Hello! We are continuing our conversation on psychosis. In this episode, we focus on differential diagnoses for psychosis, including medical and psychiatric conditions that can often be confused with a truly psychotic disorder like schizophrenia. Specifically, trauma is a big one, leading us to lose ourselves in the imbalance of imagination and reality. Especially in kids! Lastly, we talk about treatment of psychosis, our approach to antipsychotics, and non-pharmacological treatment like individual therapy and family support. This is a really really tough condition to navigate through, and we hope to share our experiences so you don’t feel alone in this journey.

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Hello! This week, we delve into the fascinating history of how we conceptualize psychosis and schizophrenia. All those with schizophrenia have psychosis, but not all those with psychosis have schizophrenia. From a psychological framework to a biological one, the field of psychiatry has gone back and forth between the two and really struggled to understand schizophrenia. Now, we are just starting to see the interplay between genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and psychological factors at play in the risk of developing schizophrenia.

This was quite a daunting topic to talk about since it is an area filled with uncertainty. But we have some direction, looking for symptoms that are more specific to schizophrenia. Join us in this whirlwind of conversation by two child psychiatrists trying to tackle this colossal topic!

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School is back in full swing, and so is everyone's anxiety! We discuss the challenges kids, teens and parents face as they reintegrate back to school after the summer break. We delve into the various reasons for school avoidance and refusal, which are critical in understanding what is actually behind it. We conclude with a discussion on what to do about it -- mainly the importance of early preparation, open communication, accessing school resources, and when necessary, use of therapy and medications for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.


Resource Links:

• AACAP Facts for Families on Schools: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Schools_Resource_Center/Home.aspx
• Do's and Don'ts of School Avoidance: https://schoolavoidance.org/advice-from-a-fellow-school-refusal-parent-on-how-to-help-them-get-back-to-school/
• IEP Request Template Letter: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/template-letter-for-a-request-for-assessment

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*Trigger warning for content on self-harm, suicide and eating disorders. Please feel free to opt out and prioritize your sense of safety if you need to do so.*

This is a tough one. The positive effects of social media on mental health can be lifesaving, yet its negative effects may lead to a life taken far too early. We have a nuanced discussion on social media's pros and cons, and how to help your child or someone who may be addicted to it. There is a dire need for change, and it starts with all of us. We list out specific recommendations for social media use in kids and teens, and how to have a conversation with them to develop a family media plan.

Resources:
AACAP: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Screen_Media_Resource_Center/Home.aspx

AAP: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/#:~:text=What%20We%20Do,protect%20youth%20mental%20health%20online

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We are back! In this episode, we talk about attachment theory from a neuroscientific and neurobiological perspective. We highlight how talking about our emotions can help us regulate them, and make room for empathy and "mentalizing" other people's experiences. We also discuss how attachment trauma can disrupt brain development, and how mindfulness and staying attuned to your body can mitigate this. Finally, we discuss the categorization of attachment experience in the DSM, and the importance of understanding the etiological basis of mental health conditions for effective treatment.

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In this episode, we take a quick break from attachment theory and dive into a very real, current problem we face today: the stimulant medication shortage for the treatment of ADHD. We explore the complex regulatory systems surrounding stimulants, including supply chain issues and being lumped into the category of Schedule II medications monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to fight the Opioid Epidemic. The pressures from many layers of control fall on the shoulders of the pharmacist, and worst of all, the patients. Lastly, we discuss how to mitigate this shortage issue for patients, and the need for patient advocacy amongst clinicians.

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Welcome back! In this episode, we discuss the significance of the humanistic approach to psychiatry, and the importance of relationships and the environment in child development. We talk about core concepts in attachment theory, such as the Strange Situation by Mary Ainsworth, adult attachment interview by Mary Main, and mentalization by Peter Fonagy. We emphasize that attachment serves as its own biological and motivational system, and that attachment trauma can be healed through exploring your internal and external worlds with another.

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Welcome to our first episode of the podcast! In this episode, we talk about how attachment theory is an important foundation for our work, and the history of developmental psychology and child psychiatry. But of course, not without a little play along the way!

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