The Medical Mind

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with APA President Mark H. Rapaport, M.D., about his vision for the year ahead and the role members can play in advancing psychiatry. Dr. Rapaport discusses APA's strategic priorities, the future of the DSM, and the importance of medical leadership, member engagement, and stronger communication throughout the organization. The conversation also examines urgent challenges facing psychiatrists and their patients, including scope creep, ghost panels, mental health parity, stigma, misinformation, and the effects of social media. Drawing on examples from crisis care and health economics, Dr. Rapaport explains how psychiatrists can demonstrate the value of their work and turn their experiences into effective advocacy for patients, communities, and the profession.

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Sophia Matta about the May Psychiatric News article "Conflict, Disaster, and the Psychiatry of Displacement." Dr. Matta discusses how modern conflict, disaster, social media, drone warfare, environmental exposures, and displacement are reshaping the way psychiatrists understand trauma. The conversation explores continuous traumatic stress, the limits of traditional PTSD frameworks, emerging treatments such as neuromodulation and psychedelic-assisted therapy, the role of hope and resilience, and why psychiatry must take a broader, whole-person view of mental and physical health in a rapidly changing world. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

This month on Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza is joined by clinical psychologists Dr. Erin Cassidy-Eagle and Dr. Janie Hong to discuss the "lifelong psychotherapy patient," a group that is common in practice but rarely examined directly. Drawing on their work at Stanford and their recent article in Psychiatric News, they explore why some patients need ongoing psychotherapy support, how short-term care models can fall short, and what it means to meet patients where they are rather than forcing treatment into rigid timelines. The conversation also looks at the pressure clinicians face inside modern health care systems, from insurance limits and measurement-based care to access bottlenecks and burnout. Along the way, the episode considers what meaningful progress can look like when symptom reduction is not the whole story, why long-term therapeutic relationships can be both demanding and deeply valuable, and how clinicians and systems can think more creatively about continuity of care. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Nancy Byatt about women's mental health and the growing importance of reproductive psychiatry. Their conversation explores how mental health needs can arise across the lifespan, from menstruation and pregnancy to postpartum and menopause, and why prioritizing emotional well-being is essential for both women and their families. Dr. Byatt also addresses common concerns about antidepressant use and pain treatment during pregnancy, while highlighting the importance of trusted medical guidance, early support, and greater awareness of maternal mental health.

On this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Maria Oquendo, Dr. Jonathan Alpert, and Dr. Nitin Gogtay about how a roadmap is taking shape for the future of the DSM. They break down how the work builds on DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR, and what it could look like to broaden diagnosis beyond symptom checklists to include functioning, quality of life, and social and cultural context. The conversation explores where biomarkers may eventually fit, why the DSM may evolve into a more frequently updated digital-first "living" manual, and how feedback from clinicians, people with lived experience, and caregivers is being built into the process.

On this episode of PsychNews Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza sits down with psychiatrist and author Dr. Paul Putman to explore how cognitive errors show up in everyday clinical work. They talk through fast versus slow thinking, why our brains default to shortcuts, and how time pressure, isolation, and copy forward documentation can quietly amplify mistakes. Dr. Putman makes the case for practical guardrails like semi structured interview templates, deliberate differential diagnoses, and a habit of revising your model when treatments stall. The conversation also challenges the label of treatment resistance, highlights the value of second opinions and true peer consultation, and closes with strategies for protecting clinician wellbeing. Read this special report here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.01.1.7 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

In this holiday-season conversation, host Erin Connors sits down with APA CEO and Medical Director Dr. Marketa Wills to reflect on the year and look ahead to what is next for psychiatry and the Association. Dr. Wills shares why APA's new strategic plan is the right roadmap for a fast-changing landscape, with a sharper focus on measurable progress for members and patients. They discuss what she heard from psychiatrists across the U.S. and globally, the strongest advocacy priorities from parity to reimbursement, and how APA is strengthening partnerships and infrastructure to support the field. Dr. Wills also talks candidly about mental fitness and self-care during a demanding season.

En este episodio de Mente Sana, Gente Sana, el Dr. Héctor Colón-Rivera se sienta con el psiquiatra e investigador en salud mental global Dr. Víctor Pereira-Sánchez para explorar cómo la fe, la migración y la comunidad se entrecruzan en la salud mental de los latinos e hispanos. Basándose en su experiencia en Washington Heights y en su propia formación espiritual en España, el Dr. Pereira-Sánchez describe el papel central que desempeñan las iglesias en la vida de los inmigrantes, desde el apoyo social y el sentido de pertenencia hasta el arraigo espiritual en momentos de crisis. Hablan de cómo los sacerdotes y los líderes religiosos suelen convertirse en el primer punto de contacto para las personas que sufren depresión, ansiedad o pensamientos suicidas, y de lo que puede suceder cuando el estigma, la culpa o la desinformación alejan a las personas de la atención sanitaria. La conversación destaca formas concretas en que las parroquias pueden convertirse en espacios más saludables desde el punto de vista mental, incluyendo la alfabetización en salud mental, los ministerios de presencia y la colaboración con los médicos. El episodio también analiza cómo la tecnología y los servicios transmitidos en vivo están remodelando la vida religiosa, las señales de alerta que las familias deben observar en los niños y adolescentes, y consejos prácticos para quienes buscan una nueva comunidad religiosa o desean ser voluntarios en una.

On this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Editor in Chief Dr. Adrian Preda sits down with Dr. Joshua Brown, a leading expert in neuromodulation and Medical Director of the TMS Service at McLean Hospital, to explore how transcranial magnetic stimulation is reshaping the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Dr. Brown shares the clinical stories that drew him to TMS, explains how this "electric brain" approach drives synaptic plasticity, and walks through what actually happens at the level of NMDA and AMPA receptors. The conversation covers how TMS compares with medications and ECT, why it should not be viewed as a last resort, and how emerging strategies like accelerated protocols and pharmacologic augmentation could boost response and remission. Looking ahead, they discuss new indications, evolving training pathways, and why TMS is moving from niche tool to foundational treatment option in modern psychiatry. Read the full Special Report on TMS here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.11.11.4 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn.

This episode of PsychNews Special Report unpacks emerging evidence around AI-induced psychosis, drawing on the October issue's analysis by Dr. Adrian Preda. Guided by two virtual hosts, the episode explains how mirroring, flattery, and persistent memory in companion chatbots can reinforce fragile ideas into fixed beliefs, then maps the observable red flags across thought, mood, behavior, and sleep. Listeners get a concise first-response framework focused on safety, clinical assessment, and pausing harmful AI exposure, along with clear takeaways for developer safeguards and professional guidance. Acknowledgement: Host Dr. Adrian Preda used Google NotebookLM to create the dialogue that makes up this episode of "PsychNews Special Report." The voices you hear do not come from a human voice box, and the words they speak did not originate in a human brain. Instead, to discuss his Special Report on conversational AI and mental health, Dr. Preda curated a conversation using AI. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn.

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Adrian Preda speaks with Dr. Bryan Shapiro of UC Irvine about the often-overlooked issue of antidepressant withdrawal. They discuss the prevalence of withdrawal symptoms, why tapering is so challenging, risk factors that increase vulnerability, and the gaps in current clinical guidance. Drawing on research, patient experiences, and case studies, the conversation highlights the urgent need for clearer strategies and better resources to help patients safely discontinue antidepressants. You can read the full special report on Psychiatric News here: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.09.9.1 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn.

En este primer episodio de Mente Sana, Gente Sana, los presentadores Dra. Amalia y Dr. Héctor conversan con la Dra. Lisa Fortuna sobre los retos de salud mental a los que se enfrentan las comunidades de inmigrantes, especialmente entre las poblaciones hispanas y latinas. Exploran el impacto del estigma cultural, el papel de la religión y la importancia de la sensibilidad cultural en la atención de la salud mental. La conversación hace hincapié en la necesidad de educación y de mejorar el acceso a los servicios de salud mental, al tiempo que destaca los factores protectores que supone mantener las tradiciones culturales. Para obtener más información sobre salud mental, visite LaSaludMental.org.

In this episode of APA's Breaking the Silence series, Dr. Pratik Bahekar and Dr. Melvin Oatis delve into the complex and urgent issue of suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth. Drawing from their clinical experience, they explore the impact of stigma, bullying, and systemic barriers, while also highlighting protective factors like community support, affirming clinical care, and chosen family. The conversation offers practical insights for parents, educators, clinicians, and policymakers committed to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and reducing suicide risk.