E68 - Move It Or Lose It! An Update on Exercise and the Brain with Dr. John Ratey

04/29/20 • 27 min

What is the evidence that exercise is at least as effective as medications for the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression? Can you share any research findings on the effects of exercise for patients with traumatic brain injury? If you have questions like these, you won't want to miss this episode with psychiatrist and renowed author, Dr. John Ratey!

Best selling author, John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 17 languages, including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. With the publication of "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection. His most recent book, “Go Wild” explores how we can achieve optimal physical and mental health by getting in touch with our caveman roots, and how we can “re-wild” our lives. Recognized by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America since 1997, Dr. Ratey was recently honored by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society as "Outstanding Psychiatrist of the Year" for advancing the field. Dr. Ratey and his work are frequently profiled in the media, where he’s been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and NPR, as well as in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, Men’s Health, and other national publications.

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E67 - Pediatric Anxiety in the Midst of a Pandemic with Dr. Jeffrey Strawn

Given the recent COVID-19 virus pandemic, how is pediatric anxiety influenced by things like the media, parental attitudes, and the family environment? How effective is telepsychiatry for pediatric patients? If you have these types of questions you won't want to miss this timely and important interview with psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Strawn! In this episode, we discuss issues like effective communication strategies for parents during this time, and how to best meet the needs of pediatric patients with anxiety.

Dr. Strawn is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He directs the University of Cincinnati Anxiety Disorders Research Program. His ongoing research explores the pathophysiology and psychopharmacology of anxiety disorders, using functional neuroimaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. His research further aims to identify early predictors of treatment response in anxiety and to identify which patients may respond best to which specific treatments. In his clinical practice, he works with youth with anxiety disorders and with their parents and families.

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E69 - A Beacon of Hope in the Storm of Mental Illness: An Update on Suicide Awareness and Prevention with Dr. Christine Moutier

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns are on the rise. What do we know about the relationship between suicide risk and previous pandemics or natural disasters? How do we distinguish between behavior that seems like appropriate coping during this time and behavior that should raise a red flag? What are some protective factors against suicide, and how can we capitalize on these, especially during this challenging time? Join us, as we interview the Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Dr. Christine Moutier.

Dr. Moutier knows the impact of suicide firsthand. After losing colleagues to suicide, she dedicated herself to fighting this leading cause of death. Throughout her career she has focused on fighting stigma related to mental health and help seeking. Training healthcare leaders, physicians, and advocacy groups, Dr. Moutier has sought to change the healthcare system’s approach to mental health, in order to optimize care for those suffering from mental health conditions.

As a leader in the field of suicide prevention, Dr. Moutier joined AFSP in 2013, and has revitalized AFSP’s Education team, re-launched its Loss & Healing department, and expanded AFSP’s support to include those with lived experience of suicide.

Moutier has authored articles and book chapters for publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, Academic Medicine, the American Journal of Psychiatry, the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Psychiatric Times, Depression and Anxiety, and Academic Psychiatry.

She has testified before the U.S. Congress and spoken at the White House, she was the host of AFSP’s documentary on surviving suicide loss, The Journey, and has appeared as an expert in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time magazine, The Economist, The Atlantic, the BBC, NBC, CNN , and other print and television outlets.

You can follow Dr. Moutier on Twitter at @cmoutierMD.

For more information on the AFSP please visit: afsp.org