Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

As the economy continues to shut down during COVID-19, people are growing more concerned about work and finances. Even if the virus is miraculously contained in the next few months, the economy will still be reeling from the damage of the lockdown.  As psychiatrists, we are concerned about the increases in mental illness from the lack of employment and a potential increase in suicides. In this episode, we begin to look at past studies on the links between economic disaster and the subsequent rates of depression and suicide, and what we might be able to do to help. By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.75 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

On this week’s episode of the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Podcast, I interview Dr. Daved Van-Stralen. During this season of COVID-19, Van-Stralen is focusing on the unique stresses on the healthcare system. How can the healthcare system improve the way that things are currently being done? How can people handle stress and the stress of seeing multiple deaths, exposure to the disease, and increased hours? By listening to this episode, you can earn 1 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In the US, people do not talk about death often or even acknowledge their own mortality. Instead, we act as if we just work hard enough we can do anything, even refuse the grim reaper. In this episode, we wrestle with the current issues created by COVID-19. Join us as we think more about death and the necessity to have conversations around it.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 1 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In a previous episode, we covered COVID-19 and its effect on mental health. In today’s episode of the podcast, we will be covering COVID-19 from the medical perspective with regards to its effect on the brain as well as treatment options, their side effects and special considerations. By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.75 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

Scott D. Miller and Daryl Chow, both seasoned researchers and authors of 'Better Results', dive into the world of psychotherapy, examining how clinicians can enhance patient outcomes. They discuss the stagnation in therapy's effectiveness and the need for a stronger therapeutic alliance over methodologies. The importance of therapist responsiveness and the role of deliberate practice in developing unique therapeutic styles are highlighted. Insights on clinical supervision reveal its inefficacy, urging a reevaluation of traditional models for better results.

Stress and anxiety are going to be very common during this time. In one study of Wang et al, 2020 they found that in China, 53.8% of the respondents to a survey rated their psychological impact as moderate-to-severe and 28.8% had moderate to severe anxiety, 16.5% had moderate to severe depressive symptoms, 8.1% had moderate to severe stress levels. By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

Mona Mojtahedzadeh, M.D., a psycho-oncologist at City of Hope, alongside her husband and oncologist Salman Otoukesh, and fourth-year medical student Shawna Chan delve deep into the mental health challenges faced by cancer patients. They discuss the emotional complexities following treatments like stem cell transplants, the significance of collaborative care, and the effects of medications on mental well-being. This enlightening conversation also highlights holistic approaches, including therapy and exercise, to manage anxiety and improve quality of life during cancer journeys.

Joel Weinberger, co-author and expert on the unconscious mind, teams up with Valentina Stoycheva, a trauma therapist, to explore the depths of our unconscious processes. They discuss the evolution of the unconscious in psychology, how it shapes our emotional exchanges, and the importance of nonverbal cues. The duo delves into the impact of unconscious biases and the role of embodied cognition in trauma recovery, highlighting strategies for enhancing social connections and understanding attraction dynamics. Their insights offer a profound look into the unseen forces that influence our behavior.

Michael Cummings, a seasoned psychiatrist and psychotherapist, expertly unpacks the complexities of catatonia. He shares its historical context and highlights its alarming symptoms, from mutism to stupor. Immediate diagnosis is crucial, with innovative tests like lorazepam aiding recognition. Cummings also discusses effective treatments, including benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy, while differentiating between catatonia and conditions like delirium. Fascinating neuroimaging insights link catatonia to PTSD, suggesting shared brain functions.

In this short episode of The Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Podcast, I interview Dr. Cummings, a forensic psychiatrist, on the topic of the correlation of mental illness and violent crime, and what causes violent crime. I start out with reviewing some studies and then subsequently interview Dr. Cummings, a leading psychiatrist at one of the largest forensic psychiatric hospitals in the United States.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.