Sunday, March 04, 2007

My Three Shrinks 13: Lost It In Space


[12] . . . [13] . . . [14] . . . [All]

So, we kinda have a space theme going today. This is consistent with my long-term wish to be a space-doctor (no wise-cracks, please). I figure those folks stuck on the eventual moon base (or on Mars!) could use a psychiatrist, don't you think? There's also a cameo appearance on this podcast of Dinah's daughter. Enjoy.

March 4, 2007:


Topics include:
  • How does NASA handle psychiatric emergencies in space? The recent 'astronaut goes wild' headlines get us talking about NASA's procedures for handling acute psychotic breaks and suicidal behavior in space. Also, go to page 847 of the above-linked document to see the list of medications which are kept on the ISS (International Space Station). Listen to the podcast to find out which antidepressant is the SSRI of choice for NASA.
  • Q&A: Sandra, a prolific, Canadian Barbie Doll (it's true, look at her picture) from Omni Brain and NeuroFuture sent in a multi-part question: "Do you agree that neurological factors may diminish legal responsibility (but not excuse it) in ways not currently considered by the legal system, i.e., that don't fall in line with the McNaughton insanity defence, and the legal system should change in accordance? In what ways, based on what you see in the population you treat? Also, in cases like compulsive sexual offenders, do you support chemical castration and similar means of crime prevention?" This is obviously a Clinkshrink question, but we have a spirited discussion about these areas.

Next week: Visitor survey; Top 25 crimes of the last century; What do psychiatrists do to prepare for the next session (thanks, DrivingMissMolly); NHS fiasco.
Send us your questions at mythreeshrinksATgmailDOTcom.
Last week's musical snippet was from Suzanne Vega's 1987 release of Language from the album, Solitude Standing. (Also, you've gotta check out this Tom's Diner-inspired I Dream of Jeannie video.)


Find show notes with links at: http://mythreeshrinks.com. This podcast is available on iTunes (feel free to post a review) or as an RSS feed. You can also listen to or download the .mp3 or the MPEG-4 file from mythreeshrinks.com.

Thank you for listening.

14 comments:

NeoNurseChic said...

About being a space doc - when I was in high school, my whole dream was to become either a flight surgeon for NASA, or to become an epidemiologist for the CDC and do virus hunting in Zaire - now the Congo. Two of my best friends, Cathy and Steve, were also really into this stuff - although Steve didn't go with Cathy and I to hunt down "ebola" from the local forrest - and neither one of them went with me to Reston, Virginia to actually locate the Reston Monkey House - site of the primate ebola outbreak in the US. (So we were a little nuts...!) At any rate, all 3 of us decided we were going to make it on the same space mission somehow.

Cathy and I went to Florida 3 times together to visit my grandparents, and the last time, we actually went to Kennedy Space Center - that was great! Then on my 21st birthday, Steve - who had gone on to major in Aerospace Engineering at University of Maryland - went to a career fair and picked up an astronaut application to the space program. He sent me that as my gift for my birthday. It was great! I think I still have it somewhere!

We were truly obsessed...! ;)

No time to listen to it right now, but I did want to comment on that!

Take care,
Carrie :)

Midwife with a Knife said...

The effect of Lupron is such that there's not enough GnRH being released to drive the production of testosterone, such that men won't be able to get an erection (women don't produce estrogen and then get hot flashes and osteoporosis), and presumably in men, decreasing testosterone decreases sex drive.

Is there any treatment for sex offenders that seems to be effective?

Dr Michelle Tempest said...

I certainly think there will be alot of need for psychiatrists on other planets. Rather you than me though! Michelle

Dinah said...

Regarding the poll: I'm curious about this catagory "Others"....which side of the island do they live on?

NeoNurseChic said...

Dinah,

I was also wondering who makes up the category of "others"... That's very curious! Maybe they're not in the medical profession at all, and they're not a patient of any sort, but they just enjoy reading the blog. Like your average business man or...I dunno...something else!

Interesting poll. :)

Take care,
Carrie :)

sophizo said...

As one of the "others", I put that because I don't fit the other categories. I read this blog because it is interesting/educational and entertaining. If "others" is meant to be for those from other planets, then I fit that category too! haha!

Anonymous said...

Sophizo, and "others"--
"The Others" are the mysterious bad guys on LOST. Roy, who devised the survey, follows the show, so I wondered...
--Dinah

DrivingMissMolly said...

Does it bother you that more patients than shrinks visit and comment?

Lily
*testing to see if I can comment again

Midwife with a Knife said...

dinah: Do you have mysterious bad guys on your blog?

sophizo said...

I really have to get into Lost! I feel so behind. Everyone and their mother watches that show. I think I'm one of the very few who doesn't. At least my brother buys the DVDs when they come out, so when I finally catch up on my 24, I can get started on Lost.

Way back in high school, certain people would probably have referred to me as one of those "others". Good thing I've grown out of that phase of life. :-P

ClinkShrink said...

Is being one of the 'others' better or worse than being 'one of the quiet ones'? I wonder about that.

And MWAK, thanks so much for the nice podcast review on iTunes. Apparently now we have at least three listeners.

Anonymous said...

I voted in the "Other" category; I'm a medical student.

Also, just wanted to say that I love your podcasts!

Rach said...

hi Dinah, Clink & Roy! I finally got my new MacBook, but I still can't listen to all of your podcasts - some of them are apparently corrupted. I still can't hear #13 - this one - all the way through... any ideas on what I'm doing or not doing?

Sandra said...

Thanks for the discussion! Where do I pick up the autographed duck?