As cannabis has become legal for medical and recreational purposes in many states, discussing risks and benefits of cannabis in relationship to health and illness has become part of routine medical care. Physicians are fielding questions about marijuana prescriptions for many different illnesses. Products containing the cannabidiol (CBD) component of cannabis, have exploded onto commercial platforms as over-the-counter products with claims of health benefits for every type of symptom. Our job as physicians is to try to present treatment options and balance the risks and benefits. Unfortunately, for now, too little information is available about the effectiveness of "medical" marijuana for me to offer an opinion informed by any scientific evidence in these areas.
Bipolar Disorder or Moodiness? Recognizing the Differences
Recently, someone posted the following on Instagram: "I am clinically #bipolar, which means that I don't know what my mood will be like in the next 20 minutes."
This sparked some discussion among doctors on Twitter, who noted, correctly, that mood episodes in bipolar disorder...
This sparked some discussion among doctors on Twitter, who noted, correctly, that mood episodes in bipolar disorder...
KIOS Bipolar Mood Navigator
In Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, I point out that a key self-help strategy for living well with bipolar disorder is to monitor your moods, and I provide a Mood/Sleep Chart to facilitate the process. I also point out that those who prefer to track...
Tune Out the Bad News
I was recently interviewed by Meredith Carroll for her article in Redbook, "My 6-Year-Old Is Obsessed with National Tragedies — and I Doubt She's Alone," which is based on the author's experience that "it's practically impossible to go outside, online, open a newspaper, or turn on the TV and not have to pick your jaw up off the floor over an international crisis, natural disaster, or a national tragedy." The article specifically discusses how to talk to young children about tragedy or disaster...
Shifting Perspective on Bipolar Medication Weight Gain
Jake and his parents arrive early for their appointment with a list of concerns to review in our limited time together. I encourage patients and families to bring lists; a list keeps all of us focused. Their number one concern is Jake's weight, which...
Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and the Microbes Inside You
Can the bacterial community that lives in your gut actually be related to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? Research on the human microbiome and its effects on health and illness has exploded into the worlds of medicine and research. It is...
Manic or Hyperactive: What’s the Difference?
Helen, a 22 year old young lady, leans forward toward me — she is sitting in the chair I usually occupy during our sessions — and spills out details of an interaction with a customer she helped at her retail job. She speaks quickly...
Beating the Homework Blues
Is your child, tween, or teen struggling with homework in addition to other challenges, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, or ADHD? If so, then maybe it's time to say, "Enough is enough." In my practice, I often see frazzled children and their frazzled...
Overcoming the Inertia of Depression with the Tiniest of Steps
A common refrain I hear from my patients' loved ones — and especially from parents of teenagers with depression — is that if their child or spouse would just get up and work out they could stop being depressed. "Dr. Fink, please tell my...
Bipolar Medication Mindfulness
Living with bipolar disorder often means taking medications regularly. That alone is a tough pill to swallow. Finding the right medicine "cocktail" often involves a month (or longer) journey of trials and adjustments. But once you find the right medicine and dose(s), taking your medication every day, as prescribed, drives the recovery and mood maintenance engines. Missing medicine or taking it at wildly different times each day makes it hard for the medicine to do its job and for you and your doctor to get a clear picture of what's working, what's not, and which medication may be causing undesirable side effects.
