In today’s episode of our psychopharmacology series, we will discuss insomnia and treatments for insomnia. Most of the time, sleep medications are not the solution for addressing insomnia! We’ll briefly describe cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which is THE first line treatment for insomnia.  We will then review 6 different classes of medications used to treat insomnia including benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics (i.e. Z-drugs), melatonin agonists, TCAs, orexin receptor antagonists, and miscellaneous non-FDA approved medications for insomnia. We’ll discuss the evidence base for these medications in treating chronic insomnia (hint: it’s not good) and what factors might make you choose behavioral treatment versus medications. We’ll then review common side effects of sleep medications and test your clinical reasoning with some cases!

Photo Credit: Joao Santos, “Smooth Antelope Canyon b&w;,” Flickr
Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 

Episode 30- Sleep Medications

A Psychiatry Education Podcast For Students and Learners

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In Part 2 of our Listener Requests series, we will cover a variety of topics that will hopefully be of interest to you, our listeners! The topics included in this series were suggested topics from listeners who e-mailed, tweeted, or gave us feedback on our Facebook page or website. In this episode, we will discuss how to give an oral case presentation, antipsychotic metabolic monitoring guidelines and management, and deprescribing medications.







 Photo Credit: Cuba Gallery, “black and white,” flickr



Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 

Episode 40- Reader Requests 2


In our new Listener Requests series, we will cover a variety of topics that will hopefully be of interest to you, our listeners! The topics included in this series were suggested topics from listeners who e-mailed, tweeted, or gave us feedback on our Facebook page or website. In this episode, we will discuss designer (or synthetic) drugs and prescribing off-label medications.







 Photo Credit: Barry Lewis, “One From My Dad-4490,” flickr



Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 



Sound Effects Credits: 



https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/261597/



https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/385947/



https://freesound.org/people/mlteenie/sounds/169233/



https://freesound.org/people/Timbre/sounds/73750/

Episode 39- Listener Requests 1


In the final episode of our personality disorder series, we will dig deeper into cluster C personality disorders. We’ll review the three cluster C personality disorders (avoidant, dependent, and obsessive compulsive) and specifically focus on effective communication strategies to use when working with these patients. Using a few different clinical examples, we’ll highlight both helpful and less helpful ways to interact with patients who have cluster C personality disorders.







Photo credit: Jeremy Brooks, “Fail to Understand,” Flickr



Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 

Episode 38- Cluster C Personality Disorders


In this episode of our personality disorder series, we will dig deeper into cluster B personality disorders. Many clinicians struggle working with patients who have cluster B personality disorders since they can trigger very intense emotional reactions in the providers who care for them! We’ll discuss the importance of cultivating empathy and describe common challenges when working with this group of patients. We’ll then focus on effective communication strategies to use when working with patients who have cluster B personality disorders or traits. Using a clinical example, we’ll highlight both helpful and less helpful ways to interact with patients who have cluster B personality disorders. 







Photo credit: Ed Scott Livingston, “Frantic,” Flickr



Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 

Episode 37- Cluster B Personality Disorders


In this episode of our personality disorder series, we will dig deeper into cluster A personality disorders. We’ll specifically focus on effective communication strategies to use when working with these patients. Using a clinical example, we’ll highlight both helpful and less helpful ways to interact with patients who have cluster A personality disorders. 







Photo credit: Tydence Davis, “Cactus and moonlight,” Flickr



Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music 

Episode 30- Sleep Medications

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