Psychotic and Mood Disorders: Overview

This initiative provides an important case-based resource to better enable clinicians to manage patients with psychotic and mood disorders. In this population, misdiagnoses are common. A thorough analysis of patient presentation and history can often pave the way to improved patient outcomes. Additionally, a carefully developed treatment plan may lessen the risk for exacerbation of symptoms, decreased patient functioning, and noncompliance.

This resource center contains practical materials developed by a panel of experts. They review challenging cases and discuss the nuances of diagnosis and management. In so doing, they provide insights into the real-world experience of how they manage their patients.

Materials posted here include a:

• Monograph for psychiatrists, distributed as a supplement to Annals of Clinical Psychiatry and Current Psychiatry
• Monograph distributed as a supplement to The Journal of Family Practice
• Series of podcasts featuring discussion among experts in the field, and
• Series of e-newsletters highlighting issues of importance to clinicians

The learning objectives of this case-based CME program are:

1. Achieve early and accurate diagnosis of patients with mood disorders
2. Utilize available screening tools effectively
3. Understand the mechanisms of action, hepatic effects, and other metabolic effects of available agents and their potential impact on treatment
4. Develop an effective treatment plan that includes monotherapy or combination therapy
5. Select the most appropriate agent(s) for short- and long-term treatment to meet individual patient needs