Ken Robbins, M.D.

Caring.com senior medical editor

About

Kenneth Robbins, M.D., is a senior medical editor of Caring.com. He is board certified in psychiatry and internal medicine, has a master's in public health from the University of Michigan, and is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has had a wide variety of clinical positions, including those which require an understanding of the interface between psychiatry and other medical specialties. His current clinical practice focuses primarily on geriatrics. He also provides forensic consultation and has extensive experience in working for defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors in criminal matters; and on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters. He is active in both the American and Wisconsin Psychiatric Associations. He has written and contributed to many articles and is frequently invited to speak on psychiatric topics, such as psychiatry and the law, depression, anxiety, dementia, and suicide risk and prevention.

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Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Friday September 09, 2011

    1. FAQ: Is Depression a Normal Part of Menopause?

      Answer - No, depression isn't a normal part of menopause. Depression, although all too common, is never normal. Depression is an illness.

    2. FAQ: Is Depression a Normal Part of Aging?

      Answer - No, it's not normal to develop depression as one gets older. Depression is all too common, but it's never normal. Depression is an illness.

    3. FAQ: What Should I Do if I Think Someone I Know Is Suicidal?

      Answer - If you don't know the person well:

    4. FAQ: What Should I Do if I Feel Suicidal?

      Answer - First, tell someone close to you rather than keeping suicidal thoughts to yourself. You may be reluctant to "burden" a loved one, but people who are suicidal and share their feelings with others are much less likely to go through with it. The real "burden" comes from committing suicide and leaving loved...

    5. FAQ: What Are the Dangers of Untreated Depression?

      Answer - Concerns about symptoms of depression should always be taken seriously. Depression causes significant disabilities and problems of many different kinds:

    6. FAQ: What Can I Say to Someone Who Seems Depressed but Won't Get Help?

      Answer - Here's how to approach someone who seems depressed but is in denial about it or refuses to get medical help:

  2. Thursday September 01, 2011

    1. FAQ: How Do You Know How Serious a Case of Depression Someone Has?

      Answer - If the depression is causing someone to be socially withdrawn, dysfunctional to the point that he or she can't work or do basic household chores, and the person is talking or thinking about suicide, that's clearly severe. If, despite a lack of joy and in spite of having the physiological symptoms of...

    2. FAQ: How Do I Find a Therapist to Treat Depression?

      Answer - Here's how to find a therapist to treat depression:

    3. FAQ: Can Depression Be Treated With Medication Only?

      Answer - Yes, it's possible to treat depression with medication only, in some cases -- however, almost every study done highlights that the most effective treatment is a combination of antidepressant medication and talk therapy.

    4. FAQ: Can Depression Be Treated Without Medication?

      Answer - Yes, with mild and moderate depression, studies show that talk therapy alone, if done properly, is probably equivalent to the successes of antidepressants, and maybe even better. However, with severe depression, because of the risks involved, there's better success with antidepressant medication, ideally in combination with talk therapy...

    5. FAQ: Is It Possible to Have Depression if I'm Still Able to Run My Life?

      Answer - It's possible for someone to function in everyday life despite having depression, because depression is an illness that has a range of severity. Those who have a relatively mild form of depression may feel unhappy, have difficulty experiencing joy, and have a number of physiologic effects, but these...

    6. FAQ: Is It Normal to Feel Depressed as a Caregiver?

      Answer - It's inevitable that caregivers will have periods of time when they are unhappy. Caregiving is very demanding and should be expected to trigger a range of emotions. At times this will include good feelings, but it will also include sadness, anxiety, and the blues...

    7. FAQ: How Is Depression Different From Burnout?

      Answer - Depression is a physical illness. Burnout is an emotional fatigue triggered by ongoing and severe stress. Burnout can definitely lead to depression, though, so it's important to pay attention to it.

    8. FAQ: How Is Depression Different From a Bad Mood?

      Answer - A mood is a feeling, whereas a depression is a chronic illness. Neither feels good, and both can seem to go on and on -- a mood can persist for hours or days. But depression lasts even longer and is physically harmful.

    9. FAQ: How Is Depression Different From Sadness?

      Answer - Depression is an illness, whereas sadness is an emotion. Sadness is a part of the human experience for everyone. It's usually triggered by a loss or the memory of a loss. If one takes time to experience the feeling rather than ignore it, it will usually gradually dissipate...

    10. FAQ: How Is Depression Different From Grief?

      Answer - Grief is a normal emotional response to a loss. Depression, too, can be triggered by a loss (as well as other stressors), but it's a physical illness and therefore not a normal condition. Here's how they compare:

  3. Monday April 12, 2010

    1. I feel I am not doing my best to care for Gran, but I can't get motivated.

      Answer - It sounds like you are trying your best to do what you believe is right. You want to give your grandmother comfort and caring. You don't say much about why your grandmother needs "complete care" and you don't say much about yourself. When you are the primary caretaker for someone who is no longer...

  4. Sunday January 17, 2010

    1. How do you keep mentally well while caring for a parent with Alzheimer's?

      Answer - I am so sorry to hear that both your parents have Alzheimer’s Disease. As you have experienced, grieving is an ongoing process through this illness, because the person with the illness slowly slips away. It is important to recognize, however, the illness does not have to be a miserable experience e for the person who has it...

  5. Wednesday January 13, 2010

    1. How do I balance caring for my demanding mother and participating in my family?

      Answer - Setting limits with the people you love is a difficult but necessary part of life. That being said, your mother has made that a particularly challenging task. She has made a choice to stop medical treatment, though that treatment might improve her symptoms dramatically. As a result of this choice, she needs to be taken care of and the burden is on you...

  6. Monday January 11, 2010

    1. How do I tell my son I need a break from my grandsons during my husband's final days with lung cancer?

      Answer - It sounds like you are a very caring person, but with too much on your plate. It is unfortunate your son has not recognized he is asking too much of you, but generally we see what we want to see. He sees that there are times you enjoy your grandsons, then may tell himself it is as good for you as it is for his for his sons...

    2. Why might I be more agitated during the day than the night?

      Answer - It is hard to give you a definitive answer to this question without more information, however I can give you some things to consider. It may be the caretaking is wearing you down, and if the person you are assisting goes to sleep or has less needs after the sun goes down, it may be you are finally able to relax and feel free and energized...

  7. Sunday December 06, 2009

    1. Can a doctor put a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome in my chart without consulting me?

      Answer - Munchausen Syndrome is an unusual disorder in which someone acts as though they have an illness, but they are actually causing the symptoms. For example, someone may complain of vomiting or a rash or bleeding, but it turns out they are doing something to cause the problem...

  8. Saturday December 05, 2009

    1. Am I in denial just emotionally healthy regarding my diagnosis?

      Answer - I am afraid I don't know you well enough to give you a definitive answer to that question, but it sounds like it may very well be an emotionally healthy response. Fortunately, your prognosis is very good, so there is good reason for optimism...

    2. How can I keep Mom from being so isolated due to her health conditions?

      Answer - It sounds like your mom has done an amazing job adapting to the isolation and limitations of her medical condition. It is always best to stay as active, both mentally and physically, as one can. In her case, it sounds like she is not able to do even the most simple tasks without becoming short of breath, so she is unable to be physically active...

  9. Saturday November 21, 2009

    1. Should I consider placing Mom in an Alzheimer's care unit to preserve my own health?

      Answer - I certainly understand your struggle, and you clearly meant what you said when you promised your mom to never place her in a nursing home. However, what you were really promising is that you would be there for your mom and only do what you believed would be in her best interest. In the end, that is the best thing we can do for our parents...