Category: NEWS

Understanding Psychopathy and Related Disorders Before diving into the signs, it is crucial to distinguish between psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Psychopathy is a construct with two factors: primary psychopathy, which includes traits like callousness and manipulativeness, and secondary psychopathy, characterized by impulsivity and antisocial behaviors. While psychopathy itself is not a mental disorder, […]

Introduction to the Dark Triad The Dark Triad refers to three distinct but overlapping personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. These traits are often studied to understand the darker aspects of human personality and behavior. Machiavellianism Machiavellianism, named after the political advisor Niccolò Machiavelli, describes individuals who are manipulative, strategic, and deceitful. They believe in […]

Zyprexa, also known as olanzapine, is a second-generation atypical antipsychotic that was patented in 1971 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. It is primarily used for the treatment of schizophrenia and has been subsequently approved for treating depression in combination with fluoxetine and for managing mania in bipolar disorder. The […]

In this discussion, we will delve into the major classes of antidepressants, starting with the most widely prescribed: the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have well-defined neurotransmitter profiles and are crucial in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Diagnosing Depression: The SIG E CAPS Mnemonic To diagnose MDD, remember the mnemonic SIG E CAPS: Sleep […]

What is Ketamine? Ketamine is often thought of as a horse tranquilizer because it is highly effective at sedating animals with intramuscular injections. In human medicine, we usually administer ketamine intravenously (IV) because it allows for more precise control over the dosage, especially important during surgery or in emergency room settings. Ketamine has been safely […]

Taking a psychiatric history involves a unique approach compared to other medical histories. It is essential to organize the history systematically while being sensitive to the patient’s comfort and concerns. Here is a guide to effectively gather a psychiatric history using the five S’s: Symptoms, Social, Substances, Psychosis, and Self-harm/Suicide. Symptoms The first step involves […]

Major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly referred to as depression, is a mental state characterized by low mood and a range of symptoms that affect daily functioning. It is expected to be the leading cause of disease burden worldwide by 2030. History and Diagnostic Criteria The term “major depressive disorder” was first used in the 1970s […]

Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. It is significantly more common in females than in males, being four to nine times more prevalent in females. Most cases present in adolescence, with 40% of diagnoses […]

Bulimia Nervosa, commonly known as bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. While it shares similarities with anorexia nervosa, bulimia typically involves individuals maintaining a normal or elevated weight, whereas anorexia involves an intense fear of gaining weight and behaviors that lead […]

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive, and recurrent thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause anxiety and distress. This leads to repetitive tasks (compulsions) performed in response to obsessions in an attempt to reduce the distress, even though these actions are often not realistically connected to the feared event. As a […]