Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast Q&A with Dr. Cummings Part 2
7 snips
May 29, 2024 
Dr. Michael Cummings discusses various topics including the effects of Valproic Acid in men during pregnancy, differences between lithium and Depakote as mood stabilizers, sustainability of Electroconvulsive Therapy for chronic catatonia, early signs of psychopathy in children, restless leg syndrome, timing for checking lithium levels, treatment of dementia patients, and innovative treatments in psychiatry. He also shares his personal journey from losing sight in the Navy to becoming a psychiatrist.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Desert Island Psych Meds
- Consider haloperidol, a mood stabilizer, and an antidepressant for a basic psych med kit.
- Lithium is versatile, but valproic acid has reproductive risks; sertraline is a well-tolerated antidepressant.
Valproic Acid Reproductive Risks
- Valproic acid is a histone deacetylase inhibitor, increasing methylation in sperm DNA, linked to neurodevelopmental issues.
- European Union and UK restrict its use, and FDA action is likely.
Lithium vs. Depakote for Bipolar
- Choose lithium over Depakote for bipolar due to its broader efficacy and suicide/violence risk reduction.
- Lithium treats mania, hypomania, and depression, while valproic acid isn't very antidepressant.