Social workers must complete an MSW (Master’s in Social Work) after college, which includes both coursework and practical placements across various social work agency settings. Many go on to become psychotherapists, typically obtaining an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Work), which requires about 2 years of post-master’s clinical experience. Social workers are well-versed in many of the clinical areas familiar to psychiatrists, except with more emphasis on psychosocial treatments. Their training covers in-depth interviewing techniques to understand patients’ social and psychological issues, and they learn about theories of psychopathology, including psychodynamic theory. They also become highly knowledgeable about public assistance programs like Medicaid, social security disability, and various human service agencies to aid the indigent.

Identifying a potential acute stroke in the psychiatric unit is crucial because immediate treatment can usually prevent permanent neurologic damage. As a psychiatric clinician, you won’t have primary responsibility for stroke assessment and management but you should understand current standards in stroke care so that you can coordinate treatment when such an emergency occurs.

Pharmacists in psychiatric settings play a crucial role in managing medication safety and efficacy as well as helping to promote adherence. They collaborate closely with the medical team to ensure optimal pharmacological care for patients.

The older adult interview is similar to the adult interview but with some additions and caveats.

Non-urgent agitation refers to distressing symptoms and behaviors that don’t immediately jeopardize patient or caregiver safety. Some examples are asking the same questions or making the same statements repeatedly; pacing and fidgeting; resisting care or assistance with ADLs like bathing; constantly talking or mumbling to themselves in a distressed manner; and showing irritability or frustration over minor issues. ● While we usually choose antipsychotics for urgent agitation, we use them more sparingly for non-urgent agitation due to boxed warnings of increased risk of stroke and death in patients with dementia. ● The only FDA-approved medication for agitation in dementia is brexpiprazole, though it’s no safer or better than other antipsychotics

In reminiscence therapy (RT), patients recall positive experiences and memories from the past, via props and prompts. ● It’s a beneficial treatment for older adults (OA) with memory loss or depression and can help foster a sense of well-being. ● While RT is usually done in group settings, this Fact Sheet will introduce some key features that can be incorporated into brief office visits and taught to caregivers for use at home.

Rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose deaths during pregnancy have skyrocketed in recent years. Untreated OUD is associated with many adverse outcomes, including overdose death, that can be mitigated by proper medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment. Methadone and buprenorphine have a robust evidence base, while injectable naltrexone lacks enough data to recommend during pregnancy and is not recommended.

Anxiety disorders in older adults (OAs) are prevalent, yet they’re frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to non-specific symptoms, presentations overlapping with other medical conditions, or being mistaken for depression. ● This Fact Sheet focuses on the pharmacological management of anxiety disorders in OAs, highlighting key considerations for dosage, selection, and monitoring to ensure safety and efficacy.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are important in psychiatry for various reasons. The liver metabolizes most of the medications we prescribe and so we need to ensure that liver functioning is adequate. In addition, excessive substance use can seriously damage the liver. This fact sheet provides an overview of the most relevant LFTs, including their normal ranges, interpretation, and clinical relevance in psychiatry.

Preconception Management ● Begin preparation at least six months before conception to ensure stability, switch to safer medications, and manage psychosocial stressors.