The Experts Speak - An Educational Service of the Florida Psychiatric Society

David Gross MD, a psychiatrist, outlines interesting data that reveals how the teenagers neurologically incomplete brain development explains many behaviors. The brain is not fully developed until the mid or late 20's.

Psychologist Robert Heller explains the nature and forms of RET -- Rational Emotive Therapy, also referred to as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. He explains the techniques, time course, on what aspects of the problem that gets attention, etc.

Stefan Pasternack MD talks of the unique and often difficult process of the bereavement process following a loss through homicide. Included are discussions of the impact of the media, inner city experiences, guilt, denial, repression and anger.

Christina Pearson, founder of the Trichotillomania Learning Center, offers a through review and explanation of this condition, some of the conceptual ideas behind it, it's frequency, and how it can be treated.

Donald Cavanaugh, with this second interview, further explores the realities of coming out for both teenagers and their families. He looks at the struggles many meet, their reactions, their depression, suicide rates, other emotional and social problems, bullying, etc.

Jimmy Hara MD, from UCLA, explains the nature of radiation, how it spreads and even gets into the food and water chains, potassium iodide, radiation induced cancer, sieverts. and other ill effects it has on life after prolonged or excessive exposure. His comments reflect the public health concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident.

Donald Cavanaugh coordinates mental health, anti-bullying, and other interventions for LGBT teens and pre-teens. He speaks to the unique challenges these youngsters commonly face, including their unusually high suicide rate.

Christopher Ticknor MD, outlines the evolving science behind what depression does to the brain. He also explains the why and how-long a person might be asked to take an antidepressant.

William Glazer MD gives an overview of the condition, and talks of the risk factors, how to manage TD when it presents, and some of the research findings that are further characterizing the syndrome.

Andrew Cutler MD explains the process of testing for new psychiatric medications, including the use of scales to follow clinical changes, placebo, and other essential parts to make sure the medication is useful and safe. This is Part 2 of our discussions on clinical research.

Arlene Lakin, Esq., President of Florida's Voice on Developmental Disabilities, and the mother of a severely disabled son, explains the problems facing this group, for both the patients and their families, the changing demographics, the need for proper support and treatment programs and funding, and how a family should approach the challenges of caring for a disabled family member.

Kim House, from the National Deaf Academy in Florida, notes the barriers to the treatment of mental health issues in the deaf, such as the lack of professionals who can communicate with them. She speaks of programs that address these problems, of the nature of sign language, the deaf culture, etc., for this minority within a minority.

Pierre Blier, MD, Director of the Mood Disorders Research Unit at the University of Ottawa, explains the nature of the generic medication and how much they are allowed to differ from the branded medications.

Eugenio Rothe MD. psychiatry professor at Florida International University, outlines the special needs and pressures that can lead to mental health problems in an immigrant child. Many defining terms are explained, as are descriptions of systems that can prevent mental health issues in his group.

James Jacobson MD, a psychiatrist, explains the goals of response and remission in the treatment of depression. He discusses the notions of how long treatment must continue, when medications might need to be changed, the Black Box warning, the importance of proper diagnosis, etc. December 2010