General Psychiatry - Articles - Page 42

How to Switch Antipsychotics

February 3, 2021

Peter Smith, PsyD. Dr. Smith has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Should you stop the old antipsychotic and start the new? Or gradually cross-taper them? This new meta-analysis compared three titration strategies to find the best way to switch from one antipsychotic to another in schizophrenia.

Roundup

February 3, 2021

CBT for Benzo Withdrawal. Medications have largely proven unsuccessful for benzodiazepine withdrawal, but CBT looked promising in this meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials. Compared to gradual tapering without CBT, the addition of this psychotherapy allowed an extra 1 in 3 patients to successfully come off their benzodiazepine. A therapist...

Learning Objectives, Stopping Psych Meds Part 1, TCPR, February 2021

February 3, 2021

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

CME Post-Test - Stopping Psych Meds Part 1, TCPR, February 2021

February 3, 2021

By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 1 CME credit.

CLINICAL UPDATE

How to Use Lamotrigine

January 1, 2021

Chris Aiken, MD.

Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of TCPR. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Aiken has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Lamotrigine is approved for the prevention of bipolar episodes, but Dr. Aiken explains why it may also treat active bipolar depression. This mood stabilizer is among the most tolerable in its class, and has additional benefits in OCD, borderline personality disorder, and depersonalization disorder.

EXPERT Q&A

Probiotics in Psychiatry

December 31, 2020

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD
Professor of psychiatry at University College Cork, Ireland. Dr. Dinan’s research focuses on depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and the influence of the gut microbiota on brain function. He has published over 500 scientific papers and numerous books, including 2019’s The Psychobiotic Revolution. Dr. Dinan has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The gut microbiome is one of the newest entries in the list of causes of depression. Ted Dinan explains how the bacteria in the GI tract influence the brain, and whether a probiotic or a lifestyle change is the best way to address it.

Rest Easy: Benzos, Z-Drugs, and Dementia

December 31, 2020

James Jenkins, MD.

James Jenkins, MD. Dr. Jenkins has disclosed that he has stock in Alkermes, Sage Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Trevena, and Viatris. Dr. Aiken has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias pertaining to this educational activity.

It may not be perfect, but this study has the best data yet on the controversial link between benzodiazepines and dementia.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Beta Blockers and Depression: The Controversy Revisited

December 31, 2020

Sean Ransom, Ph.D

Sean Ransom, Ph.D Dr. Ransom has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

There is an age-old debate about whether blood pressure medications cause depression. This study is one of the largest to tackle the issue, and it suggests this risk may be limited to one class of antihypertensives in particular.

IN BRIEF

The Queen’s Gambit

December 31, 2020

Chris Aiken, MD

A seven-hour series about chess tournaments doesn’t sound like a blockbuster, but The Queen’s Gambit is currently the #1 show on Netflix. The show makes a bold opening move by casting a woman in the role of the young champion—an unlikely choice, but one that stands on strong empiric ground.