SMARTer CARE Newsletters
Sign up for our weekly SMARTer Care newsletter! Receive articles of interest with a wide variety of subjects associated with psychiatry and the practice of primary care medicine. Just add your email address below or email BHCS.provider@vistahill.org.
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) 10/9/2024
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a wide array of mental health conditions including mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), or drug-induced movement disorders, are common adverse side effects of antipsychotic medications. EPS are important to recognize and address as they can cause patients significant distress and impairment and lead to self-discontinuation of […]
Utilizing the Stages of Change in Adolescent Substance Use: A Clinical Perspective 9/25/24
Adolescent substance use is a multifaceted public health issue that poses significant challenges to clinicians, including physicians and counselors. The complexity of this issue is heightened by the developmental stage of adolescence, a period characterized by experimentation, identity formation, and risk-taking behaviors. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM), also known as the Stages of Change model, provides […]
Motivational Interviewing in Adolescent Substance Use: A Review for PCPs and Counselors 9/11/24
Adolescent substance use is a pervasive issue, with significant implications for public health. Adolescence, a critical period of development, is marked by experimentation and risk-taking, often manifesting in the initiation of substance use. The importance of early intervention in this population cannot be overstated, given the potential for substance use disorders (SUDs) to disrupt healthy […]
Managing School Refusal 8/28/24
Families often present to their primary care providers when their children are refusing to go to school. School refusal can happen for a variety of reasons. The phenomenon has increased significantly since the pandemic. Many children who are refusing to go to school have an underlying mental health concern. The most common mental health concerns […]
BULLYING 8/14/24
For many children, the anxiety of a new school year is not just one of nervous excitement about a new year beginning. For many it may be a youth’s severe concern of about the risk of victimization as a result of peer bullying. Awareness of the potential that a youth may be experiencing bullying should be part […]
The Link Between Traumatic Experience and Substance Use Disorders 7/30/24
The relationship between traumatic experiences and the development of substance use disorders (SUDs) has been a subject of extensive research in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and public health. Traumatic experiences, defined as events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, significantly impact mental health. Other traumatic experiences, such as adverse […]
Why Do Teens Use Substances? An Overview 7/16/24
This is a first in a series of upcoming newsletters on substance use in youth. Substance use among teenagers remains a pervasive and multifaceted issue, eliciting concern from healthcare professionals, educators, and parents alike. Adolescence, a period marked by rapid physiological, psychological, and social changes, is often associated with experimentation and changes in behavior and […]
Tips to Reduce the Side Effects of Stimulant Medications 7/2/24
Stimulant medications are the primary medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These medications can be very helpful for children and youth who struggle with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention so that they can more successfully function in the home and school environments. At times, these medications can lead to problematic side effects such […]
Strategies for Summer Break 6/10/24
Most people look forward to summer break – vacations, warmer weather, not having to wake up early for school. However, for many kids and families, summer breaks can be challenging because of the change from the usual routine. This is especially true for children and youth with mental health and developmental concerns, for whom structure […]
Understanding Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Mechanisms, Applications & Considerations 5/31/24
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) represent a class of antidepressant medications widely prescribed for various mood and anxiety disorders. Here, we provide an overview of SSRIs, including their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic applications, adverse effects, and considerations for clinical practice. By synthesizing current research and clinical insights, we hope to enhance understanding of SSRIs […]