Demystifying Psychiatry

Psychiatry

The Brain’s Role in Psychiatric Disorders

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on June 25, 2025

What is the evidence that specific brain dysfunction directly causes specific psychiatric disorders?

What is the evidence that specific brain dysfunction directly causes specific psychiatric disorders?

Suicide

The Suicide Rates of Physicians Compared With Non-Physicians

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

Female physicians have a higher incidence of suicide than female non-physicians. This is not true for male physicians.

Female physicians have a higher incidence of suicide than female non-physicians. This is not true for male physicians.

Psychiatry

Demystifying Psychiatry: What's Changed in the Past 15 Years

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on April 23, 2025

We published the book "Demystifying Psychiatry" in 2010. Although basic principles of psychiatric treatment remain unchanged, new treatments have become available since then.

We published the book "Demystifying Psychiatry" in 2010. Although basic principles of psychiatric treatment remain unchanged, new treatments have become available since then.

Psychiatry

If You're Over 65 and Need a Psychiatrist, You Need to Know This

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on March 20, 2025

On average, only a third of psychiatrists accept traditional Medicare, but this varies significantly among states.

On average, only a third of psychiatrists accept traditional Medicare, but this varies significantly among states.

Psychosis

Improving Cognition in People with Schizophrenia

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on February 26, 2025

A new class of antipsychotic medication can improve cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia.

A new class of antipsychotic medication can improve cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia.

Psychiatry

Rethinking Psychiatry Residency Training

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on January 13, 2025

Leading psychiatric educators are asking important questions about the best ways to train psychiatrists to address the needs of mentally ill individuals.

Leading psychiatric educators are asking important questions about the best ways to train psychiatrists to address the needs of mentally ill individuals.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy

When Antidepressants Don't Work, This Could

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on December 12, 2024

TMS could bring relief for some with treatment-resistant depression.

TMS could bring relief for some with treatment-resistant depression.

Psychiatry

Public Health and Psychiatry: Two Ways to Treat Mental Illness

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on November 11, 2024

We can reduce the burden of mental health disorders in two key ways: developing better treatments for psychiatric symptoms and improving interventions to prevent the onset of illness.

We can reduce the burden of mental health disorders in two key ways: developing better treatments for psychiatric symptoms and improving interventions to prevent the onset of illness.

Psychopharmacology

Benefits of Weight Loss for Those With Severe Mental Illness

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Many people suffering from severe mental illnesses are significantly overweight. New weight loss medications may help extend life expectancy.

Many people suffering from severe mental illnesses are significantly overweight. New weight loss medications may help extend life expectancy.

Bipolar Disorder

How Common Is Recovery From Bipolar Disorder?

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on September 9, 2024

As new treatments reach more people, outcomes should improve.

As new treatments reach more people, outcomes should improve.

Psychiatry

Psychiatric Disorders and Cigarette Use

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on August 19, 2024

Cigarette use is common among persons with certain psychiatric disorders and should be addressed by mental health professionals.

Cigarette use is common among persons with certain psychiatric disorders and should be addressed by mental health professionals.

Aging

Interactions Between Biological Aging and Psychopathology

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on July 24, 2024

There is a bidirectional interaction between biological aging and the development of mental illness.

There is a bidirectional interaction between biological aging and the development of mental illness.

Psychiatry

Psychiatric Disorders and Homelessness

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on June 20, 2024

Psychiatric disorders are present in about two-thirds of unhoused individuals. Substance use disorders are present in over 40% of this population.

Psychiatric disorders are present in about two-thirds of unhoused individuals. Substance use disorders are present in over 40% of this population.

Psychiatry

What’s Needed in Child/Adolescent and Geriatric Psychiatry

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on May 16, 2024

We face critical shortages of child and adolescent psychiatrists and geriatric psychiatrists. How can we maximize the impact of those already in these subspecialties?

We face critical shortages of child and adolescent psychiatrists and geriatric psychiatrists. How can we maximize the impact of those already in these subspecialties?

Psychiatry

How Many Young People Have a Mental Health Disorder?

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on April 15, 2024

Knowing baseline prevalence is vital for evaluating treatment.

Knowing baseline prevalence is vital for evaluating treatment.

Psychiatry

The Debate Over Psychiatric Suffering and Physician-Assisted Death

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on March 7, 2024

In some locales, it is legal for doctors to assist in the deaths of people suffering with psychiatric illnesses. There are, however, many concerns regarding the practice.

In some locales, it is legal for doctors to assist in the deaths of people suffering with psychiatric illnesses. There are, however, many concerns regarding the practice.

Psychopharmacology

Why This Potential New Medication for Schizophrenia Is Important

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on February 6, 2024

A potential new antipsychotic medication with a different mechanism of action may help expand treatment options for people with schizophrenia.

A potential new antipsychotic medication with a different mechanism of action may help expand treatment options for people with schizophrenia.

Bipolar Disorder

Study Provides New Data About Treating Bipolar II Depression

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on January 10, 2024

A small recent study provides encouraging safety and efficacy data about the use of psilocybin plus therapy for treating depressive episodes associated with bipolar II disorder.

A small recent study provides encouraging safety and efficacy data about the use of psilocybin plus therapy for treating depressive episodes associated with bipolar II disorder.

Bipolar Disorder

New Study Gives an Important Update on Bipolar Disorder

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on December 11, 2023

Bipolar disorder is common, disabling, and associated with increased mortality. With monitoring, medications can be helpful.

Bipolar disorder is common, disabling, and associated with increased mortality. With monitoring, medications can be helpful.

Psychiatry

Complementary Treatments of Severe Persistent Mental Illness

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on November 20, 2023

In addition to treatments aimed at symptom reduction, rehabilitative and palliative approaches may help patients with severe persistent mental illness.

In addition to treatments aimed at symptom reduction, rehabilitative and palliative approaches may help patients with severe persistent mental illness.