In our two-part series on substance use, we will first discuss drugs of abuse and intoxication/withdrawal syndromes. We’ll provide a conceptual framework for how to differentiate common toxidromes frequently encountered in psychiatry. We’ll then reinforce your knowledge through a series of cases highlighting the clinical presentations of  sedatives, opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, and dissociatives. Come on down to the (metaphorical) Burning Man medical tent and learn to identify common toxidromes with us!

Photo Credit: Curtis Simmons, “bw-temple-tempest-burning-man-2014” Flickr

Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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In the fourth and final episode of our “Art of Psychiatry” series, we will discuss anxiety disorders. We’ll start by discussing the  purpose of anxiety, why it is often a normal reaction to stressful circumstances, and what it looks like when anxiety becomes more maladaptive and functionally impairing. We’ll provide an overview of common anxiety disorders, disclose a few tips on how to interact with patients with anxiety disorders, and discuss how to how to conceptualize anxiety when you are conducting an interview. As usual, we’ll feature some of our favorite songs and writings about anxiety to help you better understand the disease from a patient’s perspective.

Photo Credit: ahgottt, “CIMG 020,” Flickr

Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

Green Day, “Basket Case,” Dookie

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In the third episode of our “Art of Psychiatry” series, we will discuss schizophrenia, a chronic mental illness that affects 1% of the population. We will focus especially on the patient experience of what it’s like to live with schizophrenia. We’ll start by reviewing the key symptoms of schizophrenia as well as other diagnoses to consider in your differential. We’ll then discuss what it’s like to interview a patient with schizophrenia and provide some tips for your next interview. As usual, we’ll feature songs and writings about schizophrenia to help you better understand the disease from a patient’s perspective.

Photo Credit: sjugge, “Ohe en Laak,” Flickr

Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

The Beach Boys, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” Pet Sounds

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In the second episode of our “Art of Psychiatry” series, we will discuss bipolar disorder, a chronic mood disorder that affects 1% of the population. We’ll start by reviewing the diagnostic criteria for bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorder. We’ll then spend some time discussing mania, a key feature of bipolar disorder. What is it like to interview a manic patient? What questions should you ask them? What else is on the differential? And what medications are used to treat bipolar disorder? We’ll also feature songs and writings about bipolar disorder to help you understand the disease from a patient’s perspective.

Photo credit: Thomas Hawk, “It’s Certainly a Thrill,” Flickr

Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

Nirvana, “Lithium,” Nevermind

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In the first episode of our “Art of Psychiatry” series, we will discuss depression, a common and debilitating mental illness. We will start by reviewing symptoms of depression. We will then discuss what it’s like to be depressed, how to better interact with someone who is depressed, and helpful questions to ask a depressed a patient. Throughout the episode, we will spend a significant amount of time exploring how depression is experienced, particularly through the lens of artists.

Photo credit: Roger Reuver, “Show,” Flickr

Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

Lady Gaga, “Million Reasons,” Joanne

Janet Jackson, “I Get Lonely,” The Velvet Rope

Fun, “Carry On,” Some Nights

 

 

 

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In the final episode of our introductory consult-liaison series, we are going to discuss catatonia, a surprisingly common condition seen on medical units as well as inpatient psychiatry. What is catatonia? What does it look like, and what conditions is it associated with? We’ll discuss the terminology associated with symptoms of catatonia. We’ll then discuss the catatonia exam, a physical exam that elicits signs of catatonia, and the Bush Francis Francis rating scale, a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring catatonia. Finally, we’ll discuss treatment options including benzodiazepines, zolpidem, and ECT.

Photo credit: Franck Vervial, “Les poupees russes font grise mine,” Flickr

Episode Music Credit: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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In this episode, we will discuss how to assess decisional capacity using the widely referenced New England Journal of Medicine article by Dr. Paul Applebaum as our framework. We’ll review the four relevant criteria to assessing decision making capacity. We’ll also discuss several other common questions that often come up with capacity: How is decisional capacity different than competency? Why might someone not have capacity? And what do you do when someone doesn’t have decisional capacity? We will explore these issues with multiple clinical vignette and examples.

Photo credit: Mathias Pastwa, “The Understanding,” Flickr

Episode Music Credit: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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In this episode, we are going to kick off our consult series by discussing delirium, a common bread-and-butter consult in psychiatry. We’ll discuss typical symptoms of delirium, risk factors for delirium, underlying causes, how to diagnose it, how to differentiate it from other psychiatric illnesses, and treatment options. We’ll break down our treatment discussion into non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management options. After this episode, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any delirium consults that are sent your way!

Photo credit: Artetetra, “L’ile,” Flickr

Episode Music Credit: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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In the final episode of our psychopharmacology basics series, we are going to discuss commonly used mood stabilizers including lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine. What conditions are they used for? How do they work? What are their side effect profiles? How do we dose and monitor them? And what’s up with all these levels? We’ll explore all of this and then test your knowledge with some review questions.

Photo credit: mtstradling, “storage tank II,” Flickr

Episode Music Credit: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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Can’t tell your olanzapine from your risperidone from your quetiapine? Well, don’t you fret because we’re talking about the atypical antipsychotics in this episode. We’ll discuss specific medication side effects and scenarios when you might favor using one atypical antipsychotic over another. Finally, we’ll briefly review long-acting injectables!

Photo Credit: Diana Mehrez, “Triangled,” Flickr

Episode Music Credit: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music

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