Topics: Amantadine | Ativan Challenge Test | Benzodiazepines | Bush-Francis Scale | Catatonia | lorazepam taper | mood disorders | neuroleptic malignant syndrome | retarded vs excited catatonia | Schizophrenia

Patients experiencing catatonia often improve quickly with benzodiazepines, but how can we help patients who fail to respond? Dr. Heckers summarizes the management of catatonia, including refractory cases, and tells us of other illnesses to consider in our differential diagnoses.

Topics: brief pulse | Depression | ECT | Innovations | Ketamine | maintenance ECT | memory loss | retrograde amnesia | Stigma | Suicidality | TMS | unilateral vs bilateral

Dr. Seiner runs one of the busiest ECT programs in the country and speaks to us about recent innovations in the procedure. He also tells us which patients are the best candidates and shares tips for how to prolong ECT’s benefits.

Topics: diabetes insipidus | fluid restriction | Hyponatremia | low sodium | Naltrexone | Osmolality | SIADH | sodium supplementation | water intoxication | water restriction

Compulsive water drinking, or psychogenic polydipsia, is surprisingly common on inpatient psychiatric units. We learn how to diagnose and manage this potentially life-threatening condition.

Topics: Assault | Capacity | Consensual | Consent | Debriefing | Hospital policy | hypersexual behaviors | post-exposure prophylaxis | pregnancy testing | reporting requirements | Risk Management | sexual intercourse | STI screening

The unit staff inform you that two patients on the unit are engaging in sexual activity. What do you do next? Dr Najand reviews guidelines for managing sexual incidents, both consensual and nonconsensual.

Topics: Clozapine | Conduct Disorder | Schizophrenia | Violence

Clozapine appears more effective than other antipsychotic medications in reducing violent behavior among patients with schizophrenia and a history of conduct disorder.

Topics: Atropine | Clozapine | Drooling | hypersalivation | Side Effects

Sialorrhea, or excessive salivation, is a distressing side effect from clozapine. Sublingual atropine drops help reduce clozapine-induced hypersalivation.

For the first time in nine years, DSM-5 has undergone a text revision. DSM-5-TR, released in March 2022, contains updates and clarifications for the descriptive texts and criteria of most disorders.

Topics: CME Post-Test

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.