by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 22, 2025 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Every PMHNP has their go-to medications—but what about the ones we prescribe less often? One such antidepressant for me was vortioxetine (Trintellix), a medication I used to rarely prescribe, simply because I didn’t know as much about it. Let’s change that. What Class...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 17, 2025 | Best practices, Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Understanding what sets newer antipsychotics apart is key for any PMHNP aiming to stay current with evidence-based treatment. Recent developments in partial dopamine agonists represent a major shift in how we manage psychotic disorders, but how much do you really know...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 15, 2025 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Lumateperone (brand name Caplyta) gained FDA approval in 2019 for treating adults with schizophrenia and was later approved in 2021 for adults experiencing depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder. Research shows lumateperone, one of the newer...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 8, 2025 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders, Recent
In August 2023, the FDA approved zuranolone postpartum depression treatment, a new option for managing symptoms quickly and effectively. What makes zuranolone unique is its rapid onset and short treatment course—just two weeks. Zuranolone is taken orally and is...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 3, 2025 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
If you’re a psych NP or student trying to get a better grasp on antipsychotic medications, one foundational concept is that all antipsychotics modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission, within certain parts of the brain. This is the core mechanism of action across all...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 1, 2025 | Diagnosis/Assessment tips for treating mental disorders, Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Do You Know the Difference Between Bipolar I vs II? Let’s Test It. Understanding the difference between bipolar I vs II disorder is critical in clinical practice—especially when selecting appropriate treatments. This quick quiz will test your knowledge and help you...