There is much talk over the usage of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health.We have seen the use of Artificial Intelligence to assist with surgical procedures using image-guided technology. This technology is used under the supervision of a physician, to perform certain surgical procedures which would be more invasive or not even possible without these innovations. These types of Artificial Intelligence technology has also aided in the way medical procedures are taught to physicians, allowing for greater conceptualization of certain medical procedures. Machine learning technology is another form of Artificial Intelligence technology and is now being implemented for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This technology differs from the image-guided technology and seems to be more applicable to mental health diagnosis and treatment. Artificial Intelligence companies are using machine learning technology to analyze large volumes of objective and subjective data and use this information to make reliable diagnosis of the patient's mental health condition. Many psychiatric conditions are co-occurring and so machine learning offers greater accuracy in the dual diagnosis of the various mental health conditions.  What is also interesting is our ability to analyze large volumes of data is much more practical than how it was years ago.The large volumes of data fed into the machine learning technology, allows for greater degree of accuracy in the evaluation of symptoms. Misdiagnosis is possible if the patient is mis-representing their symptoms and by drawing from a large database of information any outliers will be recognized instantly and not factored into the diagnosis process. The key is to take the data fed into the database and determine what is the most useful to provide feedback to clinicians and to allow for them to make differences in patient lives. For instance, if you give data suggesting to a patient that they are depressed, that won't necessarily help them become "less" depressed. The data needs to help give solutions to the patients and so it plays a role in not only the diagnosis process but also with treatment options. Machine learning technology also offers a cushion between physician-patient relationship. There has been a stigma surrounding psychiatry. Many individuals who are suffering from mental illness have often been stigmatized and felt shame with regards to seeking help. Through machine learning technology, patients experience a cushion between them and the physician, and this subconsciously encourages more truthful recounts of their symptoms from the patient. The patient is less likely to feel they are being judged and so this allows for more effective treatment options. Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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Mass Shooting TragediesWe come across increasing media reports of mass shootings claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent people. These shootings take place in schools, religious places of worship, malls, and many other public places. Theses tragic events seem to be random acts of violence carried out by a ruthless, most likely mentally ill individual. In the case of school shootings, the perpetrator is often a student who may have been a victim themselves of bullying. Attempts to reduce the incidence of these tragic events are being made through the reform of existing gun laws. This is seen as a preventative measure to lessen the likelihood that a gun could be accessed by individuals with ill intent. However, research has found that the states in the United States with the most restrictive gun laws saw a 53% increase in the risk of a mass shooting event, so gun laws seem to be one piece to a larger puzzle.  The Mental Health of A Mass ShooterIt is important we examine the risk factors that could predict an individual’s chances of engaging in acts of violence against innocent people in addition to the reform of gun laws. A study published in the Journal of Loss and Trauma explores the myriad of risk factors that can be identified specifically in the case of the student responsible for the Virginia Tech shooting. The risk factors discussed in the study focus exclusively on the student’s environment and its ultimate influence on him claiming the lives of his peers. Could there be psychiatric risk factors as well that can help bring us closer to understanding how and why these mass shootings occur? Below are 6 risk factors that describe psychological characteristics commonly present among mass shooters. These risk factors give us some insight into the mental health and psychological dynamics of these perpetrators of mass shootings, that the individuals that commit these crimes may not necessarily have a mental illness, however, the presence of these characteristics predict a potential for engaging in acts of violence.  6 Psychiatric Risk Factors1. Social Isolation/Rejection
2. Narcissism
3. Self-Esteem Issues
4. Persecutory Delusions/ Paranoia
5. Suicidal Ideation
6. Depression
 Considering All The FactorsAn individual may present all of these characteristics and never commit acts of violence against others. Specifically, in the case of mass shooters, it seems to be a multifactorial situation, in which psychological/psychiatric factors interact with environmental factors leading the shooter to engage in an act of violence.
It is important to open up the conversation and take into account the many aspects influencing these types of events so that we can work as a community to prevent these tragedies in the future. Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects more than 3 million individuals in the United States each year.Of those 3 million, only 20 percent seek treatment for their symptoms. ADHD is a psychiatric disorder marked by a combination of the following symptoms of Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity:
 ADHD is typically treated with CNS stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta. These medications regulate the levels of dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain.These medications carry with them side effects such as:
Individuals suffering from ADHD who do not seek professional psychiatric treatment for their symptoms may self medicate or seek alternatives to the medications they have been prescribed.  Marijuana use for the treatment of ADHD is becoming more common, in particular amongst adolescents and young adults. Research regarding the effectiveness of marijuana for the treatment of ADHD is sparse.Existing studies suggest that marijuana use may alleviate some symptoms of anxiety however, use also lowers cognitive function in individuals with ADHD making it more difficult for these individuals to concentrate. A 2017 study found that short term THC exposure creates an increase in domaine neurotransmitters and brain activity, however, long term exposure weakens the brain's dopamine system. This research suggests that occasional marijuana use my provide relief from some ADHD symptoms, however, with long term use it loses its effectiveness and may even worsen symptoms of ADHD.  An interesting aspect is that certain popular strains of medical marijuana seem to mimic the effects of the stimulant medications prescribed to treat ADHD Medical marijuana strains that have these effects include :
These strains contain different THC and Cannabinoid properties, however physical effects create:
This is very helpful in the management of some symptoms for individuals suffering from ADHD. It is also important to note dosage plays an essential role. Taking into account current studies on the topic, it seems occasional use has more beneficial effects as opposed to chronic long term use, which may instead worsen symptoms. Research exploring the connection between marijuana and ADHD is minimal so there aren't any definitive conclusions with regards to how marijuana can be used to treat ADHD, but it seems to be an avenue that will be further explored and it is possible that marijuana can be a useful treatment option for certain ADHD symptoms. Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Home Court Advantage Many people are probably tuning in to the March Madness Basketball tournament, it is entertaining to watch the skill of these young athletes, their sportsmanship, teamwork, and passion representing their college in this highly competitive tournament draws in many viewers. Some viewers may be placing bets on who will advance to the next level and there are many aspects that go into determining which team has the best chances. One aspect we find in not only basketball but many other sports is the "home court advantage." The Mental StateWhy is it that the home team tends to score more points than the visiting team? You would think that people who are trained at the top level wouldn’t be affected by cheering or noise in a stadium, and would focus on what needs to be done. Home Court Advantage in basketball is described as the sixth man, because it's like having another player assist the team. The sixth man is essentially the crowd cheering on and supporting the home team and this is an advantage for that team. Yet, even the most professional of us are human. Even the best of us are fallible to human shortcoming and emotions.  Using the Home Court Advantage Mentality for Symptoms of Depression & AnxietyWhen a basketball player shoots a free throw and misses it, most players tend to give a high five to the rest of the team on the court.
Missing one point can be psychologically taxing, and the rest of the team is saying, “let it go, this happens, let's move forward”. This logic goes for the home team and for the away team. The home field advantage can be connected to our everyday life. Do you feel that you have home field advantage? Do you feel that your support structure is truly supportive, and wants you succeed? Life is already difficult, and if you do not feel that you have the support that you need to succeed, and feel that you are playing as a “visitor” in a basketball game, then you are much less likely to succeed, or be satisfied, and are more likely to have depression and anxiety, and a host of other mental health illnesses. Find a way to have a home court advantage. It isn’t the number of people in your life that matters, it’s the quality of the support and cheering that matters. Contact us to speak with a mental health professional today! What Is Telepsychiatry?Tele-psychiatry is the utilization of technology to speak to a mental health care provider or psychiatrist for a psychiatric evaluation or consultation. There are many platforms that are acceptable modes of tele-psychiatry and laws vary state by state in terms of what types of communications can be used to conduct a psychiatric consultation. The telecommunications that qualify for tele-psychiatry include video or audio conferencing, done via phone, laptop, or computer.  It's Now Easier To Connect With A PsychiatristTele-psychiatry is convenient in and of itself. You are able to discuss sensitive topics with your psychiatrist using the ease and comfort of technology. This is helpful, especially for individuals suffering from certain psychiatric disorders that make social interaction difficult, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and social phobia disorders. It is nice that technology is able to provide an extra layer of insulation from the symptoms of these disorders an individual may be struggling with. Many psychiatry practices operate during standard business hours of Monday through Friday, typically 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. It is rare to get psychiatric consultations outside of these hours, unless you search very hard. This can be problematic if you work during these same hours which most people do. It would be ideal to see your psychiatrist on a day off, maybe on the weekend, or after you get out of work during the week. It would be even more convenient if you were able to have a consultation with your psychiatrist “remotely” via phone, laptop, or computer. Just go home after work, get settled in and start your appointment, no waiting rooms, you are in the comfort of your own home. Most people don’t take a day off from work to get an oil change. An oil change is very necessary, but we often find ways to work it into our schedule, either going before work, finding something on the weekend, for those that are really ambitious, going on a lunch break.  Laws Surrounding Tele-PsychiatryThe introduction of tele-psychiatry feels like a figment of the future of psychiatry practice and in a sense, it is, but it also isn’t. Telemedicine has been around for a little over ten years. Legislature has limited the access patients may have to these kinds of psychiatric treatments and with understandable reason, the convenience of such psychiatric services carves avenues for potential abuse, and so legally speaking, it has been heavily regulated.
However, with rapidly changing legislature, it is being reformed and allowing patients greater access to psychiatric care. The Ryan Haight Act enacted by the federal government in 2008, required physicians to conduct at least 1 in-person psychiatric consultation before prescribing controlled substances to patients. However, just recently a new federal law was signed into effect that would no longer require the in-person consultation. The Special Registration for Telemedicine Act of 2018 would allow psychiatrists to prescribe controlled substances via tele-psychiatry services only, no in person consultation required, so long as that psychiatrist registered with the DEA. The DEA will work to finalize the law by October 24, 2019. This means expansion of tele-psychiatry services. Patients suffering from mental illness may now have greater access to consulting with a psychiatrist. Legislature for the access of tele-psychiatry services vary from state to state, so if this is something you would be interested in, please contact our office to learn more. We want to connect you with a provider. Our mental wellness is just as important as our physical health. Let us help you, contact us today. Practicing empathy is a simple way to add value to your life. Empathy enhances a person’s:
Empathy also improves a person’s social value. People are typically highly motivated and inspired by empathetic individuals. Think of the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Jesus Christ. These are iconic figures we strongly associate with good. As a society we look up to these figures as people who changed the world with their philosophies and actions. All these figures displayed strong empathetic traits. Empathetic people are considered leaders that we trust not fear, people we turn to for guidance and support, people who add value to our lives and the world.  Empathy & Mental HealthMental health disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), may reduce our sense of empathy. Life comes with its fair share of challenges each day and this makes it difficult to be anchored into an empathetic state of mind consistently. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and feel what another person experiences. Empathetic people are able to tap into a wide range of emotions and are able to take on a different perspective with ease. This is effective in managing stress and finding satisfaction in one’s life. What can help us develop this mind state? Active Listening
Encouraging Others
 Acts of Kindness
Alone Time
Connection to Nature
 Being the Peacemaker
Self-Improvement
Practice Honesty
 Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Contact us below to speak with a psychiatrist for any concerns regarding depression, anxiety, or other disorders. You are not alone, we want to help. |
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