Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite the availability of various treatments, a significant proportion of patients continue to experience symptoms of depression. Neuromodulation, a rapidly evolving field, is emerging as a promising approach for the treatment of MDD. This session will provide an overview of the latest advances in neuromodulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation.
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Pediatric anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents. In recent years, there have been significant advances in our understanding and treatment of these disorders. The session will cover a range of topics including the identification and assessment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, the latest neurobiological findings, and evidence-based treatment approaches. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the latest developments in the field and leave with practical tools and strategies for working with children and families affected by anxiety disorders.
This session is designed to provide psychiatric medical professionals with insights on how to effectively manage telepsychiatry encounters with patients. With the increasing demand for virtual care, telepsychiatry has become a critical component of mental healthcare delivery. However, managing the telepsychiatry encounter comes with unique challenges, including navigating technological, regulatory, clinical and cultural barriers.
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Social relationships play a key role in etiology and pathophysiology of many psychiatric and general medical conditions. This session will review physiological underpinning of loneliness and social isolation and provide insight how it may contribute to development of psychiatric disorders. We will discuss how actively promoting better social interactions may be a key component of effective treatment plan for several psychiatric disorders and often a neglected part of their prevention.
With the implementation of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in 2020, mental health professionals and stakeholders are excited to discuss the potential benefits of having a three-digit number dedicated solely to crisis intervention and suicide prevention. The promise of 988 lies in its ability to provide easy access to emergency mental health services to anyone in need, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. This session will explore the implications of 988 and crisis care for the mental health community, including its impact on suicide prevention efforts, crisis stabilization, and access to care for vulnerable populations. The ways in which clinicians can integrate these services into their practice will be discussed.
Developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The most prescribed treatments for MDD are second-generation antidepressants. Given the variety of options in this medication class, tailoring treatment for MDD is a complex undertaking, requiring careful consideration of each agent’s unique efficacy, safety, and adverse effect profile, and an understanding of each patient’s individual characteristics and goals. Although symptomatic remission and full functional recovery are the overarching goals of treatment, a majority of patients treated for MDD continue to experience residual symptoms. In this session, expert faculty will explore the recognition and assessment of the impact of residual symptoms and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) on patients undergoing treatment for MDD. Attendees will learn to assess the limitations of traditional antidepressants for MDD, with a particular focus on how residual symptoms and TEAEs often contribute to relapse. By the end of the session, participants will possess the tools to mitigate residual symptoms and TEAEs effectively, enhancing treatment outcomes and patient well-being.
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While there has been some progress in developing therapeutics for schizophrenia, the overall trajectory has been uninspiring, with endless variations of ways to manipulate the D2 receptor. There are however some novel agents which have potential to transform the schizophrenia treatment landscape. Participate in this session to explore mechanisms of action (MOAs) of novel and investigational agents, such as TAAR1 agonists, M1/M4 receptor agonists, and VMAT2 inhibitors, and how they hold promise in addressing limitations of conventional treatments. Expert faculty will critically evaluate the most recent clinical trial data pertaining to the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of these emerging agents for patients with schizophrenia.
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Did you know that over half of patients with Parkinson disease will experience symptoms of psychosis and as many as 80% of patients with advanced PD experience hallucinations and delusions, regardless of the presence of age-associated dementia? Navigating the treatment of this complex disease can be difficult due to competing treatment paradigms with medications designed to help motor function negatively impacting emotions and behaviors. In this MasterClass session, expert faculty will critically evaluate the mechanism of action, clinical trial data, and real-world safety/efficacy data for current, emerging, and off-label therapies for PDP. Furthermore, they will discuss the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches to optimize care for patients with Parkinson's disease and PDP, emphasizing effective communication strategies and shared decision-making with patients and care partners. By the end of the session, participants will have gained valuable knowledge and skills to improve the care and outcomes of patients with PDP.
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The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, with many individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) with buprenorphine has emerged as a gold standard treatment for OUD. However, access to this treatment has been limited due to the requirement of an X-waiver for healthcare providers to prescribe Buprenorphine.
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As clinicians, we all want to better serve our patients but sadly, mental health outcomes are lackluster at best. As the story of psychedelic-assisted therapy began to circulate, we were excited about the possibilities. Even though the field is rapidly developing, opinions about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy vary as do outcomes. Additionally, there is a lack of standardized protocols and training. This session will explore the world of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, the practice of combining psychedelics with therapeutic techniques for healing. We will delve into the history of psychedelic-assisted therapy, its practical applications, and some promising results in using this approach in treating mental health conditions. Ethical considerations and future directions will also be discussed.
Developed in partnership with SANA
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In this session, we will explore bi-directional relationships between inflammation and depression, shedding light on how inflammation can give rise to a distinct form of major depressive disorder. We will examine compelling evidence showcasing the limitations of anti-inflammatory agents as universal antidepressants. We will also explore how inflammatory biomarkers can be harnessed to aid in making more precise psychopharmacologic treatment decisions, allowing for personalized and effective care. You will gain valuable insights to enhance your understanding of the complex interplay between inflammation and depression, guiding your future treatment approaches with greater precision and efficacy.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual's academic, social, and occupational functioning. However, the symptoms and challenges associated with ADHD can shift and evolve as an individual progresses through different stages of development. In this session, we will explore the unique challenges and opportunities associated with ADHD during the transition from childhood to adulthood, including issues related to medication management, executive functioning, social skills, and career development. We will also discuss strategies for supporting individuals with ADHD as they navigate this critical transition period. By the end of this session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the complexities of ADHD across the lifespan and be better equipped to provide effective, evidence-based care to individuals with ADHD.
Social media platforms are now used by billions of people worldwide. Although these platforms are suggested as opportunities for entertainment and social connection, numerous studies provide strong evidence that social media use can increase feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and isolation. Particularly for adolescents, social media platforms can carry serious risks, such as cyberbullying, suicide, self-harm, sexualization, disrupted identity development, and impaired relationship formation. This session will explore the impact of social media platforms on mental health and suggest practical approaches for how clinicians can approach this topic with patients.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) are three psychiatric conditions that often present with similar symptoms, making accurate diagnosis challenging for clinicians. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the differential diagnosis of ADHD and highlight the nuances involved in identifying and differentiating ADHD from other psychiatric and neurological conditions that may present with similar symptoms. Participants will gain an understanding of the various diagnostic tools and methods used in clinical practice to accurately diagnose ADHD, including clinical interviews, rating scales, and neuropsychological assessments.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of individuals worldwide, including healthcare professionals who have been at the forefront of the response effort. In this session, we will explore the impact of the pandemic on clinician burnout and discuss strategies to address this issue in a post-Covid world.
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In this session, we will explore the complexities of balancing psychiatric treatments with lifestyle considerations, such as the tradeoffs between medication adverse reactions like weight gain and tremors. We will discuss how to find an acceptable balance for each patient and consider the whole health of the individual rather than solely addressing their presenting issue.
Developed in partnership with Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
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This session will focus on the importance of diagnostic accuracy in treating individuals with Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) or Bipolar Disorder. These conditions can be challenging to diagnose accurately, and misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment or worsening of symptoms. The session will discuss the common symptoms and diagnostic criteria for TRD and BD, as well as the challenges clinicians face in differentiating between the two disorders.
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Join the Psych Congress Steering Committee, attendees, and peers for a poster reception and awards ceremony.