by Eric Christianson | May 10, 2026 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) presents a unique opportunity in psychiatric prescribing because, unlike many other mood disorders, the timing of symptoms is often predictable. Patients typically experience depressive symptoms during the fall and winter months, with...
by Eric Christianson | Apr 29, 2026 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Clonidine and guanfacine are both alpha-2 adrenergic agonists used in the treatment of ADHD, but they behave differently enough in clinical practice that they are not truly interchangeable. In this article, we will compare and contrast clonidine versus guanfacine in...
by Eric Christianson | Apr 1, 2026 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
SSRIs are the drug of choice for many conditions. That is true of both obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression (excellent board exam nugget to remember). As you are reviewing a patient’s medication list or potentially helping with that patient’s...
by Eric Christianson | Dec 31, 2025 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Pimavanserin is a unique antipsychotic with a very specific niche in clinical practice. It is most commonly used for Parkinson’s disease psychosis, and its pharmacology, benefits, and risks are frequently tested and clinically misunderstood. In this blog post,...
by Eric Christianson | Jun 25, 2025 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
When comparing venlafaxine versus desvenlafaxine, we must first recognize that they are both part of the drug class called SNRIs. Both of these medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Venlafaxine comes in an extended-release...
by Eric Christianson | Apr 9, 2025 | Psychiatry and Addiction Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are FDA-approved for various conditions, such as anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia, and seizures. Although they treat a wide range of conditions, there are many safety concerns including increased risk of falls, cognitive impairment, delirium,...
