The High-Yield Podcast

High-yield questions on common and compound-specific clinical manifestations of major 3 categories of abused inhalants Volatile hydrocarbons & Halogenated compounds, Nitrogen-based inhalants with important clinical & lab clues for diagnosis of each substance Several performance-enhancing drugs are reviewed with a final high-yield case discussion

A very high-yield discussion of receptor functions of NMDA agonists and antagonists (including short-term versus long-term blockade) Discussion and Differential Diagnosis of PCP intoxication Review of other Psychedelics: Psilocybin, LSD & Mescaline, Jimson Weed, etc (high-yield for USMLE steps 1,2,3)

Question-based review of Cannabis-use disorder and medical use of THC Amphetamine congeners (stimulant hallucinogenic congeners of amphetamine) 

General Assessment of Alcohol Use disorders Assessment of Acute Alcohol Intoxication Acute and Maintenance Treatments for Alcohol Dependence Mild, Moderate or Severe Syndromes of Alcohol Withdrawal Drugs Recommended versus Drugs Contraindicated during the management of Alcohol Withdrawal Based on Updated 2021 Guidelines

Clinical framework for conceptual understanding of different manifestations of AUD (Alcohol Use Disorders) Hierarchical categories of Alcohol-Related Disorders & Alcohol Use disorders Epidemiologic significance of Alcohol-Related Disorders (including Global Burden of the Diseases) Demographic versus Acquired Risk Factors of AUD & Alcohol-related disorders Clinical features of Alcohol Intox...

Functional Neuroanatomy and Receptor Actions of Ethanol Definition of standard drinks and comparing different alcoholic beverages Clinical relevance of Blood Alcohol Concentration 1st and 2nd stages of Ethanol Metabolism Disulfiram Reaction 

Amphetamines, Cocaine, Nicotine, Caffeine are discussed with their molecular neuroanatomy and neurotransmitter function General and specific clinical manifestations of each stimulant abuse, intoxication, dependence or withdrawal are discussed Important aspects of cardiac protection in cocaine abuse as well as medications for maintenance therapy in nicotine / smoking cessation are discussed. 

Schedules of Controlled Substances Discussion of clue to identifying patients with "Drug-seeking behaviors" Risk factors for each of the three major prescription drugs being misused Preventive Measure to be taken by doctors to reduce the risk & rate of prescription-drug misuse Discussion of clinical findings, workup and management of Benzodiazepine-Use Disorder (Intoxication & Withdrawal)

Diagnosis and Management of Opioid Intoxication Diagnosis and Management of Opioid Dependence (including maintenance psychopharmacotherapy) Diagnosis and Management of Opioid Abstinence (withdrawal) Syndrome

Receptor functions of opioid agonists, mixed agonist-antagonists, and opioid antagonists; Drug interactions and pharmacokinetics and metabolism of opioid medications The clinical uses and possible side effects and toxicity of different classes of opiate-active medications Drugs discussed include full agonists, codeine, tramadol, propoxyphene, buprenorphine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, nelmefene, nalo...

Discussion of important terminology (Tolerance, Dependence, Abstinence Syndrome) , Dopaminergic pathway of Reward & Addiction, General Screening, Assessment and Management Approach to Substance Intoxication (Acute versus Maintenance Strategies) and Withdrawal. 

Discussion of the most common eating disorder (Binge eating disorder) followed by certain eating & feeding disorders infancy and childhood based of DSM-V manual, for USMLE step 1 & 2. 

Question-based Review and Differentiating features of Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa, based on DSM-V diagnostic manual, including a discussion of Refeeding Syndrome (for USMEL step 1 & Step 2) 

High Yield and fully question-based discussion of adjustment disorder based on DSM-V criteria followed by another high-yield differential clues to distinguish normal from complex grief and both conditions from depressive disorders. 

High yield and question-based discussion of truama & stress-related disorders based on DSM-V updated criteria;  A very important diagnostic framework to work with stress-related conditions is introduced followed by discussion of PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder; To be followed in the next episode with discussion of Adjustment disorder and normal versus complex bereavement. 

Question-based review of different psychotic disorders including points that are relevant for both step 1 and step 2 USMLE; covering conditions listed under psychotic disorders in DSM-V followed by an initial discussion of differential diagnosis & management options. 

Question-based initial (knowledge-acquisition) step for mood disorders,  one of the top 5 highest yield topics in the entire psychiatry & behavioral science exams. 

Discussion of DSM-V criteria for diagnosis of each anxiety disorder, Workup and Management of individual Anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Selective Mutism, Phobias (social versus specific type), Panic Disorder and Hyperventilation Syndrome

The list of all anxiety disorders and their definition, pathophysiology, Imaging and Psychodynamic Defence Mechanisms Make sure you review this list prior to studying individual anxiety disorder as certain disorders are emphasized by USMLE but are not discussed in common review sources

USMLE Content Outline: Achalasia, DES and Sclerodermal Esophageal Dysmotility, A question-based Rapid-review. 

USMLE Content Outline Topic discussion on Different types of Esophagitis (Infectious, Reflux, Chemical), A Rapid Review

USMLE Content Outline Topic: Esophageal Varices, Mallory-Weiss Tears & Boerhaave's Syndrome (Rapid Review)

USMLE Content Outline Topic: Esophageal Hernias, Diverticulae, Webs & Strictures (Rapid Review)

USMLE Content Outline Topics : Barrett's esophagus & Esophageal Cancers (Adenocarcinoma & Squamous cell carcinoma) (Rapid review)

USMLE Content Outline Topic: Malabsorption Lab Workup A Question-based & High-yield Review of laboratory assessment in chronic diarrhea & malabsorption.