Many reviews have pointed out that there is a significant “publication bias” that affects studies of antidepressants: because studies that don’t find an effect tend not to be published a review of the published literature would suggest that these medications are more effective than they really are. Indeed this is been the basis of a great debate in the popular and …
Aripiprazole for Late Life Depression
A study suggests that aripiprazole augmentation may be an effective strategy for treating major depression in older adults. The article has generated a lot of interest because of evidence suggesting that late life major depression may be different from major depression in early adulthood. Cognitive impairment, including memory troubles and trouble with planning and decision making (executive function), seems to …
Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy
I have just posted another page on the site devoted to orienting patients to types of psychotherapy that we may recommend for them. This most recent page talks about Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy, an approach to the treatment of patients with chronic depression that many people have benefitted from during the course of their treatment at Gateway Psychiatric. …
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Job
We are excited to be hiring a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to join our team! A successful candidate for this position is licensed as a CA Registered Nurse and is certified by the CA Board of Registered Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner; ideal candidates carry an ANCC certification. The position is best suited for someone who is self- …
Weight Loss Updated
Inspired by our work with a few patients who have lost weight successfully, we just updated the weight loss page. See the links below to find the updated page and some other relevant information. And please let us know if you have resources and suggestions to share. Resources Weight Loss Treatment of Weight Gain Weight Loss Medications
Mental Health and Violence Conference
I am very pleased to share an announcement for a conference for mental health professionals and psychiatrists sponsored by the Northern California Psychiatric Society . The topic is both an important one and one about which there is much confusion and strong conflicting opinions. I’m proud that our local district branch is not walking away from it but has arranged …
Ketamine for Depression Update
Probably the most exciting development in psychopharmacology in years is the discovery of the dramatic effects of ketamine on depression. However, a recent report from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Task Force on Novel Biomarkers and Treatments highlights not only the reason for the excitement about ketamine but also the significant areas of uncertainty that make it not yet ready to …
Medicare at GPS – Update 2022
This is a fourth post to update our Medicare status. It is an update of the post from 2017. Provider Status and Volunteer Teaching at UCSF As of October 2015, Dr. Forster is no longer “opted out” from Medicare. This change was necessary for him to continue to serve as a volunteer clinical faculty member supervising residents in the Bipolar …
Self Injury is the 8th Leading Cause of Death
Self injury (including suicide) is the 8th leading cause of death in this country. It is time to do something about it. An article just published online in the prestigious journal JAMA Psychiatry makes us drawn case that our fascination with trying to come up with clear answers to questions that may ultimately be impossible to answer (what a person’s …
When is my appointment?
A fair number of emails we get have to do with an urgent request to be reminded when someone’s appointment is to take place. Sometimes the email gets sent only a few minutes before the start of the appointment. Since we don’t interrupt sessions to answer emails, and often don’t have time to answer emails between sessions, this can be an exercise …