The Directions in Psychiatry continuing medical education program awards 40 credit hours in Category 1 of the Physician Recognition Award of the American Medical Association. How the program works...

Volume 28, Part 1

Geriatric Bipolar Disorder: A review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges
Bipolar disorder in later life is a complex neurospychiatric syndrome with both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this lesson, the authors explore the challenges of diagnosing geriatric bipolar disorder and examine positive therapeutic approaches. Read More

Double-Blind Crossover Study of Mirtazapine, Amitriptyline and Placebo in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the number and types of antidepressants available for the treatment of patients suffering from major depression. In this lesson, the authors present a crossover study which was a follow up protocol for patients who did not respond following a double-blind, random assignment, six week trial of the antidepressant efficacy of mirtazapine versus amitriptyline versus placebo (i.e., the lead in study). Based on this crossover study, there appear to be patients with major depression who respond differentially to mirtazapine versus amitriptyline. Read More

Multidisciplinary Treatment of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is estimated to affect 15% to 33% of the U.S. population. Many studies have shown higher efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain from therapies available at multidisciplinary pain centers than by other approaches. In this lesson, the authors discuss the mechanisms of chronic pain and examine the positive effects and advantages of a multi-disciplinary approach. Read More

Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia: Cognitive Impairments as Clues for Treatment Development
Schizophrenia is associated with profound cognitive deficits, which have a significant impact on functional outcome and quality of life. Many of these deficits are also seen in non-affected family members and have modest heritability. In this lesson, the authors define the concept of cognitive endophenotypes and describe their use in research. The authors discuss several genes and loci that are associated with both schizophrenia and review the need for effective prescription of cognitive treatments. Read More

Treating Borderline Personality Disorder with the STEPPS Model
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with impaired quality of life, disturbed interpersonal relationships, and impulsive and self-destructive behaviors. In this lesson, the authors describe STEPPS, a new add on group therapy for the treatment of BPD, as a helpful therapeutic approach to improving BPD lifestyle. Read More

Worldwide Interpersonal and Group Terrorism Against Women
Gender based violence is a term used to describe violence directed against a person on the basis of their gender or sex. In this lesson, Dr. Rondon deals with the different types of violence that occur against women, emphasizing the gender based determinants (powerlessness, poverty, and submission) from an international perspective. Special attention is paid to transcultural aspects in the understanding of causative dynamics and mental health consequences. Read More