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Your Guide To Navigating The Substack

This is the official “directory” of the Short Bits for Inquisitive PMHNPs Substack.

It’s purpose is to provide an organizational framework, by categorizing posts and laying them out in an easy to read manner. It’s also easily shared.

This page will be updated periodically to remain organized as we continue to publish a variety of posts.

Exam Prep:

(As of 9/18 each of these items are available for download on this post behind the paywall)

1. Comprehensive Board Review Guide - A 51-page guide designed to help you navigate the exam with confidence.

2. Practice Exams - Utilize two 175 question practice exams prior to testing for licensure.

Guides:

1. Introduction to Inpatient Role - A 7,000 word primer on what to expect & how to successfully transition to an inpatient role.

2. A Guide to Detox Medicine - A 4,000 word introduction to detox medicine. Learn signs & symptoms of various withdrawal syndromes. Review the most commonly utilized interventions (psychotropic & psychotherapeutic).

3. PMHNP Lab Guide - a review of need to know labs in the psychiatric setting.

Starting a Telehealth Practice:

1. Intro post - an overview of the steps to take when starting your own cash pay practice

2. First Steps - a primer on how to conduct appropriate market research & develop a solid business plan

3. Setting a Budget & Starting an LLC - the 2nd installment of the series

4. Choosing a Platform - the 3rd installment of the series

Neurobiology & Brainpathways

1. Mesolimbic Pathway - a review of the anatomy, physiology & implications for practice surrounding this pathway

2. Mesocortical Pathway - a review of the anatomy, physiology & implications for practice surrounding this pathway

Content Review Posts:

1. Cholinergic Rebound - Learn what it is & how it is relevant when tapering antipsychotic medication.

2. Dopaminergic Rebound - Learn what it is & how it is relevant when tapering antipsychotic medication.

3. Catatonia (Recognition & Treatment) - dive into one of the most interesting syndrome’s in psychiatry. Post is highly detailed & provides great insight into the following: associated psychiatric & medical conditions, various subtypes of catatonia, differential diagnosis, various treatment approaches & also multiple case studies.

4. Eating Disorders - a high level overview & basics of various eating disorders.

5. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - not to be confused with OCPD, this post covers the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of OCD.

6. Borderline Personality Disorder - review the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of BPD

7. Unraveling Conversion Disorder - review of the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of conversion d/o

8. Sleep Disorders - a review on the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of sleep disorders

9. Xylazine in Fentanyl- a discussion on the significance of Xylazine in fentanyl & how it affects the presentation of both intoxication & withdrawal

10. NMS vs Serotonin Syndrome - a review on the similarities & differences

11. Antipsychotics in Pregnancy - a primer on how to weigh the risks & benefits of using antipsychotics in pregnancy

12. Alcohol Detox & Seizures - a review of the changes that occur with alcohol tolerance & abrupt discontinuation which may precipitate seizures

13. Understanding Tricyclic Antidepressants - a primer on this older class of medications

14. Clozaril - indications for use, regulatory guidance & side effect management

15. Hypnogogic Hallucinations - voices in the nighttime hours.

16. Distinguishing between Bipolar d/o & Borderline PD - tips for accurate diagnosis.

17. Bupropion as an Adjunct for Negative Sx in Schizophrenia - a common & effective strategy.

18. Naltrexone - a treatment for gambling, sexual compulsions & self harm?

19. Hyperthyroidism vs Mania - recognizing the similarities & differences

20. Intermittent Explosive Disorder - a pharmacological approach to management

21. Kratom - a review of this substance, what it does & how to treat it’s dependence

22. Tourette’s Disorder - close look at the assessment, diagnosis & pharmacological treatment of Tourette’s and other tic disorders

23. Steroid Induced Psychosis - a discussion on adverse effect of psychosis, which sometimes occurs due to steroid use

24. Antidepressant Strategies: To Augment or Switch - An overview on factors to consider before switching or augmenting antidepressant therapy.

25. Lithium & Depakote Toxicity - How to recognize & prevent these two conditions

Common Side Effects:

1. Lithium & Thiazide Diuretics - An overview on this significant medication interaction

2. 2nd Gen Antipsychotic Weight Gain - overview of which receptors are implicated in the weight gain induced by atypical antipsychotics

3. SSRI Induced Sexual Dysfunction - an overview of the sexual dysfunction sometimes experienced by those treated with SSRIs and a discussion on how to manage it

4. Lithium & Hypothyroidism - a discussion on the identification & management of lithium induced hypo & hyperthyroidism

5. Antipsychotics & Akathesia - an overview on how to recognize & manage this side effect

6. Managing Tremors - A common side effect in psychiatry, this post reviews potential causes & treatments

Nutritional Psychiatry/Alternative Medicine:

1. Cholesterol - a necessary structure for proper brain function with multiple effects on mental health

2. Intermittent Fasting - an overview on its effect on depression, anxiety & sleep

3. Sunlight & Vitamin D - an overview on the impact on overall health sunlight has & how it differs from Vitamin D supplementation alone.

4. Zone 2 Exercise - an intro to Zone 2 Exercise & it’s connection to mental health treatment

5. Zone 2 Exercise - a discussion on it’s effect with mitochondrial health & implications for practice

Pharmacology:

1. Overview of Commonly Target Receptors - which receptors are most commonly targeted & what effect do they have

2. Stimulants - an overview on how stimulants work as well as their most common side effects

3. Mirtazapine - a review of mirtazapine’s receptor interactions

4. Quetiapine - a review of quetiapine’s receptor interactions

5. SSRIs - a review of SSRIs’ how they work & their most common side effects

6. Lamictal - an overview on lamictal’s receptor interactions

7. Propranolol - a great tool for management of both social & PTSD related anxiety

8. Venlafaxine - a review of Effexor’s receptor interactions

9. Aripiprazole - a review of Abilify’s receptor interactions

10. Lithium - A review of Lithium’s mechanism of action

Med Review Posts:

- Each of the following review medications from a high level from the perspective of what is “good”, “bad” & “ugly” about each med.

1. Lithium

2. Fluoxetine

3. Sertraline

4. Escitalopram

5. Citalopram

6. Paroxetine

7. Bupropion

8. Fluvoxamine

9. Prazosin

Board Review Posts:

- Each of the following includes sample questions, review content & relevant patient scenarios.

1. Lithium Board Review

2. Depakote Board Review

3. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Board Review

4. Foundation of PMHNP Practice Board Review

5. Bipolar d/o Board Review

6. Pharmacokinetics/dynamics in Adolescents

7. Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

Professional Development/Self Help Posts:

1. Time Management and Productivity Strategies - improve your understanding of the most effective time management techniques for mental health care providers, as well as tips for streamlining patient care and documentation, avoiding burnout, and achieving greater success in your practice.

2. Creating Effective Daily Routines - explore the importance of routines in PMHNP practice and provide real world tips for creating and maintaining these routines in order to support your professional and personal well-being.

Miscellaneous Posts:

1. Finding Employment - Some tips to utilize when seeking employment.

2. Creatine (for depression?!) - an intro on some emerging research on creatine utilization for depressive symptoms.

3. Choosing a Medication - A review of some important principles to consider when choosing a medication.

4. Pediatric Bipolar d/o or what? - a simple run down of the various disorders that may present similarly to bipolar in children & adolescents.

5. Shadow People, What’s the Deal? - a deeper look at why adolescents tend to complain of this terrible symptom

6. Driving Force of Addiction - Impulsivity vs Compulsivity & how do these concepts relate to addiction?

7. Psychiatry is a Challenge - A discussion on the inherent complexity of psychiatry.

8. Piano Keys & Psychopharmacology - an easy read that likens piano keys to individual psychotropic agents. Consider how a safe medication regimen is similar to a well written song.

9. How to Write a Soap Note - still figuring out the basics? We’ve got you covered.

10. Bipolar d/o in Late Life - a note of caution

11. FDA Guidelines for Generic Medications - what do we need to know?

12. Depakote utilization in pts w TBI - a less known strategy for managing behavioral changes after TBI

See below for access to Board Review Guide & Practice Exam….