ASK THE DOCTOR
A column that addresses the questions and concerns of consumers relating to medical issues and psychiatric care.. Dr. Goldfinger is Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, the only public medical school in New York City. Dr. Goldfinger's career has focused on providing services to the most severely disenfranchised and disaffiliated populations; he is a tireless advocate for the most severely mentally ill.
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I was asked to join a research study that is testing a new medication for my condition. I'm not happy with the medication I'm on now, but the idea of research makes me very nervous. What should I do?: I was asked to join a research study ... but the idea of research makes me very nervous. What...
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It's really difficult for me to write this letter. For the last couple of years, I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, and my doctor has prescribed both an anti-psychotic medication and an antidepressant. For almost all of this time, it's been really hard for me to have sex. I'm very, very frustrated. Is it my medication that's giving me these problems, or is it something going on inside my head? I'm embarrassed to talk to my doctor about it but since you don't know anything about me, having been who I am, this feels more comfortable - (Anonymous): For the last couple of years... my doctor has prescribed both an anti-psychotic medication and an...
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It's really difficult for me to write this letter. For the last couple of years, I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, and my doctor has prescribed both an anti-psychotic medication and an antidepressant. For almost all of this time, it's been really hard for me to have sex. I'm very, very frustrated. Is it my medication that's giving me these problems, or is it something going on inside my head? I'm embarrassed to talk to my doctor this.: Diagnoses of schizophrenia or other psychoses do not mean an end to sexuality. However, mental...
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Many of those with long histories of severe mental illness have been "awakened" to increased functional levels by the new generation of atypical antipsychotic medications. What new programs and approaches are needed to respond to them, and has the mental health system met these challenges?: Those who may have spent decades in lives of isolation, confusion, dependence and curtailed...
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My roommate's psychiatrist prescribes 6 mg. daily of an antipsychotic for her to take. She takes 2 mg. instead each day, and she's really doing better. She tells me she's afraid to tell the doctor. What should we do?: Too often, both physicians and patients collide in what I sometimes think of as "the dance of...
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NYC Voices Medication Survey: Preliminary Results: … I find this quite out of line with my own clinical experience. Almost no people take their...
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Why do we take our meds? How do doctors help or hinder this decision?: Tell me about times when your doc acted like a total jerk, or times when you lied, or...
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