Anxiety disorders are frequently encountered in medical practice, often presenting in masked form as somatic complaints. This course describes the differential diagnosis of anxiety disorders, notes the common comorbid medical conditions and medications that can cause anxiety and highlights other psychiatric disorders that often coexist with anxiety disorders. The course describes in detail the key elements of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and discusses treatment planning, including both psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches to each specific anxiety disorder.

Key issues in the psychopharmacologic management of anxiety disorders, including the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines and other psychotropic medications are discussed in detail. The choice of appropriate evidence based psychotherapy approaches to the anxiety disorders are reviewed and examined. Issues pertinent to risk management and patient safety concerns are described. This course prepares the clinician to systematically develop diagnostic assessment and treatment planning for the broad range of anxiety disorders seen in clinical practice.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS: The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

COST: $60.00
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OVERALL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Appreciate diagnoses of different anxiety disorders.
2. Understand how to initiate treatment with medications and refer for psychotherapy.
3. Evaluate risk management and patient safety issues.

CLINICAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand differential diagnosis of anxiety disorders.
2. Appreciate common comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions associated with anxiety disorders.
3. Understand psychopharmacologic management of anxiety disorders.
4. Appreciate different psychotherapy approaches to anxiety disorders.
5. Understand when to refer anxiety disorder patients for psychiatric consultation.

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RUSSELL VASILE, MD Course Director

Russell G. Vasile MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Affective Disorders Consultation Program at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He is a graduate of Princeton University, Class of 1970, and Harvard Medical School, Class of 1974. He completed his psychiatric residency training at the Harvard Medical School –Massachusetts Mental Health Center program in 1978. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Vasile has published in diverse areas related to the assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. These publications have included topics such as the psychopharmacologic management of depression and anxiety disorders, biopsychosocial approaches to affective disorders consultation, and the use of brain imaging in the assessment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Dr. Vasile is a graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, and is certified in Forensic Psychiatry. He is a past recipient of the Elvin V. Semrad Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. He has presented an annual program on advances in the treatment of affective disorders for the Harvard Medical School Continuing Medical Education Program over the past 15 years. DISCLOSURE: Company: Pfizer, Forest, and Wyeth. Type of relationship: Speakers Bureau. Content area: Mood Disorders.

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MARSHALL FORSTEIN, MD Reviewer

Marshall Forstein MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at the Cambridge Health Alliance. He is a graduate of Middlebury College, Class of 1971, and the College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Class of 1980. He completed his psychiatric residency training at the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, in 1984. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Forsein has published in diverse areas related to the assessment and treatment of sexual minorities, and HIV psychiatry. These publications have included topics such as the psychopharmacologic management of depression, anxiety disorders, and cognitive disorders as well as biopsychosocial approaches to people with HIV. He continues to consult on HIV Grants for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. He is a past recipient of the Leston Havens Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Award for Clinical Psychiatry from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society. He has directed and presented at numerous courses on sexuality, and HIV for the Harvard Medical School Continuing Medical Education Program over the past 15 years. DISCLOSURE: Marshall Forstein, MD: nothing to disclose

JOHN MOONEY, MD Reviewer

John J. Mooney MD is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at HMS and a member of the Affective Disorders Consult Servicec at BIDMC. He is a graduate of Harvard College, Yale Medical School, and the psychiatric residency program at Mass. Mental Health Center. He has 20 publications on the pathophysiology of depressive disorders, and has a particular interest in cell signaling systems in depressive disorders. DISCLOSURE: Reported no relevant financial relationships with commercial entities.

CHRISTOPHER PALMER, MD Reviewer

Dr. Christopher Palmer is the Medical Director for the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and a research physician in the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory and the Sleep Research Program, both at McLean Hospital. He is an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He conducts a private practice of psychiatry, specializing in treatment-resistant cases and also has significant teaching roles in a variety of settings, including continuing education conferences and medical student teaching at Harvard Medical School. DISCLOSURE:

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NUMBER OF CREDITS: 3 

Harvard Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Upon completion of the course you will get a certificate via e-mail within 2 weeks.

Click the image to view a sample of the certificate

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