Auditory hallucinations commonly referred to as “voices” has been a feature of many psychiatric illnesses. Auditory hallucinations involve perceiving sound without an auditory stimulus. It is presumed to be pathology or a symptom that reflects ‘psychosis’ (a break from reality) caused by substance abuse or other medical/psychiatric illnesses that needs to be treated. Other research has shown auditory hallucinations are correlated with an increase in activity of the thalamic and strietal subcortical nuclei, hypothalamus and paralimbic regions in the brain. Dopamine neurotransmitters and metabolism are what is currently implicated and treated by a variety of antipsychotic medications. The treatment and resolution of this symptom has been the way medicine and psychiatry traditionally tracks improvement in patients.
Continue reading ““Voices” in People’s Heads Are Complex -commentary by Alan Manevitz, MD”
Seasonal Affective Disorder – Fox News Interview
Dr. Manevitz was interviewed by Fox News concerning Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to Fox News "…with the end of daylight saving time, we spend more time in darkness than in light. So it's normal to feel a little down because we all know what is coming. Some people find themselves depressed this time of year. It's called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD."
New York News
Interview with Lenox Hill Hospital: Long Term Shift Work Linked To Impaired Brain Function
According to results of a new study, long term shift work may lead to impaired brain power which could involve cognitive skills such as thinking reasoning and memory. Dr. Robert Glatter of Lenox Hill Hospital interviewed Dr. Alan Manevitz, clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital, about the study.
Interview with Fox 5 News – Seasonal Affective Disorder
Blood Tests and Depression
"More than 80% of medications written for psychiatrist illnesses are written by non-psychiatrists, by the general practitioner, the family practitioner, the internists" according to Dr. Alan Manevitz, which can mean misdiagnosis and patients being treated in a way that might not help them.