Patient Education

Psychiatry FAQ

Name: Eric Wexler, M.D., Ph.D.
Address: 2730 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 325, Santa Monica, CA, 90403, US
Telephone: +1-310-744-1250
Price range: $$$

Common questions about antidepressants, psychotic disorders, and the treatments used in modern psychiatry, answered in plain language. This page is general education and does not replace an evaluation or personal medical advice. Unfamiliar terms are defined in the psychiatry glossary.

Antidepressants

Psychosis and Psychotic Disorders

Treatments and Procedures

Practice FAQ: appointments, fees and policies →
Medication Information FAQ →
Psychiatry Handbook →
References and citations →

Psychiatry FAQ

Antidepressants

How do antidepressants actually work?

How long before I feel better?

What are the most common side effects, and do they last?

What is the difference between an SSRI, an SNRI, and an MAOI?

Are antidepressants addictive?

Can I stop once I feel well?

What if the first antidepressant does not work?

Can antidepressants trigger mania?

What is serotonin syndrome and how likely is it?

Psychosis and Psychotic Disorders

What does psychosis actually mean?

Does psychosis mean schizophrenia?

What are the four clinical domains of schizophrenia?

How quickly do antipsychotics work?

What is treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and what is clozapine?

Why does clozapine require blood tests?

Is cannabis a risk for psychosis?

What is postpartum psychosis?

Can medication for psychosis ever be stopped?

Treatments and Procedures

What is rTMS, and who is it for?

How does ECT compare with rTMS?

What about ketamine and esketamine?

Do I still need therapy if I am taking medication?

What is catatonia, and why does it matter?

What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Why is pharmacogenetic testing not always ordered?

Which laboratory monitoring will I need?

Related pages