Connecticut Psychiatrist Investigated for 21 Alleged
A Connecticut psychiatrist faces investigation for alleged misconduct, while a new CDC report finds cannabis present in over one-fifth of overdose deaths.
Connecticut psychiatrist Douglas Zelisko, MD, is under investigation by the state's Medical Examining Board for 21 alleged violations. The allegations include improper prescribing, misrepresenting a romantic partner as a licensed therapist, and engaging in inappropriate relationships with patients.
A new report from the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report indicates cannabis was detected in 21% of overdose deaths in recent years. The analysis highlights the complex role of polysubstance use in fatal overdoses.
Treatment Advances for Behavioral Disorders
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown promise for treating problematic internet use. A randomized trial published in JAMA Network Open found CBT was more effective than media literacy interventions at reducing symptoms of gaming disorder and unspecified internet use disorder in high-risk adolescents.
For addiction treatment, Quel Health has launched a national telehealth platform focused on providing GLP-1 receptor agonists. This represents an off-label use for drugs typically prescribed for diabetes and weight management.
Medication Access and Prescribing Trends
Provider hesitancy continues to limit the use of the schizophrenia drug clozapine, a psychiatrist argued in STAT. This persists even after the FDA removed its risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program, which was intended to manage the drug's known safety risks.
Research into prescribing patterns reveals long-term consequences. A retrospective cohort study in JAMA Network Open indicated that patients who received longer initial prescriptions for Z-drugs for insomnia were more likely to fill additional prescriptions up to seven years later.
Alternative delivery methods for antipsychotics may offer benefits. A case series study from Hong Kong found long-acting injectable antipsychotics were linked to fewer bipolar-related manic relapses and reduced healthcare use compared with oral options, without increasing non-psychiatric hospitalizations.
Broader Impacts on Care Systems
Public events can drive sudden demand for mental health services. The case of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her children, generated a widespread surge in public requests for maternal mental healthcare.
Pediatric psychiatric crises increasingly involve digital media. A retrospective chart review of over 3,700 such encounters found that nearly one in five involved a digital media or device-related problem.
Diagnostic trends are also shifting. Research in JAMA Psychiatry noted that from 2012 to 2022 in Denmark, the pre-diagnostic characteristics of children later diagnosed with ADHD or autism increasingly mirrored those of their undiagnosed peers. A Commonwealth Fund analysis suggested a recent sharp decline in global overdose deaths may be due to a combination of policies, a changing drug supply, and behavioral changes. Another study in JAMA Network Open showed that combining psychological support and medications reduced pre-surgery anxiety and depression in older adults.
