APA Hallway Talk: Are Psych Meds Overprescribed?

About this episode

Dr. Bret Scher discusses the complexities and controversies surrounding psychiatric medication tapering and the need for better research and clinician guidance.

Psychiatric medication tapering* is becoming one of the most important and controversial conversations in mental health care. In the wake of the American Psychiatric Association Annual Conference, Dr. Bret Scher explores the growing debate around psychiatric medication “deprescribing,” responsible tapering, overprescription, and the urgent need for better research and clinician guidance. This discussion examines the real clinical questions: When should psychiatric medications be reassessed? How should tapering be approached safely? How do we distinguish withdrawal symptoms from relapse? Why is there still so little research on tapering protocols? What role could metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic therapy play in supporting brain health during treatment? Dr. Scher also discusses why every psychiatric prescription should include an ongoing plan for reassessment, not just indefinite continuation by default. Importantly, this video does NOT encourage anyone to stop psychiatric medications on their own. Decisions about medication changes should always be made carefully with a qualified healthcare provider. 👉 To learn more about safe deprescribing, ketogenic therapy, and psych meds…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Bret Scher

Topics covered

• psychiatric medication
• deprescribing
• tapering
• mental health
• research
• metabolic psychiatry

Keywords

• psychiatric medications
• tapering protocols
• withdrawal symptoms
• relapse
• ketogenic therapy
• brain health
• deprescribing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Psychiatric Association, Keto and Psych Meds Topic Page, metabolicmind.org

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