Bipolar disorder is not what it used to be, and today we’ll bring you updates on lithium from the 2023 International Bipolar Conference.CME: Take the CME Post-Test for this EpisodePublished On: 07/17/2023Duration: 21 minutes, 07 secondsChris Aiken, MD, and Kellie Newsome, PMHNP have disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

In this discussion, Kellie Newsome, a PMHNP with expertise in psychiatric care, dives into the pros and cons of SSRIs versus the off-label use of prazosin for PTSD management. The conversation highlights prazosin's effectiveness, especially for nightmares, while critiquing SSRIs for their adverse effects and limited patient satisfaction. Newsome also explores emerging treatments and the importance of personalized care in addressing PTSD symptoms effectively.

In this engaging discussion, Kellie Newsome, a PMHNP with mental health expertise, dives into the nuanced world of PTSD. She explains why some people develop PTSD after trauma while others do not. The conversation covers the evolution of PTSD diagnosis criteria, shedding light on historical perspectives and the emotional turmoil faced by those affected. Newsome also uncovers the critical link between sleep disturbances and PTSD recovery, exploring how nightmares and disrupted sleep can exacerbate symptoms.

Chris Aiken and Kellie Newsome discuss the medical causes of bipolar disorder in older adults, exploring physical causes, differences between mania in dementia and delirium, and treatment options for secondary mania in older adults.

Psychiatrist Chris Aiken and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Kellie Newsome discuss the removal of homosexuality from the DSM, controversy surrounding its criteria, stigma for patients with gender dysphoria, and the harmful effects of conversion therapy.