News Mentions for the week of March 13 2023

A novel TMS protocol is being hailed as a revolutionary treatment for patients with the most severe depression. Steven M. Strakowski speaks with experts about what's next for this potential gamechanger. Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and by courtesy, of radiology, is interviewed.

Cyclic sighing appeared to be particularly effective among different breathing exercises and better than mindfulness meditation, a study says. David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment

Want to take control inside your dreams? Turns out it’s a skill you can practice. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Have trouble falling asleep at night? Wake up and can't get back to sleep? You're not alone. Here's what experts say you can do to get better sleep and when to see a sleep specialist. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

The Sunshine Protection Act, passed unanimously by the Senate in March 2022, would enact daylight saving time permanently—clocks would indefinitely be one hour ahead of the sun. Experts agree that permanent daylight saving time may negatively impact individuals' sleep. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Marijuana-impaired driving has been on the rise across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the percentage of weekend nighttime drivers who tested positive for marijuana went from 8.6% in 2007 to 12.6% in 2014. However, the NHTSA study pointed out that “the presence of drugs does not necessarily imply impairment.” Just how long does marijuana affect your motor skills or impair driving? Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Listening without judgment, connecting patients with resources, building bridges, helping families stay strong. Handling stressful situations with compassion and empathy. These are just a handful of the attributes of health care social workers, especially the more than 70 who work at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. “Social work breaks barriers” is how the National Association of Social Workers describes the profession, as the organization commemorates Social Work Month in March. The association credits social workers with empowering people for more than a century to overcome challenges so they can live to their fullest potential. Huyen “Kiki” Vo, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and mental health clinician for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinics, is featured in this post.