Category: Mental Healthcare

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Chris Tuell, EdD, LPCC-S, LICDC, Lindner Center of HOPE Coordinator of Addiction Services, participated in the 2012 Addiction Professional Panel Series on Gambling Addiction and Related Co-Morbidities in Cleveland on Thursday, August 9. Approximately 50 guests were in attendance.

Gambling is one of the most ancient and universal aspects of human behavior. Games of chance have been with us throughout human civilization and in virtually every culture. For the majority of individuals, gambling behaviors do not become problematic. However, for those who become addicted they often find themselves caught in a serious behavioral disorder associated with job loss and unemployment, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, theft, dishonesty, family disruption, and suicide. Research indicates that when a casino is constructed, rates of pathological gambling increase. Recent advances in the understanding of the addictive brain, as well as the co-morbid aspects of gambling, have given rise to a more integrative approach towards treatment. Lindner Center of HOPE offers a clinical diagnostic assessment and treatment approach to pathological gambling, which is integrated and comprehensive. We believe the issue of pathological gambling is a serious disorder that is destroying lives every day, and requires a level of care which integrates the mind, body, and spirit.

Full coverage of the event, including podcasts, photos, and an article, is at http://www.addictionpro.com/page/gambling-addiction-and-related-co-morbidities.

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 Is it a Problematic Concept?

Mason, Ohio – June 15, 2011 – At the Annual American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting held May 14-18, Dr. Susan L. McElroy, Chief Research Officer at Lindner Center of HOPE presented research evidence supporting the broadening of the concept of Bipolar Disorder. Colleagues Dr. Mari Maj, from Italy and Dr. Stephen Strakowski, Professor and Chair at University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health argued that the diagnostic criteria should not be broadened.

Susan L. McElroy, MDDr. McElroy argued that Bipolar Disorder diagnostic criteria needs to be broadened to account for the broad range of mixed states- for instance when manic and depressive symptoms co-occur and for subthreshold hypomania- hypomanic symptoms that are shorter than 4 days.

Over the last decade a number of experts in the field have encouraged expanding the diagnosis to include mood changes that are much different than the traditional classic definition-which includes episodes of major depression that last at least two weeks and periods of mania or hypomania that last at least seven or four days respectively. At the APA Conference, Ellen Frank, PhD from Pittsburgh, Pa reviewed the risks and benefits of expanding the diagnostic criteria including misdiagnosis, exposure to inappropriate medications and their side effects. On the plus side, expanding the spectrum could mean an increase in diagnosis which could potentially mean that more people who need help will receive it.

On the other side of the debate are questions concerning emergency rooms and clinics seeing many patients who say they have bipolar disorder and who are then being prescribed a large number of psychiatric drugs for vague and unclear indications.
In our next issue of The Source, Dr. McElroy will provide a definition of bipolar spectrum and will explain one of the major differences of opinion around the diagnosis. Her perspective is that widening the Bipolar Spectrum will offer more accurate diagnosis and more appropriate treatment of those with true bipolar disease.

What do you think? Join us on LinkedIn to share your thoughts and hear from your colleagues and patient advocates on this APA topic. Will the broadening of Bipolar Spectrum lead to the over diagnosis of bipolar disorder or to more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatments? How will this affect individuals with milder symptoms and those without the illness to ineffective medications with harmful side effects? Has research helped delineate the importance of DSM IV expansion? We hope to hear from you.

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Adjunctive therapy being examined for those who have not responded to SSRI treatment

Adults who struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, even with treatment, can participate in a clinical trial to help doctors evaluate an investigational medication.

Mason, OH – May 10, 2011 – Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can heavily influence the way you live your life. From interactions with family and friends to how you perform at work, OCD creates challenges that can be difficult to overcome by yourself.

A medical research study, through the Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE, is being conducted to evaluate an investigational medication called Ondansetron. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with OCD. Doctors want to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of two different strengths of Ondansetron when given to patients who have not adequately responded to current treatment.

Obsession is a near uncontrollable desire or perceived need where there exists a focus or preoccupation with a subject, thought, idea or emotion. “In an attempt to ease the fear and anxiety and satisfy the urges and inclinations resulting from an obsession, individuals engage in repetitive or ritualistic behavior,” said Dr. Susan McElroy, Principal Investigator and Director of the Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE. “Even though an individual suffering from OCD may be able to recognize the irrational nature of their behavior on an intellectual level, they still feel compelled to perform their rituals in order to gain some relief from their apprehensions,” she added. This is the first new medication looked at for OCD in 20 years.

When initially treating OCD patients, doctors often rely on medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). For many patients, these medications alone are enough to help them live fairly typical lives. For some patients, however, SSRIs do not provide adequate treatment for their OCD, which creates a need for more effective treatment options.

The study is looking for 12 individuals to participate through the Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE-150 total participants throughout the country. Potential participants will enter a screening process to determine if they are eligible to participate in the study. If you are determined to be eligible and agree to participate, you will enter a run-in period where you will receive a new prescription for your current SSRIs therapy. Participation in this study requires the individual be at least 18 years of age, be diagnosed with OCD and have been taking SSRIs for at least six weeks prior to the study. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding will not be allowed to participate in this study.

All study related visits, tests, and treatments will be provided to participants at no cost. In addition, reimbursement for travel may also be provided. Ondansetron has been approved for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation or surgery but has not been approved or extensively evaluated for the treatment of OCD. For information please contact: 513-536-0710 or www.lindnercenterofhope.org/research.

About Lindner Center of HOPE:
Lindner Center of HOPE provides patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, free-standing mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization for individuals age 11-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, research and voluntary, live-in services. The Center’s clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Lindner Center of HOPE is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

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CMDC-LOGO
Mason, OH – April 18, 2011 – In a recent survey conducted by the Health Foundation, the number of Greater Cincinnati adults diagnosed with depression climbed in the last decade. The Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey also found that as a region, 21 percent of adults indicated they had been diagnosed with depression by a health professional and the largest sum of those individuals were between the ages of 30-45.

Regional and international experts in mood disorders from University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, Lindner Center of HOPE and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have joined to form the Cincinnati Mood Disorders Consortium (CMDC). “Our mission is to improve the lives of people with mood disorders through improved coordination of key clinical care components, research and education,” said Dr. Stephen Strakowski, Chair of Psychiatry at UC Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience. “Mood disorders have been shown to be a leading cause of disability worldwide and more than 20 million children and adults in the U.S. are affected by this disorder,” Dr. Strakowski added. “Mood disorders are immensely disabling and disrupt every facet of a person’s life including physical health,” he added.

Dr. Henry Nasrallah, Director, Schizophrenia Research Program and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at UC says, “There are many opportunities to move forward in our understanding of mood disorders, research priorities and pharmacological advances.” Mood disorders are potentially fatal. “Nearly one in six persons with severe, untreated depression will die by suicide,” Dr. Nasrallah added. Recent statistics show that one person every 15 minutes dies from suicide in the U.S.

“The Cincinnati Mood Disorders Consortium will collaborate to improve outcomes, review medical disorders in primary care settings that manifest with depressive symptoms and continually look at therapies and opportunities that foster improved health in adolescents, adults and older adults,” said Dr. Paul E. Keck, Jr., CEO, Lindner Center of HOPE. “Raising public awareness of mood disorders and training clinical care providers is key to our mission,” Keck added.

Two educational opportunities are being offered to help support these goals. The Consortium will offer an educational forum for doctors, nurses, mental health professionals and medical students to learn about managing depression in primary care, treatment-resistant depression, treatment advances and discussions of depression in special populations. Titled, Managing Depression in Special Populations, the event will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 8:00am-12:15pm, Cintas Center at Xavier University, 1624 Herald Avenue, 45207. To register, call University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry at 1-877-CME-AT-UC.

As part of a community-wide outreach strategy, Eric Hipple, a former NFL Detroit Lions quarterback will speak at an event opened to the public on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Hipple, has devoted his life to building awareness of depression and suicide after his son took his own life at age 15. In addition to a panel of clinical experts discussing mood disorders, Karen Troup will discuss the loss of her son, Jacob Ober at the age of 20 to suicide. She will share her journey of healing and offer advice to individuals, families and loved ones coping with mood disorders. To read more about Karen’s story of grieving and healing please follow this link http://healthnews.uc.edu/publications/findings/?/12821/12830/.

Depression and Suicide: What You Should Know, will take place from 12:30pm-5:00pm at the Cintas Center at Xavier University. For more information the public can call 1-877-263-2882. “This is another valuable opportunity where parents, caregivers and those interested in learning more about mood disorders, antidepressants and suicide can come together in an afternoon and hear from leaders in the field of mental health treatment and research,” said Dr. Keck.

CONTACT:
Terri Ann Fredette, Lindner Center of HOPE
513.536.0328 or [email protected]
Or
Keith Herrell, UC Department of Psychiatry
513.558.4559 or [email protected]