Cannabis use has been linked to earlier onset and poorer treatment outcomes in both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Substance abuse, especially of cannabis, is associated with earlier ages of onset in both these patient groups as well as poorer response to treatment and clinical outcomes. Cannabis users developed bipolar disorder nine years earlier than non-users.…
Recent research shows that behavioral addictions are three times more common in people with bipolar disorder than in the general population. These behavioral addictions include pathological gambling, compulsive buying and sexual and word addictions. In one study, one third of bipolar patients had at least one behavioral addiction compared to 13 per cent in the…
Some of the best medications used in general medicine and psychiatry will be cheaper in 2011. Among those losing their patents this year are Lipitor and Plavix, the top selling cholesterol and clot prevention drugs. Also coming off patent protection are the antibiotic Levaquin, Concerta for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Zyprexa, for schizophrenia and…
f you search for a Texas Workers’ Compensation psychiatrist or a Houston workers’ compensation psychiatrist, you may not connect with Dr. Covert as one of the very few board certified and experienced psychiatrists still accepting Texas Workers’ Compensation cases, Office of Workers’ Compensation Program (OWCP) Federal Workers’ Compensation cases and Defense Base Act cases. Some workers’ compensation insurance…
Recent survey finds 20% of Americans experienced mental illness in the past 12 months. In the past year, 45 million individuals developed mental disorders, but less than 40% of these received mental health services. 20% of the 45 million also had a comorbid substance disorder. This rate is about three times higher than the general…
According to an eight decade research project, the best childhood predictor of longevity is conscientiousness, a complex pattern of persistence, prudence and hard work as well as close involvement with friends and community. Persistence and the ability to navigate life’s challenges were superior predictors of longevity to higher IQs or achieving advanced degrees. Believe it…
According to a study of nearly one million children born in Denmark between 1988 and 2001, babies born with low Apgar test scores were at higher risk to develop ADHD. The Apgar is a 10-point scale used by pediatricians worldwide, measuring respiration, reflexes, skin color, pulse and heart rate during the first few minutes of…
On April 5, 2011, Dr. Covert, a psychiatrist in Houston, Texas, attended an important continuing psychiatric education event. The speaker was William M. Glazer, M.D., who has been a member of both the Yale and Harvard Medical School psychiatric faculties. Dr. Glazer spoke on the topic of “Management of Bipolar I or Schizophrenic Patients.” He…
ADHD doctors prescribe stimulants for the treatment of child, adolescent or adult ADHD because it is a neurological disorder caused by the deficiency of the neurotransmitter, epinephrine, in some parts of the brain. After doing a comprehensive psychiatric examination which reveals symptoms of this disorder, standardized tests and questionnaires are administered to confirm and document…
On August 30, 2011, Dr. Covert and his staff and other members of the Houston psychiatric community were invited to attend a scientific presentation entitled “Current Issues in Neuropsychiatry.” The topics included “Monitoring of Patients with Bipolar I disorder or Schizophrenia.” The two speakers were John Docherty, M.D., Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Cornell Medical College…
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