Newsletter Issues Psychiatry and General Medicine (November/December) Carlat Reports

Psychiatry and General Medicine (November/December)

Date of Issue: 11/01/2015 | Volume: 13 | Number: 11&12

Issue Links:Learning Objectives | Editorial Information

Many common medical diseases can be mistaken for psychiatric conditions, and there are definite "red flags" that indicate if you are dealing with a medical disorder. In this issue, we look at the steps psychiatrists can take to avoid making diagnostic errors, and which lab tests you should order before starting a specific medication.

In This Issue

Article

Before You Write That Prescription: Guidelines for Ordering Lab Tests

Topics: Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry | News of Note | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychopharmacology Tips

Mental health clinicians often ask for a single, black-and-white answer to the question: Which lab tests should I order before starting this particular medication? Inevitably, the answer is that it depends. Here are some guidelines that are useful.

Expert Q&A

Distinguishing Between Medical and Psychiatric Conditions

Topics: Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry | Medical Comorbidities | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychopharmacology Tips

Dr. Schildkrout discusses strategies for differentiating medical and psychiatric disorders. The interview covers how mental health professionals can catch red flags for medical conditions such as dimentia and seizures.

News of Note

Cariprazine (Vraylar): A drug for negative symptoms? Don’t be positive.

Topics: Antipsychotics | News of Note | Psychopharmacology Tips

On September 17, the FDA approved cariprazine (Vraylar) for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There’s already some buzz about whether this medication has advantages over other atypicals for treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Research Update

A New Treatment Program Effective for First-Episode Psychosis

Topics: Practice Tools and Tips | Research Updates

Catching patients early in the course of their psychotic disorders may improve outcomes. A new NIMH-funded study compared a very comprehensive treatment program with treatment as usual, and the results were promising.