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PsychEd: Educational Psychiatry Podcast

PsychEd·95 episodes

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This podcast is written and produced by psychiatry residents at the University of Toronto and is aimed at medical students and residents. Listeners will learn about fundamental and more advanced topics in psychiatry as our resident team explore these topics with world-class psychiatrists at U of T and abroad.

Episodes

8 min
May 31, 2026
Upcoming Book Club: How Can I Help?

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode is part of the PsychEd Book Club, a forum where we discuss books of interest to psychiatry learners from a variety of disciplines. We invite you to read along with us and contribute to our discussion.This short introductory episode gives you a heads-up about our upcoming book club on How Can I Help? A Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist by David Goldbloom and Pier Bryden. Stay tuned for a longer episode in a few months where we’ll share our thoughts on the book.If you’d like to share your thoughts or questions about the book, email us at [email protected] or reach out on social media.Hosts: Dr. Angad Singh, PGY2Dr. Alastair Morrison, PGY2Dr. Matthew Cho, PGY1Sara Abrahamson, MS3Dr. Sena Gok, international medical graduate and scientistDr. Nikhita Singhal, staff psychiatristAudio Editing: Dr. Matthew Cho, PGY1For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠@psyched.podcast⁠⁠),  Facebook (⁠⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠⁠), X (⁠⁠@psychedpodcast⁠⁠), and Bluesky (⁠⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠⁠.

12 min
May 16, 2026
PsychEd Shorts 13: Extrapyramidal Symptoms

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of extrapyramidal symptoms.Hosts: Jo Kikukawa (MS2)Dr. Matthew Cho (PGY1)Sena Gok (Scientist) Audio Editing: Dr. Matthew Cho (PGY1)References:Dayalu, P., & Chou, K. L. (2008). Antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms and their management. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 9(9), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.9.9.1451Drake, R. E., & Ehrlich, J. (1985).Suicide attempts associated with akathisia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142(4), 499–501. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.142.4.499Pringsheim, T., Gardner, D., Addington, D., Martino, D., Morgante, F., Ricciardi, L., Poole, N., Remington, G., Edwards, M., Carson, A., & Barnes, T. R. E. (2018). The assessment and treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(11), 719–729. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718760288Poyurovsky, M., Pashinian, A., Weizman, R., Fuchs, C., & Weizman, A. (2006). Low-dose mirtazapine: A new option in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and propranolol-controlled trial. Biological Psychiatry, 59(11), 1071–1077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.11.004Links to Scales Featured in Episode:https://simpleandpractical.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Barnes-Akathisia-Rating-Scale-BARS.pdfhttps://www.psychdb.com/_media/meds/antipsychotics/sas_simpson_angus_scale_modified.pdfhttps://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2019-10/%28AIMS%29%20Abnormal%20Involuntary%20Movement%20Scale.pdfFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠@psyched.podcast⁠⁠⁠), Facebook (⁠⁠⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠⁠⁠), X (⁠⁠⁠@psychedpodcast⁠⁠

1 hr
May 1, 2026
PsychEd Episode 75: Introduction to Interventional Psychiatry with Dr. Sean Nestor

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers interventional psychiatry with Dr. Sean Nestor, an interventional psychiatrist and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto, where he serves as Assistant Director of the Psychiatry Program and oversees the Clinician Researcher Track (CResT) residency within the Department of Psychiatry. His research program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre focuses on advancing the clinical application of neuromodulation therapies to improve outcomes across a wide range of psychiatric disorders.The learning objectives for this episode are as followsDefine interventional psychiatry and distinguish it from traditional pharmacologic and psychotherapy-based approachesDescribe the role of interventional psychiatry in clinical practice, including identifying patient populations most likely to benefit from neuromodulation treatmentIdentify pathways to become involved in research and scholarly work within the field of interventional psychiatryGuest: Dr. Sean NestorHosts: Dr. Pooja Sankar (PGY1), Michael Wang (MS4), Dr. Kate BraithwaiteAudio editing: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteTime Stamps:(2:25) - Defining Interventional Psychiatry (IP) and its role in Psychiatric practice(4:20) - Evolution of Interventional Psychiatry (IP)(8:40) - Patients who will benefit from IP modalities(12:35) - Other factors to consider when assessing a patient for IP (15:30) - rTMS(19:15) - Description of a typical rTMS session(23:50) - ECT(26:45) - Ketamine(29:05) - Other Investigational Modalities(30:45) - Maintenance treatment(35:30) - Medication and IP(37:55) - Addressing stigma of ECT(43:15) - Discussion on place of IP in Depression management decision tree(47:00) - How to get involved in IP(50:10) - Rewarding aspects of working in IP(52:25) - Challenges of working in IP(53:40) - Future of the field Resources:⁠Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) | Stanford Health Care⁠⁠CTMSS | International medical society dedicated to optimizing clinical practice, supporting research, and increasing access to high quality, evidence-based Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation⁠The Interventional Psychiatry Consortium⁠References:Andrade, J. & Brito, M.. (2023). When the SAINT goes marching in – A novel transcranial magnetic st

8 min
Apr 15, 2026
PsychEd Shorts 12: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.Hosts: Eric Yu (MS3)Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Dr. Shaoyuan Wang (PGY5)Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)References:1. Park, J., Tan, J., Krzeminski, S., Hazeghazam, M., Bandlamuri, M., & Carlson, R. W. (2017). Malignant catatonia warrants early psychiatric‐critical care collaborative management: two cases and literature review. Case Reports in Critical Care, 2017(1), 1951965.2. Simon, L. V., Hashmi, M. F., & Callahan, A. L. (2023). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.2. Tan, C. M., & Kumachev, A. (2023). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. CMAJ, 195(43), E1481-E1481.4. Trollor, J. N., & Sachdev, P. S. (1999). Electroconvulsive treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review and report of cases. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33(5), 650-659.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠@psyched.podcast⁠⁠), Facebook (⁠⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠⁠), X (⁠⁠@psychedpodcast⁠⁠), and Bluesky (⁠⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠⁠). You can email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ and visit our website at⁠⁠ psychedpodcast.org⁠⁠.

45 min
Apr 1, 2026
PsychEd Episode 74: Working with BPD in the ED with Dr. Bruce Fage

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers Working with Borderline Personality Disorder in the Emergency Department with Dr. Bruce Fage, a psychiatrist in Toronto working in emergency and acute care psychiatry, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. His interests include the relational and systems issues that shape psychiatric care in crisis settings. He is also a former founding member of PsychEd!The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:Explain how the emergency department environment influences presentations of borderline personality disorderKnow when to apply the diagnosis of borderline personality in the emergency settingDemonstrate effective management strategies for patients with BPD in the EDEvaluate appropriate use of emergency and inpatient care for BPD presentationsGuest:Dr. Bruce FageHosts:Sara Abrahamson (MS3)Shelly Palchik (MS4)Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing:Angad Singh (PGY2)For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠), Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ psychedpodcast.org⁠.

7 min
Apr 1, 2026
PsychEd Shorts 11: Serotonin Syndrome

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of serotonin syndrome.Hosts: Eric Yu (MS3)Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Dr. Shaoyuan Wang (PGY5)Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)References:1. Boyer, E. W. (2024). Serotonin syndrome (serotonin toxicity). In UpToDate.2. Buckley, N. A., Dawson, A. H., & Isbister, G. K. (2014). Serotonin syndrome. Bmj, 348.3. Dunkley, E. J. C., Isbister, G. K., Sibbritt, D., Dawson, A. H., & Whyte, I. M. (2003). The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria: simple and accurate diagnostic decision rules for serotonin toxicity. Qjm, 96(9), 635-642.4. Foong, A. L., Grindrod, K. A., Patel, T., & Kellar, J. (2018). Demystifying serotonin syndrome (or serotonin toxicity). Canadian Family Physician, 64(10), 720-727.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠), Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ psychedpodcast.org⁠.

52 min
Feb 28, 2026
PsychEd Book Club 2: Healing with Dr. Thomas Insel

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This is our second book club episode centered around the novel Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Thomas Insel, MD.This book is a part memoir / part manifesto written by one of our generation’s most important leaders in neuroscience and psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Insel. Dr. Insel served as the director of the NIMH for 13 years from 2002-2015. Healing is replete with his reflections on personal and clinical experiences as well as epidemiological data, research, and policies related to mental health. Dr. Insel argues that medicine’s failure to significantly reduce the mortality and morbidity of psychiatric illnesses is less due to a lack of scientific progress, and more a result of poor implementation of existing interventions that are already well supported by the evidence.Guest: Dr. Thomas InselHosts: Dr. Gaurav Sharma - Staff psychiatrist working in Nunavut, CanadaDr. Kate Braithwaite - Family doctor from South AfricaAhmad Khan - MS4 at Western UniversityDr. Sophie Gregoire-Mitha - PGY1 Psychiatry resident in ManitobaAudio editing: Dr. Gaurav SharmaEpisode Evaluation: Dr. Angad SinghOur discussion is divided into 3 main sections:(2:48): Main themes from the book(15:58): Clinical application of strategies discussed in the book(41:30): Reflections on the book in the current Psychiatric landscapeFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast), Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

7 min
Feb 28, 2026
PsychEd Shorts 10: Harm Reduction Principles

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers harm reduction principles.Hosts: Dr. Andrew Nguyen, Dr. Zakia Hussain, and Shelly PalchikAudio editing: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteEpisode Evaluation: Dr. Angad SinghResources:Chapter 4: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders. In Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral SciencesServing Clients Who Use Substances: A guide for community workersA Harm Reduction Approach (Alberta Health Services)References:Alberta Health Services. A Harm Reduction Approach: Key Principles.BC Centre for Disease Control (2023). Harm Reduction Services & Supply Guidelines.Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario. Harm Reduction.Ontario Ministry of Health (2018). Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Guideline.NL Centre for Applied Health Research (2020). Harm Reduction 101.Public Health Agency of Canada. Reducing Stigma Toward People Who Use Drugs.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast), Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

59 min
Jan 31, 2026
PsychEd Episode 73: Psychiatry and Ethics in Ontario with Dr. Suze Berkhout

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers psychiatry and ethics in the Ontario context with Dr. Suze Berkhout, a clinician investigator and practicing psychiatrist working in acute inpatient psychiatry at University Health Network. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto in the department of psychiatry and affiliate faculty with the Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science and Technology. Her research draws on critical creative methods in ethnography, art-science collaborations, and feminist science and technology studies, to consider the politics of diagnosis and social lives of interventions and emerging technologies in biomedicine. She works with artists, service users, clinicians and scientists to understand how serious illness experiences impact our sense of identity and our social roles, and she studies the impacts of novel and emerging technologies on experiences in healthcare settings. Suze loves coffee and finding new ways to think with stories.The learning objectives are as follows: 1. Gain familiarity with key ethical concepts in psychiatry, including how ethics differs from law and the major ethical frameworks used in clinical reasoning.2.  Identify and analyze common ethical challenges in psychiatric practice, such as autonomy, confidentiality, boundaries, and justice.3. Apply practical strategies for ethical decision-making in clinical encounters. Guest: Dr. Suze BerkhoutHosts: Dr. Matthew Cho (PGY1), Dr. Annie Yu (PGY4) and Sena Gok (MD)Audio Editing: Angad Singh (PGY2)Resources from our guest:Bioethics for the People Podcast: https://www.bioethicsforthepeople.com/Mimi Khúc Open in Emergency: https://www.mimikhuc.com/projects/open-in-emergencyFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast), Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website atpsychedpodcast.org.

8 min
Jan 15, 2026
PsychEd Shorts 9: Sleep Hygiene

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of sleep hygiene.Hosts: Jo Kikukawa (MS2) and Grant Yao (MS4)Audio editing: Grant YaoTimestamps:(0:33) - Background(2:07) - Core principles and strategies(5:37) - Counselling on sleep(6:18) - When to get help with sleep(7:29) - SummaryReferences:Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Sleep disorders. CAMH.Harvard Health Publishing. Sleep hygiene: Simple practices for better rest. Harvard Health.Qaseem A, Kansagara D, Forciea MA, Cooke M, Denberg TD. Management of chronic insomnia disorder in adults: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(2):125–133.Sleep Foundation. Sleep hygiene. SleepFoundation.org.Spielman AJ, Caruso LS, Glovinsky PB. Behavioral treatment of insomnia: A clinical case series. Sleep. 1987;10(1):87–92.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

13 min
Dec 31, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 8: Types of Substances

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers Types of SubstancesHosts: Sara Abrahamson, Shaoyuan Wang and Kate Braithwaite.Audio Editing: Kate BraithwaiteReferences:American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5, text revision (DSM-5-TR). 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.CAMH. (2013). Inhalants. Inhalants | CAMHCAMH. (2010). Cocaine and Crack. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/cocaineCAMH. (2012). Amphetamines. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/amphetamines#:~:text=Chronic%20use%20of%20amphetamines%20can,can%20also%20cause%20amphetamine%20psychosis.Chae J, Marsden J and Sutherland A. (2024, August 21). Benzodiazepine Withdrawal. Emergency Care BC. Benzodiazepine Withdrawal : Emergency Care BCChildHealthBC. (2023, September 21). Common Street names for Substances. https://childhealthbc.ca/mhsu/common_streetnames_substances/printfileJauch EC. (2023, January 18) Inhalants Clinical Presentation. Medscape. Inhalants Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, CausesKaye, AD, Staser, AN, Mccollins, TS, Zheng, J, Berry, FA, Burroughs, CR, Heisler, M, Mouhaffel, A, Ahmadzadeh, S, Kaye, AM, Shekoohi, S, 101(2):131-81. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2003.11.002.Nickson C. (2024, December 18). Sedative toxidrome. Life in the Fast Lane. Sedative Toxidrome • LITFL • CCC ToxicologyPorter RS, Kaplan JL, Homeier BP, editors. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. 20th ed. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck Sharp 2018.PsychDB. (2021, March). Opioid Intoxication. Opioid Intoxication - PsychDBPsychDB. (2023, October). Opioid Withdrawal. Opioid Withdrawal - PsychDBPsychDB. (2023 February). Cannabis Withdrawal. Cannabis Withdrawal - PsychDBRoth BL, Gumpper RH. Psychedelics as Transformative Therapeutics. Am J Psychiatry. 2023 May 1;180(5):317-20.Vollenweider FX, Kometer M. The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: implications for the treatment of mood disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010

1 hr 22 min
Dec 1, 2025
PsychEd Episode 72: Psychiatric Case Presentation with Dr. Justin Delwo

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers the psychiatric case presentation with Dr. Justin Delwo, a staff psychiatrist at Toronto Western Hospital where he works in the emergency department and urgent care settings.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:What is the goal of a psychiatric case presentation?What are some ground rules for a case presentation?What are the key sections of a case presentation and what should you include under each? How can you tailor your case presentation to the settingGuest: Dr. Justin DelwoHosts: Dr. Matt Cho (PGY1), Dr. Daamoon Ghahari (PGY2), and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Episode evaluation: Shelly Palchik (MS4)Time Stamps:(1:50) - Goals of a case presentation(4:49) - Ground rules for presenting(7:56) - General overview(19:44) - Identifying Data(23:16) - Chief complaint and reason for referral(25:42) - History of presenting illness(38:38) - Review of systems(42:16) - Safety(49:42) - Past psychiatric history(53:54) - Medications(55:55) - Past medical history(59:14) - Allergies(1:00:13) - Family psychiatric history(1:02:07) - Personal history(1:06:23) -  Mental status exam(1:09:45) - Impression(1:14:20) - Plan(1:18:43) - Tailoring to different settingsFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website atpsychedpodcast.org.

14 min
Nov 15, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 7: Substance Use History

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers how to take a substance use historyHosts: Dr. Andrew Nguyen, Dr. Zakia Hussain, Jo Kikukawa, and Dr. Kate Braithwaite.Audio editing: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteResources:Chapter 4: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders. In Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral SciencesMeta:Phi Resource LibraryTen Domains of De-escalation to Prevent Behavioural Emergencies (from Alberta Health Services)References:American Psychiatric Association Publishing. (2022). Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition, Text Revision: DSM-5-TR (5th ed., pp. 481-590). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. Boland, R.J., Verduin, M.L., & Ruiz, P. (2022). Chapter 4: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders. In Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Psychiatry (12th ed., pp. 269 - 336). Wolters Kluwer. Porter, L.D. Getting to the Good Part: How to Take an Engaging SUD History. [Presentation Transcript]. University of California, Los Angeles Integrated Substance Use and Addictions Programs. https://www.uclaisap.org/clinicalproviderquicktips/docs/La-Donna-Porter/Porter_LD_Transcript_Clean.pdf Welsh, C.J. “Trapped”: A Mnemonic for Taking a Substance Use History. Acad Psychiatry 27, 289 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.27.4.289For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

33 min
Oct 31, 2025
PsychEd Episode 71: Functional Neurological Disorder with Dr. Patricia Rosebush

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers Functional Neurological Disorder with Dr. Patricia Rosebush. Dr. Rosebush is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. She is the distinguished author of numerous articles on clinical neuroscience, including considerable work on mitochondrial disorders in mental illness and over 30 papers on catatonia, and practices consultation-liaison psychiatry at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:Provide a definition and conceptual approach to FNDIdentify clinical signs and patient histories relevant to a diagnosis of FNDDescribe an approach to the treatment of FNDUnderstand the special challenges of communication and collaboration in this illnessGuest: Dr. Patricia RosebushHosts: Dr. Alastair Morrison, Dr. Kate BraithwaiteAudio editing: Dr. Alastair MorrisonShow notes: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteInterview content:(02:39) Learning objectives(03:09) Conceptualization of FND(08:30) Underlying psychological processes(09:35) Difference between FND and factitious disorder/malingering(14:54) Alexithymia(16:51) Common symptomatic presentations(18:00) Types of underlying stressors(19:17) Other risk factors for FND(22:12) Communicating with patients to address stigma(24:32) Psychotherapy in FND(29:36) Referral pathways for patients with FND(31:15) Prognosis of FND(33:09) Social media and FNDResources:Functional Neurological Disorder Society. Functional Neurological Disorder Society (FNDS). Includes a podcast and courses for physiciansFunctional Neurological Disorder (FND) – A Patient's Guide to FNDReferences:Hull, M., & Parnes, M. (2021). Tics and TikTok: Functional Tics Spread Through Social Media. Movement disorders clinical practice, 8(8), 1248–1252. https://doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.13267National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024, July.) Functional Neurological Disorder.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Functional Neurologic Disorder | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokePsychDB. (2024, April). Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Disorder. Conve

11 min
Oct 20, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 6: Metabolic Monitoring on Antipsychotics

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers metabolic monitoring for patients on antipsychotic medications.Hosts: Grant Yao (MS4) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Timestamps:(0:21) - Background(2:22) - Monitoring for metabolic side effects(6:16) - Managing metabolic side effects(9:50) - SummaryReferences:Agarwal, S. M., Stogios, N., Faulkner, G. E., & Hahn, M. (2023). Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of antipsychotic-induced weight gain in people with schizophrenia: A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49(4), 833-835.Carolan, A., Hynes-Ryan, C., Agarwal, S. M., Bourke, R., Cullen, W., Gaughran, F., ... & O’Donoghue, B. (2024). Metformin for the prevention of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: guideline development and consensus validation. Schizophrenia bulletin, sbae205.Cooper, S. J., Reynolds, G. P., With expert co-authors (in alphabetical order):, Barnes, T. R. E., England, E., Haddad, P. M., ... & Smith, J. (2016). BAP guidelines on the management of weight gain, metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular risk associated with psychosis and antipsychotic drug treatment. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(8), 717-748.DeJongh, B. M. (2021). Clinical pearls for the monitoring and treatment of antipsychotic induced metabolic syndrome. Mental Health Clinician, 11(6), 311-319.Stogios, N., Humber, B., Agarwal, S. M., & Hahn, M. (2023). Antipsychotic-induced weight gain in severe mental illness: risk factors and special considerations. Current Psychiatry Reports, 25(11), 707-721.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

7 min
Oct 10, 2025
Upcoming Book Club: Healing

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode is part of the PsychEd Book Club, a forum where we discuss books of interest to psychiatry learners from a variety of disciplines. We invite you to read along with us and contribute to our discussion.This short introductory episode gives you a heads-up about our upcoming book club on Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Thomas Insel. Stay tuned for a longer episode in a few months where we’ll share our thoughts on the book.If you’d like to share your thoughts or questions about the book, email us at [email protected] or reach out on social media.Hosts: Dr. Kate Braithwaite, Dr. Sophie Gregoire-Mitha, Dr. Gaurav SharmaAudio editing by: Dr. Gaurav SharmaFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

1 hr 22 min
Sep 30, 2025
PsychEd Episode 70: Goals of Care Conversations with Dr. Tavis Apramian

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers goals of care conversations.Our guest for this episode is Dr. Tavis Apramian, a clinician-investigator in the Department of Family workplace-based learning and assessment; palliative care in family medicine; medical assistance in dying; and inequity in end-of-life care. His primary focus is on telling rich stories of learner and patient experiences to spark conversation about socioculturally complex educational and clinical problems in serious illness.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:Describe a palliative approach to care and its relevance across different contextsDemonstrate a structured and compassionate approach to goals of care conversationsApply effective communication strategies to build therapeutic alliance, navigate difficult conversations, and involve multiple actors in the palliative contextRecognize and manage challenges in goals of care conversationsGuest: Dr. Tavis ApramianHosts: Dr. Daamoon Ghahari (PGY2) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Timestamps:(1:07) - Journey to palliative care(5:07) - What is palliative care(14:47) - Understanding patient values(33:47) - Structuring goals of care conversations(44:16) - Communication strategies(57:05) - Navigating family meetings(77:25) - Reflections on MAiD for sole mental illnessResources:Roth, H. (2024). Hearing the unspoken. Canadian Family Physician, 70(10), 642-642. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11477260/pdf/0700642.pdfReferences:Bernacki, R. E., & Block, S. D. (2014). Communication about serious illness care goals: a review and synthesis of best practices. JAMA internal medicine, 174(12), 1994-2003.Gross, J., & Koffman, J. (2024). Examining how goals of care communication are conducted between doctors and patients with severe acute illness in hospital settings: A realist systematic review. PLoS One, 19(3), e0299933.Scheunemann, L. P., Ernecoff, N. C., Buddadhumaruk, P., Carson, S. S., Hough, C. L., Curtis, J. R., ... & White, D. B. (2019). Clinician-family communication about patients’ values and preferences in intensive care units.

17 min
Sep 16, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 5: Basics of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of electroconvulsive therapy.Hosts: Ravi Bhindi (CC3), Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Show Notes: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Time Stamps:(0:36) - What is ECT?(2:18) - Indications and efficacy(4:35) - Treatment course(4:32) - Combination treatment(6:33) - Medications to discontinue(8:16) - Contraindications(9:40) - Side effects(11:52) - Procedure(16:03) - SummaryResources:https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/electroconvulsive-therapyhttps://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=psychiatry-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect-faqReferences:Andrade, C., Arumugham, S. S., & Thirthalli, J. (2016). Adverse Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 39(3), 513–530.Brakemeier, E. L., Merkl, A., Wilbertz, G., Quante, A., Regen, F., Bührsch, N., van Hall, F., Kischkel, E., Danker-Hopfe, H., Anghelescu, I., Heuser, I., Kathmann, N., & Bajbouj, M. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapy as continuation treatment to sustain response after electroconvulsive therapy in depression: a randomized controlled trial. Biological psychiatry, 76(3), 194–202.Espinoza, R. T., & Kellner, C. H. (2022). Electroconvulsive therapy. New England Journal of Medicine, 386(7), 667-672.Gill, S., Hussain, S., Purushothaman, S., Sarma, S., Weiss, A., Chamoli, S., ... & Loo, C. K. (2023). Prescribing electroconvulsive therapy for depression: Not as simple as it used to be. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57(9), 1202-1207.Janjua, A. U., Dhingra, A. L., Greenberg, R., & McDonald, W. M. (2020). The efficacy and safety of concomitant psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). CNS Drugs, 34(5), 509-520.Jelovac, A., Kolshus, E., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2013). Relapse following successful electroconvulsive therapy for major depression: a meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(12), 2467–2474.Kolshus, E., Jelovac, A., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2017). Bitemporal v. high-dose right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of r

46 min
Sep 1, 2025
PsychEd Episode 69: Exercise for Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers exercise as a treatment for depression. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a third-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on the overlap between mental and physical health, particularly lifestyle measures that can be used to improve mental health, including exercise, diet, and sleep.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:Understand the evidence supporting the antidepressant effects of exercise Explore the mechanisms underlying the benefits of exerciseLearn how to prescribe exercise as a treatment for depressionIdentify the risks and caveats of prescribing exercise for depressionGuest: Dr. Nicholas Fabiano (PGY3)Hosts: Dr. Wendy MacMillan-Wang (PGY4) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY1)Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY1)Timestamps:(2:55) Origins of the interest in exercise(6:22) Evidence of antidepressant effects(14:05) Considerations in special populations(18:00) Overlap of mental and physical health(20:37) Mechanism of action(26:18) Exercise prescription(33:10) Exercise as addiction and self-harm(36:42) Counselling and mitigating harm(39:30) Combining with other lifestyle interventions(41:41) Evidence for other mental illnessesReferences:Fabiano N, Gupta A, Fiedorowicz JG, Firth J, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Carr LJ, Solmi M. The effect of exercise on suicidal ideation and behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of affective disorders. 2023 Jun 1;330:355-66.Fabiano, N., Puder, D., & Stubbs, B. (2024). The evidence is clear, exercise is not better than antidepressants or therapy: it is crucial to communicate science honestly. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 1(aop), 1-2.Heissel, A., Heinen, D., Brokmeier, L. L., Skarabis, N., Kangas, M., Vancampfort, D., ... & Schuch, F. (2023). Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression. British journal of sports medicine, 57(16), 1049-1057.Hird, E. J., Slanina-Davies, A., Lewis, G., Hamer, M., & Roiser, J. P. (2024). From movement to motivation: a proposed framework to understand the antidepressant effect of exercise. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1), 273.Verhoeven, J. E., Han, L. K., Lever-van Milligen, B. A., Hu, M. X., Révész, D., Hoogendoorn, A. W., ... & Penninx, B. W. (2023). Antidepressants or running therapy: Comparing effects on mental and physical health in patients with depression an

16 min
Sep 1, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 4: Mental Status Exam

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the mental status exam.Hosts: Dr. Matthew Cho (PGY1) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Episode Evaluation: Shelly Palchik (MS4)Timestamps:(0:20) Basics of the mental status exam(2:05) Appearance(4:00) Behaviour(5:00) Cooperation(6:20) Speech(7:18) Emotions(9:12) Perception(10:15) Thought process(12:35) Thought content(13:28) Insight(14:10) Judgement(14:46) CognitionReference: Donnelly, J., Rosenberg, M., & Fleeson, W. P. (1970). The evolution of the mental status—past and future. American Journal of Psychiatry, 126(7), 997-1002.Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). “Mini-mental state”: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of psychiatric research, 12(3), 189-198.Norris, D. R., Clark, M. S., & Shipley, S. (2016). The mental status examination. American family physician, 94(8), 635-641.PsychDB. (2024, Jan 18). Mental Status Exam. https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/mental-status-exam-mseVoss, R., & Das, J. (2024). Mental status examination. StatPearls.If you want to learn more about the mental status exam, check out our longer episode about this topic: https://www.psychedpodcast.org/blog/mseFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

52 min
Aug 1, 2025
PsychEd Episode 68: South Asian Mental Health with Dr. Farooq Naeem

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers South Asian mental health with Dr. Farooq Naeem, a senior scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research and a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He is also a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto.Dr. Naeem pioneered techniques for culturally adapting CBT. These techniques have been used to adapt CBT in South Asia, North Africa, Middle East, Kenya and China. His research areas include CBT, psychosis, and culture, with an overall aim to improve access to CBT. He has also published on issues related to health services and quality improvement. He works with a team of IT experts and has developed a CBT-based therapy program — called eGuru — that can be delivered through web and smartphone apps.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:By the end of this episode, you should be able to…Recognize the unique mental health challenges and barriers faced by South Asian communitiesUnderstand how cultural nuances shape mental health presentations and assessmentsDescribe culturally adapted CBT and its benefits for South Asian patientsIdentify initiatives and future directions in transcultural psychiatry for South AsiansGuest: Dr. Farooq NaeemHosts: Hira Ahmad, Gurvir Rai, Nikhita SinghalAudio editing by: Nikhita SinghalShow notes by: Nikhita SinghalResources:PsychEd Episode 29: Cultural Psychiatry with Dr. Eric JarvisCulturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Canadians of South Asian OriginSouth Asian Canadian Mental Health FoundationSociety for the Study of Psychiatry and CultureReferences:Gadalla, T.M. (2010). Ethnicity and seeking treatment for depression: a Canadian national study. Canadian Ethnic Studies 41(3), 233-245. https://doi.org/10.1353/ces.2010.0042Karasz, A., Gany, F., Escobar, J., Flores, C., Prasad, L., Inman, A., Kalasapudi, V., Kosi, R., Murthy, M., Leng, J., & Diwan, S. (2019).

21 min
Jul 25, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 3: Approach to Psychotic Symptoms

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This short episode is about an approach to patients with psychotic symptoms.Hosts: Ravi Bhindi (CC3), Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Show notes: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Infographic: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteReferences:Griswold, K. S., Del Regno, P. A., & Berger, R. C. (2015). Recognition and differential diagnosis of psychosis in primary care. American family physician, 91(12), 856-863.Hua, L. L., Alderman, E. M., Chung, R. J., Grubb, L. K., Lee, J., Powers, M. E., ... & Wallace, S. B. (2021). Collaborative care in the identification and management of psychosis in adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics, 147(6), e2021051486.Lieberman, J. A., & First, M. B. (2018). Psychotic disorders. New England Journal of Medicine, 379(3), 270-280.PsychDB. (2021, Jan 15). Psychotic Disorders. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.psychdb.com/psychosis/homePsychDB. (2022, Jan 26). Psychotic Depression. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.psychdb.com/mood/1-depression/psychoticPsychDB. (2021, Jan 15). Psychotic Disorders. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.psychdb.com/psychosis/homeResources:https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/psychosishttps://www.earlypsychosis.ca/symptoms-of-psychosis/For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), and X (@psychedpodcast). You can email us at [email protected] and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org<

1 hr 1 min
Jul 1, 2025Episode 1
PsychEd Episode 67: Catatonia with Dr. Patricia Rosebush

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers catatonia with Dr. Patricia Rosebush. Dr. Rosebush is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry 49(9):991-6. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.49.9.991Bush G, Fink M, Petrides G, Dowling F, Francis A. Catatonia. I. Rating scale and standardized examination. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1996 Feb;93(2):129-36. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1996.tb09814.xPsychDB. (2023, November 23). Catatonia. https://www.psychdb.com/cl/0-catatoniaRosebush PI, Mazurek MF. Catatonia and its treatment. Schizophr Bull. 2010 Mar;36(2):239-42. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbp141For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/psyched.podca

15 min
May 1, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 2: Antidepressant Counselling

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This short episode is about counselling patients on antidepressant medications.Hosts: Matthew Cho and Angad SinghAudio editing: Angad SinghTime stamps:(02:03) Steps to antidepressant counselling(07:31) Frequently asked questions about antidepressantsRelated episodes:PsychEd Episode 1: Diagnosis of Depression with Dr. Ilana ShawnPsychEd Episode 2: Treatment of Depression with Dr. Sidney KennedyPsychEd Episode 58: Depression in Children and Adolescents with Dr. Darren CourtneyPatient education:UpToDate resource on ‘Medicines for Depression’: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/medicines-for-depression-the-basicsCAMH resource on ‘Antidepressant Medications’:https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/antidepressant-medicationsKelty Mental Health resource on ‘Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors’: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/sites/default/files/resources/SSRI_MedicationSheet2022.pdf, References:PsychDB. (2024, January 11). Introduction to Antidepressants. https://www.psychdb.com/meds/antidepressants/homeLam RW, Kennedy SH, Adams C, Bahji A, Beaulieu S, Bhat V, Blier P, Blumberger DM, Brietzke E, Chakrabarty T, Do A. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023: Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2024 Sep;69(9):641-87.Contact:For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/psyched.podcast/"

1 hr 4 min
Mar 31, 2025
PsychEd Book Club 1: Mind Fixers

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This is our inaugural book club episode centred around the book Mind Fixers by Anne Harrington. Mind Fixers is by the Harvard historian Anne Harrington, and came out from Norton in 2022. It reframes the “biological turn” in later twentieth century psychiatry with a history of the discipline from the later nineteenth century forward. Harrington argues that the biological turn had relatively little to do with new scientific advances, and came instead from a need to separate psychiatry from the increasingly unpopular public image of the discipline’s previous, “Freudian” age. To make this argument, she starts with the anatomic research of turn-of-the-century figures like Kraepelin, and how this generally failed to explain important mental illnesses. She traces the emergence of “Freudian” or psychological approaches to mental illness to the high point of their dominance in the mid twentieth century, and then their decline, as their inadequacy with respect to things like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia became increasingly clear, and their emphasis on childhood experience stigmatized families. Biological psychiatry is then a way to restore the fields’s respectability as as branch of medicine, but according to Harrington, there is not much transformative innovation to go along with this rebrand; and she emphasizes that the psychopharmacology revolution which gave us the first antipsychotics, MAOIS, tricyclics, and the receptor model of mental illness, actually happened during the heyday of psychoanalysis.The members of our team involved in this discussion are:Sara Abrahamson - MS2 at the University of TorontoDr. Kate Braithwaite - medical doctor from South AfricaDr. Wendy MacMillan-Wang - PGY4 psychiatry resident at the University of ManitobaDr. Alastair Morrison - PGY1 psychiatry resident at McMaster UniversityDr. Gaurav Sharma - staff psychiatrist working in Nunavut, CanadaAudio editing by:Dr. Angad Singh - PGY1 psychiatry resident at the University of TorontoOur discussion was structured around four themes:(03:15) - Psychiatry and Economic Incentives(19:33) - Psychiatry and Parenting(28:40) - Biological Psychiatry and its Alternatives(52:05) - Psychiatry and Social ControlIf you enjoyed this episode, consider listening to our episodes about:History of Psychiatry with Dr. David CastleCritical Psychiatry with Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude and Lucy CostaFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/psyched.podcast/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noo

10 min
Jan 31, 2025
PsychEd Shorts 1: Differential Diagnosis of Dementia

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This primer covers the differential diagnosis of dementia.Hosts: Dr. Alastair Morrison (PGY-1) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY-1)Audio editing by: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY-1)Resources:MoCA: https://dementia.talkbank.org/protocol/materials/MOCA.pdfMMSE: https://meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/assets/resource/document/mini-mental-state-examinationmmse.pdfBeers Criteria: American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adultsPsychEd Episode 49: Dementia Assessment with Dr. Lesley WiesenfeldReferences:American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Francis, J. & Young, B. (2022). Diagnosis of delirium and confusional states. UpToDate. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delirium-and-acute-confusional-states-prevention-treatment-and-prognosisLarson, E. B. (2022). Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. UpToDate. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-cognitive-impairment-and-dementiaPsychDB. (2022, Oct 3). Introduction to Dementia. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.psychdb.com/geri/dementia/homePsychDB. (2024, Feb 1). Delirium. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.psychdb.com/cl/1-deliriumPsychDB. (2024, Feb 9). Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from <a href="https://www.psychdb.com/geri/dementia/alzheimers" target="_blan

1 hr 12 min
Jan 31, 2025
PsychEd Episode 66: ADHD in Youth with Dr. Daniel Gorman

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers ADHD in youth with Dr. Daniel Gorman, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and a Staff Psychiatrist at The Hospital for Sick Children. Dr Gorman’s clinical and academic interests include ADHD, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, child psychopharmacology, psychiatric education, and narrative medicine. He is highly involved in resident teaching and clinical supervision, and from 2014 to 2022 he was the Program Director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry subspecialty program at the University of Toronto.Dr. Gorman has given over 85 invited presentations and authored or co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, mainly related to childhood neuropsychiatric disorders and their pharmacological management. He also contributed to several Canadian guidelines, including guidelines on cardiac risk assessment before the use of stimulants, management of tic disorders, pharmacotherapy for childhood disruptive and aggressive behaviour, and pharmacogenetic testing for children treated with psychiatric medications.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to…Review diagnostic criteria for ADHDDescribe important considerations in making the diagnosis of ADHDDescribe psychosocial aspects of management of ADHDOutline the pharmacological management of ADHDGuest: Dr. Daniel GormanHosts: Dr. Kate Braithwaite, Dr. Shaoyuan Wang (PGY-4), Matthew Cho (MS-4) Audio editing by: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY-1)Resources:CADDRA - Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance: Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines, 4.1 Edition, Toronto ON; CADDRA, 2020. References:American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Biederman, J., DiSalvo, M., Fried, R., Woodworth, K. Y., Biederman, I., & Faraone, S. V. (2019). Quantifying the protective effects of stimulants on functional outcomes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A focus on number needed to treat statistic and sex effects. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(6), 784–789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.016Peterson, B. S., Trampus

1 hr 17 min
Dec 21, 2024
PsychEd Episode 65: Psychotherapy in Youth with Dr. Laurence Katz

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers psychotherapy in youth with Dr. Laurence Katz, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Katz received his medical and adult psychiatric training at the University of Manitoba and his child and adolescent psychiatry training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx N.Y. He is an adjunct scientist at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and has published numerous papers using the population health administrative database in mental health outcomes. He has held and been part of numerous grants funded by CIHR, PHAC, and other national funding agencies related to work with First Nations communities. Dr. Katz is widely published in particular in the areas of suicide and suicidal behaviour. His other research interests include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, pharmacoepidemiology, and implementation of complex interventions.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to…Outline which psychotherapeutic modalities are commonly used in youthIdentify which youth may benefit/should be referred for psychotherapyDiscuss important considerations in delivering psychotherapy to youthGuest: Dr. Laurence KatzHosts: Wendy MacMillan-Wang, Shaoyuan Wang, Kate Braithwaite, and Sara AbrahamsonAudio editing by: Angad SinghShow notes by: Kate BraithwaiteInterview content:(00:04) Introduction(00:44) Guest introduction(05:25) Learning objectives(06:00) Definitions(07:44) Types of psychotherapy in youth(13:10) Evolution of psychotherapy in youth over time(16:24) Psychotherapy in suicide prevention/risk mitigation(18:32) Challenges in research: decrease in effect sizes over time(22:01) Conditions responding best to psychotherapy(26:44) Youth specific modalities(29:49) Summary of learning objective 1(30:23) Indications and contraindications(37:31) Consent(39:31) Group therapy(46:27) Summary of learning objective 2(47:10) Differences in psychotherapy in youth compared to adults in practice(53:32) Techniques for engagement of youth(58:21) Family involvement(01:02:39) Confidentiality(01:07:20) Use of mobile apps/internet-based therapies(01:11:17) Summary of learning objective 3(01:12:35) Other considerations(01:16:52) End creditsReferences:Please visit the episode's page on our website to view the full list of references: https://www.psychedpodcast.org/blog/youth-psychotherapyFor more

8 min
Nov 2, 2024
Upcoming Book Club: Mind Fixers

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This is a special episode in a new series — the PsychEd Book Club, a forum where we'll introduce and discuss books of interest to psychiatry learners from a variety of disciplines, moving beyond epidemiology and clinical practice to look at science, history, culture, and more. We'll also invite you to read along and discuss with us as we read!Our book club episodes will start with a short introductory episode (like this one) sharing the book title and why we picked it. A few months later, we plan to release an episode debriefing our thoughts on the book. If there are specific things you want us to talk about, email us at [email protected] or reach out to us on social media and we will try to include them in our debrief!The first book we'll be covering is Anne Harrington's Mind Fixers: Psychiatry's Troubled Search for the Biology of Mental Illness. This is a new history of psychiatry, from the later nineteenth century to the present, with a focus on biological explanations and treatments for mental illness — the way that these approaches have gained and lost ground in the profession over time, clashing and collaborating with other understandings. It offers a wide-ranging overview of many defining figures, discoveries, and shifts within modern mental healthcare, unified by a single narrative which gives the book momentum and makes its portraits memorable, and often stinging. It's a polemical history, which prompts us to reconsider some of the field's most automatic self-conceptions, and to recognize the social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped and reshaped it over time.Hosts: Drs Kate Braithwaite, Wendy MacMillan-Wang, Alastair Morrison, and Gaurav Sharma Audio editing by: Dr Angad SinghFor more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Facebook (PsychEd Podcast). You can provide feedback by email at [email protected]. For more information, visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

1 hr 15 min
Aug 30, 2024
PsychEd Episode 64: Introduction to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry with Dr. Raed Hawa and Dr. Alan Wai

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers Introduction to Consultation Liaison Psychiatry with Dr. Raed Hawa and Dr. Alan Wai, both from the University of Toronto.Dr. Raed Hawa is an esteemed CL psychiatrist and educator with interests in undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education. He also practices general sleep medicine with particular clinical interest in insomnia, comorbid psychiatric and medical illnesses, and sleep-related movement disorders. He currently serves as the President of the Canadian Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hawa is also Deputy Psychiatrist-in-Chief at University Health Network. Dr. Hawa has earned American Board Certification in Psychiatry with subspecialty certifications in Sleep Medicine and Psychosomatic Medicine (Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry). His expertise and contributions to the field have been recognized through his designation as a Distinguished Fellow of both the American Psychiatric Association and Canadian Psychiatric Association.Dr. Alan Wai is a Psychiatrist at University Health Network in Toronto and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He provides inpatient CL psychiatry care and mental health and psychiatric care embedded in the Immunodeficiency Clinic at Toronto General Hospital, where he sees both persons living with and at risk of HIV. He received his medical degree from the University of British Columbia and completed his psychiatric residency training at the University of Toronto.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, you should be able to…Outline the history and evolution of CL Psychiatry.Define the role and scope of CL Psychiatrists in diverse medical settings.Identify and assess common psychiatric disorders in CL settings.Provide differential diagnoses and a general approach to a CL patient through a sample case.Guest: Dr. Raed Hawa, Dr. Alan WaiHosts: Annie Yu (PGY3), Sena Gok (MD), Matthew Cho (CC3)Audio editing by: Sena GokShow notes by: Sena GokInterview content:(00:13) Introduction(01:09) Learning Objectives(01:36) First Guest Introduction(03:18) History of CL Psychiatry(10:33) Subspecialties within CL Psychiatry(14:00) Collaborative Care of CL Psychiatry(20:03) Preparation for CL Rotation(22:32) Bariatric Clinic and CL Psychiatry(27:45) Future of CL Psychiatry, AFC Certification(33:29) Second Guest Introduction(34:18) Role and Scope of CL Psychiatry(39:32) A Day in CL Psychiatry<p

1 hr 44 min
Jul 31, 2024
PsychEd Episode 63: Balancing Perspectives on Safety and Involuntary Hospitalization with Jesse Mangan and Dr. Jim McQuaid

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.In this episode, we discuss the practice of involuntary hospitalization (also referred to as involuntary commitment or certification) with two special guests and fellow podcast creators — Jesse Mangan and Dr. Jim McQuaid. Their podcast, Committable, focuses on the topic of involuntary commitment and features stories from people with lived experience as a window into complex conversations with attorneys, physicians, psychologists, and more. Jesse Mangan is the producer of Committable and someone who has experienced involuntary hospitalization. Dr. Jim McQuaid is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Framingham University.The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to…Appreciate the individual and societal functions of involuntary hospitalizationUnderstand the potential benefits and risks associated with involuntary hospitalization from the perspective of health care professionals as well as service users and the community at largeDescribe actions you can take as a practitioner (who has the power to certify) that may better serve your community and those you care forIdentify meaningful ways to continue the conversation about these issues in medical education or training and beyond*This episode was recorded in 2021. Through a saga involving lost and recovered audio files, we’re thrilled to finally be able to release it, and believe that the topic is just as timely and relevant as ever!Guests: Jesse Mangan and Dr. Jim McQuaidHosts: Anita Corsini, Nikhita Singhal, Gray Meckling, and Alex RabenAudio editing by: Nikhita SinghalShow notes by: Nikhita SinghalInterview content:(00:34) Introduction(01:52) Committable podcast trailer(04:26) Guest introductions(07:22) Learning objectives(08:11) Defining terms and setting the context(12:03) Jesse’s experience(23:06) Exploring the functions of involuntary hospitalization(41:05) Power differentials and the importance of humility(45:18) Training considerations(51:39) False divide between patients and providers(55:57) Primary prevention and public health(57:57) Professional identity formation(01:05:00) Societal functions and processes(01:11:57) Building trust(01:20:20) Legal safeguards(01:30:11) Alternative approaches/systems(01:37:12) Rosenhan experiment(01:39:21) Final thoughts(01:43:50) End creditsResources:<a href="https://sensiblenonsense.squarespace.com" target="_blank" rel=

58 min
Jun 29, 2024
PsychEd Episode 62: Antipsychotic Side Effects with Dr. Alex Raben

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers Antipsychotic Side Effects with our very own expert Dr Alex Raben, a staff psychiatrist in chronic care at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Dr. Raben graduated from medical school and completed residency at the University of Toronto. His academic interests include teaching and medical education scholarship with a particular interest in novel modalities of knowledge translation within the field of psychiatry. He is a founding member and Executive Director of PsychEd, this educational psychiatry podcast which aims to empower medical learners to seek out current knowledge from mental health experts to share with their colleagues around the world. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Outline the side effects of antipsychotics and their known/potential mechanisms Discuss management options for the different side effects Identify which antipsychotics are more likely to cause certain side effects Guest: Dr Alex Raben Hosts: Angad Singh and Kate Braithwaite Audio editing by: Angad Singh Show notes by: Angad Singh and Kate Braithwaite Interview Content: Introduction - 0:00 Primer on antipsychotics - 1:54 Anti-dopamine side effects - 5:04 Drug potency as it relates to side effects - 38:46 Anticholinergic side effects - 41:37 Antiadrenergic side effects - 47:30 Metabolic side effects - 50:29 Sedation - 56:46 Please note that this episode does not include a discussion of the life threatening side effects of antipsychotics. These include neuroleptic ma

50 min
May 29, 2024
PsychEd Episode 61: Introduction to Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Amina Ali

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers an introduction to forensic psychiatry with Dr. Amina Ali, a forensic psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Ali joined the Forensic Division at CAMH in 2018. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining CAMH, Dr. Ali received her Doctor of Medicine at the American University of the Caribbean, completed her Psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ali's leadership experience includes serving as Chief resident during her residency, for which she was bestowed a Residency Leadership Award from the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center. She is a Competence By Design coach to residents and serves on the Psychiatry Competency Committee and as a CaRMS file reviewer for the University of Toronto General Psychiatry Residency Program. She is also a supervisor for forensic residents and sits on the subspecialty resident committees. Within the forensic division, Dr. Ali has contributed to the organization and implementation of the Summer Studentship in Forensic Psychiatry Program and is our Medical Education and Wellness Lead. Internationally, Dr. Ali was appointed to serve on the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Education Committee and most recently recruited to Chair their Civil Commitment and Consent to Treatment Working Group. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Describe the role of forensic psychiatry and its relation to the Ontario Review Board. Outline the criteria for fitness to stand trial. Describe the function and possible outcomes of a treatment order. Outline the criteria for not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder. Distinguish between the disposition options available under the Ontario Review Board. <li dir="ltr"

44 min
Apr 29, 2024
PsychEd Episode 60: Metabolic Psychiatry with Dr. Cindy Calkin

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode introduces the field of metabolic psychiatry, with a focus on patients with severe mental illness and metabolic syndrome. Our guest is Dr. Cindy Calkin, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Dr. Calkin has been a pioneer in the field of metabolic and neuroendocrine disorders in patients with bipolar disorder. Her research interests include examining the effects of obesity, insulin resistance and type II diabetes on the clinical course and outcomes in bipolar disorder. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to…  Describe the burden of metabolic syndrome in the population with severe mental illnesses Explain reasons for the comorbidity between metabolic syndrome and severe mental illness Identify biopsychosocial strategies to prevent or treat metabolic conditions in this population Guest: Dr. Cindy Calkin Hosts: Angad Singh, Gaurav Sharma, and Sara Abrahamson Audio editing by: Gaurav Sharma Show notes by: Sara Abrahamson & Gaurav Sharma  Conflicts of interest: Neither our guest nor hosts for this episode have declared any conflicts of interest related to this topic. Interview content: 0:00 - Introduction 00:54 - Learning objectives 01:37 - Dr. Calkin’s career trajectory

1 hr 3 min
Nov 1, 2023
PsychEd Episode 59: Critical Psychiatry with Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude and Lucy Costa

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the field of critical psychiatry with Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude and Lucy Costa. Dr. Abi-Jaoude is a staff psychiatrist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Assistant Professor and Clinician Investigator in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. Lucy Costa is Deputy Executive Director of the Empowerment Council, a voice for clients of mental health and addiction services primarily at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.   While this topic could be very philosophical and expansive, we are going to focus our discussion by considering the practical implications of this field on psychiatric practice. What do you need to know about critical psychiatry as a trainee, and how might it impact your clinical practice?   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Define the term critical psychiatry and describe how the field has evolved over time Review core principles of critical psychiatry and apply them to a clinical situation Understand the potential benefits and harms of critical psychiatry and where the field is headed   Guests: Dr. Eila Abi-Jaoude and Lucy Costa   Hosts: Dr. Gaurav Sharma (PGY5), Dr. Nikhita Singhal (PGY5), Dr. Monisha Basu (PGY2), and Saja Jaberi (IMG)   Audio editing by: Gaurav Sharma   Show notes by: Gaurav Sharma and Nikhita Singhal   Conflicts of interest: Neither of our guests nor hosts have declared any conflicts of interest related to this topic. Interview content: Introduction - 00:13 Learning objectives - 02:35 Defining critical psychiatry - 03:33 How our experts got involved in critical psychiatry and incorporate it into their work - 04:50 What are some of the questions critical psychiatry tries to answer? - 15:07 Why care about critical psychiatry and “holding truths lightly”? - 23:55 Principles of critical psychiatry - 24:55 Applying critical psychiatry principles to a case - 32:40 Potential benefits and harms of a critical psychiatry approach - 41

57 min
Oct 1, 2023
PsychEd Episode 58: Depression in Children and Adolescents with Dr. Darren Courtney

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers depression in children and adolescents with Dr. Darren Courtney, a scientist with the Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and a staff psychiatrist in the Youth Addictions and Concurrent Disorders Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.   Dr. Courtney earned his MD in 2004 at Queen’s University and completed psychiatry residency in 2009 at the University of Ottawa. He was the clinical director of the Youth Inpatient Unit at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre from 2009 to 2014 and moved to Toronto in 2014, where he worked on the Concurrent Youth Inpatient Unit at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health until 2017 and where his clinical work with concurrent disorders continues now with outpatient youth.   Dr. Courtney's research focus is on the treatment of adolescent depression through the use of an integrated care pathway — a collaboratively developed treatment algorithm based on high-quality clinical practice guidelines. Through his research, he works on identifying quality practice guidelines and corresponding multi-disciplinary care pathways to facilitate evidence-based and measurement-based care for adolescents with depression. He has also participated in a systematic review and quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Additionally, he has an interest in the management of concurrent disorders, where young people are affected by both primary psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Outline the prevalence and risk factors for depression in children and adolescents Explain how children and adolescents with depression present in clinical practice Discuss the use of screening tools for depression in this population Describe an approach to the management of depression in children and adolescents Outline the management of an adolescent with suicidal thoughts or behaviours   Guest: Dr. Darren Courtney Hosts: Kate Braithwaite (MD) and Nikhita Singhal (PGY5) Audio editing by: Nikhita Singhal Show notes by: Kate Braithwaite and Nikhita Singhal   <p class=""

57 min
Sep 1, 2023
PsychEd Episode 57: HIV psychiatry with Dr. Adriana Carvalhal and Dr Leigh Van Den Heuvel

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers HIV/AIDS psychiatry with special guests from two international settings to provide complementary perspectives on HIV psychiatry. Dr. Adriana Carvalhal, HIV Psychiatrist and Staff Psychiatrist at Scarborough Health Network in Canada and Dr. Leigh Van Den Heuvel, Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:  By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Understand the unique mental health needs of people living with HIV and the bidirectional relationship between HIV and mental health Identify HIV-specific mental health disorders and how to screen for these conditions Outline the overall approach to treatment for HIV patients with mental health disorders Guests: Dr. Adriana Carvalhal and Dr Leigh Van Den Heuvel Produced by: Saja Jaberi (MD), Kate Braithwaite (MD) and Gaurav Sharma (PGY5) Hosts: Kate Braithwaite (MD) and Gaurav Sharma (PGY5) Audio editing by: Gaurav Sharma (PGY5) Show notes by: Saja Jaberi (MD) and Gaurav Sharma (PGY5) Conflicts of Interest: Neither of our guests nor hosts have declared any conflicts of interest related to this topic. Generic names are used for all medications referenced. Contents: Introduction - 0:19 Learning objectives - 3:52 The bidirectional relationship between HIV and psychiatric illness - 4:24 Prevalence of psychiatric illness in HIV - 9:56 Screening for psychiatric illness in HIV populations - 12:11 HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) - 19:27 Diagnostic Criteria - 20:19 Clinical Presentation & Etiology - 23:03 Risk Factors - 26:56 Screening Tools - 32:06 Treatment - 36:59

1 hr 2 min
Jul 31, 2023
PsychEd Episode 56: Understanding Trauma and Addictions with Dr. Gabor Maté

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers trauma and addictions with Dr. Gabor Maté, a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of five books published in thirty languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Dr. Maté is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His fifth book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture was released on September 13, 2022.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Understand the connection between trauma and the development of addictions and other mental illnesses Critically reflect on current diagnostic and treatment paradigms Apply principles of trauma-informed care to psychiatric assessment and the provision of mental health services   Guest: Dr Gabor Maté   Hosts: Sena Gok, Rhys Linthorst, Angad Singh, Nikhita Singhal, and Alex Raben   Audio editing by: Sena Gok   Show notes by: Nikhita Singhal   Interview Content: Introduction - 0:00 Learning objectives - 01:43 Defining trauma - 02:14 Current dominant views of addiction - 07:27 Defining addiction - 11:05 Relationship between trauma and addiction - 16:15 Neurobiology of addiction - 17:20 <li dir="l

1 hr 41 min
Jun 28, 2023
PsychEd Episode 55: MAiD and Mental Illness Part II with Dr. Sonu Gaind and Dr. Jeffrey Kirby

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and mental illness as a sequel to our previous episode on MAiD with our guest experts, Dr. Sonu Gaind and Dr. Jeffrey Kirby. This episode was originated by Dr. Urvashi Prasad for her Grand Rounds.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Gain an understanding of the current state of Medical Assistance in Dying for primarily mental illness in Canada Evaluate the arguments in support of and against implementation of Medical Assistance in Dying for primarily Mental Illness  Understand next steps and future directions of Medical Assistance in Dying for primarily mental illness in Canada Discuss the possible impact that Medical Assistance in Dying might have on the profession of psychiatry    Guest Experts: Dr. Sonu Gaind who is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T) and Chief of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and clinically works as a psycho-oncology consultant. As Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) policies have been evolving in Canada, Dr. Gaind has testified in front of numerous expert, parliamentary and senate committees on issues relevant to mental health and mental illness that need to be considered in the MAiD framework. Dr. Gaind chaired the time-limited Canadian Psychiatric Association Task Force on Assisted Dying, was selected to sit on the Council of Canadian Academies Expert Panel on Mental Disorders and Assisted Dying, was retained by the former Attorney General of Canada as an expert in the Truchon and Lamb cases, and chaired his former hospitals MAiD team.  He has spoken across the country and internationally on the subject.    Dr. Jeffrey Kirby is a (retired) Professor in the Department of Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University. He has an educational background and professional experience in medicine, philosophy and health care ethics. Dr. Kirby has published a set of academic papers in high-impact, international, bioethics journals on a variety of MAID-related topics including: assisted dying for suffering arising from mental health conditions, morally-relevant distinctions between paradigm and non-paradigm MAID circumstances, meso- and macro-level (MAID-related) health policy development, and organ donation after MAID and institutional conscientious objection to MAID. He made several, virtual and written, Bill C-7 related submissions to the Senate Committee on Legal and Con

1 hr 8 min
May 29, 2023
PsychEd Episode 54: Cannabis and Psychosis with Dr. Nitin Chopra

Welcome to PsychEd - the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the relationship between cannabis and psychotic disorders, as well as the potential impact of cannabis legalization in Canada, with our special guest Dr. Nitin Chopra. This episode was originated by Dr. Luke Fraccaro for his Grand Rounds.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:  By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Briefly summarize the effects of cannabis on mental health and cognition, with a focus on psychosis. Appreciate the evidence for cannabis use as a potential cause of persistent psychotic disorders. Discuss the possible impact that recent cannabis legislation may have had on cannabis use and psychosis in Canada.   Guest Expert Dr. Nitin Chopra is an addictions psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He has an interest in concurrent disorders and is a staff psychiatrist on the Concurrent Addictions Inpatient Treatment Service and Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service. Through his work on the Psychiatry Addictions Capacity Building and Consultation Service (PACCS) at CAMH and the Addiction Medicine and Psychosocial Addictions ECHO program, he is evolving into a leader in capacity building and education for addictions treatment. Furthermore, Dr. Chopra also works on the Early Psychosis Unit at CAMH and has extensive clinical experience working with patients experiencing psychosis, often with comorbid cannabis and other substance use.    Grand Rounds Presenter: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY3)   Produced by: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY3), Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist), and Josh Benchaya (MS4)   Hosts: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY3), Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist), and Josh Benchaya (MS4)   Audio Editing by: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY3)   Show notes by: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY3)   Conflicts of Interest: There are no known conflict of interests to report   Topics: 0:00 - Introduction 2:50 - Objectives 3:55 - Case example 7:25 - Overview of cannabis effects of mental health 10:45 - Differentiating clinically between cannabis-induced psychosis and a primary psychotic disorder 13:11 - Cannabis causing acute psychotic symptoms <p

1 hr 12 min
Apr 24, 2023
PsychEd Episode 53: Insomnia with Dr. Michael Mak

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the Journey Through Stages of Sleep with Dr. Michael Mak, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and an Adjunct Research Professor at Western University.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   Understand the basics of sleep physiology, including the stages of sleep Recognize the clinical features of insomnia disorder using the ICSD-3 and DSM-5-TR criteria  Develop an approach to the assessment of insomnia  Identify the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia disorder    Guest: Dr. Michael Mak (Staff Psychiatrist)   Hosts: Dr. Vanessa Aversa (PGY4), Andreea Chiorean (CC4), Sena Gok (IMG)   Audio editing by: Sena Gok   Show notes by: Sena Gok   Contents: Introduction:  0:16 Learning Objectives:  01:49 Definition and  Clinical features of insomnia (ICSD-3 and DSM-5-TR criteria):  02:39 Insomnia prevalence, cost effects:  05:25 Sleep physiology:  10:05 Stages of Sleep:  11:37 Changes in Sleep stages during Insomnia:  14:35 Melatonin/Orexin systems:  15:45 Assessment and diagnosis of Insomnia:  21:00 Risk Factors of Insomnia:  30:12 CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I):  31:35 Relaxation-based techniques:  40:25 Contraindication for Insomnia:  42:15 Pharmacological treatments of insomnia:  45:15 Summary:  1:11:10 Resources: 1. Wainberg M, Jones SE, Beaupre LM, Hill SL, Felsky D, Rivas MA, et al. Association of accelerometer-derived sleep measures with lifetime psychiatric diagnoses: A cross-sectional study of 89,205 participants from the UK Biobank. PLOS Med. 2021 Oct 12;18(10):e1003782.  2. Morin CM, Vallières A, Guay B, Ivers H, Savard J, Mérette C, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Singly and Combined With Medication, for Persistent Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA. 2009 May 20;301(19):2005–15. : 3. Crescenzo FD, D’Alò GL, Ostinelli EG, Ciabattini M, Franco VD, Watanabe N, et al. Compara

35 min
Mar 30, 2023
PsychEd episode 52: How to Use Lithium

Welcome to PsychEd — the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode is an introduction to the use and monitoring of lithium in bipolar disorder. Join Tingting Yan (CC4) and Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist at CAMH and lecturer at the University of Toronto) for a lively case-based discussion. Learning Objectives The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Describe the indications and process for starting lithium Monitor and interpret serum lithium levels List short and long-term adverse effects of lithium Produced by: Tingting Yan CC4, Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist)   Hosts: Tingting Yan, Alex Raben   Audio editing by: Alex Raben   Show notes by: Alex Raben   Contents: Learning objectives: 00:44 Lithium background and brief history: 2:48 Women’s health and lithium: 5:28 Underutilization of lithium: 8:02 Baseline blood work for lithium: 11:32 Choosing a lithium starting dose: 14:32 Lithium serum levels: 16:17 Lithium titration: 20:46 Lithium toxicity: 23:48 Lithium side effects: 26:52 Summary: 32:11   References Baastrup PC, Poulsen JC, Schou M, Thomsen K, Amdisen A. Prophylactic lithium: double blind discontinuation in manic-depressive and recurrent-depressive disorders. Lancet. 1970;2(7668):326-330. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(70)92870-9 <p dir="ltr" role="pr

1 hr 2 min
Feb 27, 2023
PsychEd Episode 51: Mental Illness and Violence with Dr. Robert McMaster and Dr. Ragy Girgis

Welcome to PsychEd — the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the “big picture” relationship between violence and severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorders. Our guest experts in this episode are Dr. Robert McMaster, Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Dr. Ragy R. Girgis, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York. This episode is a good companion to Episode 15: Managing Aggression and Agitation with Dr. Jodi Lofchy, which covers how to identify and manage acute risk of violence in a clinical setting. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Describe the epidemiology of violence in severe mental illness (rates of perpetration vs. victimization, risk factors, quality of evidence)  Understand and critique how society currently addresses violence in those with severe mental illness  Discuss this topic with patients, caregivers and the public, and address common myths  Guests:  Dr. Robert McMaster - Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Toronto Dr. Ragy R. Girgis - Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York Hosts: Dr. Alex Raben (Staff Psychiatrist), Dr. Gaurav Sharma (PGY4), Sena Gok(IMG), Josh Benchaya (CC4) Audio editing by: Gaurav Sharma Show notes by: Josh Benchaya, Gaurav Sharma, Sena Gok   Interview Content:   Learning Objectives: 02:29 Perceptions of Violence and Mental Illness: 03:53 Mental illness & Violence Link Evidence: 06:48 Violence Perpetration & Victimisation: 10:10 Risk of Violence Assessment (HCR 20 Model): 17:00 Mass Shootings & Mental Illness & Predictions: 20:30 Violence Risk Prediction: 25:25 Severe Mental Illness & Violence Risk Treatments: 29:40 Society’s approach to Severe Mental Illness & Violence Misperceptions: 38:30 Mental Illness and Violence Stigma: 45:03 Case Vignette & Approach: 46:44 Summary of the episode: 58:00   Referenc

1 hr 49 min
Jan 27, 2023
PsychEd Episode 50: The Mental Status Examination

Welcome to PsychEd — the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the mental status examination and makes use of practical and fictional examples to delve deeper into the skills and concepts   Learning Objectives:   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to… Explain the utility and purpose of the mental status examination in psychiatry Describe the major components of the mental status examination and be familiar with some of the common vocabulary used Incorporate the mental status in a way that respects patients in presentation, documentation and formulation in clinical practice    Topics: 2:37 - Learning objectives 3:10 - Definition of the MSE 6:48 - History of the MSE 9:00 - Limitations of the MSE 15:37 - Strengths of the MSE 21:30 - ASEPTIC Mnemonic 23:04 - Appearance and Behaviour 37:42 - Speech 51:51 - Emotion (mood and affect) 1:03:51 - Perception 1:08:38 - Thought Form and Content 1:17:30 - Insight and Judgement 1:27:40 - Cognition   Hosts: Andreea Chiorean (CC4), Saja Jaberi (IMG), Dr. Weam Seiffien (PGY2), Angad Singh (CC2), Dr. Annie Yu (PGY1), and Dr. Alex Raben, staff psychiatrist.   Guest Experts: Us!   Video clips: Speech:  Mojo Jojo: https://youtu.be/y4qNWPPlYE4?t=48 Family guy video: no longer available   Emotion Eeyore: https://youtu.be/7xPnUe6Xcbw?t=12   Squidward: https://youtu.be/FjrOWnywPok?t=195   Bubbles: https://youtu.be/rAC4W563Ayk?t=339 </l

1 hr 22 min
Nov 25, 2022
PsychEd Episode 49: Dementia Assessment with Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. In this episode, we’ll explore a topic that we’re sure many listeners are eager to learn about: The Assessment of Major Neurocognitive Disorder, also known as dementia with Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld who is a Geriatric Psychiatrist and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, where she leads the Geriatric Consult Liaison Psychiatry Service. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   Define Major Neurocognitive Disorder (aka Dementia) as per DSM-5 diagnostic criteria Identify differential diagnoses for cognitive decline and list differentiating clinical features  Outline an approach to the assessment of a patient presenting with cognitive decline, including the role of a comprehensive history, psychometric tools and other investigations [ Relevant PMH/risk factors, ADLs/IADLs to cover on history, psychometric tools such as MMSE, MoCA and tie this back into major cognitive domains when to consider imaging, bloodwork including specialized testing such as ApoE genetic tests]  Classify the major subtypes of Neurocognitive Disorders, their epidemiology, and clinical presentations [ Vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s, Frontotemporal, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s,    Mixed dementia - Early onset dementia]   Guest: Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld ( [email protected] )   Hosts: Dr. Luke Fraccaro (PGY-3), Dr. Mark Fraccaro (PGY-4), Sena Gok (international medical graduate)   Audio editing by: Sena Gok   Show notes by: Sena Gok   Interview Content: Introduction: 0:13 Learning Objectives: 02:35 Diagnostic criteria of Major Neurocognitive Disorder: 03:20 Difference between Major and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: 05:20 Red Flags of Cognitive Declines: 06:50 Normal Aging vs Major Neurocognitive Disorder: 10:00 Clinical Vignette – introduction: 11:35 Patient Assessment: 16:50 Past medical/family / Psychosocial history: 21:55 Clinical Vignette - Assessment: 37:45 Physical examination: 43:50 Investigations: 45:53 <p clas

1 hr 4 min
Oct 28, 2022
PsychEd Episode 48: History of Psychiatry with Dr. David Castle

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode delves into the history of psychiatry with Dr David Castle, the inaugural Scientific Director of the Centre for Complex Interventions at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Prior to migrating to Canada in 2021, he spent 15 years as a Professor of Psychiatry at St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne in Australia.   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Gain an appreciation for the historical context of the field of psychiatry Understand how illness categories and treatments have been shaped by this history  Compare and contrast how various past societies viewed and conceptualized mental illness Apply lessons learned from historical practices to appraise current approaches   Guest: Dr David Castle   Hosts: Dr Alex Raben (Staff Psychiatrist), Gaurav Sharma (PGY4), Nikhita Singhal (PGY4), Andreea Chiorean (CC4)   Audio editing by: Dr Alex Raben   Show notes by: Dr Nikhita Singhal   Interview Content:   1:45 - Learning Objectives   3:25 - Ancient Times   14:42 - Middles Ages    23:56 - Renaissance to Enlightenment   34:55 - 19th-20th Centuries   47:55 - 20th-21st Centuries   1:00:48 - Final Thoughts   Resources: Shrinks: The Untold Story of Psychiatry (Jeffrey A Lieberman)   <stro

52 min
Sep 12, 2022
PsychEd Episode 47: Understanding the DSM-V-TR with Dr. Michael First

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. In this episode, we present a focused summary of the latest changes in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) with our guest expert — Dr. Michael First, a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University, NY. Dr. First is an internationally recognized expert on psychiatric diagnosis and assessment issues, he is the editor and co-chair of the DSM-5 text revision project (DSM-5-TR), the editorial and coding Consultant for the DSM-5, the chief technical and editorial consultant on the World Health Organization ICD-11 revision project and was an external consultant to the NIMH Research Domain Criteria project (RDOC).   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: Understand the rationale for undertaking a DSM-5-TR as well as the revision process itself  To become familiar with disorder, text and symptom code additions and modifications to the DSM-5-TR  To understand the purpose and function of the DSM in its current form and be able to contemplate future directions   Guest Expert: Dr. Michael First – staff psychiatrist and professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, USA. Produced and hosted by: Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist) and Saja Jaberi (international medical graduate) Audio editing by: Dr. Alex Raben Show notes by: Saja Jaberi Interview Content: 2:53 - Learning objectives 3:34 - Brief description of the DSM and its history 4:54 – ICD vs. DSM  7:43 - Rationale behind the new revision 11:11 - Characteristics of the DSM-5-TR revision process and the people behind it 16:54 - Case presentation and Differential Diagnosis 23:07 - Prolonged Greif disorder 27:04 - Most important changes to the terminology used in the manual 39:34 - Pros and cons of the DSM 44:30 - A brief Comparison to the RDOC Framework 49:04 – Future Directions of the DSM   References American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. 2013. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Text Revision ed. 2022.  DSM-5-TR Fact Sheets <a href= "https://psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-res

53 min
Aug 1, 2022
PsychEd Episode 46: Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy with Dr. Donald Lynam

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. In this episode, we present a broad overview of antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy with our guest expert - Dr. Donald Lynam. Dr. Lynam is a clinical psychologist by training, and professor at Purdue university, where he heads the Purdue's Developmental Psychopathology, Psychopathy and Personality Lab. While there may be some disagreement in the field, Dr. Lynam and I discuss how ASPD and psychopathy are two diagnostic constructs that are attempting to outline the same psychopathology, with the main difference being the degree of severity - for this reason, we use the terms antisocial and psychopathic interchangeably.    While not necessary, it may be of benefit for listeners to familiarize themselves with the DSM-V criteria for antisocial personality disorder, the psychopathy checklist (PCL), as well as the 5-factor model of personality. References for each are listed below in the references section, however, for a brief overview, one could do a quick google image search for each term (Wikipedia also has a succinct overview of the psychopathy checklist).   The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   Develop a basic understanding of what is meant by antisocial personality and psychopathy Be aware of some of the classic traits and characteristics of antisocial/psychopathic personalities, and the general functions of these behaviors  Describe the theoretical basis for the development of antisocial personalities    Guest Expert: Dr. Donald Lynam - Clinical psychologist, Investigator at Purdue University, Indiana Produced and hosted by: Dr. Chase Thompson (PGY5 in Psychiatry) Episode guidance and feedback: Dr. Gaurav Sharma (PGY4 in Psychiatry)   Interview Content:   0:50 - Learning objectives 1:40 - Dr. Lynam discusses his path to his current research interests 3:40 - Defining the terms antisocial personality disorder, sociopathy, psychopathy 8:30 - Discussing the possibility of antisocial behaviors without an antisocial personality 12:07 - Laying out the core features of antisocial individuals  18:20 - Antisocial personality from the perspective of the Big 5 personality model 22:00 - Discussion of the high-functioning psychopathy  25:06 - Prevalence of psychopathy 30:10 - Factors relevant to the

40 min
Jun 29, 2022
PsychEd Episode 45: Perinatal Psychiatry with Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers perinatal psychiatry with Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University and Scientist and Scientist, RI-MUHC, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation.    The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Define the field of perinatal psychiatry Describe the key issues that should be addressed in pre-conception psychiatric counseling Discuss the management approach for prescribing medications during pregnancy Recognize the prevalence of mood disorders during the perinatal period Recall the diagnostic criteria for postpartum depression Consider the risk factors and explanatory models for postpartum depression Discuss the use of screening tools for postpartum depression Outline the treatment for postpartum depression Describe the clinical presentation of postpartum psychosis and recognize the urgency of this condition List important risk factors for postpartum psychosis Discuss the management for postpartum psychosis   Guest: Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen   Hosts: Nima Nahiddi (PGY4), Audrey Le (PGY1), and Arielle Geist (PGY2)    Produced by: Nima Nahiddi (PGY4), Audrey Le (PGY1), Rebecca Marsh (PGY2) and Arielle Geist (PGY2)    Audio editing by: Audrey Le   Show notes by<span style=

33 min
May 27, 2022
PsychEd Episode 44: Reproductive Psychiatry with Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers perinatal psychiatry with Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University and Scientist, RI-MUHC, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation.    The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:   By the end of this episode, you should be able to… Define the field of reproductive psychiatry Discuss the possible neurobiological pathways impacting mood and cognition during the reproductive cycle of women.  Discuss the influence of sociocultural gender roles on psychopathology.    List the DSM-V diagnostic criteria of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Recall the epidemiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Describe the steps in the diagnostic evaluation for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. List lifestyle and psychopharmacologic interventions for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Discuss common mental health concerns during the perimenopausal period. Guest: Dr. Tuong Vi Nguyen   Hosts: Nima Nahiddi (PGY4), Audrey Le (PGY1), and Arielle Geist (PGY2)    Audio editing by: Audrey Le   Show notes by: Arielle Geist    Interview content: Introduction - 00:00 Learning objectives - 01:00 Defining the field of perinatal psychiatry - 01:50 Discussin

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