Mental Health

Infectious diseases had been a big part of my training in medical school in India, where I cared for and learned from patients with a wide variety of infections from extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis to cerebral malaria to Japanese encephalitis to all types of vaccine-preventable diseases because of lack of health care access. I became fascinated by the specialty, and my interest was further bolstered by role models in residency. A fellowship in a strong inner-city clinical program under awesome mentors with a plethora of pathology was invaluable for the years to come. My first job out of training was in a rural community hospital and Federally Qualified Health Center as the first ID physician in the center. It’s been a rewarding experience to start and run a very busy rural ID practice, taking care of uninsured and underinsured patients in an area with a shortage of health professionals. Sharing strong bonds with patients living with HIV over last 7 years in a small rural community has been a learning experience about their challenges and successes. Absorbing the business side of medicine as a medical director has been equally eye opening. My role as a hospital epidemiologist and stewardship lead has allowed me to build cherished relationships with several medical specialties and hospital staff. I have to admit that I have also learned from patients and communities who may not always agree with me (with respect to management of Lyme disease and vaccine refusal). Keeping the dialogue open is the key.

Longitudinal study data indicated that children exposed to maternal stress throughout gestation were three times more likely to develop a personality disorder, even after adjusting for other psychiatric disorders

Researchers reported that more young people in Finland born between 1994-2000 received a depression diagnosis in specialized services than the cohort born between 1987-1993, according to data published in Nordic Journal of Psychiatry.

Maternal anemia in early pregnancy appeared to be linked to greater risk for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and intellectual disability among offspring, findings published in JAMA Psychiatry revealed.

Co-occurrence patterns indicated association clusters of sexual violence, youth violence and bullying perpetration among male youth in urban neighborhoods; however, those with adult social support reported significantly fewer risk behaviors, according to study findings.

Adjusting for chronological age and year of birth showed a more rapid increase and a smaller sex difference in the suicide mortality rates for U.S. youths from 1999 to 2017 than those shown by the unadjusted suicide mortality rates, according to study findings.

Spending more than 3 hours each day on social media was associated with an increased risk for mental health problems – especially internalizing problems – among teenagers, according to findings published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Young adults with childhood history of both parental incarceration and juvenile justice involvement were more likely to have depression, anxiety or PTSD compared to those without either exposure, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

Children of incarcerated parents were more likely to develop a substance use disorder and anxiety disorder as adults, according to longitudinal research published in JAMA Network Open.

Kids diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, are at increased risk for psychiatric disorders later in life, especially those who were diagnosed before age 6 years, according to findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.