This seminar will address rational, evidence-based clinical practice in the care of patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, major depression, and severe anxiety disorders, based on critical assessment of the research that guides clinical practice.

It will review the use of psychotropic medicines used to treat most major psychiatric disorders, considering short- and long-term efficacy and dosing of antipsychotic, mood-stabilizing, antidepressant, and antianxiety agents, as well as their adverse effects. It will consider the effectiveness and clinical value of the various types of antipsychotic drugs, treatment options for the various phases of bipolar disorder, and of major depressive and anxiety disorders, for both acute episodes and for long-term prophylaxis. The educational presentation will be in seminar format and include lectures, participant discussion, and Q&A.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
– Describe and critically evaluate the evolution of clinical psychopharmacology over the past half- century, its current status, and future prospects;
– Evaluate evidence supporting short and long-term treatment of patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders;
– Determine when to employ options for treatment-resistant illnesses;
– Appreciate relationships between treatment with psychotropic drugs and risk of suicide and other causes of increased mortality in psychiatric patients;
– Improve skills in avoiding, limiting and managing risk of adverse effects of each class of psychotropic drugs;
– Critically evaluate clinical practices involving psychotropic drugs and develop strategies to improve the effectiveness and satisfaction of clinical practice;
FACULTY
Ross J. Baldessarini, MD, DSc (hon.) is a Professor of Psychiatry and in Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Psychopharmacology Program and International Consortium for Bipolar Disorder Research at McLean Hospital.