NEI Podcast

In this episode of PsychopharmaPearls, Dr. Andy Cutler talks with Dr. Leslie Citrome about akathisia, a common but often misdiagnosed antipsychotic side effect that can look like agitation, anxiety, irritability, or worsening psychiatric symptoms. They discuss how to recognize akathisia in clinical practice, distinguish it from true agitation, identify key timing and symptom clues, and avoid common treatment mistakes, including why benztropine is not an appropriate treatment for akathisia. 

Leslie Citrome, MD, MPH, is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College and an internationally recognized expert in psychopharmacology and clinical trial interpretation. He has authored more than 600 scientific publications and frequently lectures on applying research findings to real-world psychiatric practice. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.  
Fall Congress  

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This episode features extended Q&A sessions addressing unanswered audience questions from select presentations delivered at the 2026 NEI Spring Congress in Kissimmee, Florida:  

(00:53) From Avoidance to Action: Evidence-based Pathways to Recovery for Difficult-to-Treat Anxiety by Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP 


(15:21) Perhaps the Grass Is Greener: Why, When, and How to Switch or Combine Treatments for Schizophrenia by Christoph U. Correll, MD 


(34:42) The Other Side of Motherhood: Advances in the Treatment of Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders by Jennifer L. Payne, MD 


Fall Congress  

Get $100 off NEI Fall Congress registration with code POD26. Go to https://nei.global/fall to sign up today!  

Membership  

As a valued NEI Podcast listener, Dr. Cutler's offering you 20% off new NEI Membership with code CUTLER20. Go to https://nei.global/member and join now! 

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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Neill Epperson about how to evaluate cognitive complaints in women. They discuss how to differentiate between ADHD, hormonal changes (such as perimenopause), mood and anxiety disorders, and age-related cognitive decline. The conversation highlights key clinical clues, including symptom timing and fluctuation, to improve diagnostic accuracy. Practical strategies for assessment and treatment are reviewed to help clinicians make more informed, individualized decisions.  

C. Neill Epperson, MD, is the Robert Freedman Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. She is an internationally recognized expert in women's mental health, with research focused on the effects of hormonal transitions—such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—on mood, cognition, and psychiatric disorders. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 
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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Thomas Schwartz about insomnia related to antidepressant discontinuation, including how rebound and withdrawal symptoms can emerge when tapering or stopping treatment. They review the underlying mechanisms, clinical risk factors, and how to distinguish discontinuation-related insomnia from relapse of depression or primary sleep disorders. The discussion emphasizes practical, evidence-informed strategies for safely tapering antidepressants and managing sleep disturbance in psychiatric practice.  

Thomas L. Schwartz, MD, is a Distinguished Teaching Professor at Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He is an award-winning educator deeply involved in medical student and resident training, as well as the development of continuing medical education in psychiatry. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 
Save $100 on registration for 2026 NEI Spring Congress with code NEIPOD26 

Register today at nei.global/spring 

Never miss an episode!🎙SUBSCRIBE to the NEI Podcast– available on all your favorite platforms: https://nei.global/podcast 

Interested in Psychopharmacology?  Learn about the NEI Master Psychopharmacology Program: https://nei.global/mpp  

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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Holly Swartz about the critical role of sleep and circadian rhythms in bipolar disorder, including how sleep disturbance can function as both a symptom and trigger of mood episodes. They discuss how clinicians can better assess sleep to identify early warning signs of relapse, along with practical strategies for intervention, including applying principles of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), choosing between behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for insomnia, and avoiding sleep medications that may destabilize mood. The episode offers a clinically focused approach to improving relapse prevention through better sleep management.  

Holly A. Swartz, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, Director of the Center for Advanced Psychotherapy, and Medical Director of the Depression and Manic Depression Prevention Program. An internationally recognized expert in bipolar disorder treatment, she is President of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders and known for advancing Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based approach targeting sleep, circadian rhythms, and mood stabilization to prevent relapse. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 
Resources 

The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder 

Bipolar II Disorder 

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy – ipsrt.org 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – dbsalliance.org 

 

Save $100 on registration for 2026 NEI Spring Congress with code NEIPOD26 

Register today at nei.global/spring 

 

Never miss an episode!🎙SUBSCRIBE to the NEI Podcast– available on all your favorite platforms: https://nei.global/podcast 

Interested in Psychopharmacology?  Learn about the NEI Master Psychopharmacology Program: https://nei.global/mpp  

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