Once again I am going to try to explain this common problem in the practice. I hope it will help you understand this common dilemma and what you can do to prevent it affecting your care. By far the most common reason my office responds to a request for a refill with a “no” and yet the pharmacy won’t send …
The Serotonin Theory of Depression: Debunked?
For decades, the serotonin theory of depression has been the prevailing explanation for the disorder. The theory holds that depression is caused by low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation. This theory has led to the development of many popular antidepressants, which work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. However, a new study …
New Research Shows That Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Protect Against Depression
A new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open has found that even moderate levels of physical activity can protect against depression in older adults. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland, looked at data from over 7,000 older adults with and without chronic disease. The researchers found that for every additional …
UCSF Psycho-Educational Zoom Group for Adults with Bipolar Disorder – June 2023
The Adult Psychiatry Clinic at UCSF has released the schedules of their Group Psycho-Education for Bipolar Disorder for June 2023. This activity under the Bipolar Disorder Program of the Department of Psychiatry is aimed at providing a community resource for individuals with bipolar disorder, mental health professionals and psychiatrists. Headed by Dr. Descartes Li, the program director, it is designed …
Healthy Breathing
Don’t neglect breath work Breathing is fundamental to life, so much so that we usually aren’t aware of doing it at all. Yet many experts say people are breathing “wrong” – too rapidly and too shallowly – and breathing wrong may be affecting our physical and mental health in myriad ways. Healthy breathing, according to a recent article in the …
Somryst® – Currently Unavailable
Somryst® the first and only FDA authorized digital treatment for chronic insomnia using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia – CBTi) will currently be unavailable. This is due to its parent company Pear Therapeutics, Inc. has filed for a Chapter 11 bancruptcy on April 7, 2023. The debtors voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bancruptcy protection in the United States Bancruptcy …
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It is said to promote health and well-being by harmonizing the flow of energy, or “qi,” throughout the body. Qi Gong is a safe and gentle practice that can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels. It is a good way to …
Fee Changes 2023
It is time to update our fee list. February 2022 was the last time we revised our fees. Every year we update our fee list to reflect the changes in the cost of living. We have outlined the process as follows: Our fees are no longer comparable to those of comparable practices. In addition, our costs have gone up significantly …
Charges for Consultations and Updates via Email
With the recent explosion in interest in and use of various types of telehealth services, patients are becoming used to getting in touch with their health care provider through their home computer or cellphone. We celebrate the increase in channels for communication and hope that it will result in better accessibility to health care for all. However, we also have …
Controlled Substance Prescriptions – Update January 2023
FDA crackdowns and a shortage of staff in the pharmaceutical industry are making it harder to get controlled substance prescriptions filled. On October 12, 2022, the FDA announced a shortage of instant-release Adderall. Like many companies, Teva pharmaceuticals, the leading manufacturer of generic Adderall, has had trouble hiring people resulting in shortages of medications in pharmacies. The Adderall shortage has led to …