Clinicians who treat patients with a history of mania historically turned to lithium as the go-to mood stabilizer. More recently, concerns about renal and other adverse effects have led some to approach this treatment option with caution. This presentation aims to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date information on lithium's role in treating bipolar patients, including dosing, kinetics, and target serum levels. Additionally, the presentation will cover the latest studies on lithium use during breastfeeding and the most recent risk estimates for first-trimester exposure during pregnancy. By the end of the session, clinicians will be equipped with the knowledge needed to use lithium confidently and effectively in their practice.
Infertility and the treatments for it can be stressful, emotionally, and physically taxing, and can lead to anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health issues. Reproductive endocrinology interventions, such as in vitro fertilization protocols, can also exacerbate underlying mood and anxiety conditions. The session will focus on identifying the psychological and neurochemical impact of infertility and reproductive endocrinology interventions, understanding the unique challenges faced by women in these situations, and exploring strategies for addressing and treating these mental health issues.
Developed in partnership with The International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry
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Designed to provide practical solutions to some of the most challenging patient cases, Solving Clinical Challenges sessions put our most experienced faculty on the spot to answer the question—what would you do? Exploring complex scenarios associated with real patients, our clinical panel will interact and collaborate to share insights and expertise on diagnostic challenges, psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches, and multidisciplinary care. Practical take-aways will enable clinicians to apply advanced approaches to similarly complex patients, enhancing overall care delivery, and optimizing patient outcomes.
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Schizophrenia is a complex and heterogeneous disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Despite significant progress in the field, many questions remain about the underlying mechanisms of the disorder and the most effective interventions. This session will provide an overview of the latest research findings, including advances in genetic and neurobiological research, new diagnostic approaches, and emerging treatments.
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Addiction to video games, cybersex, internet gambling, social media, texting and emailing, and online auctions can be as addictive as substances. These technological addictions have real-world ramifications and lead to the loss of jobs, money, and loved ones. As technology becomes integrated into many facets of modern life, the appreciation of such addictions has become increasingly challenging. This session will explore the addictive potential of technology and discuss the legitimacy of technological addictions as psychiatric conditions worthy of medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), a symptom of many sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), disproportionately affects individuals with mental illness, increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality. EDS is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, motor vehicle accidents, and cardiovascular disease and imposes significant burdens on individuals’ daytime functioning and overall well-being, commonly compromising cognitive functioning and impairing work and school productivity. This MasterClass session will explore the bidirectional relationship between sleep and psychiatric disorders and examine strategies to identify EDS and determine its root cause(s). Expert faculty will also explore the challenges surrounding effective treatment, which can have clinical repercussions for patients with co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of appropriate treatment for individuals with co-occurring OSA and mental illness, positioning themselves to optimally manage OSA-associated EDS in these patients.
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Up to one-third of individuals experiencing MDD symptoms do not respond to treatment, and traditional antidepressants require weeks of administration before therapeutic effects are observed. This session is designed to empower psychiatric clinicians with the latest insights and practical skills for optimizing MDD treatment strategies. Throughout this session, expert faculty will delve into the assessment of current challenges inherent in the MDD treatment landscape, highlighting the necessity for innovative treatment approaches. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the current understanding of MDD pathophysiology and its intricate impact on various neurobiological systems. Attendees will then be equipped to evaluate the most recent safety and efficacy data associated with both current and emerging novel treatment options in MDD. This knowledge will enable participants to seamlessly incorporate novel treatment options into their clinical practice, aligning with the evolving MDD treatment paradigm.
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Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder associated with significant burdens, physical and psychological comorbidities, increased rates of mortality, and considerable therapeutic challenges. Conventional antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia is plagued by numerous shortcomings, including inadequate treatment response and medication-related adverse events. Poor response and undesirable effects related to treatment are often a cause for patient-initiated and undisclosed treatment discontinuation. This session is designed to systematically address the myths and misconceptions that are limiting optimal use of LAIs for patients with schizophrenia by identifying the real-world data behind adherence challenges; providing up-to-date safety and efficacy data comparing LAIs with oral treatments; describing the most recent guideline recommendations for LAI therapy, including practical considerations and administration techniques; and providing strategies for communicating with patients about the opportunities and risks associated with LAI treatment for patients with schizophrenia, all with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
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Depressive Mixed States (DMX) is a condition where individuals experience both depressive symptoms and symptoms of mania or hypomania at the same time. In this session we will delve into the complexities of DMX and its diagnosis, as well as the available treatment options. A challenging diagnosis to make, it often presents with atypical symptoms that can be mistaken for other psychiatric conditions. However, understanding the clinical presentation of DMX is crucial for its accurate diagnosis and successful treatment.
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The healthcare industry is constantly changing, and navigating the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance can be challenging for psychiatric medical professionals. In this session, we will discuss the intricacies of third-party billing and coding, including common coding errors, reimbursement rules, and documentation requirements. We will also explore the potential pitfalls of non-compliance with insurance regulations and provide practical strategies for avoiding these pitfalls.
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Suicide is complex and there are several psychotherapy and medication treatment options available for clinicians to utilize. Relying on the latest available research, evidence-based treatments for reducing risk of suicidal behavior will be reviewed. The integration of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology for addressing suicide prevention will be discussed. How clinicians can Incorporate treatments and resources for suicide prevention into clinical practice will be described.
Developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Designed to provide practical solutions to some of the most challenging patient cases, Solving Clinical Challenges sessions put our most experienced faculty on the spot to answer the question—what would you do? Exploring complex scenarios associated with real patients, our clinical panel will interact and collaborate to share insights and expertise on diagnostic challenges, psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches, and multidisciplinary care. Practical take-aways will enable clinicians to apply advanced approaches to similarly complex patients, enhancing overall care delivery, and optimizing patient outcomes.
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The goal of this session is to explore the role of psychiatric clinicians in chronic weight management. We will review the Anti-Obesity Medication (AOM) landscape and evidence-based guideline recommendations for incorporating AOMs as part of a comprehensive care plan, including lifestyle modifications. Real-world case studies of AOM use in psychiatric practice will be discussed. We will also review the proposed mechanism of action and clinical trial data for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved to treat obesity in adults and adolescents as well as tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist being investigated for treatment of obesity in adults.
This session aims to educate clinicians about the clinical clues and warning signs associated with homicide-suicide, a devastating phenomenon that continues to impact individuals and communities worldwide. With mass murders occurring frequently in the United States and an increasing number of Americans experiencing fear and anxiety related to violence in public spaces, it is essential for mental health professionals to be able to identify and respond to patients who may be at risk of engaging in these behaviors. This presentation will provide participants with practical strategies for assessing and managing patients who may be considering killing others before taking their own lives, including risk assessment tools and intervention techniques. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to recognize the clinical signs of homicide-suicide, as well as an increased ability to respond effectively to patients in crisis.
A number of psychedelic therapies are poised to have FDA approval this year, with more to come. These therapies represent exciting new ways of treating our patients, but also pose potential risks. The introduction of psychedelic assisted therapies (PAT) marks one of the most significant changes in available treatments for our patients. While much research has been conducted to get the treatments through the FDA, there is much that is still not known and will need to be considered when determining how to use these treatments. Complicating matters are the cultural and policy issues around psychedelics such as decriminalization and recreational use that may already be impacting our patients. This session, led by two expert researchers in the field, will attempt to disentangle these issues and prepare clinicians to thoughtfully deploy these treatments.
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Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide, with a significant impact on their quality of life and that of their caregivers. The aging of the population has made Alzheimer's disease a major public health concern, and as such, it is critical for medical professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest treatment strategies. This session will provide an overview of the latest research findings, including advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and new diagnostic approaches.
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In this session, we will explore the importance of understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a fundamental skill for psychiatric practitioners. Autism is a complex neurological condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. With the increasing prevalence of autism, it is crucial for psychiatric practitioners to have a good understanding of the disorder to provide optimal care and support for patients with ASD.
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