Can Suicide be Prevented? Have you lost the desire to keep Living?
Signs and Risk Factors. Here is a list of 13 things that should alert a doctor or a family member about a potentially suicidal patient: Patients with definite plans to commit suicide: Individuals who think or talk about suicide are at risk; however, a patient with
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When does a patient with a mental illness need to be hospitalized?
Unfortunately, many mental illnesses that psychiatrists treat cannot be cured, but the patient can be controlled. Therefore, as chronic conditions, it is expected that throughout the patient’s life and following the natural course of the illness, relapses will occur, mainly if stressful events have occurred in
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Myths and Realities About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of the central nervous system characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances, memory issues, and mood fluctuations. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies pain sensations because it impacts how the brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals. Symptoms
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Menopasia
First, let us define menopause as the technical term for that stage in a woman’s life when she stops menstruating. It generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. During the years before the cessation of menstrual cycles (perimenopause), physiological and hormonal changes begin that
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Can Benzodizepines cause Alzheimer?
Recently, an article published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in June 2020, authored by Carl Salzman, raises the question, “Can benzodiazepines (a group of drugs also known as anxiolytics) cause Alzheimer’s disease?” In recent years, there has been growing concern about the therapeutic use of
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Brief History of Mental Health in Panama
Allow me to present a historical journey through the development of mental health services in Panama, shedding light on its evolution and current state. This exploration unveils the efforts to provide comprehensive mental health care, highlighting achievements and aspirations. Several years ago, while being a part
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Pregnancy and Mental Health
Many studies concur that a higher prevalence of psychiatric conditions unrelated to substance use is observed in women than in men. Most mental disorders affecting females manifest during the reproductive phase, with conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression being prevalent. That scenario poses
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Brief History of Mental Health in Panama
I would like to share with you a presentation I made several years ago, when I was part of the medical staff of specialists at St. Thomas Hospital, which was my home for more than 10 years. First of all, it is important to point out
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What is Psychoeducation?
Psychoeducation is a therapeutic tool that provides information about a mental condition or illness, its origins, signs and symptoms, triggering factors, relapse prevention strategies, treatment, and coping mechanisms to manage the illness more positively. Its scope extends not only to the patient but also to their
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Learning about Bipolar Disorder
Throughout my life, I have been fascinated with the arts, especially painting. In 2008, after training as a psychiatrist, I decided, without any formal instruction, to take up a canvas, a brush, and a few tubes of acrylic paint to express emotions through shapes and colors.
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