Monday, October 30, 2017

American Psychiatric Association to Host 2018 Annual Meeting in May


A board-certified psychiatrist with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Susan Turner treats patients through a holistic approach that integrates supportive therapy and lifestyle changes with traditional biological therapies. Dr. Susan Turner belongs to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which will host its 2018 Annual Meeting in May. 

The APA Annual Meeting provides psychiatric professionals with the necessary tools and resources to stay ahead of advances in the field, a critical priority due to the complex nature of mental health. With a growing membership of over 36,000 psychiatrists worldwide, the APA serves as the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry, making its annual meeting a premier gathering in the profession. Meeting sessions and activities engage attendees in continual professional growth by learning from renowned authorities, earning continuing education credits, and building peer relationships. Attendees will also discover groundbreaking technologies and new therapies and treatment options. 

The 2018 meetings takes place May 5-9 in New York City. Attendance is open to mental health professionals and advocates in every aspect of the psychiatric field, from researchers and educators to practicing and consulting psychiatrists. Psychiatric residents and students may also attend. APA members and nonmembers alike may register at an early bird rate until February 6.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Mental Health Courts Reduce Recidivism, Says APA


Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Susan Turner serves patients from her New York City-based private practice. Alongside her work as a psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner contributes to her profession through membership in the American Psychiatric Association (APA). 

A study published in the APA’s Psychiatric Services in Advance medical journal shows mental health courts help curb recidivism among individuals with mental illness who have a prior history in the justice system. The use of these courts has grown in recent years, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reporting that there are now approximately 350 mental health courts in operation throughout the country.

Conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University, the study showed that while participating in mental health courts for any period of time has a large impact on sentencing for repeat offenders, those who completed the programs were less likely to re-offend at all. Researchers say the results warrant further study to determine the full benefit of mental health courts.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Turner Center for the Arts Celebrates 50 Years of the Presenter Series


With an office in Manhattan, psychiatrist Dr. Susan Turner offers individualized consulting for a wide range of psychological disorders and provides holistic care that incorporates traditional biological therapies and lifestyle changes. Active in contributing to Doctors Without Borders, Dr. Susan Turner also supports the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia, which her family helped establish and fund.

In 2017, the Center is commemorating the Presenter Series’ 50th anniversary, which recognizes Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission Inc.’s longstanding efforts to bring major theater productions to the Valdosta community. Starting with 1967 events at the Mathis City Auditorium, the South Georgia organization presented a variety of musical acts and touring Broadway shows, including Fiddler on the Roof and Chicago.

For the 2017-18 season, the Turner Center for the Arts is organizing three highly regarded productions, including the original musical Amazing Grace and 50 Years of Rock & Roll by Neil Berg. Also being performed is A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, a comedy that received several Tony Awards, including 2014’s Best Musical recognition.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Connections Between Bipolar Disorder and Diabetes

Psychiatrist Susan Turner

As a privately practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner maintains a sub-specialization in the treatment of co-morbid bipolar disorder and diabetes. Dr. Susan Turner understands the many interactions involved in the two conditions and is committed to creating effective treatment plans for each individual patient.

Compared to the average individual, patients with bipolar disorder are three times as likely to develop diabetes. Research has revealed that this dramatic increase stems largely from the fact that 54 to 68 percent of patients with bipolar disorder are obese or overweight. Obesity stands out as a contributing cause of metabolic syndrome, which raises a patient's risk of high blood glucose levels and in turn can lead to this development of diabetes.

Scientists have attributed this connection largely to the use of medications often prescribed to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Antipsychotic and anti-epileptic medications are particularly likely to lead to weight gain, especially if the patient takes an antipsychotic alongside a mood-stabilizing pharmaceutical.

Data has also revealed that patients with both bipolar disorder and diabetes respond less effectively to treatment for either disorder. These patients tend to struggle with more severe presentations of their mental illness and are more likely to experience cognitive changes, including psychosocial challenges and abnormal energy metabolism in the brain.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

APA’s Annual Meeting Attracts Psychiatrists from around the Globe


A New York-based psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience, Dr. Susan Turner treats patients as the owner of a private practice in New York City’s Flatiron District. Throughout her career, Dr. Susan Turner has maintained membership in the American Psychiatric Association

For nearly 175 years, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has been holding an annual meeting as part of its efforts to educate the psychiatric community about the latest developments in the field. Today, the APA Annual Meeting brings together mental health professionals from throughout the United States and over 50 countries for five days of learning and networking activities. 

The next APA Annual Meeting will be held May 5-9, 2018, in New York City. In early December 2017, member registration will open for the event, which will feature a range of sessions focused on the cutting-edge science and therapies that are shaping psychiatry today. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing medical education credits as they learn from world-renowned experts and discuss psychiatric trends with their peers. The 2018 APA Annual Meeting will also include an exhibit hall featuring the latest products and services for mental health professionals.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Children's Day Unit Program at New York State Psychiatric Institute

Dr. Susan Turner

Psychiatrist Dr. Susan Turner recently served as associate medical director at Columbia Psychiatric Associates. A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Susan Turner previously served as chief resident at New York State Psychiatric Institute.


New York State Psychiatric Institute has several different clinics to serve the needs of patients, including clinics that focus on children and adolescents. The program known as Children’s Day Unit provides outpatient services in the form of a day hospital for young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who need consistent and intense outpatient care. Some of the issues addressed include social phobias and refusal to attend school. 

Participants in the program continue their education by attending classes and earning school credits with the assistance of the New York City Board of Education. After discharge, they also have access to additional services, such as art therapy, individual and group counseling, and help with school placement.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

New York State Psychiatric Institute - Residency Program


Prior to becoming an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University in New York, New York, Dr. Susan Turner attended the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, New York, where she earned her medical degree. Dr. Susan Turner began her internship and residency in psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital as well as at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI).

Established in 1895, the New York State Psychiatric Institute is one of the first hospitals in the country to incorporate teaching and research into the care of patients dealing with mental diseases. The residency training program at NYSPI is designed for a four-year program with residents serving the first year as an internship. During the first year, interns work with patients dealing with illnesses ranging from eating disorders and addictions to children and adolescents who are experiencing everything from mood disorders to prescription and drug abuse.

American Psychiatric Association Names New President-Elect

Susan Turner
With over 13 years of experience, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Susan Turner treats patients from her private practice in New York City. An involved professional, Dr. Susan Turner works to stay abreast of the latest developments in psychiatry through her membership in the American Psychiatric Association.

In a recent press release, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced that Anita Everett, MD, has been named the organization’s next president-elect. Everett, a professor of psychiatry at John Hopkins School of Medicine, is the former president of the Maryland Psychiatric Society, and she previously served the APA as chair of the Task Force on Healthcare Reform 2015 and chair of the Council on Healthcare Systems and Finance.

Dr. Everett will assume her role as APA president in May 2017 after current President-Elect Maria Oquendo, MD, serves her one-year presidential term. When she assumes the role, Dr. Everett will lead the APA in its efforts to extend behavioral health access to all Americans and promote effective treatments for individuals affected by serious mental illness.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Bipolar Disorder Linked to Faster Biological Aging


A privately practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner treats patients who live with a broad range of singular disorders and co-morbid conditions. Dr. Susan Turner possesses particular expertise in the treatment of patients who have bipolar disorder in addition to diabetes.

The psychiatric profession has an established understanding that bipolar disorder can increase a person's risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions often associated with aging. According to a recent study conducted through King's College London, this association may stem from a biological susceptibility to faster aging.

The study focused on the comparative structure of telomeres. These protective coverings are located on the edge of each DNA strand and shorten with every replication, until the telomere is short enough that replication is no longer possible. Short telomeres thus correlate with advanced biological age, which may or may not align with chronological age.

Researchers found that individuals with bipolar disorder have shorter telomeres than their non-affected counterparts, and that these patients' immediate relatives had telomeres of similar length. This finding indicates not only that there is likely to be a link between bipolar disorder and faster aging, but also that the genetic predispositions toward the two processes may be connected. 

Data also showed that patients who had taken lithium for bipolar disorder did not have notably shorter telomeres than their healthy peers, which reinforces earlier findings that the drug may help to correct rapid aging while simultaneously treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Monday, July 31, 2017

American Psychiatric Association Hosted Annual Meeting in San Diego



A graduate of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, psychiatrist Dr. Susan Turner operates a private practice in the Flatiron District in New York. To help her remain current in the field, Dr. Susan Turner maintains membership with the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

As an organization dedicated to helping others in the industry to work together and assist those dealing with mental illness, the APA also promotes education and research, represents the profession, and promotes the highest quality of care for those it serves. The APA regularly hosts meetings, conferences, and other special events so members can network, share ideas, and gain training.

One such event is its annual meeting, which has taken place each year for more than 150 years. Themed Prevention through Partnerships, the 2017 event occurred on May 20-24 at the San Diego Convention Center. Attendees had a chance to garner continuing medical education (CME) credit, visit with exhibitors, and participate in debates. The 2018 event is scheduled for May 5-9 in New York City.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Mindfulness Practice for Panic Attacks


As a privately practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner has treated many patients with panic disorder. Dr. Susan Turner often incorporates meditation and other mindfulness techniques into the individualized treatment plans that she creates for these indivdiuals.

For the many people who struggle with panic attacks, mindfulness can help to ease feelings of franticness and bring increased calm to both body and mind. Mindfulness refers to any technique that brings the person's awareness into the present moment. For a person with panic disorder, this can mean the chance to escape racing thoughts and experience a feeling of being grounded in reality.

Mindfulness meditation works by counteracting the instinct to push away one's feelings of fear and anxiety. Many people harbor the false belief that they can rid themselves of such emotions by ingoring them. By practicing mindfulness, an indivdiual learns that it can be significantly more effective to accept a feeling, let it pass, and ground oneself in the reality of the present moment.

Many people practice mindfulness in the form of breath awareness. There are a number of ways to do this, though most focus on noticing the feeling of breathing without trying to change it. The simple act of awareness helps to deepen and regulate the breath, which can become erratic during a panic attack.

Other options for mindfulness practice include body awareness, in which the person takes notice of the sensations they feel in individual body parts. Like breath awareness, this technique requires simple, nonjudgmental acceptance of the sensations. 

Those who prefer to focus their attention elsewhere, however, may prefer mindfulness exercises that focus on awareness of their surroundings. By looking around and noticing the objective reality of trees, buildings, furniture, and other nondescript items, without assigning value or emotion to any of them, a person can escape cycling negative thoughts and excessive fear in favor of outside reality.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Bipolar Disorder and Diabetes


As a psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner provides holistic care to patients at her private practice in New York’s Flatiron District. In her practice, Dr. Susan Turner subspecializes in helping patients challenged by both diabetes and bipolar disorder.

When a psychiatrist diagnoses a person with bipolar disorder, it means the patient exhibits sudden shifts in mood from very ecstatic to very depressed. These shifts may coincide with activity level. During the ecstatic periods, patients can feel energized to the extent that they have difficulty calming down. During the depressed periods, patients can feel so low that they disengage from their lives.

According to research, people with diabetes demonstrate much higher risk of developing bipolar disorder. The link between the two conditions is so marked that more than half of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder also exhibit diabetes or precursors to diabetes. 

Diabetes increases the risk of life-threatening events like heart attack and stroke. On account of its prevalence among patients with bipolar disorder, heart disease ranks as a top killer in the bipolar population.

The 2017 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in San Diego

Dr. Susan Turner

A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner operates a full-time private practice in New York City, where she maintains a holistic approach to treating patients. Active in her field, Dr. Susan Turner supports the American Psychiatric Association.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and its members strive to increase the level of care and treatment available to individuals experiencing mental health issues. Through dedicated research and collaboration, the APA has produced such publications as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), now in its fifth edition. The association also furthers its mission of educating by hosting an annual meeting.

In May, the 2017 APA Annual Meeting will convene in San Diego. The theme for this year will be “Prevention through Partnerships,” and instructors and thought leaders will guide more than 450 sessions for attendees. Psychiatrists, residents, and students from around the world will have the opportunity to network, update licensures, and discover the latest advancements in their field. For more information, visit www.psychiatry.org.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Dr. Susan Turner

Dr. Susan Turner has practiced as a psychiatrist for more than 15 years. Now in private practice in New York City, Dr. Susan Turner developed integrated treatment plans for numerous patients who struggle with panic disorder.


Panic disorder is more than a tendency toward nervousness. It is a debilitating mental illness that causes sudden periods of intense fear that continue for minutes at the least. These periods, known as panic attacks, occur out of proportion with the presenting situation yet can cause the individual to fear for his or her life.

A patient experiencing a panic attack feels afraid and out of control. An overwhelming sense of doom can plague the mind, while the body goes through symptoms that can feel like a heart attack or other medical emergency. It is common for a panic attack to cause heart palpitations, chest pain, and trouble breathing. Some patients may feel weak or dizzy, and nausea is similarly common. In some cases, a patient may experience fever-like symptoms such as sweating or chills.

These severe and distressing symptoms leave the patient in fear of having another panic attack. This characteristic worry prompts patients to avoid places in which an attack has occurred or where they feel an attack may be likely. Although this can severely restrict a person's daily life and functioning, patients can improve significantly through treatment with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

HIIT Training for Runners

Dr. Susan Turner, Board-Certified New York City Psychiatrist
Dr. Susan Turner is a psychiatrist who earned her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1999. Before starting her private practice, she worked at Columbia University as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry for about a decade. In her free time, Dr. Susan Turner enjoys running, which she has been doing since the age of 12. 

Some runners run for distance, while others run for speed. The best way to increase speed is with high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT involves running extremely fast for small lengths of time, from 10 to 60 seconds usually, with a rest period of one to four times the duration of the run in between. Research has shown that this is the most effective method to improve speed and fitness, as runners develop more efficient strides as the cardiovascular system gets stronger and coordination between the nervous system and the muscles improves. 

There are many different types of HIIT workouts. One, in particular, only requires a track. Runners should begin with 40 meters at optimal speed and two to three minutes of walking or light running in between, aiming to repeat this a number of times. Over time, runners should aim for six sets of 150-meter runs, with 80 meters at top speed and three to four minutes of reduced speed in between. As the runner improves, the length of the sprint should be increased and the duration of the rest decreased.

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Turner Center’s Spring Into Art Exhibition

Dr. Susan Turner, Psychiatrist

Dr. Susan Turner, a New York City psychiatrist
, earned her MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Outside of the medical field, Dr. Susan Turner supports the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia. Dr. Turner’s family helped establish the center to promote the arts and art education in southern Georgia.


One of the key programs of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is the Spring Into Art exhibition, a free public event that allows artists to display and sell their work. The 29th Annual Spring Into Art took place from April 11 through June 8, 2016. 

The 2016 event attracted more than 210 artists and 90 sponsors. Serving as judges, Augusta State University art professor Thomas M. Crowther and Athens Technical College art appreciation professor/Double Helix STEAM School artist in residence Hope Hilton analyzed and appraised work in a wide variety of media and fields. Artist Alfred Phillips ultimately won Spring Into Art’s 2016 Best in Show Award for his acrylic painting “Kenny’s Dock.”

Monday, May 1, 2017

Exorcism as a Treatment for Mental Illness


Dr. Susan Turner
A psychiatrist based in New York City’s Flatiron District, Dr. Susan Turner has had an extended interest in bipolar disorder. During Dr. Susan Turner’s two years living in central Java, she became especially interested in how local cultures use "exorcism" and other local culture interventions as a way to treat psychosis and mental illnesses.

In modern Western medicine, mental illness is recognized and then treated with talk therapy, medicine, and sometimes lifestyle interventions. In some cultures, however, when a person exhibits symptoms similar to those of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, the person is understood to be possessed, and may be deemed to require an exorcism.

Though these treatments may seem very different, exorcism is sometimes understood as one of the earliest forms of psychotherapy.They can be seen as different ways of understanding mental states. Hippocrates, before he was the father of medicine, was an exorcist. While some experts believe all forms of possession are manifestations of an otherwise treatable mental illness like Tourette’s syndrome or bipolar disorder, others believe there is a marked difference between mental illness and "demonic" possession. Many Catholic exorcists will work with a psychiatrist to ensure the possession is bona fide before they go forward.

Considering that there is a religious and cultural element to a person’s experience of mental illness or possession, there are also some psychologists and psychiatrists who wonder whether exorcism may be useful in cases where patients believe themselves to be possessed. Spiritual ritual can be a useful form of treatment for some people, when combined with counselling and/or medication.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Doctors Without Borders' Work in the Central African Republic

NNDC Joins APA Registry Efforts

Dr. Susan Turner

Experienced in her field, Dr. Susan Turner has served as a psychiatrist in a number of different settings, including academic and clinical roles. To continue her education in the field and network with other mental health professionals, Dr. Susan Turner maintains membership in the American Psychiatric Association (APA). 


In an effort to expand its Psychiatric Patient Registry Online (PsychPRO), nationwide mental health registry service, the APA recently welcomed the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) as a partner in the program. Through the partnership, the registry will be able to leverage the combined experience of NNDC’s network of 600 mental health professionals who serve at leading medical facilities nationwide.

The PyschPRO registry accomplishes two main goals. First, it gives mental health providers a platform that allows for easy collection and submission of quality data in compliance with new Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act guidelines, as well as information needed for recertification procedures. Secondly, it serves as a safe way for patients to communicate with their mental health providers about how their therapy is developing.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Doctors Without Borders Kept from Helping Suffering People in Syria


Dr. Susan Turner
Dr. Susan Turner, a psychiatrist with a private practice in New York, utilizes a holistic approach with her patients. When helping patients with their mental wellness, Dr. Susan Turner considers all aspects of a patient’s health and background. Aside from her professional roles, Dr. Turner enjoys going to the theatre, touring museums, and supporting charitable organizations such as Doctors Without Borders.

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), has been in operation since 1971. The organization believes that all people have the right to health care regardless of race, sex or nationality. As a neutral and impartial entity, MSF is uniquely able to gain access to people that need help the most.

MSF has a presence in more than 60 countries, where people have need of medical care following major disasters. After the 2014 abduction of staff members in Syria and widespread violence, MSF has had to reduce their operations in the war-torn country. Even though over 250,000 people have been killed and millions have extremely limited access to healthcare, the organization has been forced to withdraw from areas controlled by the Islamic State. Though operations have escalated in neighboring countries, a tremendous need still exists in the area.

Friday, April 7, 2017

MSF Immunizes in the Central African Republic

Dr. Susan Turner

Between 2005-2011, Dr. Susan Turner served as an associate medical director at the Columbia Psychiatric Associates in New York City. As the attending psychiatrist for the Columbia Presbyterian Day Treatment Program, she was responsible for outpatient care and psychopharmacology. Dr. Susan Turner donates to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders.


Founded in Paris in 1971, MSF is now a global movement of 23 organizations that offers humanitarian medical assistance to people in need regardless of their race, color, or nationality. Vera Schmitz is a volunteer performing her eighth assignment for MSF in March of 2017 in the Central African Republic.

Vera and her team aim to vaccinate every child under five years old in the southern section of the country against eight common dangerous diseases. This target population consists of 40,000 children, and the vaccination process will include three separate injections for superior disease resistance.

There are many difficulties that the team must overcome. Many of the villages the team visits are in remote areas, and the terrain can be difficult to navigate. They must also develop a relationship with the respected members of the group, and they also do their best to enlist the help of locals to keep track of the immunization records (illiteracy is very common).

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Three Ways Therapy Animals Help Psychiatric Patients

Dr. Susan Turner

Dr. Susan Turner is an experienced New York-based psychiatrist with experience in both academic and hospital settings. In order to improve outcomes for her patients, Dr. Susan Turner has recently begun to incorporate service animals into her practice.

Animal lovers have understood the positive psychological impact of pets for generations. Science is finally catching up, and the last decade has seen an influx of studies on the therapeutic value of animals. A 2012 review of 69 studies confirms a long-held belief: animals make us feel better, especially when we are at our most vulnerable. Read on to learn about three benefits of therapy animals.

1. Therapy animals teach patients to trust other humans. Several studies have shown that simply having a dog present can encourage psychiatric patients to trust their doctor more, which has uniformly positive implications for patient outcomes.

2. Interaction with animals improves empathy and reduces aggression. This effect is especially pronounced in children, who respond the most dramatically to the presence of a friendly dog.

3. Animals help reduce stress, anxiety, and fear. In almost all circumstances, the presence of a calm therapy animal helps patients relax and feel calm. In many cases, petting or walking an animal can even have physical effects like reduced blood pressure and heart rate.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Meditation for Panic Disorder

Psychiatrist Susan Turner

Through her private practice in New York City, psychiatrist Dr. Susan Turner routinely treats patients who struggle with panic disorder. Dr. Susan Turner often incorporates meditation and mindfulness into her treatment plans for these individuals.

Characterized by intense feelings of fear and co-occurring physical distress, panic attacks can be both frightening and debilitating. The sensations of breathlessness, chest pain, and heart palpitations often make the patient feel as though he or she is having a heart attack or another serious medical condition. An attack can last for 10 minutes or more, and many people experience recurring attacks that leave them fearful of the next.

Once diagnosed, panic disorder can be extremely responsive to such conventional treatments as medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. Many patients also benefit from such supplemental lifestyle therapies as meditation, which can help to prevent as well as treat a panic attack.

In giving an individual a point of focus and a directive, meditation is effective in teaching the person to be more aware of fearful thoughts. This in turn can help the person learn to control those thoughts instead of being controlled by them, and this difference can in some patients help to stave off a panic attack.

Similarly, patients who are already in the grip of a panic attack may find that meditation helps to redirect a racing mind, while also reducing physical tension. In time, the breath and heart rate slow down, and blood pressure decreases. This helps to reduce some of the physical symptoms of panic attacks, just as the mental focus helps the person to feel more in command of his or her own mind and body.

Dr. Susan Turner of New York

Dr. Susan Turner of New York from Dr. Susan Turner on Vimeo.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Complex Interactions between Bipolar Disorder and Diabetes


Dr. Susan Turner

Dr. Susan Turner is a respected psychiatrist who sees individuals at her office in New York’s Flatiron District and undertakes home visits for patients with limited mobility. Dr. Susan Turner has extensive experience treating individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, particularly in tandem with diabetes.

As reported in the Psychiatric Times in 2015, neuro-imaging studies of bipolar disorder do not generate consistent brain-change data. This may be due in part to the existence of a number of co-morbidities, with diabetes or pre-diabetes affecting more than half of bipolar patients. Not coincidentally, the leading cause of mortality associated with bipolar disorder is cardiovascular disease.

Complicating the issue of bipolar disorder and diabetes is that those with this pairing typically experience a more severe form of mental illness than those without, and often do not respond to standard bipolar treatment. Research findings suggest that hippocampal atrophy, associated with diabetes, may additionally contribute to bipolar disorder’s neuro-progressive nature.

Dr. Turner understands the complex ways in which these two disorders interact and has extensive knowledge of the medications and treatments options for addressing a challenging bipolar-diabetes combination.

Friday, March 10, 2017

An Overview of Panic Disorder

Susan Turner

Dr. Susan Turner practices as an independent psychiatrist in New York City, where she sees patients both in her Fifth Avenue office and in private homes. Dr. Susan Turner comes to her work with diverse experience in developing individualized treatment plans for panic disorder.

Categorized as an anxiety disorder, the condition known as panic disorder occurs when intense feelings of fear arise suddenly and for no externally appreciable reason. With little to no warning, the patient experiences a combination of physical sensations that are both unnerving and debilitating. The heart can pound, the patient may feel as though he or she cannot breathe, and the body may begin to shake.

Many patients with panic disorder also report that during an attack, their fingers and toes become numb and they begin to sweat. The intensity of this experience often makes patients feel as though they are experiencing a medical emergency or an emotional breakdown. 

Because these attacks are so debilitating, patients begin to fear having another episode. They often respond by avoiding situations and places that have prompted an attack in the past, and this avoidance can significantly interfere with their ability to function. Patients often find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy can improve symptoms and reduce the negative effect on their daily living, particularly when combined with a healthy sleep and exercise regimen.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Mental Health Issues - Bipolar Disorder


Dr. Susan Turner of New York

Dr. Susan Turner, an experienced psychiatrist, treats patients challenged by bipolar disorder through her private practice. In preparation for her medical career, Dr. Susan Turner earned her MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

When a medical professional diagnoses a patient with bipolar disorder, it means that the patient’s brain has problems regulating mood and energy, giving rise to periods of extreme stimulation alternating with periods of extreme depression. During a highly active or “manic” period, a person with bipolar disorder may exhibit symptoms like irritability or impulsivity. During a depressive episode, patients may become forgetful, feel exhausted, and experience hopelessness.

Researchers have yet to discover the precise origins of bipolar disorder. However, they suspect certain biological features may be at fault. For example, data suggests that people with relatives with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the illness themselves, which implies the disease has genetic components. Brain chemistry may also play a key role in the development of bipolar disorder and other mood-related illnesses.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Incorporating Yoga into Mental Healthcare


Dr. Susan Turner
Dr. Susan Turner is a psychiatrist who practices in the Flatiron district of New York. A member of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Susan Turner incorporates yoga into her mental health treatment programs.

Over the past several years, yoga has become mainstream. Up to 7.5 percent of American adults admit to having practiced yoga at one point in their lives. According to the American Psychological Association, over 15 million adults regularly practice yoga in the United States.

Psychiatrists are also increasingly turning to this form of therapy as a complementary, long-term health care alternative to pharmaceutical prescriptions. This is supported by a broad array of medical research that has linked yoga to a reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and mood swings, while improving group collectivity.



Psychiatrists attribute yoga’s stress management properties to the reduction of the hormone cortisol and its effects on the sympathetic nervous system, modulating the body’s stress response mechanism. This reduces psychological arousal, lowering the heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

By practicing yoga, patients can increase their mind-body awareness, helping them to adjust their behavioral habits based on their feelings.

Brain Activity During a Panic Attack

Panic Attacks on Stage Photo by  Victor Rodvang  on  Unsplash An alumnus of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Susan Turne...