggests that getting it is not likely to be easy.

Addiction

The Case for Decriminalizing Street Sales of Buprenorphine

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Commentary: Because the overdose crisis shows no signs of abating, we need to do everything possible to get life-saving medications into the hands of those who need them.

Commentary: Because the overdose crisis shows no signs of abating, we need to do everything possible to get life-saving medications into the hands of those who need them.

Addiction

Programs to Help Doctors Are Rife With Problems

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on August 1, 2021

Doctors who are suspected of having mental health or drug problems deserve fair, unbiased, evidence-based treatment. Sadly, they often aren't getting it.

Doctors who are suspected of having mental health or drug problems deserve fair, unbiased, evidence-based treatment. Sadly, they often aren't getting it.

Genetics

Planning to Get a DNA Test? Proceed With Caution

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on April 13, 2021

Astounding numbers of individuals are having their DNA tested and more people than you might think are stunned by what they discover.

Astounding numbers of individuals are having their DNA tested and more people than you might think are stunned by what they discover.

Health

Mental Health Woes and Torture in Indian Prisons

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on April 10, 2021

Conditions inside Indian prisons range from bad to abhorrent: Torture is common, and mental health disorders abound. Why aren't more Indian physicians leading calls for reform?

Conditions inside Indian prisons range from bad to abhorrent: Torture is common, and mental health disorders abound. Why aren't more Indian physicians leading calls for reform?

Relationships

How to Survive a Quarantine Winter

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on January 3, 2021

Winter can be difficult even without a raging pandemic. Here are eight ways to stay calm and hopefully uplifted in 2021.

Winter can be difficult even without a raging pandemic. Here are eight ways to stay calm and hopefully uplifted in 2021.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Anxious About COVID-19? There's Only so Much You Can Control

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on April 10, 2020

Stressed about COVID-19? Here's why.

Stressed about COVID-19? Here's why.

Depression

Feeling Disconnected or Depressed? You Are Not Alone

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on January 25, 2020

Depression often creates a sense of loneliness, but the reality is that if you are depressed, you not alone. Here are some tips to connect when times are difficult.

Depression often creates a sense of loneliness, but the reality is that if you are depressed, you not alone. Here are some tips to connect when times are difficult.

Career

Doctors Pay Up or Else Don't Work

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on December 1, 2019

Physicians suspected of mental health disorders often pay big or lose the right to work.

Physicians suspected of mental health disorders often pay big or lose the right to work.

Many states have enacted laws that, if upheld, will make it all but impossible for women to get abortions. This legislation portends disaster for both children and parents.

Psychiatry

Why Physicians Who Need Psychiatric Care Go to Kansas

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on April 7, 2019

Doctors all over the U.S. are often told that they need to go to select centers for evals and treatment—centers that often have conflicts of interest.

Doctors all over the U.S. are often told that they need to go to select centers for evals and treatment—centers that often have conflicts of interest.

Immigrants are targeted for blame and scrutiny because psychologically it is much easier to look outside of ourselves for a source of our malaise and misery than facing the truth.

Health

Immigrants Cost Less, Subsidize Health Costs in US

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on August 10, 2018

Immigrants are healthier than US-born people and don't use as many resources.

Immigrants are healthier than US-born people and don't use as many resources.

Health

Asylum Seekers and Mental Health

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on June 19, 2018

We have evaluated scores of asylum seekers, and their depression and post-traumatic stress disorders are real.

We have evaluated scores of asylum seekers, and their depression and post-traumatic stress disorders are real.

Career

Using Marijuana Twice a Month Cost This Doctor His License

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on April 5, 2018

Using marijuana after hours shouldn't cost a physician the ability to practice medicine, right?

Using marijuana after hours shouldn't cost a physician the ability to practice medicine, right?

Prisons and jails harm the health not only of those who are incarcerated, but also their family members waiting at home and those who work in correctional settings.

Punishment

Solitary Confinement: Torture, Pure and Simple

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on January 15, 2018

Placing individuals in solitary confinement is both inhumane and unethical.

Placing individuals in solitary confinement is both inhumane and unethical.

Health

Our Youth Deserve Better

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on December 11, 2017

Transition-age youth (age 18-25) are at high risk for mental health, physical health, and substance use problems, yet they are falling through the cracks due to the lack of service

Transition-age youth (age 18-25) are at high risk for mental health, physical health, and substance use problems, yet they are falling through the cracks due to the lack of service