Sidney Zisook, M.D.

Sidney Zisook, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
Director, Residency Training
SDVAMC
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92161-116A
Phone #: 858-534-4040
FAX #: 858-822-0231
E-mail: szisook@ucsd.edu

Biography
Sidney Zisook, M.D., is director of the University of California, San Diego Residency Training Program, and a Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD. Dr. Zisook received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkeley and his medical degree from Stritch-Loyola, Chicago. He completed his residency in Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and was a clinical fellow of Harvard Medical School.

Research Focus
Dr. Zisook’s research centers around mood as both a primary and secondary manifestation/disorder. Much of his research has been focused on the natural history, differentiation from depression and treatment of grief and bereavement. Current research projects include: 1) treatment of bereavement – associated depression, 2) antidepressant augmentation of antipsychotic medication in older patients with schizophrenic and subsyndromal depressive symptoms, 3) sequenced treatment alternatives to relieve depression (STAR*D) in patients with refractory depression, 4) studying children of depressed mothers before and after treatment, and 5) evaluation of the effects of alcohol use on treatment response in depressed persons. Dr. Zisook also is Director of the Operation Core of the Advanced Interventions Center for Older Persons with Psychotic Disorders.

Clinical Focus
Dr. Zisook’s major clinical focus is treatment of adult patients with mood and anxiety disorders. Using an integrated approach which combines various psychotherapeutic modalities with pharmacotherapy, Dr. Zisook provides consultation for patients with particularly chronic and refractory conditions, individuals with complicated bereavement reactions, and older persons with mood and/or anxiety disorders.

Selected Publications:

Zisook, S., et al. (1999). "Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia." Am J Psychiatry 156(11): 1736-43.
Zisook, S., et al. (2001). "Grief and depression: diagnostic and treatment challenges." Primary Psychiatry 8(5): 37-38 & 51-53.
Zisook, S. and Shuchter, S.R. (2001). "Treatment of the depression of bereavement." Am. Behavioral Scientist 44(5): 782-797.
Zisook, S., et al. (2001). "Bupropion Sustained Release for bereavement: results of an open trial." J Clin Psychiatry 62(4): 227-30.
Zisook, S., & Zisook, S.A. (in press) Death, dying and bereavement. In : B.J. Sadock, & V.A. Sadock (Eds.), Kaplan and Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry (8th Edition). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins