Peer Exchange

In this Psychiatric Times Peer Exchange, the panel delves into a comprehensive examination of schizophrenia care, covering the clinical and economic burden of the disease, the multifactorial challenges of treatment adherence, and the evolving landscape of pharmacological options — from first-generation antipsychotics to novel mechanisms of action and alternative delivery systems. The series emphasizes the critical importance of early intervention, patient empowerment, multidisciplinary collaboration, and systemic reform in closing the gap between available evidence and real-world outcomes for patients living with schizophrenia.

In this series, expert panelists define treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and its prevalence within MDD, examining its neurobiological underpinnings, risk factors, diagnostic complexities, and quality-of-life burden. They then evaluate available treatment strategies — including glutamatergic agents and combination approaches — reviewing efficacy, safety, and practical considerations for optimizing patient outcomes.

In this Psychiatric Times Peer Exchange series, expert panelists discuss key updates and clinical insights related to narcolepsy. The discussion focuses on reframing narcolepsy as a disorder of sleep-wake instability rather than simply excessive sleepiness, addressing the challenges of recognizing and diagnosing the condition in psychiatric populations, and providing practical guidance on pharmacologic treatment selection, polypharmacy, DEA scheduling considerations, and the importance of multidisciplinary, long-term care in optimizing patient outcomes across all age groups.

Experts discuss the importance of increasing clinical awareness and understanding of postpartum depression (PPD), identifying timely strategies for diagnosis, referral, and treatment, and fostering effective patient-provider communication to support self-advocacy and improve outcomes through early, appropriate intervention.