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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 28m

Longer delay in starting lithium = lower response in this 25 yr uncontrolled study of bipolar: ▪ Under 3 yr delay: 69% ▪ 3-8 yr: 50% ▪ 8-17 yr: 44% ▪ Over 17 yr: 40% Learn how to recognize #bipolar and use #lithium early psych-partners.com/start-lithiu... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Clomiparmine is a standard treatment for premature ejaculation, and this large trial tested it with sildenafil (Viagra). The two worked better than either alone: psych-partners.com/clomipramine... Trial is industry sponsored, aiming for approval of a combo pill. #psychiatry #sexualhealth #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Even in psychotic mania, mood stabilizers have better long-term outcomes than antipsychotics, concludes new study designed to mimic a randomized trial. Learn the caveats, and which antipsychotics may differ: psych-partners.com/you-dont-nee... #psychiatry #pmhnp #bipolar #bipolardisorder

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

The AMA journal changed course in new paper recommending e-cigs for nicotine cessation. They have toxins, but they help quit and are much safer than smoking. Learn how to use them and find FDA-cleared products: psych-partners.com/jama-changes... #stopsmoking #medicine #psychiatry #pmhnp #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Here's a first... benzodiazepine prescriptions declined in the past decade. Lower rates among all clinicians except one group - that I suspect is due to workforce shifts: psych-partners.com/benzodiazepi... #psychiatry #pmhnp #medicine

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

These don't clarify whether cognitive symptoms are due to adult #ADHD: ▪ Stimulant response ▪ Rating scales ▪ Adult onset without childhood precedent Learn how to make the diagnosis in this new review: psych-partners.com/what-else-co... #psychiatry #pmhnp #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Key points from new analyses: ▪ Methylphenidate is not addictive when used for ADHD ▪ XR versions are less rewarding ▪ Tolerance develops to rewarding, energizing qualities, not to #ADHD benefits #psychiatry #pmhnp #mentalhealth #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#Bipolar disorder usually starts in the teens, but it can also start during menopause, concludes new analysis. Learn how menopause changes mood: psych-partners.com/perimenopaus... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Good points. In some studies, eating healthy was cheaper (beans, whole grains, nuts, vegetables)

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

SAINT (SNT) #TMS once promised outsized recovery rates for refractory #depression, but two new trials from independent centers bring it back to earth: psych-partners.com/a-setback-fo... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Mixed features are common in unipolar and #bipolar #depression, and this analysis ranks antipsychotics there: psych-partners.com/top-meds-for... Lurasidone and lumateperone are standards, but the underutilized asenapine also ranks high. #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Light therapy improved #bipolar #depression in new, small, sham-controlled trial, joining 7 earlier trials regardless of season. This one in night owls: psych-partners.com/light-therap... Join me for light/dark #therapy webinar this Tue: healthlinksed.ca?product=ldt-1 #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Join me for a webinar on light and dark #therapy ▪ Tue 10/6 12 PM Learn how to use it for #depression, #bipolar, insomnia, and 12 other disorders. Register: healthlinksed.ca?product=ldt-1 #psychiatry #pmhnp #naturalhealth

healthlinksed.ca

October 6: Light & Dark Therapy – Health Links Education

CAD $39.00

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Substance use is linked to worse cognitive outcomes, and cognitive problems get in the way of self-awareness and recovery. They improve after around 6 months of sobriety. Learn how they differ by substance, from new review: psych-partners.com/cognitive-im... #psychiatry #sobriety #pmhnp #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Which antipsychotic is most effective for aggression in #schizophrenia? Clozapine, concludes new network meta-analysis, followed by paliperidone and olanzapine. See full ranking: psych-partners.com/antipsychoti... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Which form of ketamine is best for #depression? New review lands on IV ketamine and IN esketamine, with subcutaneous a distant third, and oral problematic for both efficacy and diversion. Offers tips on responsible prescribing: psych-partners.com/ketamines-fo... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Top supplements for #depression: psych-partners.com/top-suppleme... L-theanine for cognition, sleep, and possibly psych disorders: psych-partners.com/l-theanine-i... Ashwagandha improves sleep and menopausal symptoms in new trial: psych-partners.com/ashwagandha-... (Carlat CAM book coming soon)

psych-partners.com

Top Supplements for Depression - PsychPartners

Supplements that work for depression, from a large meta-analysis. Omega-3, vitamin D3, and St.John’s wort rose to the top, with 18 others beating placebo.

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Janusz Rybakowski summarizes lithium's anti-aging effects: psych-partners.com/lithiums-ant... #Lithium lowered dementia risk 18% compared to valproate in large, 10-year study: psych-partners.com/lithium-vs-v... #psychiatry #pmhnp #bipolar

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Bob Post finds 5 new reasons to use #lithium: psych-partners.com/lithium-as-a... Lithium appears to lower suicide by reducing aggression in new study: psych-partners.com/lithium-aggr... #psychiatry #pmhnp #bipolar

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Top signs that a #depression is a #bipolar type: ▪ Early onset, frequent recurrence, postpartum onset ▪ Family history of bipolar ▪ Suicide attempts, psychotic features ▪ Cyclothymic temperament, mixed features From new meta-analysis: psych-partners.com/red-flags-fo... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Cutting ultraprocessed junk food had a big effect on #depression in new, small trial. Find the resources they used in the study here: A dietary rating scale and NOVA processed food guide: psych-partners.com/cutting-junk... #psychiatry #pmhnp #nutrition #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Lumateperone reduced mania in a large phase-III trial, making it the third antipsychotic to work for both phases of #bipolar disorder: psych-partners.com/lumateperone... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Zonisamide gets its first meta-analysis in #alcohol use disorder. What's been your experience with this anticonvulsant? It had a mild benefit across 5 RCTs, but no reduction in heavy drinking days. Learn when and how to use it: psych-partners.com/zonisamide-l... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

We talk lavender for anxiety in this podcast with Let's Get Psyched: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2... This herbal extract, branded as Silexan in Europe and over the counter in the US, treated generalized #anxiety more than an SSRI and equaled SSRIs in #depression. #naturalhealth #therapy

podcasts.apple.com

#200 - Silexan with Dr. Chris Aiken (Part 1)

Podcast Episode · Let's Get Psyched · September 1 · 30m

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

How do you tell the difference between affective temperaments and personality disorders? Psychotherapists and mood experts offer tips on borderline vs cyclothymia and narcissism vs hyperthymia: psych-partners.com/temperament-... #psychiatry #pmhnp #bpd #psychology #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Do people with #Schizophrenia mistake their inner voice for hallucinations? Hard to say, but this EEG study raises it to a strong possibility: psych-partners.com/are-auditory... #psychiatry #pmhnp #psychology

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This study tells us to consider mirtazapine for functional dyspepsia: psych-partners.com/mirtazapine-... It's a common disorder, affected 1 in 5 people, causing fullness, stomach pain, bloating, and nausea. #psychiatry #medicine #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Omega-3s for #Autism? They improved irritability and communication in adults and children in new meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials: psych-partners.com/omega-3-find... #psychiatry #pmhnp #naturalhealth #neurodiversity #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Yes there is likely harm below that, just not statistically detectable in this analysis

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Here's the first case reports of mania on lumateperone (Caplyta). Learn which antipsychotics are most linked to this rare reaction: psych-partners.com/lumateperone... #bipolar #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Therapeutic relationship influences med response: ▪ Effect size similar to antidepressant ▪ Depression response rises w/ visit frequency ▪ Drop-outs more like when clinicians type during visit Learn how to improve on that, from David Mintz et al: psych-partners.com/medication-a... #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

They wanted ease access to care for #ADHD. Steamline a broken system. So why are the lead physician and CEO of Done Health behind bars? Find out in the 3-part Carlat #Psychiatry Podcast: www.thecarlatreport.com/blogs/2-the-... #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Psychodynamic #therapy fell out of use for #schizophrenia after 4 small trials found no benefit for core symptoms, but can it help functioning? Here it did, as add-on to antipsychotics, in the first large trial to test that outcome: psych-partners.com/psychodynami... #psychiatry

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

New consensus on deprescribing in #bipolar and #depression: ▪ Clarifies when to taper antidepressants in bipolar, and when to continue ▪ Allow 6-12 months of recovery before most tapers ▪ Lithium requires a slow taper, at least 6 weeks More: psych-partners.com/deprescribin... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

5 Mds agree and disagree on the Clancy trial; I join in w/ Owen Muir: Part 1 thefrontierpsychiatrists.substack.com/p/the-lindsa... 2 thefrontierpsychiatrists.substack.com/p/was-lindsa... 3 thefrontierpsychiatrists.substack.com/p/if-lindsay...

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

New guidelines for negative symptoms in #schizophrenia recommend: ▪ Antidepressants ▪ Modafinils ▪ TMS And ask: is depression or antipsychotic side effects the cause? But there are other ways to personalize the treatment. Learn more: psych-partners.com/guidelines-f... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

New way to improve #depression and #bipolar. An app monitors circadian rhythms and guides people to light, darkness, sleep and activity at the biologically proper times. Study says it works, and pending its release, I've got a few biohacks to replicate it: psych-partners.com/circadian-rh...

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is the second trial to support an anti-inflammatory in #OCD. Learn where celexocib fits in this disorder: psych-partners.com/celecoxib-ac... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

There's a clear takeaway from this study. Consider thiamine supplementation when you see these side effects on GLP1 RAs: ▪ Persistent nausea, vomiting, low food intake, rapid weight loss Here's why: psych-partners.com/glp-1s-thiam... #psychiatry #pmhnp #medicine

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Here's how to treat #OCD in #bipolar (without antidepressants): ▪ Psychotherapy, TMS, ondansetron, topiramate, lamotrigine, celecoxib, and quetiapine New trial adds memantine to the list (it may also improve cognition... learn why: psych-partners.com/memantine-fo... #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Hope is essential to treatment. It's not the same as optimism. And you don't need to be a charismatic healer to instill it. Start with this 3-step guide: psych-partners.com/three-steps-... #psychiatry #pmhnp #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Avoidant-restrictive #EatingDisorder is new to DSM, and we don't know much about how to treat it. A family-therapy approach outperformed individual #therapy in new, large trial of children: psych-partners.com/one-therapy-... #ARFID #mentalhealth #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Learn how to use a lightbox from MD who discovered it: Carlat #Psychiatry Interview with Norman Rosenthal: www.thecarlatreport.com/newsletters/... Also review of a new antipsychotic, GLP-1s, pramipexole #depression #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Probiotics improved mental health in #LongCOVID in this, the second randomized trial to test them: psych-partners.com/probiotics-f... #psychiatry #pmhnp #medicine #covid #therapy

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Do GLP-1s like #Ozempic treat binge eating disorder? Maybe, concludes analysis of 25 trials, but nearly all of them involved general binge eating in obesity, not the psychiatric disorder: psych-partners.com/glp-1-medica... #psychiatry #therapy #weightloss

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Aripiprazole worked better than paliperidone for meth and cocaine-induced psychosis in new randomized trial with 2-year follow-up: psych-partners.com/aripiprazole... What's been your experience? #psychiatry #pmhnp

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Chris Aiken, MD @chrisaikenmd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A mega-vitamin used for #ADHD improved teen irritability, particularly disruptive mood dysregulation, in new randomized trial: psych-partners.com/micronutrien... #psychiatry #pmhnp #naturalhealth #mentalhealth #therapy

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