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

Louis Schlesinger PhD from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice discusses the nature and probable origins of the serial sexual killer. He gives an overview of the topic, and speaks of the early warning signs, the role of sexual fantasy and tension, of how often they are misdiagnosed as being psychotic, the impact of other co-morbid psychiatric influences, and of his recent study of the rituals and signatures that they may , or may not,leave with their victims, etc.

Terrie Cowly from the TMJ Association and Chris Veasley from the National Vulvodynia Association discuss the impetus behind the End Chronic Pain in Women project. They discuss many issues, including the gender bias facing women, the need for knowledge about one’s condition, the role of support groups and of not feeling alone, the need for public awareness, better professional educations, and the need for on-going research and advocacy regarding chronic pain, especially in conditions more likely to occur in women.

Marius Romme MD PhD, from Belgium, and founder of the International Community for Hearing Voices, explains that all voice hearing people may not have psychiatric disorders. He gives the history of these observations, of how trauma may play a role, what clinical history is needed, of intervention techniques, and of how many people learn to cope with, or recover from, the voices.

Matthew Thomas MD, a psychiatrist at the Florida State University, details the new biological information about the form and origin of major depression, including discussions of the role of inflammation, childhood stress, the role of glia, BDNF, glutamate, etc.

James Woods MD explains the notion, history, science and treatment of fibromyalgia. He then further explains the unique relationship of fibromylagia with psychiatry.

Three experts discuss the rising suicide rate and other mental health issues in the African-American community. Included are mentions of micro-insults, the role of religious groups, attitudes towards reaching out for help, etc. Panel members: William Lawson MD from Howard University, Sherry Molock PhD from George Washington University, and Donna Barnes PhD from National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide.

Katherine Phillips, MD, and director of the body dysmorphic center (BDD) at the Rhode Island Hospital, explains the nature, manifestations, prevalence, early signs of, and treatment issues for the BDD. BDD is more common than realized and is found in both sexes and across a wide age range.

Haim Knobler, MD, former head of the Israeli Defense Force department of mental health, outlines their approach and program to prevention and interventions of PTSD. He speaks how this done with the medical corps as well.

Joan Almon, executive director of the Alliance for Childhood, discusses the important of play to many developmental domains, including concern with the shift in our psychosocial experiences with the growing disappearance of community, non-computer based play in teenagers. She also speaks of 'stranger danger', the violence in so many games, the creative aspect of play, recommendations for screen time, the importance of being outdoors, etc.

George Nurnberg MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, explains the range and causes of medication associated sexual side effects. He also speaks about testosterone, as well nitrous oxides’ role (which is the mechanism through which the Viagra like drugs work) in sexual dysfunction. Also discussed is the connection to relationships, weight gain, pre-medication use sexual problems, other medical conditions, etc., that can produce a hypoactive sexual desire disorder..

Judy Schoenberg, from the Girl Scouts of USA Research Institute, outlines a campaign to promote empower girls and women to resist the often dysfunctional impact of how the media portrays and depicts women and girls. This is in conjunction with proposed US House Bill 4925.

Donna Barnes, PhD,, director of the Suicide Prevention Program at Howard University, outlines the sharp rise in suicides in the black community. She looks at cultural and sociological shifts as the black community blends with the larger communities, the role of the clergy, changing family supports, how to intervene and educate the minority community about mental health, etc. She is also the director of the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide, www.nopcas.org

Elsa Ronningstam PhD discusses the nature, etiology and characteristics of the narcissistic personality. Included is a discussion of it's high prevalence in our society.

Connie Siskowski RN PhD, is the director of the American Association of Caregiving Youth. This is a generally unseen epidemic of younger children who are caring for sick or disabled family. The organization speaks to the problem, how the responsibilities impact young children and teenagers, and the types of interventions needed.

Lisa Scott PhD, from Florida State University, outlines the nature, treatment, emotional burdens, and some of the new developing theories about stuttering. Included are notions that it may even have a neurological or genetic component.