This seminar will provide a clinically relevant updated review of neurobiology and brain function. Areas of emphasis will be the psychopharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, addictions, sleep disorders, borderline personality and the treatment of children/adolescents and the geriatric patient. The latest advances in the psychopharmacologic treatment of children, adolescents, adult and geriatric patients will be presented. Early interventions, treatment of the acute psychosis and treatment of the recovering psychotic will be emphasized. The seminar will identify strategies for treating bipolar patients who are treatment resistant. Approaches to treatment resistant depression including the mechanisms and use of ketamine will be underscored. The role of switch versus augmentation and combination strategies for treatment-resistant depression will be reviewed as well as best treatments for subtypes of major depression including atypical depression. The role of psychopharmacology in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, panic symptoms, traumatic syndromes and ADD will be highlighted. Throughout the course the establishment and importance of the therapeutic alliance when prescribing all psychotropic medications will be underscored, as will the potential hazards/benefits of polypharmacy and drug interactions.

Hosted by the Continuing Education Program at BIDMC, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School online for 15 CEs. For more info, visit Harvard Medical School's website.