Introduction: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most validated and widely used screening test for postpartum depression. It’s typically administered at 6-8 weeks after childbirth but, given its diagnostic value and user-friendliness, we advocate for its use throughout the first postpartum year and even during pregnancy. The EPDS is freely accessible and printable from various online sources, and you’ll find an interactive version on MDCalc at: https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/10466/edinburgh-postnatal-depression-scale-epds.

DSM-5 Diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa • Recurrent episodes of binge eating. • Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or misuse of laxatives. • These behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months. • Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. • The disturbance does not exclusively occur during episodes of anorexia nervosa.

Introduction: We have many insomnia medications to choose from—some of which are FDA-approved for this indication, others not. In inpatient psychiatry, theoretically we would solve insomnia issues simply by treating the underlying psychiatric disorder, but in the real world that doesn’t always work. In this fact sheet, we lay out a long list of meds we typically consider, along with tips on how to choose among them.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke. It includes increased abdominal fat, high blood sugar levels, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, and elevated blood pressure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that inpatient psych units monitor any patient taking antipsychotics for these conditions. The purpose of this fact sheet it to make sure you know how to do this monitoring correctly—and how to mitigate these health problems in your patients.

Introduction: As a psychiatric inpatient clinician, you are generally focused on doing a comprehensive assessment, coming up with the DSM-5 diagnoses, prescribing medications and coordinating care with other disciplines. Psychotherapy may fall by the wayside given the volume of patients and the pace of the work. However, don’t forget that psychotherapy is an effective depression treatment, and if you can combine some therapy with medications, your patients are likely to improve more and to be grateful for your efforts. In this fact sheet, we provide a quick overview of effective therapeutic tools that you can deploy during your work with depressed patients.

Introduction: For patients in hospital psychiatric units, sleep disturbances are not uncommon. They may arise due to underlying psychiatric conditions such as acute mania or psychosis, or from external factors within the hospital setting like an unfamiliar environment, uncomfortable beds, noisy peers, or frequent checks throughout the night. Proper diagnosis and management are critical to enhance the well-being and recovery of these patients.

The death of a patient by suicide in a psychiatric inpatient unit is a rare event, occurring in about 1 out of 1000 inpatients. The most common cause is by hanging, and unfortunately the standard 15 minute checks can’t prevent this event, since it takes about 5 minutes for constriction of the carotid artery to cause lethal hypoxia to the brain. Inpatient suicides not only deeply impact the staff and other patients but also evoke intense scrutiny from external agencies. Here’s how you can navigate this difficult situation.

What is pharmacogenetic testing? Pharmacogenetic testing looks at genetic variations that can impact an individual's response to psychiatric medications. Some genes influence how quickly the body metabolizes medications (pharmacokinetics), while other genes impact how medications act in the body, including their effects in the brain (pharmacodynamics).

Urine drug screening (UDS) is used to determine whether or not a patient has used a drug in the recent past

What is Metabolic Syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a combination of health issues that together increase your risk of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The key elements of metabolic syndrome include: ● Increased fat around the waist. ● High blood sugar levels. ● High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood. ● Low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. ● High blood pressure. Why Am I Being Monitored for Metabolic S