Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how effective screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PHQ-9, combined with comprehensive clinical assessments, are crucial for accurately identifying postpartum depression during routine prenatal and postnatal visits.
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Panelists discuss how to diagnose postpartum depression (PPD) promptly using tools such as standardized screening questionnaires, especially in busy or resource-limited settings, and explore strategies to enhance PPD screening in underserved and minority populations in which symptoms may be underreported, while also considering the role of the case study patient’s family history in identifying her PPD symptoms.
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The Case of a 34-Year-Old Woman With PPD After the Birth of her Third Child
January 13th 2025Panelists discuss how specific symptoms, such as persistent sadness, emotional numbness, and disconnection from the baby, help distinguish postpartum depression (PPD) from postpartum anxiety or “baby blues,” and how to approach assessing a patient such as Emily, who is experiencing these symptoms for the first time despite previous pregnancies.
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Concluding Thoughts on PTSD Management
January 10th 2025A panelist discusses how effective posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) management requires a comprehensive, individualized approach combining evidence-based treatments, ongoing support systems, lifestyle modifications, and regular monitoring of progress while acknowledging that recovery is often a gradual process requiring patience, persistence, and collaboration between health care providers and patients.
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A panelist discusses how emerging posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and virtual reality exposure protocols, show promising results in clinical trials while offering new hope for treatment-resistant cases.
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Real-World Patient Perspective: Breaking the Stigma of PPD and Seeking Support
January 7th 2025Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how breaking the stigma around postpartum depression requires both healthcare providers and society to normalize open conversations about maternal mental health, while encouraging mothers to seek support without shame or judgment.
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Real-World Patient Perspective: Navigating Care for PPD
January 3rd 2025Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how real patients navigate the complex journey of seeking and receiving postpartum depression care, from overcoming stigma and recognizing symptoms to finding appropriate healthcare providers and accessing treatment while managing new motherhood responsibilities.
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Use of PTSD Treatments in Clinical Practice
January 3rd 2025A panelist discusses how clinicians implement posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments through a carefully structured approach that begins with establishing safety and stabilization, progresses through trauma processing using evidence-based interventions, and concludes with integration and relapse prevention strategies, all while maintaining therapeutic alliance and adjusting treatment intensity based on patient response.
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A panelist discusses how treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) encompass a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, exposure therapy, and complementary interventions such as mindfulness and group support, which can be tailored to meet individual patient needs and circumstances.
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PTSD Diagnosis in Clinical Settings
December 27th 2024A panelist discusses how a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis in clinical settings requires a comprehensive evaluation process that includes gathering detailed trauma history, assessing current symptoms through validated assessment tools, conducting differential diagnosis to rule out other conditions, and considering cultural and contextual factors that may influence symptom presentation.
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A panelist discusses how clinicians employ a range of diagnostic tools for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment, including structured clinical interviews, standardized questionnaires such as the PCL-5, trauma screening instruments, and detailed behavioral observations to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
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Overview of Postpartum Depression
December 24th 2024Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 new mothers, presenting with symptoms like persistent sadness, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with the baby, yet remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite being highly treatable through therapy, medication, and support systems.
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A panelist discusses how diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents unique challenges due to symptom overlap with other mental health conditions, varying presentation across different populations, and the often-delayed onset of symptoms following traumatic events.
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PTSD Risk Factors and Changes in the Brain
December 13th 2024A panelist discusses how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alters key brain regions, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, with genetic predisposition, severity of trauma exposure, and lack of social support serving as critical risk factors that can influence both the likelihood of developing the condition and its neurobiological impact.
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Optimizing Treatment Response: Insights from Clinical Data and Real-World Experience
Published: November 14th 2024 | Updated: November 14th 2024Gus Alva, MD, DFAPA; Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC; and Roger McIntyre, MD, FRCPC wrap up the conversation discussing optimizing treatment response with a focus on rapid-acting antidepressants (ADTs), including real-world patient responses and clinical study data. They address patient education, treatment expectations, titration, and follow-up strategies to enhance treatment optimization and outcomes.
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Defining and Managing Treatment-Resistant Depression: Efficacy and Real-World Insights
Published: November 7th 2024 | Updated: November 7th 2024A panel of mood disorder experts explore the challenges of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), including defining TRD, managing partial improvement, and addressing adverse reactions. They discuss the role of glutamate in TRD, efficacy and safety considerations from clinical trials, treatment half-life, and real-world experiences with pharmacovigilance.
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Addressing Unsatisfactory Responses in Chronic MDD
Published: November 7th 2024 | Updated: November 7th 2024Experts in the management of depression discuss managing unsatisfactory responses in chronic MDD, focusing on anhedonia and its role in disability. They explore strategies to improve treatment outcomes and address the persistent challenges faced by patients with chronic depressive symptoms.
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Exploring Rapid-Acting Therapies in MDD: Pharmacodynamics and Treatment Evolution
Published: October 31st 2024 | Updated: October 31st 2024Gus Alva, MD, DFAPA; Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC; and Roger McIntyre, MD, FRCPC delve into FDA-approved rapid-acting treatments for MDD and TRD, focusing on the sigma-1 agonist and its pharmacodynamics. They explore treatment indications, the rapid onset of action, and how these innovations address unmet clinical needs and shift the treatment paradigm for newly diagnosed depression
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Evaluating Treatment Failure and Symptomatic Remission in MDD
Published: October 31st 2024 | Updated: October 31st 2024Experts in the management of mood disorders discuss the challenges of treatment failure and achieving symptomatic remission in MDD. They examine the efficacy of antidepressant and rapid-acting treatments, offering insights into evaluating and enhancing treatment outcomes.
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Managing Persistent MDD: Case Studies and Treatment Challenges
Published: October 23rd 2024 | Updated: October 23rd 2024Gus Alva, MD, DFAPA presents the case of a patient with recurrent MDD, and the panel explores treatment approaches, comments on the condition triggers, and challenges in managing persistent depression.
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From Neuroplasticity to Patient Conversations: Managing Affective Disorders Effectively
Published: October 23rd 2024 | Updated: October 16th 2024Experts in affective disorders discuss the pathophysiology, genetic components, and neurocircuitry involved in these conditions. They delve into treatment nomenclature and patient conversations, focusing on how to target specific brain areas, assess responses, and manage treatments to improve quality of life and hedonic tone
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Depression Treatment: Expert Guide to Medication Management & Therapeutic Success
Published: October 16th 2024 | Updated: October 16th 2024Experts in the management of depression provide insights into understanding medication mechanisms, assessing when treatments are effective, and navigating therapy adjustments to optimize outcomes and complement various MOAs
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Access Challenges: Bridging Insurance Gaps for MDD Innovations
Published: October 16th 2024 | Updated: October 16th 2024Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC shares her insights into insurance coverage, the role of specialty pharmacies, and patient advocacy efforts to improve access to novel MDD therapies.
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