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Psychofarm Podcast

The Deficit Model in Psychiatry & Difficult to Treat Depression with Dr. Chris Aiken | Episode 18

Mar 5, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Chris Aiken, a psychiatrist and assistant professor, dives into the complexities of treating difficult-to-treat depression. He critiques the traditional serotonin model and emphasizes the importance of integrating lifestyle changes and neuroprotective strategies into psychiatric care. The conversation also explores the role of thyroid hormones, methylfolate, and even testosterone supplementation in managing depression. Aiken advocates for personalized treatment approaches, moving beyond the label of 'treatment-resistant' to focus on holistic patient well-being.
42:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast emphasizes the need for practitioners to distinguish between merely alleviating symptoms and addressing the underlying causes of mental health disorders for effective treatment outcomes.
  • A comprehensive approach to treating difficult-to-treat depression includes integrated lifestyle interventions alongside targeted nutritional and hormonal therapies, enhancing patient engagement and long-term mental health.

Deep dives

Understanding Root Causes in Psychiatry

The discussion centers on the ambiguity surrounding the effectiveness of psychiatric medications in treating underlying causes of mental health disorders. The speaker highlights a long-standing caution taught by mentors that many medications, such as those targeting serotonin and dopamine levels, function on hypothetical rather than proven principles. This ambiguity has led to significant backlash within the psychiatric community, particularly following critical articles questioning the serotonin hypothesis. The emphasis is placed on the necessity for practitioners to distinguish between treating symptoms and addressing potential root issues for more effective patient outcomes.

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