2008 Lecture Archive 

Redefining "Mood Stabilizer"

Tuesday, December 9, 2008
James C.-Y. Chou, M.D.

The growing role of anti-psychotics in treating mood disorders. Do they work? An insightful summary of the latest studies on the use and effectiveness of these medications.

The great mood disorder puzzle: what should be dealt with first when a patient is suffering from a mania hidden inside a depression strapped to a see-saw? Brain chemistry gone awry is the main culprit behind these perilous bipolar ups and downs. Thankfully there are many psychiatric medications available to help restore some balance, mainly those from the category known as Mood Stabilizers.

Not too long ago there were only a few of these unique drugs. But recently, so many new ones have come out that now the very term Mood Stabilizer is in question. Patients are confused. And there’s also a robust debate within the medical community itself.

Simply put, here's the dilemma: If a medication from a totally different class of pharmaceuticals, like the atypical antipsychotics, stops manic episodes should it also be called a Mood Stabilizer? And are these newcomers as effective as the traditional medications?

It takes an expert to make sense out of this medication muddle. Dr. Chou will carefully explain what all the newest research says about what's important in the ever-changing world of Mood Stabilizers. Knowledge is a powerful pill!

James C.-Y. Chou, M.D.
  -Attending Psychiatrist at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY
  -Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

What Do Happiness Research and Positive Psychology
Have to Say About Depression?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Richard O’Connor, PhD

Ah, happiness! Throughout history, great thinkers, from philosophers to poets to scientists to songwriters, have searched for the key to finding it. But recently, some psychologists have tried to quantify what makes people happy using clinical research. Does this latest quest for answers, known as positive psychology, have any bearing on clinical depression? “When you at look this movement from the perspective of mood disorders, some of it is naïve, but some of it is quite relevant,” says Richard O’Connor, acclaimed author and psychologist and our November lecturer. “When people are treated for depression,” he says, often they get to where they’re just short of being able to find real pleasure in life, but it’s possible to aim a little higher than that.” Don’t miss his take on this fascinating topic.

Dr. O'Connor is the author of "Happy at Last" and "Undoing Depression".

Help! My Medication’s Not Working

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
David Hellerstein, MD

Antidepressants, mood stabilizers and other drugs are crucial for treating depression and bipolar disorder. But sometimes they stop working; others times they never even start. This lack of response is called treatment resistance and it can be one of the most frustrating stumbling blocks someone with a mood disorder will ever encounter.

But the desire to get better doesn’t have to stop there. “There are approaches that can help people gain or regain a good response,” says psychiatrist and author David Hellerstein, MD, our October lecturer. From rethinking the diagnosis, to trying new regimens, to exploring options like exercise and meditation, Dr. Hellerstein will discuss options for overcoming this troubling situation.

At the lecture, Dr. Hellerstein recommended The Peace of Mind Prescription: An Authoritative Guide to Finding the Most Effective Treatment for Anxiety and Depression by Charney, Nemeroff and Braun, especially the chapter on resilence.

Dr. David Hellerstein is a cutting edge researcher and top psychopharmacologist. He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University. His web site is depressionny.com. He is also associated with the Depression Evaluation Service.

Cognitive Problems in Bipolar Disorder: Are They Real? Can They Be Treated?

September 9, 2008
Katherine Burdick, PhD

If you're bipolar, the nagging belief that your illness keeps you from being as sharp as you really are is an awful feeling. This might not be your imagination. Research shows a link between certain cognitive functions and mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. "On objective tests, it's common to see deficits in specific areas of verbal memory, executive function, and cognition, although intelligence appears to remain intact," says neuropsychologist Katherine Burdick, PhD, our September speaker.

Medications, although essential, often have side effects of their own, which can play a role. Scientists are beginning to dig deeper into causes of the problem and what can be done to treat it. Come hear the latest thinking on this often-ignored issue.

Katherine Burdick is a neuropsychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital and an Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Mood Disorders at the Movies

June 3, 2008
Steven E. Hyler, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University

Hollywood filmmakers have always been irresistibly drawn to disorders of the brain as sensational subject matter for the movies. And who can blame them? When it comes to dramatic themes, depression, mania and the other mental illnesses have it all: the exhilarating highs, the gloomy lows, the internal struggles, the intense personal relationships torn asunder. And don’t forget those scary asylums. But does Hollywood get it right? "Most cinema depictions of mood disorders are dreadful—inaccurate, overly dramatic and worst of all, stigmatizing," says Steven E. Hyler, M.D., our June lecturer.

Still, there is much to learn by looking at the way pop culture portrays mood disorders and psychiatry. Dr. Hyler, a renowned psychiatrist, professor, and film buff, is an expert on using film as a tool for teaching medical students about mental illness. Despite the generally dismal state of things cinematic, he says, there have been surprisingly accurate, and respectful portrayals: Timothy Hutton’s performance in Ordinary People and Jimmy Stewart’s in Vertigo are two high points for major depression; Richard Gere in Mr. Jones and Kevin Kline in Sophie’s Choice are two for mania.

At the other end of the spectrum are the exploitive movies in the horror genre, from Psycho to the Halloween series. But perhaps most troubling of all are those that are somewhere in between. "Movies that just get some of it right can be worse," says Dr. Hyler. A Beautiful Mind, for example, offers a sympathetic but inaccurate view of mental illness as well as a potentially dangerous anti-psychiatry theme. "When directors create characters like Russell Crowe’s, that people really sympathize or identify with, along with a strong, anti-medication bias, it could have disastrous effects."

Come hear Dr. Hyler’s entertaining, controversial analysis of mood disorders on the silver screen. It’s sure to be one of our most memorable lectures and box office boffo.

Dr. Hyler is also an Instructor for the American Psychiatric Association course "Teaching Psychiatry: Let Hollywood Help."
NOTE: Recordings of this lecture are not available

Managing Stress and Anxiety: A Toolkit for People with Mood Disorders

May 6, 2008
Susan Palmgren, PhD.

Stress and anxiety are particularly prevalent among people suffering from depression and bipolar disorder - and particularly hard to manage. But there are ways to cope. Psychologist Susan Palmgren, an expert, discussed hands-on techniques and tools you can use to battle these persistent problems. She involved the audience in an interactive, question-and-answer format.

Susan Palmgren is the Director of the Adult Case Management Clinic at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

Personalized Psychopharmacology

April 1, 2008
Richard A. Friedman, M.D.

Imagine a future where a simple blood test could tell doctors which psychiatric medication is most likely to work on an individual patient. The agonizing trial-and-error process that so many sufferers of mood disorders must endure before finding the right medication might be completely avoided. The truth is, such a blood test is only a few years from being ready to use in clinical practice. “Soon a simple genetic test will be able to help psychiatrists biologically personalize treatment,” says Richard Friedman, a leading psychopharmacology researcher. Don’t miss the chance to hear him explain the exciting possibilities of this cutting edge area of research.

Richard A. Friedman, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic, Weill Medical College, Cornell University. Dr. Friedman also writes on Behavioral Science for the New York Times science section. See his articles.

Care for the Patient, Care for the Family:
Family Inclusive Treatment for Mood Disorders

March 4, 2008
Igor Galynker, MD, PhD. Director of Beth Israel’s Family Center for Bipolar Disorder

A new wave is sweeping the psychiatric community: the idea of involving families closely in the treatment of mood disorders early on. Many doctors feel that it’s the key component to successful outcomes that’s been missing for too long. Input from the family helps psychiatrists more accurately gauge the depth and intensity of symptoms, and the general quality of the person’s life, explains psychiatrist Igor Galynker, one of the leaders in this approach and our March lecturer. “As a result, doctors have a more complete picture to work from when prescribing medication,” he says.

Anyone who wants the best treatment for themselves or a loved one will want to come hear the latest thinking on family-based treatment from one of the leading experts on the subject. Be sure to attend this important lecture.

The Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel

Social Security Disability and Mental Health:
Getting What You're Entitled To

February 5, 2008
Marc Strauss, Esq.

Come hear how to cut through the red tape and get the Social Security disability benefits that you deserve. When it comes to getting mental health benefits covered by social security disability, all the red tape can be daunting. "Psychiatric conditions don’t seem as straight-forward because you can’t look at something like an MRI to decide," says Marc Strauss, Esq., one of the top attorneys in this field and our February lecturer. But getting educated on your rights can pay off. Come hear Mr. Strauss’s advice for these often-frustrating situations. He has years of experience with Social Security Disability cases and a wealth of knowledge to share. Don’t miss him.

Marc Strauss is an attorney specializing in SSD and a partner at the firm of Pyrros and Serres LLP.

A Psychopharmacologist Talks About Talk Therapy

January 8, 2008
David Brody, M.D.

CBT, DBT, RET, interpersonal, group - there seems to be plenty of options when it comes to talk therapy, but sometimes it’s hard to choose the right approach. Which ones are the most effective at treating mood disorders? What does the research say? Should you see separate clinicians for medications and therapy or take an integrative approach? "There’s a lot to consider," says David Brody, our January lecturer. Dr. Brody will give the lay of the land on therapy from his perspective as both a top psychopharmacologist and therapist. Be sure to attend this important lecture.

David Brody, MD. Chief, Psychiatric Outpatient Service, Beth Israel Medical Center