Lievy Psychiatry, LLC

12/03/2025

Substance Use in Moderation During the Holidays 🎄🎄🎄🎄

The holiday season can be joyful but also stressful, making it easy to overindulge in alcohol or other substances. Practicing moderation helps you stay present, healthy, and in control.

Tips for Staying Balanced
• Set limits ahead of time. Decide how much you’ll drink or whether you’ll use anything at all before the event begins.
• Alternate with water or food. Staying hydrated and eating regularly reduces the urge to overuse substances.
• Know your triggers. Stress, family dynamics, or social pressure can make moderation hard—be aware of what affects you.
• Have an exit plan. If a situation feels uncomfortable or tempting, give yourself permission to leave.
• Support others. Encourage a culture where choosing not to drink or to drink lightly is respected.
• Listen to your body. If you start feeling off, slow down or stop—it’s always okay to say “no more.”
• Consider alcohol-free options. Mocktails and festive non-alcoholic drinks can help you enjoy the moment without overdoing it.

Why Moderation Matters
• Helps maintain physical and mental well-being
• Prevents next-day regret and health risks
• Keeps celebrations enjoyable and safer.

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!! Be safe and happy!

11/24/2025

🌱 Mental Health & The Power of Being Social

We often think of socializing as just hanging out, chatting, or catching up—but it’s so much more than that. Meaningful social connection is one of the most underrated contributors to good mental health.

Being around people who make us feel seen and supported can:
✨ Reduce stress
✨ Boost our mood
✨ Increase our sense of belonging
✨ Help us navigate tough emotions
✨ Strengthen resilience

But here’s the important part: being social doesn’t have to mean attending big events or forcing yourself into situations that drain you. It can be:
• A quiet coffee with someone you trust
• A quick call with a friend
• Joining a community with shared interests
• Even small, positive interactions throughout the day

Your mental health thrives when you allow yourself connection—on your own terms.

Reach out. Check in. Make space for the people who make you feel grounded.
You don’t have to do life alone.

11/24/2025

About me:
Did you know that I’ve been in nursing since 2006? I started as a pediatric LPN caring for immunocompromised infants and children. I slowly progressed up the ranks to working in hospitals as an RN (medical surgical). I enjoyed the different facets of patient care and met so many different cultures with unique diversities. My interest peeked into education, so I became a nursing instructor and LOVED it for 8 years. Through my lectures, I became immersed into the specialty of psychiatry. I learned we have a national deficit of providers and there’s stigmas that go unaddressed or misdiagnosed. My passion is to serve the community and help those that struggle with mental health challenges….
I want to be part of the solution, not the problem. I don’t believe in overprescribing or dismissing symptoms. I’m here to listen…let’s work together! 😊
In my free time, when I’m not seeing patients, I enjoy crocheting, watching documentaries, stargazing, and staying physically active.

11/19/2025

🎄🎄🎄

11/14/2025

Caplyta is now FDA indicated for major depressive disorder!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Ask me more…..

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day!!
Be safe, happy, and healthy!

10/29/2025

10/24/2025

Another amazing presentation on Caplyta. New indication coming soon for……can’t say it yet but it’s exciting. Delicious foods and good education!!

10/22/2025

Love it when pharm reps spoil the providers!! Fancy meal and great education.

10/10/2025

Vraylar (generic name: cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat several mental health conditions. It works by balancing dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain — chemicals involved in mood, thinking, and perception.

🔹 Approved Uses

Vraylar is FDA-approved for:
• Schizophrenia in adults
• Bipolar I disorder, including:
• Acute manic or mixed episodes
• Depressive episodes (bipolar depression)
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) — as an adjunct treatment (used with antidepressants)

🔹 How It Works

Cariprazine acts mainly as a dopamine D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist and a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist, meaning it helps regulate neurotransmitter activity without fully blocking or stimulating receptors.

🔹 Common Side Effects
• Restlessness or feeling unable to sit still (akathisia)
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Tremor
• Constipation
• Weight gain (usually mild compared to some other antipsychotics)

🔹 Serious but Rare Side Effects
• Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements)
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• Metabolic changes (blood sugar, cholesterol)
• Orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing)

🔹 Other Key Facts
• Taken once daily, with or without food
• Has a long half-life — stays in the body for a while, so dose changes take time to take full effect
• Not recommended for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (increased risk of death)

Would you like me to explain how it compares to other medications (like Abilify or Latuda), or go over what to expect when starting it?

10/03/2025

Trintellix (generic name: vortioxetine) is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is known for having a unique mechanism of action compared to other antidepressants.

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🔹 Key Information About Trintellix

✅ Uses:
• Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

🧠 How It Works:
• Trintellix is a serotonin modulator and stimulator.
• It affects serotonin receptors and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain.
• Its multimodal action helps regulate mood and emotional state.

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💊 Dosage:
• Typically starts at 10 mg once daily.
• May be adjusted to 5 mg to 20 mg daily, depending on individual response and tolerability.
• Can be taken with or without food.

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⚠️ Common Side Effects:
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sexual dysfunction (less common than with SSRIs)
• Dry mouth

🔴 Serious Side Effects:
• Serotonin syndrome (especially if combined with other serotonergic drugs)
• Suicidal thoughts (particularly in young adults and adolescents)
• Abnormal bleeding
• Hyponatremia (low sodium)
• Mania/hypomania (in bipolar disorder patients)

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🚫 Drug Interactions:
• MAOIs – Do not use with or within 14 days of taking an MAOI.
• Other serotonergic drugs – Risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Blood thinners or NSAIDs – May increase risk of bleeding.
• CYP2D6 inhibitors – May increase levels of Trintellix.

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❗ Warnings & Precautions:
• Monitor for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, especially during the first few weeks.
• Use caution in patients with a history of bipolar disorder, seizures, or bleeding disorders.
• Not approved for use in children.

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🤰 Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:
• Use only if the benefit outweighs the risk during pregnancy.
• It’s unknown if Trintellix is safe during breastfeeding – consult a healthcare provider.

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🔄 Discontinuation:
• Tapering off is not usually required, but consult your doctor before stopping.
• Some patients may still experience withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.