PsychEd: Educational Psychiatry Podcast

PsychEd
  • 4.6 (150)
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This podcast is written and produced by psychiatry residents at the University of Toronto and is aimed at medical students and residents. Listeners will learn about fundamental and more advanced topics in psychiatry as our resident team explore these topics with world-class psychiatrists at U of T and abroad.

  1. PsychEd Shorts 8: Types of Substances

    10H AGO

    PsychEd Shorts 8: Types of Substances

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers Types of Substances Hosts: Sara Abrahamson, Shaoyuan Wang and Kate Braithwaite. Audio Editing: Kate Braithwaite References: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5, text revision (DSM-5-TR). 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. CAMH. (2013). Inhalants. Inhalants | CAMH CAMH. (2010). Cocaine and Crack. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/cocaine CAMH. (2012). Amphetamines. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/amphetamines#:~:text=Chronic%20use%20of%20amphetamines%20can,can%20also%20cause%20amphetamine%20psychosis. Chae J, Marsden J and Sutherland A. (2024, August 21). Benzodiazepine Withdrawal. Emergency Care BC. Benzodiazepine Withdrawal : Emergency Care BC ChildHealthBC. (2023, September 21). Common Street names for Substances. https://childhealthbc.ca/mhsu/common_streetnames_substances/printfile Jauch EC. (2023, January 18) Inhalants Clinical Presentation. Medscape. Inhalants Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes Kaye, AD, Staser, AN, Mccollins, TS, Zheng, J, Berry, FA, Burroughs, CR, Heisler, M, Mouhaffel, A, Ahmadzadeh, S, Kaye, AM, Shekoohi, S, & Varrassi, G. (2024). Delirium Tremens: A Review of Clinical Studies. Cureus, 16(4), e57601. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57601 Long N. (2020, November 3). GHB toxicity. Life in the Fast Lane. GHB toxicity • LITFL • Toxicology Library Toxicant Medx. (2025, November 26). Understanding What is the MOA of Alcohol: A Pharmacological Perspective. What is the MOA of Alcohol? Explained: Receptors and Effects Mendelson, J. H., & Mello, N. K. (1996). Management of cocaine abuse and dependence. The New England journal of medicine, 334(15), 965–972. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199604113341507 Nichols DE. Hallucinogens. Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Feb;101(2):131-81. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2003.11.002. Nickson C. (2024, December 18). Sedative toxidrome. Life in the Fast Lane. Sedative Toxidrome • LITFL • CCC Toxicology Porter RS, Kaplan JL, Homeier BP, editors. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. 20th ed. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck Sharp & Dohme; 2018. PsychDB. (2021, March). Opioid Intoxication. Opioid Intoxication - PsychDB PsychDB. (2023, October). Opioid Withdrawal. Opioid Withdrawal - PsychDB PsychDB. (2023 February). Cannabis Withdrawal. Cannabis Withdrawal - PsychDB Roth BL, Gumpper RH. Psychedelics as Transformative Therapeutics. Am J Psychiatry. 2023 May 1;180(5):317-20. Vollenweider FX, Kometer M. The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: implications for the treatment of mood disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010 Sep;11(9):642-51. doi: 10.1038/nrn2884.

    14 min
  2. PsychEd Episode 72: Psychiatric Case Presentation with Dr. Justin Delwo

    12/01/2025

    PsychEd Episode 72: Psychiatric Case Presentation with Dr. Justin Delwo

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers the psychiatric case presentation with Dr. Justin Delwo, a staff psychiatrist at Toronto Western Hospital where he works in the emergency department and urgent care settings. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: What is the goal of a psychiatric case presentation?What are some ground rules for a case presentation?What are the key sections of a case presentation and what should you include under each? How can you tailor your case presentation to the setting Guest: Dr. Justin Delwo Hosts: Dr. Matt Cho (PGY1), Dr. Daamoon Ghahari (PGY2), and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Episode evaluation: Shelly Palchik (MS4) Time Stamps: (1:50) - Goals of a case presentation (4:49) - Ground rules for presenting (7:56) - General overview (19:44) - Identifying Data (23:16) - Chief complaint and reason for referral (25:42) - History of presenting illness (38:38) - Review of systems (42:16) - Safety (49:42) - Past psychiatric history (53:54) - Medications (55:55) - Past medical history (59:14) - Allergies (1:00:13) - Family psychiatric history (1:02:07) - Personal history (1:06:23) -  Mental status exam (1:09:45) - Impression (1:14:20) - Plan (1:18:43) - Tailoring to different settings For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at psychedpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website atpsychedpodcast.org.

    1h 22m
  3. PsychEd Shorts 7: Substance Use History

    11/15/2025

    PsychEd Shorts 7: Substance Use History

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers how to take a substance use history Hosts: Dr. Andrew Nguyen, Dr. Zakia Hussain, Jo Kikukawa, and Dr. Kate Braithwaite. Audio editing: Dr. Kate Braithwaite Resources: Chapter 4: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders. In Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences Meta:Phi Resource Library Ten Domains of De-escalation to Prevent Behavioural Emergencies (from Alberta Health Services) References: American Psychiatric Association Publishing. (2022). Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition, Text Revision: DSM-5-TR (5th ed., pp. 481-590). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.  Boland, R.J., Verduin, M.L., & Ruiz, P. (2022). Chapter 4: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders. In Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Psychiatry (12th ed., pp. 269 - 336). Wolters Kluwer.  Porter, L.D. Getting to the Good Part: How to Take an Engaging SUD History. [Presentation Transcript]. University of California, Los Angeles Integrated Substance Use and Addictions Programs. https://www.uclaisap.org/clinicalproviderquicktips/docs/La-Donna-Porter/Porter_LD_Transcript_Clean.pdf  Welsh, C.J. “Trapped”: A Mnemonic for Taking a Substance Use History. Acad Psychiatry 27, 289 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.27.4.289 For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

    14 min
  4. PsychEd Episode 71: Functional Neurological Disorder with Dr. Patricia Rosebush

    10/31/2025

    PsychEd Episode 71: Functional Neurological Disorder with Dr. Patricia Rosebush

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers Functional Neurological Disorder with Dr. Patricia Rosebush. Dr. Rosebush is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. She is the distinguished author of numerous articles on clinical neuroscience, including considerable work on mitochondrial disorders in mental illness and over 30 papers on catatonia, and practices consultation-liaison psychiatry at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: Provide a definition and conceptual approach to FND Identify clinical signs and patient histories relevant to a diagnosis of FND Describe an approach to the treatment of FND Understand the special challenges of communication and collaboration in this illness Guest: Dr. Patricia Rosebush Hosts: Dr. Alastair Morrison, Dr. Kate Braithwaite Audio editing: Dr. Alastair Morrison Show notes: Dr. Kate Braithwaite Interview content: (02:39) Learning objectives (03:09) Conceptualization of FND (08:30) Underlying psychological processes (09:35) Difference between FND and factitious disorder/malingering (14:54) Alexithymia (16:51) Common symptomatic presentations (18:00) Types of underlying stressors (19:17) Other risk factors for FND (22:12) Communicating with patients to address stigma (24:32) Psychotherapy in FND (29:36) Referral pathways for patients with FND (31:15) Prognosis of FND (33:09) Social media and FND Resources: Functional Neurological Disorder Society. Functional Neurological Disorder Society (FNDS). Includes a podcast and courses for physicians Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) – A Patient's Guide to FND References: Hull, M., & Parnes, M. (2021). Tics and TikTok: Functional Tics Spread Through Social Media. Movement disorders clinical practice, 8(8), 1248–1252. https://doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.13267 National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024, July.) Functional Neurological Disorder.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Functional Neurologic Disorder | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke PsychDB. (2024, April). Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Disorder. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Disorder) - PsychDB Rosebush, P. I., & Mazurek, M. F. (2011). Treatment of conversion disorder in the 21st century: have we moved beyond the couch?. Current treatment options in neurology, 13(3), 255–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-011-0124-y Scamvougeras, A., & Castle, D. (2024). Functional Neurological Disorders: Challenging the Mainstream Agnostic Causative Position. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 69(7), 487–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437241245957 For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at psychedpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

    34 min
  5. PsychEd Shorts 6: Metabolic Monitoring on Antipsychotics

    10/20/2025

    PsychEd Shorts 6: Metabolic Monitoring on Antipsychotics

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers metabolic monitoring for patients on antipsychotic medications. Hosts: Grant Yao (MS4) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Timestamps: (0:21) - Background (2:22) - Monitoring for metabolic side effects (6:16) - Managing metabolic side effects (9:50) - Summary References: Agarwal, S. M., Stogios, N., Faulkner, G. E., & Hahn, M. (2023). Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of antipsychotic-induced weight gain in people with schizophrenia: A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49(4), 833-835. Carolan, A., Hynes-Ryan, C., Agarwal, S. M., Bourke, R., Cullen, W., Gaughran, F., ... & O’Donoghue, B. (2024). Metformin for the prevention of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: guideline development and consensus validation. Schizophrenia bulletin, sbae205. Cooper, S. J., Reynolds, G. P., With expert co-authors (in alphabetical order):, Barnes, T. R. E., England, E., Haddad, P. M., ... & Smith, J. (2016). BAP guidelines on the management of weight gain, metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular risk associated with psychosis and antipsychotic drug treatment. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(8), 717-748. DeJongh, B. M. (2021). Clinical pearls for the monitoring and treatment of antipsychotic induced metabolic syndrome. Mental Health Clinician, 11(6), 311-319. Stogios, N., Humber, B., Agarwal, S. M., & Hahn, M. (2023). Antipsychotic-induced weight gain in severe mental illness: risk factors and special considerations. Current Psychiatry Reports, 25(11), 707-721. For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

    12 min
  6. Upcoming Book Club: Healing

    10/10/2025

    Upcoming Book Club: Healing

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode is part of the PsychEd Book Club, a forum where we discuss books of interest to psychiatry learners from a variety of disciplines. We invite you to read along with us and contribute to our discussion. This short introductory episode gives you a heads-up about our upcoming book club on Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Thomas Insel. Stay tuned for a longer episode in a few months where we’ll share our thoughts on the book. If you’d like to share your thoughts or questions about the book, email us at psychedpodcast@gmail.com or reach out on social media. Hosts: Dr. Kate Braithwaite, Dr. Sophie Gregoire-Mitha, Dr. Gaurav Sharma Audio editing by: Dr. Gaurav Sharma For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

    8 min
  7. PsychEd Episode 70: Goals of Care Conversations with Dr. Tavis Apramian

    09/30/2025

    PsychEd Episode 70: Goals of Care Conversations with Dr. Tavis Apramian

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode covers goals of care conversations. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Tavis Apramian, a clinician-investigator in the Department of Family & Community Medicine (DFCM) at the University of Toronto and scientist in the Office of Education Scholarship. He works as a palliative care physician at St. Michael’s Hospital and at Kensington Hospice. His largely qualitative program of research is focused on advance care planning; workplace-based learning and assessment; palliative care in family medicine; medical assistance in dying; and inequity in end-of-life care. His primary focus is on telling rich stories of learner and patient experiences to spark conversation about socioculturally complex educational and clinical problems in serious illness. The learning objectives for this episode are as follows: Describe a palliative approach to care and its relevance across different contexts Demonstrate a structured and compassionate approach to goals of care conversations Apply effective communication strategies to build therapeutic alliance, navigate difficult conversations, and involve multiple actors in the palliative context Recognize and manage challenges in goals of care conversations Guest: Dr. Tavis Apramian Hosts: Dr. Daamoon Ghahari (PGY2) and Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Audio editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Timestamps: (1:07) - Journey to palliative care (5:07) - What is palliative care (14:47) - Understanding patient values (33:47) - Structuring goals of care conversations (44:16) - Communication strategies (57:05) - Navigating family meetings (77:25) - Reflections on MAiD for sole mental illness Resources: Roth, H. (2024). Hearing the unspoken. Canadian Family Physician, 70(10), 642-642. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11477260/pdf/0700642.pdf References: Bernacki, R. E., & Block, S. D. (2014). Communication about serious illness care goals: a review and synthesis of best practices. JAMA internal medicine, 174(12), 1994-2003. Gross, J., & Koffman, J. (2024). Examining how goals of care communication are conducted between doctors and patients with severe acute illness in hospital settings: A realist systematic review. PLoS One, 19(3), e0299933. Scheunemann, L. P., Ernecoff, N. C., Buddadhumaruk, P., Carson, S. S., Hough, C. L., Curtis, J. R., ... & White, D. B. (2019). Clinician-family communication about patients’ values and preferences in intensive care units. JAMA internal medicine, 179(5), 676-684. You, J. J., Downar, J., Fowler, R. A., Lamontagne, F., Ma, I. W., Jayaraman, D., ... & Canadian Researchers at the End of Life Network (CARENET). (2015). Barriers to goals of care discussions with seriously ill hospitalized patients and their families: a multicenter survey of clinicians. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), 549-556. For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠),  Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and visit our website at⁠ ⁠⁠psychedpodcast.org⁠.

    1h 23m
  8. PsychEd Shorts 5: Basics of Electroconvulsive Therapy

    09/16/2025

    PsychEd Shorts 5: Basics of Electroconvulsive Therapy

    Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of electroconvulsive therapy. Hosts: Ravi Bhindi (CC3), Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Show Notes: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Time Stamps: (0:36) - What is ECT? (2:18) - Indications and efficacy (4:35) - Treatment course (4:32) - Combination treatment (6:33) - Medications to discontinue (8:16) - Contraindications (9:40) - Side effects (11:52) - Procedure (16:03) - Summary Resources: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/electroconvulsive-therapyhttps://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=psychiatry-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect-faq References: Andrade, C., Arumugham, S. S., & Thirthalli, J. (2016). Adverse Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 39(3), 513–530. Brakemeier, E. L., Merkl, A., Wilbertz, G., Quante, A., Regen, F., Bührsch, N., van Hall, F., Kischkel, E., Danker-Hopfe, H., Anghelescu, I., Heuser, I., Kathmann, N., & Bajbouj, M. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapy as continuation treatment to sustain response after electroconvulsive therapy in depression: a randomized controlled trial. Biological psychiatry, 76(3), 194–202. Espinoza, R. T., & Kellner, C. H. (2022). Electroconvulsive therapy. New England Journal of Medicine, 386(7), 667-672. Gill, S., Hussain, S., Purushothaman, S., Sarma, S., Weiss, A., Chamoli, S., ... & Loo, C. K. (2023). Prescribing electroconvulsive therapy for depression: Not as simple as it used to be. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57(9), 1202-1207. Janjua, A. U., Dhingra, A. L., Greenberg, R., & McDonald, W. M. (2020). The efficacy and safety of concomitant psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). CNS Drugs, 34(5), 509-520. Jelovac, A., Kolshus, E., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2013). Relapse following successful electroconvulsive therapy for major depression: a meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(12), 2467–2474. Kolshus, E., Jelovac, A., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2017). Bitemporal v. high-dose right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychological Medicine, 47(3), 518-530. Lam, R. W., Kennedy, S. H., Adams, C., Bahji, A., Beaulieu, S., Bhat, V., ... & Milev, R. V. (2024). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023: Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 69(9), 641-687. Luchini, F., Medda, P., Mariani, M. G., Mauri, M., Toni, C., & Perugi, G. (2015). Electroconvulsive therapy in catatonic patients: Efficacy and predictors of response. World journal of psychiatry, 5(2), 182–192. Tess, A. V., & Smetana, G. W. (2009). Medical evaluation of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(14), 1437-1444. Zolezzi M. (2016). Medication management during electroconvulsant therapy. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 12, 931–939. For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (@psyched.podcast),  Facebook (PsychEd Podcast), X (@psychedpodcast), and Bluesky (@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬). You can email us at psychedpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at psychedpodcast.org.

    18 min
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About

This podcast is written and produced by psychiatry residents at the University of Toronto and is aimed at medical students and residents. Listeners will learn about fundamental and more advanced topics in psychiatry as our resident team explore these topics with world-class psychiatrists at U of T and abroad.

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