Psych Observer – Exposing Bad Psychiatry

By Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, March 31, 2010

TAMPA — A South Tampa psychiatrist accused of pointing a shotgun at a pool cleaner agreed Tuesday to enter a program that could lead to the charges being dropped.

James Roy Edgar, 64, told police he repeatedly asked pool cleaners not to park in the private driveway of his townhouse, 3105 W San Isidro St., when they serviced pools in the complex behind his.

Stephen Lafoe, an employee of Bay Area Pool Service, said he got a work order directing him to reach the pool June 9 through an alley. When he couldn’t find the alley, he stopped to make notes and plug his next stop into his GPS.

That’s when Edgar came out of his house.

The pool cleaner said he ignored Edgar the first time he yelled. The psychiatrist said Lafoe mouthed off. Edgar left and returned with a shotgun.

Lafoe said the doctor pointed it at him and said, “I told you to move.” Edgar said he held the gun, but didn’t point it. He held it in self-defense, he said, afraid of the much younger pool cleaner.

He was arrested in September and released after posting $2,000 bail.

Edgar’s attorney declined to comment Tuesday. Edgar’s charges will be dropped if he successfully completes a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders. The specific conditions Edgar must meet were not discussed in court Tuesday, but could include counseling, classes and supervision.

Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he faced five years in prison.

Reach Alexandra Zayas at azayas@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3354.

URL: http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/south-tampa-psychiatrist-accused-of-pointing-shotgun-at-pool-man-cuts-deal/1083818

Chris McGreal in Washington
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 28 March 2010 19.47 BST

Canadian police investigate dozens of allegations against psychiatrist nicknamed for use of electricity to ‘cure’ gay soldiers.

A leading Canadian psychiatrist who kept accusations of gross human rights abuses in apartheid-era South Africa hidden has been charged in Calgary with sexually abusing a male patient and is being investigated over dozens of other allegations.

Dr Aubrey Levin, who in South Africa was known as Dr Shock for his use of electricity to “cure” gay military conscripts, was arrested after a patient secretly filmed the psychiatrist allegedly making sexual advances. Levin, who worked at the University of Calgary’s medical school, has been suspended from practising and is free on bail of C$50,000 (£32,000) on charges of repeatedly indecently assaulting a 36-year-old man.

The police say they are investigating similar claims by nearly 30 other patients. The Alberta justice department is reviewing scores of criminal convictions in which Levin was a prosecution witness.

Levin has worked in Canada for 15 years since leaving South Africa, where he was chief psychiatrist in the apartheid-era military and became notorious for using electric shocks to “cure” gay white conscripts. He also held conscientious objectors against their will at a military hospital because they were “disturbed” and subjected them to powerful drug regimens.
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A Los Angeles psychiatrist has agreed to have his medical license placed on probation after a state agency accused him of having controlling and improper relationships with two adult patients, a brother and sister.

In an accusation filed by the Medical Board of California, the state agency that disciplines doctors, Dr. Norman J. Lachman, 68, of Los Angeles, was alleged to have struck and humiliated the brother — including forcing the man to buy dog food, which the doctor threatened to make him eat.

In addition, the board alleged that Lachman had “very discomforting” sessions with the sister, telling her she was a “hot tamale” and instructing her to stop attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings even though she had a drinking problem.

Under the terms of the settlement, Lachman did not admit to any of the allegations but did waive his right to contest them. The action by the board is relatively rare; in the fiscal year ending in June, the most recent available, 91 out of 127,000 licensed doctors had a license put on probation, and 80 who were being investigated either surrendered a license or had it revoked.
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BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com

Earlier this year a 7-year-old boy in state custody prescribed mind altering drugs threatened to kill himself, then he did. This summer another child on powerful drugs also threatened to kill himself, his mother called Help Me Howard, what happened after that? Tonight here is Patrick Fraser with a story we call a mothers hope.

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26-Sep-2009
Written by: Kayla L. Cubbage

Anna Nicole Smith’s psychiatrist gave her a number of prescriptions that allegedly lead to death.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Anna Nicole Smith’s psychiatrist, whom she saw after the death of her son, prescribed her a variation of “pharmaceutical suicide.”

Khristine Eroshevich, Smith’s psychiatrist, prescribed her various prescription drugs that ultimately produced a deadly consequence. Smith’s internist Sandeep Kapoor also participated in writing Smith orders. Pharmacists’ refused several times to refill the drugs, in the best interest of Smith. “They are going to kill her with this,” one of the pharmacists told the Times.
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BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
cmarbin@MiamiHerald.com

Associated Press

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.

Jurors have begun deliberating in the case of a prominent San Mateo County child psychiatrist charged with molesting some of his young patients.

Dr. William Ayres is charged with nine counts of child molestation. Authorities allege that he molested several boys between 1988 and 1996.

He has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Jurors began deliberations Tuesday after a 23-day trial.

Ayres took the stand on his own behalf during the trial and insisted that physical exams he conducted on some of his patients were necessary because he had concerns about their physical health.

If convicted, the 77-year-old Ayres could spend the rest of his life in prison.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dr. Sam Castellani learned his license will remain suspended. Castellani was arrested and charged with rape last month.

A female patient claimed she performed sexual acts, in exchange for medication. In the end, the State won-out.

As the criminal part of the case moves forward Castellani does have the right to a public hearing, complete with witnesses.

URL: http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10727746

By Malcolm Moore in Shanghai
Published: 3:56PM BST 15 Jul 2009

Internet addiction has become a growing problem in China, where officials believe as many as four million people spend more than six hours a day online.

Several clinics have sprung up, offering parents the chance to “cure” their children of the uncontrollable urge to blog or play online games.

Tao Ran, from the Beijing Military General Hospital, runs a camp which gives addicts a mixture of counselling, military discipline and hypnosis.

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