Metamorfosis

Schema therapy is a model of psychotherapy that was originally designed for chronic mental health problems. It comes from the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tradition, but also integrates different arms of psychotherapy, such as elements from the Gestalt tradition, and also aspects of object relations theory. In this episode, we have an in-depth discussion about schema therapy, which has prove...

In this episode we discuss, with Dr. Michael Cummings, a new book he co-authored with Steven M. Stahl on the management of treatment-resistant psychosis. An increasing number of individuals with psychotic illnesses deal with homelessness, repeated incarceration, and associated trauma. There is limited access to care for these individuals, leading to poor prognosis. This book provides prescribers w...

In this episode, we will be discussing some of the themes within Fyodor Dostoevsky’s legendary text, Crime and Punishment . It deals with the suffocating guilt and uneasy journey towards redemption of impoverished ex-student, Raskolnikov, who commits a horrific murder of a pawnbroker and tries to justify it, unsuccessfully, with noble purposes. Not only is the novel a stellar thriller, its themes...

On this episode, we are joined by psychiatrist, psychopharmacologist, and author, Dr. Jonathan Meyer, to talk about using antipsychotic plasma levels to assess treatment response, safety, and oral medication adherence. He is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. He recently published a book with Dr. Stephen Stahl for clinicians to utilize called, The Clinic...

On this podcast episode, we interview Dr. Fred Penzel who received both his MA and PhD in School and Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in 1985. In 1989, he founded Western Suffolk Psychological Services in Huntington, New York, where he is the executive director and a practicing psychologist. Since 1982, he has been involved in the treatment of numerous disorders including OCD, body dysm...

There is a real danger of medical professionals treating or behaving differently with someone they perceive to be a Very Important Patient, which leads to inferior treatment. In this episode, Dr. Puder and Dr. Heacock discuss the complicating factors of treating physicians, the famous, and the wealthy.   Dr. Heacock is the host of a podcast called: “ Back from the Abyss. ” By listening to this epi...

Insomnia is a fairly common problem; it is likely that almost all individuals suffer from at least transient insomnia. In this episode, Michael Cummings, M.D., Shizuka Tomatsu, M.D., and Shilpa Krishnan, D.O. join the discussion on psychopharmacological treatments, lifestyle, and therapy recommendations for insomnia.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to b...

A 2019 poll reported that one-third of adults say they feel they “cannot go anywhere without worrying about being a victim of mass shooting” and “more than half of American teenagers worry about a shooting at their school.” A mass shooting is generally defined as the murder of at least four people at one time. Why do mass shootings take place? Are there any commonalities between the perpetrators?...

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects the entire family. As psychiatrists and psychologists, we often support these patients and their families throughout this entire disease process. With the recent and controversial FDA approval of aducanumab (Aduhelm™), a new pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease, we can expect to be asked about this drug from our patie...

Interview regarding the recent court case of Britney Spears and unique aspects of conservatorship law and treating people with large amounts of fame or money. Conservatorship Lawyer: Mark McGuire Psychiatrist: Herndon Harding M.D. Psychiatry Resident: Serena Weber, M.D. Psychiatrist Host: David Puder, M.D. No conflicts of interest to report. Contact me on IG: here By listening to this episode, you...

In this episode, we will be discussing some themes observed in Meditations , a collection of notebooks written by the 16th Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, during the last years of his reign. His writings are still relevant to us and resonate within us, as the emperor himself struggled with some core questions that anyone who is living this thing called life might ponder. By listening to this episo...

In this episode, I am joined once again by Michael Cummings. M.D. and Melissa Pereau, M.D. along with Chantel Fletcher who will soon be a fourth year medical student going into Psychiatry. We will be doing an in-depth analysis on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder including history, assessments, diagnosis, and so much more.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.25 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link t...

In this episode, I am going to build on the therapeutic alliance series to express my thoughts on how understanding emotion, specifically microexpressions, can better help you make connections with your clients. The research is amazing; there are thousands of articles on the subject. I thought I would share a bit about the evolution of my interest in emotion and microexpression in this episode and...

In this podcast episode, we will interview Jeffrey Paul Kahn, MD, a psychiatrist who recently co-edited a book called Psychotic Disorders: Comorbidity Detection Promotes Improved Diagnosis and Treatment. Our focus will be on different presentations of psychosis and how through a good history you can better treat the underlying issue and choose optimal treatments. By listening to this episode, you...

In this episode, I interviewed Carl B. Gacono, PhD, who is an expert in the areas of criminal psychopathology, behavior, and treatment. We dive into understanding and acknowledging the distinct differences between psychopathic and non-psychopathic patients and how their assessment with the PCL-R and Rorschach aid in their management and treatment. We also discuss how understanding transference and...

In this episode of the podcast, we introduce borderline personality disorder (BPD). We discuss its history, nomenclature, epidemiology, etiology, and diagnosis while providing perspectives from clinicians regarding the treatment of individuals with BPD. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.25 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

On this week’s podcast, I interview Jason Smith, Psy. D., A.B.P.P., Chief Psychologist at a prison in the United States, and Ted B. Cunliffe, Ph. D., who is a clinical and forensic psychologist at a private practice in Florida. Together, along with Carl B. Gacono, Ph. D., ABAP, they have written the book Understanding Female Offenders, researching how female offenders’ psychopathic behaviors prese...

In this episode, we will be going over a book every therapist and psychiatrist should read, Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Being in the trenches with our patients, we see so much pain and suffering and potentially undergo vicarious trauma ourselves through their suffering. The question, “What is the meaning of life?” often comes up in such a context. By listening to this episode, you...

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’ll be continuing our deep dive into duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). In this second part, we’ll be covering the approved indications and off-label uses of duloxetine.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.75 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss akathisia, the horrible and all too common side effect of psychiatric medications. Subsequently, we go through definitions, history, mechanism, how to rate it, and treatment. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.25 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In the last episode, we talked about the first two stages of the hero’s journey. In this episode, I will focus on the path of the hero as it specifically applies to mental health professionals. I will discuss exactly what those are and how these are areas in our core being that simply cannot be faked. The areas we will be discussing require the hero (us) to develop and mature at the core of our be...

In today’s episode of the podcast, we will be doing a deep dive into duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). In part one of this two-part series, we will cover the history of SNRIs as well as mechanisms of action, cytochrome P450 issues, side effects, and contraindications to consider when prescribing duloxetine and this class of medications. By listening to this episode,...

There are several disorders so branded with taboo, stigma, and legal consequences that they are almost never diagnosed and very little research has been done on them. These patients are literally seen by every specialty, often without knowing it, and without a good solution. I am hoping this podcast brings awareness to this important topic and gives providers insight into the power of empathy in h...

“The Hero’s Journey” entails several predictable steps of leaving and returning transformed. Striving towards one’s heroic possibilities and unfolding one’s potentials is deeply pleasurable. Realizing that our narratives can be seen as part of a journey can encourage these pleasurable aspirational attempts and reframe hardships. This concept of The Hero’s Journey is something I use often in my pra...

With the background from part 1 in mind, in part 2, we review the modern era of research exploring the treatment of various psychopathology. The results for these studies begin to elucidate the various effects individuals experience with psilocybin. The benefits are potentially impressive, however, there are significant limitations that are noteworthy. Psilocybin therapy is just coming out of its...