Internet and Psychiatry

Leo Sher, M.D.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder which is frequently comorbid with depression (1,2). A few years ago, I proposed the concept of post-traumatic mood disorder (3). I have suggested that some or all individuals diagnosed with comorbid PTSD and depression have a separate psychobiological condition that can be termed "post-traumatic mood disorder" (PTMD). The idea was based on the fact that a lot of studies suggested that patients suffering from comorbid PTSD and depression differed clinically and biologically from individuals with PTSD alone or depression alone.

Steven Lippmann, M.D.

There are pros and cons to everything. That applies to the internet and even to the internet and committing suicide. In October, 2009, it was reported by the Associated Press that last year a nurse from Minnesota gave step-by-step instructions over the internet on how to kill oneself to a man in England and a young woman in Canada (1).

The Englishman died by hanging himself, using the rope tying advice provided over the internet by that nurse in America. The same nurse is implicated in assisting the suicide of a Canadian teenager who drowned herself in an Ottawa river.

Leo Sher, M.D.

A research group from the Portland State University and Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, has published an important report on firearm suicide among veterans (1). The authors analyzed the data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Currently, 17 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) participate in the NVDRS, i.e., the authors were able to use the data from 17 states.

María Dolores Braquehais Conesa, M.D., Ph.D., Leo Sher, M.D.

November 6, 2009. Although at this point it is not clear why an Army psychiatrist at Fort Hood Army post killed and injured many fellow servicemen (1), the recent event may be related to mental health problems. This incident reminds us about the importance of protecting mental health of physicians.

The paradox that medical professionals do not look after their own health in the same way as they do with their patients is well known, especially when suffering from mental health conditions and/ or addictive behaviors (2).

Diana Zambrano-Enríquez, M.D.

Suicide is a major public health problem, one of the leading causes of death and one of the first causes of years of life lost. It is a voluntary act that can be carried out by men and women, children and adults, rich and poor, people of every race and religion. For some it is an act of cowardice, for others of valor and courage but in most cases there is an underlying feeling of pessimism, hopelessness, sadness, devaluation and dissatisfaction with life.

Hristina K. Koleva, M.D. and Jess G. Fiedorowicz, M.D., M.S.

Over the last decade, online shopping has rapidly grown in popularity and continues to grow with the global base of online shoppers increasing 40% over a recent two year period (1). Convenience, selection, and ease of use may facilitate further growth. However, the availability and ease of online shopping may pose a liability for some vulnerable individuals.