Highlights From the Residents’ Journal: March 2020

The Residents’ Journal is a quarterly e-publication that serves as a forum for resident physicians and fellows to share ideas and experiences in training, clinical practice, research, and careers.

The Enneagram: A Primer for Psychiatry Residents

Morgan Alexander, B.S., and Brent Schnipke, M.D.

The Enneagram is a personality theory describing nine strategies by which the psyche develops a worldview and relates to self and others. Each of the nine “types” has a basic fear, basic desire, and predictable behavior pattern in times of stress and security—all of which shape motivations underlying behavior. The Enneagram has been used by psychiatrists since the 1970s. The authors summarize the Enneagram theory, review the history and literature validating its use, and suggest areas for application in psychiatry, including diagnosis and psychotherapy. As the Enneagram becomes increasingly popular, clinicians will benefit from knowledge about the system.

Perinatal Depression: Giving Birth to New Hope

Anwar Jackson, M.D.

Depression in pregnancy is common in the United States, but access to evidence-based perinatal mental health remains scarce. This article describes historical factors that have led to barriers in access to perinatal mental health. Searches of electronic literature database and standardized practice guidelines were conducted to identify eligible articles.

Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia: Spotlight on QTc Prolongation

Pallavi Joshi, D.O., M.A., and Stephanie Joseph, M.D.

Aripiprazole is used off-label for psychosis in dementia, and according to certain studies, it has a lower risk of QTc prolongation. We present the case of an elderly female with newly diagnosed dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms leading to a psychiatric admission and the cautious use of aripiprazole in managing these symptoms, given her cardiac comorbidities.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Gluten-Free Intervention for Schizophrenia

Arielle Rubin, M.D.

A Night on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Celebrating Freedom

Michelle Schwartz, B.A.

Expecting the Unexpected: When Use of Complementary Alternative Medicine Goes Wrong

Soroush Shahrokh, Kristen Mazoki, D.O., Garrett Rossi, M.D.

Atypical: A Novel Portrayal of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Joo-Young Lee, M.D., M.S., and Zhuoheng Deng, M.D.