NEI Podcast

How are social media platforms being used for negativity and what can people do to protect their mental health on these platforms? How have you used Tiktok and other social media platforms to help remove the stigma associated with mental health conditions, and to make a positive impact in the adolescent population? In this episode, we interview psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Sarfo Kojo on how...

What is an ecological momentary assessment? How are ecological momentary interventions powerful and helpful in a clinical research setting? Learn more about how digital technology, smart phone applications, electronic surveys, and wearable devices can help in both the clinical research and the clinical treatment arena. In this fascinating interview with Dr. Katherine Houghton, she answers your mos...

Opioid addiction, abuse, and overdose have all grown to epidemic proportions in the United States as well as worldwide in recent years—such information is no longer up for debate. With an estimated 400,000 persons using illicit opiates each month, and another 4 million reporting use of prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes, in the United States alone, the debate now surrounds how bes...

September is National Recovery Month! In this invigorating interview with addiction expert, Dr. Nzinga Harrison, we discuss the need for removing the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the topic of addiction, and how to apply treatment strategies focused on understanding compassion, and evidence-based scientific research. When it comes to addiction, there are many questions. What does it mean t...

When it comes to serious mental illness (SMI), mental health professionals work hard to help remove the associated negative stigma, and to educate patients and caregivers to help them thrive. In this episode, we interview two clinical experts who are part of an interdisciplinary team at the APA/SMI Advisor program. This joint initiative between the American Psychiatric Association and the Substanc...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unfortunately, there may be many overlapping symptoms between ASD and ADHD that make it difficult to distinguish between these disorders. In this fascinating episode, Dr. David Goodman examines the history of autism, Asperger's disorder, and how to differen...

What specific issues do female nurse practitioners, or physicians treating mental health face in the workplace? What are some of the work-life issues that women face, when it comes to balancing a career in medicine with family? What are the research findings on sexual harassment toward women in the mental health profession? In this important episode, Dr. Christina Girgis addresses these questions,...

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating disorder that creates a substantial burden not only for patients but also for their families. The high rates of treatment resistance, relapse rates, and incidence of adverse side effects in patients with schizophrenia suggest that a major treatment gap continues to exist. Given the high rates of treatment resistance, novel strategies and therapeutic appr...

What are some of the difficulties that Muslim Americans face today, and what was the reason behind the creation of the Muslim Wellness Foundation? How does stigma about mental health problems uniquely impact the Muslim American community? What are some of the psychosocial issues and challenges that Black Muslim American's experience?  In this important and timely episode, psychiatrist Dr. Mona Mas...

The years 2019-2020 brought to us coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in an unprecedented global pandemic. Emerging data, historical studies, and expert opinion point to a tremendous impact of COVID-19 on the development and exacerbation of psychiatric issues. This issue is compounded by the fact that access to mental health care services may be limited during this time of crisis. There...

What exactly is brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF? What is the relationship between neuroinflammation, BDNF, and depression? What are ways that we can naturally stimulate increases in BDNF? In this exciting interview, psychiatric nurse practitioner, Michelle Novella answers all these questions and more! Michele Novella, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, is the owner and medical director of Star Psychi...

Healthcare workers on the frontline, working to save patients with the COVID-19 virus, during this pandemic have been especially vulnerable to mental health consequences and trauma. In the early stages of the global shut-down, Dr. Mona Masood launched the Physician Support Line, a volunteer hotline to support physicians and healthcare providers who were on the frontlines, battling the virus, and t...

Methamphetamine is an extremely serious problem in the United States, and it remains one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world. There are severe psychological, and medical consequences from methamphetamine misuse and abuse. This poses a particular challenge for clinicians treating patients for mental health conditions that are comorbid with substance use disorder (SUD). This is...

What is the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the pediatric population and does this change, depending on age? What are important tips for recognizing hypomania in children, and diagnosing children with mixed depression? In this episode, we address these questions and more with pediatric psychiatrist, Dr. Manpreet Singh.  Dr. Singh is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at St...

Healthcare disparities occur around the world, due to a complex, multifaceted situation that results from socioeconomic hardships, psychosocial stress, and cultural differences. In the United States, these disparities are often seen in minority communities, such as Hispanics and Black Americans. When a pandemic, such as COVID-19 occurs, it can expose these disparities in the most tragic ways. Curr...

Food and beverages interact with certain psychiatric medications to alter their pharmacokinetic properties, resulting in potentially unintended health outcomes. In this podcast episode, Dr. Rajnish Mago describes common food and beverages that interact with psychiatric medication and provides recommendations for avoiding unintended food-drug interactions. Optional CME credits / certificate instruc...

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns are on the rise. What do we know about the relationship between suicide risk and previous pandemics or natural disasters? How do we distinguish between behavior that seems like appropriate coping during this time and behavior that should raise a red flag? What are some protective factors against suicide, and how can we capitalize on these,...

What is the evidence that exercise is at least as effective as medications for the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression? Can you share any research findings on the effects of exercise for patients with traumatic brain injury?  If you have questions like these, you won't want to miss this episode with psychiatrist and renowed author, Dr. John Ratey! Best selling author, John J....

Given the recent COVID-19 virus pandemic, how is pediatric anxiety influenced by things like the media, parental attitudes, and the family environment? How effective is telepsychiatry for pediatric patients? If you have these types of questions you won't want to miss this timely and important interview with psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Strawn! In this episode, we discuss issues like effective communic...

What is our current understanding of the gut-brain connection? What is the difference between the microbiome and microbiota? How is dysbyosis of the gut associated with certain psychiatric disorders? In this CME podcast, we address these questions and more in this captivating interview between Dr. Andrew J. Cutler and Dr. Roger S. McIntyre! Optional CME credits / certificate instructions: After li...

How do you manage billing and insurance for telepsychiatry? What are some challenges to treating patients who may not be tech saavy? In part 2 of this episode, we address these questions and more, providing you with the most current information on the practical implications of telepsychiatry in our interview with psychiatric nurse practitioner, Michele Novella.  Michele Novella, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-B...

In this episode, we discuss the importance and practical implications of telepsychiatry in the field of mental health, with psychiatric nurse practioner, Michele Novella. Has your practice been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? In part 1 of this episode, Michele takes you step-by-step through the process of implementing telepsychiatry into your practice. Learn about the "do's" and "don'ts", and i...

In this episode, we raise awareness about a forgotten, yet extremely vulnerable population at high risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). What are ways that we can better screen for patients who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV)? How are types of brain injuries unique in this population? Are there neuroimaging techniques that can more accurately detect IPV-related TBIs?  Deb York is...

What are ketones and how are they related to mental health? What is the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and the ketogenic diet? What is the carnivore diet? If these are some of your questions when it comes to nutrition and mental health, you won't want to miss Part II of this exciting interview with Dr. William Sauve'!

Are carbohydrates bad for me? Is the ketogenic diet good for the brain? What is the carnivore diet? These are questions that concern many people today, especially if you're interested in nutrition and the brain. In Part I of this episode we dive into this hot topic with Dr. William Sauve', where we discuss many of these questions and more!   Dr. William M. Sauve' is a psychiatrist in Virginia. He...