Collaborative Psychiatry QuickTakes

Season 1 of Collaborative Psychiatry QuickTakes may be complete, but the learning continues. In this episode, I’m sharing a short excerpt from the full Audio Course Managing Depression in Primary Care. This clip walks through a practical framework for choosing a first-line antidepressant and setting expectations so patients stay on treatment long enough to see benefit. You’ll hear: How I choose between bupropion, escitalopram, and sertraline How side effect profiles guide initial selection How to frame the “we don’t know which one will work yet” conversation Why anticipatory guidance about placebo response and timing matters If you’ve been enjoying the QuickTakes, this excerpt gives you a feel for how the full Audio Courses go deeper with structured, practical, and high-yield learning designed for real-world outpatient care. Explore More Get more high-yield psychiatric education for primary care and outpatient clinicians at: collaborative-psychiatry.org Audio Courses Available Now Managing Depression in Primary Care: A comprehensive framework for diagnosis, screening, medication selection, switching and augmentation strategies, treatment-resistant depression, and the broader treatment landscape including psychotherapy, neuromodulation, and ketamine/esketamine. Coming Soon ADHD Pharmacology: A Practical Prescribing Framework Managing Alcohol Use Disorder Keep the Learning in Your Back Pocket If you’ve been listening to the QuickTakes, don’t forget to download the associated PDF clinic resources and patient handouts available on each episode page. These quick-reference tools are designed to support you in real time — in the exam room, not just in your earbuds. Check out all the available resources here.

Get more high-yield learning on psychiatric management in primary care and outpatient practice at collaborative-psychiatry.org. In this episode, we explore two underused antidepressants—vilazodone (Viibryd) and vortioxetine (Trintellix)—that offer important advantages over traditional SSRIs, particularly when it comes to minimizing sexual side effects and weight gain. You'll learn how these medications work, how to dose them effectively, and where they fit into real-world treatment strategies. By the end, you’ll be able to identify how vilazodone and vortioxetine differ from traditional SSRIs, compare their side effect profiles, understand titration schedules, and determine when to consider them as part of your antidepressant selection framework. For access to the Show Notes as well as the downloadable clinical references and patients handouts associated with this episode, visit the Episode Page. There, QuickTake Members will find: A visual flowchart guiding clinical use of Vilazodone and Vortioxetine. A quick-reference table comparing clinically relevant aspects of Vilazodone, Vortioxetine and traditional SSRIs. An informational handout for patients considering or being prescribed Vilazodone. An informational handout for patients considering or being prescribed Vortioxetine. For a deep dive on managing antidepressants and treating depression in primary care, check out our Audio Course Managing Depression in Primary Care. Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, you'll be able to: Identify the key differences between vilazodone, vortioxetine, and traditional SSRIs. Compare side effect profiles, especially regarding weight gain and sexual dysfunction. Apply practical dosing and titration strategies for these two medications. Determine where these medications fit in your antidepressant treatment algorithm.

Get more high-yield learning on psychiatric management in primary care and outpatient practice at collaborative-psychiatry.org. In this high-yield episode, we break down five psychiatric screeners every primary care provider should have in their toolbox: the PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS, Rapid Mood Screener, and Maclean Screening Instrument for BPD. You'll learn when and how to use each screener to streamline your workflow, sharpen your diagnostic thinking, and navigate complex mental health presentations. Whether you're managing depression, anxiety, suicidality, bipolar disorder, or borderline traits, these tools can help you focus your assessment and guide smarter treatment decisions--without adding to your cognitive load or taxing your time. For access to the Show Notes as well as the downloadable clinical references and patients handouts associated with this episode, visit the Episode Page. There you will find: Direct links to all screeners discussed in this episode A quick-reference chart reviewing the most helpful psychiatric self-report screeners for general use in primary care A flow chart describing how and when to use psychiatric screeners in your clinical workflow A quick-reference chart describing a case-based approach to use of these screeners A quick-reference tool to assist in differentiating Bipolar Disorder from Borderline Personality Disorder, including questions you can use to guide the process. For a deep dive on managing antidepressants and treating depression in primary care, check out our Audio Course on Managing Depression in Primary Care. Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, you'll be able to: Identify a go-to psychiatric screener for depression, anxiety, suicidality, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder in primary care. Determine when to use each screener—before, during, or between visits—to streamline your workflow. Apply targeted screening to help distinguish between complex conditions such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Feeling overwhelmed by the endless list of ADHD medications? In this episode, we break down stimulant prescribing into a simple, practical framework designed for busy primary care providers. You’ll learn how to distinguish between amphetamine and methylphenidate classes, when to start with each, and how to think about long-acting vs. short-acting formulations. By the end, you’ll feel more confident starting and adjusting the core stimulant medications, without needing to memorize the innumerable brand names. Whether you're new to ADHD treatment or just looking for a clearer mental model, this episode offers a streamlined approach you can put into practice right away. For access to the Show Notes as well as the downloadable clinical references and patients handouts associated with this episode, visit the Episode Page. There, QuickTake Members will find: A stimulant reference chart A stimulant prescribing flowchart Patient handouts on amphetamines and methylphenidates A stimulant medication and skill use tracker for patients For a deep dive on managing antidepressants and treating depression in primary care, check out our Audio Course Managing Depression in Primary Care. Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, you'll be able to: Identify the two main stimulant classes used to treat ADHD in adults and understand their core similarities and differences. Apply a practical framework for choosing between amphetamine and methylphenidate classes based on symptom severity and patient characteristics. Confidently select from a core group of stimulant medications and adjust dosing using long-acting and short-acting formulations for optimal symptom control throughout the day.

SSRIs are among the most widely prescribed medications in primary care, but side effects are one of the top reasons patients stop taking them. Nausea, fatigue, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction can derail treatment before it even has a chance to work. In this episode, we decode the four most common SSRI/SNRI side effect domains and give you a clear, practical framework for managing each one. Learn how to set expectations early, adjust timing, and use targeted strategies to help your patients stay on track and feel better faster. If you’ve ever found yourself guessing how to manage SSRI side effects, this episode gives you the confidence to handle them head-on. For access to the Show Notes as well as the downloadable clinical references and patients handouts associated with this episode, visit the Episode Page. There, if you sign up for a free membership, you'll find: A clinical reference sheet on managing SSRI-related side effects, for quick recall of the topics discussed in this episodes An SSRI comparison table comparing the various antidepressant and their clinical + side effects An SSRI counseling phrase sheet to help you discuss these issues with patients A patient handout on What to Expect When Starting an SSRI A patient handout on Sexual Side Effects from SSRIs For more comprehensive guidance on managing antidepressants and treating depression in primary care, check out our Audio Course Managing Depression in Primary Care. Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, you'll be able to: Recognize the most common early-onset side effects of SSRIs (e.g., GI upset and headaches) and apply evidence-based strategies to counsel patients and manage these symptoms. Differentiate between more activating and more sedating SSRIs, and implement p ractical dosing schedule adjustments to mitigate energy-related side effects. Identify pharmacologic interventions for SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction and weight gain, including when to switch medications versus when to consider adjunctive treatments (e.g., bupropion, buspirone, PDE-5 inhibitors).