Psychiatry
Expert discussions on psychopharmacology, behavioral health interventions, and psychiatric care approaches.
Recent Discussions
How would you manage a patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis manifesting with increased neuropsychiatric manifestations (ex. psychosis) with no recent changes on brain MRI?
Exclude the usual suspects such as infections, electrolyte abnormalities, and polypharmacy. If nothing pans out and nutritional causes or deficiencies have been excluded I would direct such patients to psychiatric care. I will also make sure that the patient is not suicidal by doing a Beck Depressio...
How do you approach the workup and management of patients with suspected functional neurologic disorders?
This is not really an answerable question. I would re-frame the question, because it really depends on the kinds of symptoms they have and the neurologic exam that is performed. I disagree with neurologists who say that "functional neurologic disorders" are a diagnosis of exclusion. That is absolute...
How do you approach treating patients with delusions of parasitosis who can not tolerate an antipsychotic?
I continue to switch them until I find one they can tolerate. My typical approach is Abilify 2 mg daily and increase by 2 mg every other week until on 10 mg daily if tolerable. If they can’t tolerate that, then I switch to Risperdal and if they can’t tolerate that then I switch to pimozide. If they ...
How do you approach NSAID use in patients on SSRIs?
This is a good question, the combined RR for NSAID+SSRI/GI complications is ~12. I generally avoid the combination and utilize topical NSAIDs if possible. I also discuss the possibility of switching patients from a 'traditional' SSRI to duloxetine, which is FDA approved for the treatment of primary ...
Do you use pimavanserin to treat psychotic symptoms in Lewy body dementia?
Yes, if insurance allows. However, it is my medication of last resort after trying cholinesterase inhibitor and SSRI. It can be used in the place of quetiepine. Note that this is an off-label use of the medication.
How do you manage patients with dementia who require but cannot tolerate an aquaplast mask for radiation therapy?
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Would you avoid the use of keppra in patients with TBI due to concerns for worsening agitation?
I suspect that this practice of prophylactic antiepileptic medications for TBI patients will go away over time. History has shown us time and time again that we over-medicate patients.
What is the best way to manage severe claustrophobia and anxiety for Thermoplastic masks?
I’ve found that P.O. uptake of benzodiazepines is notoriously unreliable, and often the severity of patients’ anxiety isn’t apparent until after the process has begun. Because of this, I stock IM hydroxyzine (a.k.a. Atarax or Vistaril), which is a great non-narcotic old-school anxiolytic with a reli...
How do you manage ADHD in patients with Tourette syndrome?
Most people start with guanfacine, clonidine, or atomoxetine but you can still try stimulants first.
How does the FDA safety warning on the cardiac effects of lamotrigine, based on in vitro data, inform your clinical practice?
I am aware of it and will be careful in using it with patients who have any conduction abnormalities, though that doesn't mean I won't use it. I have been using it for many years (my program during fellowship was a research site for bringing it to the US) and never had a problem with it.