Sacramento Street Psychiatry

Anger

Road Rage is All In Your Head

Steven Reidbord M.D. on February 15, 2018

Treated like dirt? On the road and elsewhere, we react to interpersonal slights as we perceive them. We may be mistaken.

Treated like dirt? On the road and elsewhere, we react to interpersonal slights as we perceive them. We may be mistaken.

Self-Help

Does Severe Remorse Require a Specialist?

Steven Reidbord M.D. on September 27, 2017

There are few resources specifically for "accidental killers." Can people with severe or unusual emotional suffering get help from mainstream sources?

There are few resources specifically for "accidental killers." Can people with severe or unusual emotional suffering get help from mainstream sources?

Politics

Lumping and Splitting: Balancing Connection and Safety

Steven Reidbord M.D. on September 1, 2017

We live in an age of political splitting. From left to right, differences are highlighted, commonalities submerged. Individual and cultural health instead demands a balance.

We live in an age of political splitting. From left to right, differences are highlighted, commonalities submerged. Individual and cultural health instead demands a balance.

Psychiatry

The "High-Risk" Psychiatric Patient

Steven Reidbord M.D. on July 31, 2017

In medicine and surgery, a "high risk case" means the patient is at risk. In mental health, sometimes it's the doctor.

In medicine and surgery, a "high risk case" means the patient is at risk. In mental health, sometimes it's the doctor.

Career

Psychodynamically Informed Clinical Work

Steven Reidbord M.D. on May 5, 2017

A psychodynamic perspective can enhance and individualize non-analytic treatment — even "med checks."

A psychodynamic perspective can enhance and individualize non-analytic treatment — even "med checks."

What does psychiatric diagnosis add to political criticism of President Trump?

Career

A Christmas 2016 Fable

Steven Reidbord M.D. on December 10, 2016

The story of Rudy, and how his boss helped him gain acceptance by his coworkers.

The story of Rudy, and how his boss helped him gain acceptance by his coworkers.

Many medications can be abused. Prescribing doctors are gatekeepers who separate legitimate use from abuse. However, this distinction is becoming less clear.

DSM

Is the DSM Clinically Useful?

Steven Reidbord M.D. on August 30, 2016

Psychiatry's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual" serves many functions. Surprisingly, the routine practice of clinical psychiatry isn't one of them.

Psychiatry's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual" serves many functions. Surprisingly, the routine practice of clinical psychiatry isn't one of them.

Psychiatry

Dilemmas of Cash-Based Practice

Steven Reidbord M.D. on June 7, 2016

There is a growing movement for primary-care doctors to avoid insurance and only accept cash. Psychiatrists have been there first. What lessons can we pass along?

There is a growing movement for primary-care doctors to avoid insurance and only accept cash. Psychiatrists have been there first. What lessons can we pass along?

Psychoanalysis

Choose Your Actions, Not Your Feelings

Steven Reidbord M.D. on May 8, 2016

Blaming ourselves (and others) for emotions isn't fair.

Blaming ourselves (and others) for emotions isn't fair.

One-upmanship is staying a step ahead of rivals by showing superiority. The converse is gaining an edge by appearing weak, inferior, or victimized. It's trickier but quite common.

Psychiatry

Are Psychiatric Disorders Brain Diseases?

Steven Reidbord M.D. on December 12, 2015

Prominent psychiatrists declare that all mental disorders are biological diseases. Is there proof? If not, can they say it anyway?

Prominent psychiatrists declare that all mental disorders are biological diseases. Is there proof? If not, can they say it anyway?

Fear

Credulity

Steven Reidbord M.D. on October 25, 2015

We each find a comfort zone between the poles of paranoia and gullibility, and proudly defend our spot at the expense of adaptive flexibility.

We each find a comfort zone between the poles of paranoia and gullibility, and proudly defend our spot at the expense of adaptive flexibility.

Transference

Hiring the One-Armed Surgeon

Steven Reidbord M.D. on September 6, 2015

Working with an impaired psychotherapist is like hiring a surgeon with one arm.

Working with an impaired psychotherapist is like hiring a surgeon with one arm.

Bias

We Are All Fallible Experts

Steven Reidbord M.D. on August 25, 2015

Our ability to abstract, infer, and categorize is a gift. But it's also the root of prejudice and stereotyping.

Our ability to abstract, infer, and categorize is a gift. But it's also the root of prejudice and stereotyping.

Online Therapy

Medical Professionalism Vs Commercialism

Steven Reidbord M.D. on August 6, 2015

The physicians' guild may have been paternalistic and self-serving, but it also stood for high quality medical care. Will patient care suffer as commercialism and populism take its place?

The physicians' guild may have been paternalistic and self-serving, but it also stood for high quality medical care. Will patient care suffer as commercialism and populism take its place?

Psychiatry

Medical "Disruptors" as Adolescents

Steven Reidbord M.D. on June 15, 2015

Entrepreneurs with "disruptive" business models are driven idealists and rebels, impatient with current practice. In this way they are like adolescents. Our future is in their hands, but they need guidance.

Entrepreneurs with "disruptive" business models are driven idealists and rebels, impatient with current practice. In this way they are like adolescents. Our future is in their hands, but they need guidance.

Ethics and Morality

Medical Ethics Are Healthier Than Business Ethics

Steven Reidbord M.D. on May 3, 2015

Traditional medical ethics puts patient welfare first. As corporations increasingly control health care, business ethics replace medical ethics. Doctors and patients must work together to defend the doctor-patient relationship.

Traditional medical ethics puts patient welfare first. As corporations increasingly control health care, business ethics replace medical ethics. Doctors and patients must work together to defend the doctor-patient relationship.

There’s nearly no end to the money the U.S. health care system will spend on problems that can be addressed more economically.