Parents often come into treatment hoping an SSRI will make their child's OCD
disappear. But how much relief do these medications actually provide? Today, we look at a large meta-analysis that gives us a more realistic picture of what SSRIs can and can't do for pediatric OCD.

Today, we’re tackling a deceptively  simple question that comes up all the time in clinical practice: When should we prioritize medication, when should we emphasize psychotherapy, and when can we recommend both? This question comes up especially often with patients who are new to  treatment. They’ll ask, “Do I need a medication?” or “Can I just do therapy?” And while it’s  tempting to answer in generalities, the evidence actually gives us much clearer guidelines, depending on the substance that the patient is using. 

Busy clinicians don’t need more noise, they need clarity. That’s the idea behind the new Carlat Fact Sheet Web App: fast, searchable psychiatry you can actually use.

Switching antipsychotics?

Sometimes, slower isn’t safer.

This is Part 3 in my A-to-Z series from the upcoming 8th edition of the Med Fact Book.

Today: Antipsychotics.

Meds that require special skill to start: Atomoxetine and prazosin, plus a new FDA warning on stimulants.

Meds that require special skill to start: Antipsychotics, Cobenfy, and a research update on antidepressant metabolism in Asians.

Before you cook, oil the pan; before you plant that spring lawn, aerate the soil. Before you start a psych med, these are six things you need to have in place.

When patients are acutely psychotic, manic, or suicidal, our impulse is to fine tune the meds. But a few years ago—while working primarily inpatient—I realized I was leaning too heavily on medication. My patients needed more.