Podcast Library

Dr. Allen Frances (Chair of the DSM-IV Task Force) and Dr. Awais Aftab (Case Western) engage in a wide-ranging conversation about the nature of psychiatric diagnosis, the power and limitations of the DSM, and the responsibilities of psychiatrists today. They explore the ethics of labeling, the risk of medicalizing normal suffering, and the importance of humility, curiosity, and advocacy in the profession.

This episode redefines suicide risk assessment as a profoundly human and clinical judgment—not a predictive formula. Dr. Tyler Black explains the limitations of traditional risk stratification and advocates for a more dynamic, rapport-driven, ethically grounded approach. He introduces a modern application of Durkheim’s model of suicidal motivation, emphasizing the need to understand underlying drivers (anomic, fatalistic, egoistic, sociistic) to inform treatment. He also provides critical language updates and clarifies the pitfalls of hospitalization-as-default.

Dr. Dana Rimmel joins Dr. Mark Mullen to guide listeners through the foundations of the psychiatric interview. They explore how to build therapeutic alliance, structure the psychiatric intake, navigate difficult encounters, and balance time while capturing a rich biopsychosocial picture. The episode offers practical techniques for new learners and reminders for experienced clinicians alike.

Exploring the transition into Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, covering key learning areas, common challenges, and essential skills for success. Discussion includes developmental psychopathology, family systems, and therapeutic approaches for young patients.

This episode addresses the common challenges and opportunities for early career attending psychiatrists, including building a practice, managing work-life balance, and continuing professional development.

An in-depth discussion on various antipsychotic medications, their mechanisms of action, side effect profiles, and best practices for use in different clinical scenarios, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Dr. Mark Mullen and Dr. Tony Thrasher walk through the best practices for assessing and managing agitation in clinical environments, using the Project BETA model as a guide. They emphasize early identification, verbal de-escalation, team dynamics, patient-centered approaches, and the nuanced ethical considerations involved in using medication, physical restraint, and hospitalization.

In this episode, Dr. Josh Fader and Mara Goverman LCSW explore the three primary approaches to autism intervention: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI), and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI). They discuss the history, structure, and evidence for each, noting that each has unique benefits, time demands, and philosophical underpinnings. The episode highlights new research questioning assumptions about treatment intensity and emphasizes matching interventions to family needs and values.

Dr. David Goodman and Dr. Sabrina Siegel examine the nuanced relationship between autism spectrum disorder, formerly known as Asperger’s Syndrome, and ADHD. They explore the overlapping features that can complicate diagnosis, such as executive dysfunction, social awkwardness, and narrow interests. Dr. Goodman explains the evolution of diagnostic frameworks, challenges in teasing apart symptoms in adults, and why developmental history remains key to accurate clinical assessment.

In this episode, Dr. David Puder interviews Dr. Michael Cummings about schizophrenia, including its neurodevelopmental underpinnings, symptom domains, and brain-based models. They explore the dopamine hypothesis and how it relates to positive symptoms, discuss cortical and subcortical changes, and examine the limitations of antipsychotic medications. The conversation reflects on the experience of patients, the trajectory of illness, and what recovery looks like from both clinical and personal perspectives.

This episode features Dr. David Puder and Dr. Ariana Cunningham walking through the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and its common differential diagnoses. They explore how to differentiate schizophrenia from related psychotic, mood, and personality disorders, emphasizing the importance of timeline, symptom profile, and collateral history. Topics include schizophrenia vs. schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, substance-induced psychosis, and personality disorders like borderline and schizotypal. The episode highlights the dangers of premature diagnosis and encourages thoughtful assessment and exclusion of mimickers.

In this detailed discussion with Dr. Michael Cummings, Dr. Puder explores the history, diagnosis, differential, and treatment of catatonia. Often underdiagnosed, catatonia is a serious neuropsychiatric syndrome that can arise from mood disorders, schizophrenia, medical conditions, or drug effects. They break down key features such as mutism, stupor, echolalia, and waxy flexibility. The conversation also covers the lorazepam challenge test, ECT for refractory cases, and how to differentiate catatonia from other conditions.

A deep dive into Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.

An exploration of older antidepressant classes: Tricyclics and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.

A review of current mood stabilizers.