https://www.psychdb.com/ 2026-07-18T01:16:50-0700 https://www.psychdb.com/ https://www.psychdb.com/lib/tpl/bootstrap3/images/favicon.ico text/html 2024-03-14T19:46:24-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/1-history-of-dsm?rev=1710470784&do=diff History of the DSM Primer The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has a long and storied role in the history of psychiatry. As the cornerstone of Western psychiatry and guide for millions of clinicians and healthcare providers, it has been the most significant advance in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. However, in the midst of its success, important criticisms of its role have also arisen. text/html 2024-02-01T16:13:30-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/1-intro-statistics-medicine?rev=1706832810&do=diff Introduction to Statistics and Epidemiology Primer Statistics and Epidemiology in Medicine is important for clinicians to understand. There can often be a difference in clinical outcomes seen in patients in clinical trials, compared to real-world, community settings. Clinical trials usually exclude patients with multiple diagnoses or comorbidities, whereas in the real world, patients have multiple diagnoses and conditions all the time. This disconnect means it can be challenging for clinicians… text/html 2025-12-05T09:54:37-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/1-psych-interview?rev=1764957277&do=diff The Psychiatric Interview Primer The Psychiatric Interview involves a balance of being empathetic, asking the right questions, and thinking about the diagnostic criteria carefully for psychiatric disorders. Remember, everyone has a different way of interviewing, but every question you ask should have a text/html 2024-01-27T17:04:25-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/2-diagnosis?rev=1706403865&do=diff Diagnosing Psychiatric Disorders Primer Diagnosing psychiatric disorders can be challenging, and below are some practical approaches for beginners. Anxiety See main section: Anxiety Disorders Is the anxiety in the background of euthymia (normal mood)? If so, then it is likely a primary anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder. If the anxiety is in the background of a depressed mood, then depression with anxious features should override a primary anxiety disorder diagnosis. Anot… text/html 2025-06-23T00:57:43-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/2-intro-critical-appraisal?rev=1750665463&do=diff Critical Appraisal and Statistics Primer Critical Appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically assessing the outcome of scientific research (evidence) to judge its trustworthiness, value, and relevance in a particular clinical context. When critically appraising a research study, you want to think about and comment on: text/html 2023-02-20T21:46:50-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/3-medical-clearance-screening?rev=1676958410&do=diff Physical Exam in Psychiatry and "Medical Clearance" Primer The Physical Exam (and its associated investigations) is an important part of a psychiatrist's assessment -- a psychiatrist is a physician after all! Thus psychiatrists must play some role in assessing or diagnosing both psychiatric, text/html 2021-12-31T23:25:53-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/ai-big-data?rev=1641021953&do=diff Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Primer * BIDMC DIGITAL PSYCH * Bhugra, D., Tasman, A., Pathare, S., Priebe, S., Smith, S., Torous, J., ... & First, M. B. (2017). The WPA-Lancet Psychiatry Commission on the Future of psychiatry. The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(10), 775-818. (see Part 5: Digital Psychiatry) * Liu, F., Allan, G. M., Korownyk, C., Kolber, M., Flook, N., Sternberg, H., & Garrison, S. (2016). Seasonality of ankle swelling: population symptom reporting using Google Trends. The An… text/html 2024-01-02T17:47:11-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/apathy?rev=1704246431&do=diff Apathy Primer Apathy is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome that has various clinical definitions, which makes it difficult to study and examine clinically. It can be thought of as diminished cognitive plus emotional goal-directed behaviour.Marin, R. S., & Wilkosz, P. A. (2005). Disorders of diminished motivation. The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation, 20(4), 377-388. Apathy is not the same as depression. text/html 2021-02-15T09:07:19-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/behavioural-modification?rev=1613408839&do=diff Behavioural Modification Primer Behavioural Modification is a therapeutic and treatment approach designed to change a undesirable negative behaviour. By using a system of positive or negative consequences, an individual learns the correct set of responses for any given stimulus. text/html 2023-10-17T10:56:32-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/biomarkers?rev=1697565392&do=diff History of Psychiatric Biomarkers Primer Biomarkers in psychiatric disorders long been the “holy grail” of psychiatry. What is the status of the research and where are we now? The advent of the DSM-5 was suppose to be a new chapter in psychiatry where biomarkers and lab tests would aid in the diagnosis and treatment. However, that has not panned out. text/html 2026-07-01T23:59:33-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/biopsychosocial-case-formulation?rev=1782975573&do=diff Biopsychosocial Model and Case Formulation Primer The Biopsychosocial Model and Case Formulation (also known as the Biopsychosocial Formulation) in psychiatry is a way of understanding a patient as more than a diagnostic label. Hypotheses are generated about the origins and causes of a patient's symptoms. The most common and clinically practical way to formulate is through the biopsychosocial approach, first described in 1980 by George Engel. text/html 2020-10-19T19:33:15-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/child-adol-psych-interview?rev=1603161195&do=diff Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Interview Primer The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Interview is a specialized psychiatric interview tailored to children and adolescents. It requires a particular focus on psychosocial factors. Timeline of Childhood Disorders When doing a child and adolescent assessment, it is very important to keep in mind the age of the child, and the likelihood disorders occurring at that particular age. text/html 2024-03-03T12:03:24-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/childhood-trauma-aces?rev=1709496204&do=diff Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Primer Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur during childhood (from age 0 to 17 years), these events range from experiencing abuse and witnessing violence to growing up in a household with substance and mental health problems. ACEs are strongly linked to risky health behaviours, chronic physical and mental health conditions, low life potential, and early mortality. There is a direct correlation between the number of ACEs and t… text/html 2020-10-20T14:03:22-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/clerkship-survival-guide?rev=1603227802&do=diff Clerkship Survival Guide Primer Clerkship is tough! The following are some tips on surviving the psychiatry clerkship. This section remains a work in progress and under construction! Interviewing See main article: The Psychiatric Interview During your rotation, learning to develop interview skills is key. Depending on the population you are working with, you may need to do a more specialized text/html 2024-09-03T02:22:40-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/clinical-practice-guidelines-cpg?rev=1725355360&do=diff Psychiatry Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) Primer Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) (“Evidence-based guidelines”) are systematically developed statements to assist clinicians and patient in making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. Often times, CPGs have an algorithmic or flow chart approach to help clinicians make decisions. Many different CPGs exists in different jurisdictions and countries. Here is a brief overview of the most common guideline… text/html 2022-02-14T17:09:47-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/cognitive-bias-misdiagnosis-overdiagnosis?rev=1644887387&do=diff Cognitive Biases, Misdiagnosis, Iatrogenesis, and Overdiagnosis Primer Cognitive Bias, Misdiagnosis, Diagnostic Overshadowing, Iatrogenic Diagnosis, and Overdiagnosis are important clinical issues to be aware about in medicine. This is especially important in psychiatry, since there are few objective clinical tests for most disorders, and relies on the subjectivity of both patient report and interpretation of these symptoms by clinicians. text/html 2020-04-30T22:12:00-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/death?rev=1588309920&do=diff Death and Dying Primer * New York Times: At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death * Driving Miss Norma: One Family's Journey Saying "Yes" to Living * New York Times: The End Series * New York Times: The Best Possible Day * 102 y/o Dancer Sees Herself on Film for the First Time * Randy Pausch: Last Lecture * NYT: The Deadly Choices at Memorial * The New Yorker: What Does It Mean to Die? Resources * YouTube: Sadie doesn't want her brother to grow up sh-suicide… text/html 2022-10-21T08:49:29-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/delusions-hallucinations?rev=1666367369&do=diff Delusions and Hallucinations Primer Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) can occur in both clinical and normal, “non-clinical” populations.Verdoux, H., & van Os, J. (2002). Psychotic symptoms in non-clinical populations and the continuum of psychosis. Schizophrenia research, 54(1), 59-65. Thus, having a deep understanding of the phenomenology and possible diagnoses behind various subtypes of delusions and hallucinations is an important part of the diagnostic toolkit. text/html 2024-01-27T16:45:15-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/dsm-v-icd-z-codes?rev=1706402715&do=diff V Codes (DSM-5) & Z Codes (ICD-10) Primer V Codes (used in the DSM-5 and ICD-9) and Z Codes (used in the ICD-10), also known as Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention, are codes used to identify issues that are a focus of clinical attention or affect the diagnosis, course, prognosis, or treatment of a patient's mental disorder. However, these codes are text/html 2021-05-12T15:04:04-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/effect-of-technology-on-mental-health?rev=1620857044&do=diff Effect of Technology on Mental Health Primer The Effect of Technology on Mental Health has become an increasing concern for clinicians. News Articles * The Walrus: Digital Distraction Is Bad for Creativity * Is social media out of control? * How to Beat F.O.B.O. (The Fear of Better Options), From the Expert Who Coined It * PsychologyToday - Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain * Manoush Zomorodi says it’s time to get bored * The Guardian: Facebook reveals news fe… text/html 2024-05-09T10:33:46-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/exercise-prescription?rev=1715276026&do=diff Exercise Prescription Primer Exercise is structured physical activity with the goal of maintaining or improving physical fitness or health. Exercise is a highly effective, but often under-utilized treatment in the management of psychiatric disorders. text/html 2024-02-01T17:29:10-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/genetics-psychiatry?rev=1706837350&do=diff Psychiatric Genetics Primer Psychiatric Genetics is the study of the role of genetics in the development of mental disorders. Although many mental disorders are highly heritable, gene and environmental interactions play an important role.Musci, R. J., Augustinavicius, J. L., & Volk, H. (2019). Gene-environment interactions in psychiatry: recent evidence and clinical implications. Current psychiatry reports, 21, 1-10. Mitochondrial Diseases text/html 2023-07-03T13:21:28-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/geriatric-psych-interview?rev=1688415688&do=diff Geriatric Psychiatry Interview Primer The Geriatric Psychiatry Interview is a specialized psychiatric interview tailored to older adults. It requires a particular focus on cognitive testing, neurological examination, and physical exam. An examination of psychosocial factors is important, in particular with functional status (ADLs and IADLs), family supports, and social isolation. text/html 2024-05-09T12:32:58-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/history?rev=1715283178&do=diff History of Psychiatry Primer The History of Psychiatry is important for all physicians to understand. Progress in mental health care has not always been in a straight line, and patients have also suffered because of this (e.g. - lobotomy and indiscriminate use of ECT). Understanding historical treatments and views of mental illness informs the care we provide today, and is important for all physicians. text/html 2020-10-02T01:48:58-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/investigational-treatments?rev=1601628538&do=diff Investigational Treatments Primer Many investigational and unconventional treatments have been tried in psychiatry. Some have been promising in small clinical trials, but have not panned out in larger studies. Open Dialogue * The Independent: Open Dialogue: The radical new treatment having life-changing effects on people's mental health * Freeman, A. M., Tribe, R. H., Stott, J. C., & Pilling, S. (2019). Open dialogue: a review of the evidence. Psychiatric Services, 70(1), 46-59. Pyrothe… text/html 2024-02-01T16:03:21-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/landmark-studies?rev=1706832201&do=diff Landmark Psychiatric Research Studies and Papers Primer There are many landmark psychiatric studies in psychiatry that clinicians should be aware of. Key studies are listed below (work in progress). STAR*D Level 1 STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) text/html 2022-01-28T11:04:08-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/malingering?rev=1643396648&do=diff Malingering Primer Malingering is the intentional production false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological complaints with the goal of receiving a reward. Malingering is not a mental disorder or diagnosis. Incidence See also: Mittenberg, W. et al. (2002). Base rates of malingering and symptom exeggeration. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology, 24(8), 1094-1102. * The true rates of malingering is difficult to determine, as the nature of malingering involves deceptio… text/html 2022-02-09T12:05:53-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/mass-psychogenic-illness?rev=1644437153&do=diff Mass Psychogenic Illness (MPI) Primer Mass Psychogenic Illness (MPI) (also known as called mass sociogenic illness, mass psychogenic disorder, epidemic hysteria, or mass hysteria) is the spread of illness symptoms through a population where no infectious agent is identified for the contagion. text/html 2020-10-02T01:18:47-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/medical-reversal?rev=1601626727&do=diff Medical Reversal Primer Medical reversal refers to when newer and more methodologically sound clinical trials produces findings that contradicts existing clinical practice (from which older trials were based on). The term was coined in 2011 by Vinay Prasad, Victor Gall, and Adam Cifu. text/html 2024-01-18T19:11:19-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/mental-status-exam-mse?rev=1705633879&do=diff Mental Status Exam (MSE) Primer The Mental Status Exam (MSE) is a systematic way of describing a patient's mental state at the time you were doing a psychiatric assessment. An observant clinician can do a comprehensive mental status exam that helps guide them towards a diagnosis. text/html 2024-02-01T15:29:25-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/perspectives-approach-psychiatry?rev=1706830165&do=diff Perspectives Approach to Psychiatry Primer The Perspectives Approach to Psychiatry is increasingly used as an alternative approach for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders, and is a valuable educational tool for teaching psychiatry to learners. text/html 2024-02-01T16:00:59-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/pharmaceutical-industry-influence?rev=1706832059&do=diff Pharmaceutical Industry Influence Primer Pharmaceutical Industry Influence is an important issue that all healthcare providers must be aware of. Unforunately, there is often little education on this during formal training. In psychiatry, the pharmaceutical industry and psychiatry have been inextricably tied together since the beginning of the psychopharmacology revolution in the 1950s. It should be noted that pharmaceutical industry influence is pervasive and not limited to psychiatry. text/html 2021-02-27T16:09:14-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/phototherapy?rev=1614470954&do=diff Phototherapy (Light Therapy) Primer Phototherapy (Light Therapy) is exposure to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. The light is typically administered at home with a fluorescent light box for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day. text/html 2021-05-16T13:39:21-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/pseudobulbar-affect?rev=1621197561&do=diff Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) Primer Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (also referred to as emotional lability, reflex crying or laughing, emotional incontinence, or involuntary emotional expression disorder) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome common in neurological disorders including text/html 2022-01-04T16:24:40-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/psychobiotics-probiotics?rev=1641342280&do=diff Psychobiotics Primer Psychobiotics is a relatively new and emerging field of psychiatry. The body's microbiome plays important roles in inflammatory response and neurologic function. Mania * Certain individuals with acute mania have been found to have elevated levels of inflammation, suggesting a possible role for probiotic use. text/html 2021-12-22T22:00:33-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/rare-unusual-syndromes?rev=1640239233&do=diff Rare and Unusual Neuropsychiatric and Psychiatric Syndromes Primer Rare and Unusual Neuropsychiatric and Psychiatric Syndromes exist in the medical literature. Here are some of the more common ones to be aware of, especially during a medical and psychiatric assessment. Some external videos are also included on this page to help you better understand them (both humorous and educational ones). text/html 2020-04-30T22:12:01-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/self-harm-non-suicidal?rev=1588309921&do=diff Self-Harm (Nonsuicidal Self-Injury) Primer Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), commonly referred to as self-harm, is the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes that are not socially sanctioned. Resources text/html 2023-07-27T11:58:42-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/social-determinants?rev=1690484322&do=diff Social Determinants of Health Primer Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. text/html 2023-01-03T21:53:47-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/stacer-guide-prep?rev=1672811627&do=diff Psychiatry STACER Preparation Guide Primer The Standardized Assessment of a Clinical Encounter Report (STACER) is a semi-structured examination of Canadian psychiatry resident’s interviewing and consultancy skills. An STACER examination is usually a 50 minute diagnostic interview of a volunteer patient that both the resident and examiners do not know. The purpose of the STACER is to demonstrate your text/html 2024-07-21T05:41:33-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/suicide-medical-assistance-dying?rev=1721565693&do=diff Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Primer Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was approved in Canada in June 2016, allowing for a legal pathway for Canadians to pursue and receive physician-assisted suicide. Suicide in Canada * Suicide was part of the Canadian Criminal Code starting in 1892, meaning anyone found guilty of committing suicide or aiding in suicide could be incarcerated text/html 2025-06-23T00:10:56-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/suicide-risk-assessment-sra?rev=1750662656&do=diff Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) Primer The Suicide Risk Assessment is an important part of the psychiatric interview. A suicide risk assessment is a comprehensive assessment that determines what an individual's risk is for suicide at a given point in time text/html 2025-06-23T00:13:55-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/suicide?rev=1750662835&do=diff Suicide Primer Suicide is the act of ending one's own life. From a historical perspective, for thousands of years, the concept of suicide has been debated philosophically and from religious viewpoints. Today, suicide is seen from a combination of medical, social, legal, and political lenses. text/html 2024-02-04T18:33:20-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/violence?rev=1707100400&do=diff Violence and Mental Illness Primer The relationship between violence and mental illness is a challenging issue that clinicians face. The association between the two is commonly linked together in popular media and society, resulting in an exaggerated and misunderstood perception of mental illness. Clinicians are often placed in a difficult position of being asked to assess the risk that a patient could pose to the public, while also being asked by society/law to keep an individual's personal l… text/html 2021-07-04T15:55:48-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/z-medical-legal-liability?rev=1625439348&do=diff Medical-Legal Liability Primer Medical-Legal Issues and Liability are important areas that a physician will either encounter themselves or know of a colleague who encounters it. Medical-legal issues against physicians span the spectrum, including complaints to a regulatory authority (college) or hospital, patient privacy issues, disciplinary proceedings, practice audits, malpractice or negligence, or in rare cases, criminal proceedings. The scope of this article is to discuss common medical-le… text/html 2024-05-09T10:04:31-0700 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://www.psychdb.com/teaching/z-physician-wellness?rev=1715274271&do=diff Physician Wellness Primer Physician wellness is often unaddressed in day-to-day practice. As medicine grows more complex, new stresses and demands are placed on healthcare providers. Only recently has the literature begun to investigate the role of burn out, compassion fatigue, and moral distress on healthcare providers. These phenomena do not just affect physicians, but also nurses, social workers, and other providers.