The Medical Mind

Psychiatric News Special Report: Digital Hyperconnectivity: A New Psychiatric Framework

How does constant digital connection affect our mental health, and when does technology use become harmful? In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, psychiatrist Sulman Aziz Mirza, M.D., speaks with Nathan A. Carroll, D.O., M.B.A., M.P.H., national medical director for InSite Health, about digital hyperconnectivity, a proposed framework that examines technology as an environmental exposure rather than simply a matter of screen time. They explore how algorithms, notifications, social media, gaming, and artificial intelligence shape attention, behavior, and human relationships. Their conversation also examines the difference between heavy technology use and problematic use, the potential consequences of cognitive offloading, and how clinicians can better assess digital habits. Dr. Carroll discusses the proposed DHC-8 screening tool and why harm reduction, rather than complete disconnection, may offer a more practical path toward healthier technology use. 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

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Mental Health Pathfinders: GLP-1 Medications: What Psychiatrists Need to Know

GLP-1 medications are reshaping obesity care, but their potential impact may extend well beyond weight loss. In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Charles Nemeroff, M.D., about what psychiatrists should know about GLP-1 medications, from addressing weight gain and metabolic risks associated with psychiatric treatment to emerging research on cravings, alcohol use disorder, and other addictive behaviors. They also discuss potential psychiatric effects, safety considerations, and concerns about inappropriate use as these medications become increasingly common.

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Más allá del idioma: cultura, representación y atención de salud mental

En este episodio especial por el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, la Dra. Karen Martínez González, psiquiatra de niños y adolescentes y directora del Departamento de Psiquiatría de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, conversa sobre por qué una atención de salud mental culturalmente receptiva requiere mucho más que hablar el mismo idioma. La Dra. Martínez González aborda la importancia de comprender el contexto cultural y familiar de cada paciente, reducir el estigma y otras barreras a la atención psiquiátrica, y ampliar el acceso a profesionales de salud mental que hablen español. También destaca el papel de la mentoría y la exposición temprana a la medicina para fortalecer la representación de hispanos y latinos en la psiquiatría, y comparte un mensaje de esperanza para quienes aún buscan atención que comprenda su idioma, su cultura y sus experiencias. In this special Hispanic Heritage Month episode, Dr. Karen Martínez González, child and adolescent psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Puerto Rico, discusses why culturally responsive mental health care requires more than speaking the same language. She explores the importance of understanding patients' cultural and family contexts, reducing stigma and other barriers to psychiatric care, and expanding access to Spanish-speaking mental health professionals. Dr. Martínez González also shares why mentorship and early exposure to medicine are essential to building a stronger pipeline of Hispanic and Latino psychiatrists and offers a message of hope for people still searching for care that understands their language, culture, and experiences.

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Women Psychiatrists Caucus Chats: Dr. Katherine Kennedy on Advocacy and Leadership in Psychiatry

In this episode Dr. Gupta is joined by Katherine G. Kennedy, M.D. Dr. Kennedy is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and a board-certified adult psychiatrist in private practice in New Haven, Connecticut. At Yale, Dr. Kennedy leads the Yale Legislative Advocacy Program, which equips trainees with advocacy skills that help advance bills before the Connecticut state legislature. She also co-leads the Advocacy Track for the Health Equity Curriculum, serves as Faculty Co-Leader of the Psychotherapy Distinction Track, and supervises psychiatry residents in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Beyond Yale, Dr. Kennedy serves as Co-Editor of Voices in Advocacy and Policy for Psychiatric News, the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) national news publication. She chairs the Legislative Committee of the Connecticut Psychiatric Society and is a Past Chair of APA's Council on Advocacy and Government Relations, where she led federal and state advocacy efforts to expand access to psychiatric care. Dr. Kennedy also chairs the Committee on Psychotherapy for the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry and serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Psychotherapy and APA Publishing Books. Dr. Kennedy has presented at national conferences and published on advocacy, psychotherapy, and supervision, including two books, A Psychiatrist's Guide to Advocacy and Supervising Individual Psychotherapy: The Guide to Good Enough. Elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 2020, additional honors include the Yale Psychiatry Residents' Outstanding Teaching Award, the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award, the Connecticut Psychiatric Society's Outstanding Service Award, and the New Haven County Medical Society's Distinguished Service Award.

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Special Report: An Update on Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza welcomes back Dr. Rajesh Tampi for a broader look at how the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease are evolving. Building on their previous discussion of behavioral symptoms, they explore modifiable risk factors, emerging blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and newer disease-modifying therapies, including lecanemab and donanemab. The conversation also examines challenges related to access and health equity, the continuing role of established Alzheimer's medications, and the importance of social connection, psychotherapy, and meaningful activity as people age. Mirza and Tampi discuss why advances in biomarkers and technology should complement, rather than replace, the fundamentals of psychiatric care and the human connection between clinicians, patients, and families. 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

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Mental Health Pathfinders: Mental Health After Disaster with Dr. Andrew McLean

Natural disasters can leave psychological effects that last long after the immediate crisis has passed. Host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Andrew McLean, chair of the APA Committee on the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, about how disasters affect individuals, families, and communities, and the role psychiatrists can play in supporting recovery. Dr. McLean discusses warning signs that someone may be struggling, how children can respond differently to traumatic events, the risks of repeated exposure to disaster coverage, and the growing impact of climate anxiety. He also shares practical strategies for coping, including his three R's: rest, routine, and relationships.

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Psychiatric News Special Report: Evidence-Based Management of Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Rajesh Tampi about evidence-based approaches to managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Their conversation explores comprehensive assessment, caregiver burden, nonpharmacological interventions, medication strategies, and emerging treatments, with an emphasis on treating the whole patient and adapting care to individual needs. 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

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Psychiatric News Special Report: Lithium Clinics and High-Risk Populations With Bipolar Disorder

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Sarah El Halabi and Dr. Stephen J. Ferrando about why lithium remains underused despite its established role in treating bipolar disorder. They explore how specialized lithium clinics and standardized monitoring can support safer prescribing for pregnant and postpartum patients, older adults, and people with renal disease. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about lithium toxicity, the challenges of managing complex medications, and the importance of coordinated, team-based 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

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Women Psychiatrists Caucus Chats: Dr. Theresa Miskimen Rivera on Leading with Purpose

In this episode Dr. Gupta is joined by Theresa Miskimen Rivera, MD, DLFAPA. Dr. Miskimen Rivera is the former President of the American Psychiatric Association; a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA); a member of the American College of Psychiatrists, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She most recently served as the Medical Quality and Clinical Effectiveness Officer for Behavioral Health in the Department of Psychiatry at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey. Dr. Miskimen centered her public-sector clinical practice on improving access to and delivery of psychiatric care for bilingual and bicultural communities, developing and implementing intercultural clinical programs, and serving as a consulting psychiatrist for a collaborative care practice in New Jersey. Her clinical work has informed research endeavors, resulting in numerous articles and lectures on diagnostic challenges and symptom phenomenology in treating racially and ethnically diverse populations, as well as on ethical issues affecting psychopharmacological research among ethnic populations and the cultural aspects of patient symptomatology. For over 30 years, Dr. Miskimen has applied her passion and expertise to critical roles, including psychiatric clinical care, patient advocacy, community outreach, academic endeavors, and organizational leadership. Dr. Miskimen has served in numerous community-facing initiatives and appointed positions under three past Governors of the State of New Jersey, addressing mental health issues spanning the intersection of technology and the delivery of psychiatric care, mental health in university settings, and youth suicide prevention. She has served as an APA Delegate to the American Medical Association Section Council on Psychiatry. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Wellness through Equity and Leadership (WEL) program, which is tasked with developing a training curriculum and leadership experience for women physicians, mentoring participants, and establishing principles on equitable work environments.

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Mental Health Pathfinders: What Psychiatrists Need to Know About AI with Dr. John Torous

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, Dr. John Torous, chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Digital Health, Innovation, and Technology, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in mental health care. He discusses the opportunities and limitations of AI-supported care, the risks of long-term chatbot use, privacy concerns, and the importance of maintaining human connection. The conversation also highlights the council's work to educate clinicians, shape responsible policy, and develop practical frameworks for evaluating new technologies.

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Psychiatric News Special Report: Clinical Considerations of Cannabis Use in the Inpatient Medical Setting

In this June episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Heather Murray of the University of Colorado about clinical considerations for cannabis use in inpatient medical settings. The conversation examines how high-potency cannabis and concentrates have changed the clinical picture, including intoxication, withdrawal, hyperemesis, psychosis risk, delirium, catatonia, medication interactions, and self-directed discharge. Dr. Murray also emphasizes balanced, stigma-free assessment and the importance of asking about formulation, potency, route, frequency, and last use when caring for patients across medical and psychiatric settings.

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Mental Health Pathfinders: APA President Mark H. Rapaport, M.D.

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.

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Women Leaders in Psychiatry: Dr. Marketa M. Wills on Leadership, Mentorship, and the Future of Psychiatry

In this episode of Women Leaders in Psychiatry, Dr. Anjali Gupta speaks with Dr. Marketa M. Wills, CEO and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association, during a live meeting of the Women Psychiatrists Caucus. Dr. Wills reflects on her path into psychiatry, the mentors who shaped her career, and how her medical, business, and consulting background informs her leadership. She also discusses her vision for APA, the most pressing challenges facing psychiatry today, the importance of integrity in leadership, and the role psychiatrists must play in shaping technology, AI, access to care, and the future of the field.

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Psych News Special Report: Conflict, Disaster, and the Psychiatry of Displacement

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

Mental Health Pathfinders: Building Resilience

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Nina Kraguljac, M.D., about what resilience really means through a mental health lens. Dr. Kraguljac discusses why resilience is not a fixed character trait, how it can be strengthened over time, and why meaning, hope, agency, and social connection play such an important role in helping people navigate adversity. She also shares insights from the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience Study, a first-in-the-nation effort to better understand the psychological, social, environmental, and biological factors that shape resilience and mental health.

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Psychiatric News Special Report: The 'Lifelong' Psychotherapy Patient

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

Psychiatric News Special Report: Rethinking Pain as a Dual Diagnosis

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Alexander Niculescu about pain as more than a physical symptom alone. Their conversation explores the overlap between chronic pain and psychiatric conditions, the promise of precision psychiatry, and how biomarkers may help clinicians better assess risk, guide treatment, and rethink refractory pain. They also discuss the limitations of current approaches, the role of non-opioid interventions, and why psychiatrists are uniquely positioned to treat the whole person. Read this special report here: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.03.3.28 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

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Mental Health Pathfinders: A Closer Look at Women's Mental Health with Dr. Nancy Byatt

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.

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Psychiatric News Special Report: Barriers to Rehabilitation After Discharge

On this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza is joined by Dr. James Bourgeois, Vice Chair of Hospital Psychiatry Services at UC Davis and Psychiatric News' consultation liaison section editor, for a practical conversation on what happens after medical discharge for patients living with serious mental illness. Using the February Special Report on post discharge rehabilitation barriers as a springboard, they break down why "medically ready" can still mean "psychiatrically at risk," and how mobility limits, nursing capacity, and safety rules can block transfers to inpatient psychiatry. The discussion highlights proactive consultation models, stronger handoffs to outpatient care, and how primary care based psychiatric support can reduce repeat hospital use while keeping patients safer in the community. Read this special report here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.02.2.4 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

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Mental Health Pathfinders: The Future of the DSM

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.

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