Pearls and Prep

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep In this podcast episode, we meticulously dissect the pharmacological distinctions between Lexapro and Prozac, with the objective of determining the most suitable medication for our hypothetical patient, Benny. Benny, a 32-year-o...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Welcome back to a BONUS episode of Pearls and Prep! This episode dives deep into one of the most under-discussed and urgent realities of ADHD: the strikingly higher risk of premature death across the lifespan—and what actually d...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🎙️ Episode Description Antidepressants are foundational in psychiatry — and also one of the easiest ways to accidentally destabilize mood if bipolar risk isn’t recognized early. In this episode of Pearls and Prep , we break down...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Are you a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) student struggling to make sense of p-values, odds ratios, or confidence intervals? Do you wish someone would just explain evidence-based practice in mental health u...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This week’s Pearl of the Week dives into one of psychiatry’s most overlooked breakthroughs: the only transdermal antidepressant the FDA has ever approved. Why did this one medication earn a category all its own? What makes its d...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode elucidates the complexities surrounding dystonia, a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures and movements. We commence by exploring a mock...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The salient point of this podcast episode is the astonishing statistic that the average delay in accurately diagnosing bipolar disorder is nine years following a patient's initial depressive episode. This revelation underscores...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🔥 Bonus Board Bombs: 3 High-Yield Questions Every PMHNP Must Master Before the Exam Get ready to level up your PMHNP board prep with three ultra-high-yield “Board Bombs” designed to sharpen your clinical reasoning, boost exam c...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The primary focus of this podcast episode revolves around the intricate relationship between caffeine consumption and its potential psychological ramifications, particularly as illustrated through the case of a mock patient name...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Think you know your DSM-5-TR inside and out? In this Pearl of the Week episode, we’re asking a question that stumps even seasoned clinicians: Which DSM-5-TR diagnosis actually requires a validated rating scale to confirm it? Is...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Today, we delve into the intricate case of mock patient, Gus, a 23-year-old male grappling with debilitating depression and psychotic symptoms. His experience includes a notable history of Wellbutrin use, which initially seemed...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode delves into the intricacies of pharmacological preparations for the NP board exams, specifically focusing on the implications of amitriptyline and its adverse effects. We meticulously analyze a clinical vign...

Differentiating ADHD from Bipolar Disorder: A Case Study with Dale In this episode of 'Pearls and Prep,' host NPZ presents a detailed case study of a mock patient named Dale, exploring symptoms that could be indicative of ADHD or bipolar disorder. The session focuses on analyzing Dale’s history, behavior, and psychiatric background to understand the complexity of his condition. Key educational poi...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🎧 Episode Title: 3 Board Bombs Every Psych NP Needs to Master: Illness Anxiety, Lamotrigine, and MAOI Protocols Episode Summary: Whether you're days from testing or deep in the trenches of your clinical prep, this episode deliv...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Managing PTSD and Nightmares: An In-Depth Case Study In this episode of Pearls and Prep, the focus is on a mock patient named Marcus who has been suffering from PTSD-related nightmares after falling into a non-active volcano yea...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Navigating Complex Diagnoses: A Case Study on OCD In this episode of Pearls and Prep, the host presents a mock case study featuring 'Sarah,' a fictional patient struggling with academic performance, overwhelming anxiety, and obs...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast delves into the intricacies of the medication Abilify, also known as Aripiprazole, elucidating its unique role as a dopamine serotonin system stabilizer and its differentiation from traditional antipsychotics. Abili...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast delves into the complexities of augmenting treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) when standard selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) yield an incomplete response. We explore the role of second-gene...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Meet Carly , a 32-year-old librarian who suddenly has to deliver a eulogy after her co-worker tragically choked on peanut brittle during the library’s staff meeting. Now overwhelmed with public speaking anxiety , Carly turns to...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep In this episode of Pearls and Prep, Dr. Z discusses the complex case of 'Beanbag Benny,' a 34-year-old mock patient dealing with depression and cannabis use. The conversation explores diagnostic and treatment strategies for psyc...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Assessing Bipolar Disorder in a 32-Year-Old Patient: Diagnostic Pearls and Clinical Strategies This episode of Pearls and Prep features a detailed discussion about diagnosing and managing a complex psychiatric patient case. The...

(No episode number) Elevate Your Psychiatry Knowledge with Pearls and Prep Pearls and Prep Takeaways: The podcast Pearls and Prep is specifically designed for individuals in mental health fields, including nurse practitioners and residents. Each episode presents a unique mock psychiatric case that encourages deeper thinking and smarter prescribing. The host aims to combine engaging teaching with p...

The focal point of this podcast episode is the exploration of major depressive disorder with mixed features, a diagnostic innovation that has significant implications for clinical practice. We delve into the complexities that arise when distinguishing between major depressive disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders, particularly when patients exhibit overlapping symptoms. Through the illustrative...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep In this discourse, we undertake an extensive examination of vitamin D, elucidating its critical role as a neuroprotective agent and a modulator of serotonin signaling, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder. A...