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Guest Editorial
Needed: Clinical Research in Mood Disorders
Martin Alda, Michael Bauer
(PDF)

In Review
The Antisuicidal and Mortality-Reducing Effect of Lithium Prophylaxis: Consequences for Guidelines in Clinical Psychiatry
Bruno Müller-Oerlinghausen, Anne Berghöfer, Bernd Ahrens
(PDF)

Lithium Augmentation Therapy in Refractory Depression: Clinical Evidence and Neurobiological Mechanisms
Michael Bauer, Mazda Adli, Christopher Baethge, Anne Berghöfer, Johanna Sasse, Andreas Heinz, Tom Bschor
(PDF)

Prophylaxis Latency and Outcome in Bipolar Disorders
Christopher Baethge, Leonardo Tondo, Irene M Bratti, Tom Bschor, Michael Bauer, Adele C Viguera, Ross J Baldessarini
(PDF)

Review Paper
Clinical Features of Bipolar Disorder With and Without Comorbid Diabetes Mellitus
Martina Ruzickova, Claire Slaney, Julie Garnham, Martin Alda
(PDF)

The Cortisol Awakening Response in Bipolar Illness: A Pilot Study
Dorian Deshauer, Anne Duffy, Martin Alda, Eva Grof, Joy Albuquerque, Paul Grof
(PDF)

Implementing Quality Management in Psychiatry: From Theory to Practice—Shifting Focus From Process to Outcome
Brent M McGrath, Raymond P Tempier
(PDF)

Original Research
Mental Disorders and Reasons for Using Complementary Therapy
Badri Rickhi, Hude Quan, Sabine Moritz, Heather L Stuart, Julio Arboleda-Flórez
(PDF)

Readiness to Participate in Psychiatric Research Daniele Zullino, Philippe Conus, François Borgeat, Charles Bonsack
(PDF)

Toward Benchmarks for Tertiary Care for Adults With Severe and Persistent Mental Disorders
Alain D Lesage, Daniel Gélinas, David Robitaille, Éric Dion, Diane Frezza, Raymond Morissette
(PDF)

Brief Communication
Patient Attitudes Regarding Causes of Depression: Implications for Psychoeducation
Janaki Srinivasan, Nicole L Cohen, Sagar V Parikh
(PDF)

Book Reviews
(PDF)

Helping the Helpers Not to Harm: Iatrogenic Damage and Community Mental Health.
Reviewed by
Peter Moore, MD, FRCPC

L’Homme de Vérité.
Revue par
Maurice Dongier, MD, FRCPC

Letters to the Editor
(PDF)

Re: The Combined Use of Atypical Antipsychotics and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in Schizophrenia

Reply: The Combined Use of Atypical Antipsychotics and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in Schizophrenia

Re: Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists

Reply: Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists

Re: Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists

Reply: Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists

Breath-Holding in Anxiety Disorders

Bright Light, Serotonin Turnover, and Psychological Well-Being

Letters to the Editor

Reply: Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists

Dear Editor:

Further to Dr Litman’s letter, in no way did we intend to convey the message that the psychological subspecialty of psychopharmacology is currently “undeveloped.” We did state that the act of prescribing psychoactive medication deviates, not from psychology’s theoretical approach to mental illness but, rather, from its traditional foundations as an academic discipline. We do not argue that psychopharmacology is inconsistent with psychological principles but that the feasibility and safety of actual prescribing has not been adequately evaluated. Clearly, the academic discipline of psychopharmacology is a well- established and evolving psychological specialty. Even as an academic discipline, however, it is relatively young, compared with the psychological specialties of cognitive science, abnormal psychology, or behaviourism.

We agree that standards for psychopharmacological training for psychologists have been established and pilot projects are underway. Nevertheless, there is a difference between medical evaluation and management of mental illness and actual prescribing. Psychologists have been competently diagnosing mental illness and monitoring medication side effects for years. The observation that some student psychologists received pharmacologic training surpassing that provided within traditional medical schools seems to underscore a problem within medical training; it is not necessarily sufficient to qualify psychologists to prescribe.

We agree that psychopharmacology is a well-established psychological specialty. Our article aimed to inform Canadian psychiatrists of the major issues and controversies of this debate. As for whether prescription privileges are within psychologists’ scope of practice, we believe this question, at least for the time being, remains debatable.

Kim Lavoie, MA, PhD
Montreal, Quebec