The objective of this seminar is to familiarize the clinician with emerging strategies in the assessment and treatment of major depression, bipolar illness and anxiety disorders. The course will also highlight key comorbid conditions associated with mood and anxiety disorders, including
axis II personality disorders, management of patients with medical conditions and management of the geriatric patient. An essential theme of the seminar will be formulating an integrated psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment approach.

The psychotherapy of the mood and/or anxiety disorder patient, including those with comorbid personality disorder will be examined in detail. Issues around the choice of specific antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications and psychopharmacologic management of the treatment resistant patient will be highlighted with a discussion of the use of augmenting medication strategies and combinations of psychopharmacologic agents.

Issues related to the clinical efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and its role as an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) will be explored. Emerging data on which subgroups of depressive disorders may respond to TMS will be presented. The role of Ketamine infusion in the treatment of acute depression and suicidal ideation will be presented; the risks and benefits of this controversial treatment will be examined.
The range of anxiety disorders to be reviewed will include anxiety disorders in the Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder Spectrum including skin-picking disorder, trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder; anxiety disorders related to trauma including posttraumatic stress disorder. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of psychopharmacology and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and panic disorder.

FACULTY

Russell G. Vasile, MD (see bio on website)