APA Hallway Talk: Are Psych Meds Overprescribed?

Psychiatric medication tapering* is becoming one of the most important and controversial conversations in mental health care.

In the wake of the American Psychiatric Association Annual Conference, Dr. Bret Scher explores the growing debate around psychiatric medication “deprescribing,” responsible tapering, overprescription, and the urgent need for better research and clinician guidance.

This discussion examines the real clinical questions:

• When should psychiatric medications be reassessed?
• How should tapering be approached safely?
• How do we distinguish withdrawal symptoms from relapse?
• Why is there still so little research on tapering protocols?
• What role could metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic therapy play in supporting brain health during treatment?

Dr. Scher also discusses why every psychiatric prescription should include an ongoing plan for reassessment, not just indefinite continuation by default.

Importantly, this video does NOT encourage anyone to stop psychiatric medications on their own. Decisions about medication changes should always be made carefully with a qualified healthcare provider.

👉 To learn more about safe deprescribing, ketogenic therapy, and psych meds, visit our Keto and Psych Meds Topic Page: metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-and-psych-meds/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #PsychMeds

*(Tapering medications can be extremely dangerous and should always be done gradually with the support of a care team. Visit Inner Compass Initiative for more information on safe tapering.)

• https://www.theinnercompass.org/

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

• Baszucki Group Medical Director
• https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned

• metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-and-psych-meds/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.