Step 1 Basics (USMLE)

USMLE Step 1 audio lessons designed to be listened to over and over again. Episodes cover material from many different areas including the cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, microbiology, and more! Listen when at the gym, commuting, cooking, or whenever you are on the go. Episodes are written, recorded, and mixed by Sam Smith.

Rheum| Antibody Review 11/15/2023

Rheum| Gout and Pseudogout 11/08/2023

Rheum| Rheumatologic Emergencies 11/01/2023

Cardio| Systolic Heart Murmurs 08/07/2023

Psych| OCD and Related Disorders 07/27/2023

Psych| Anxiety Related Disorders 07/18/2023

Psych| Eating and Feeding Disorders 07/11/2023

Psych| Mood Disorders (Grief, Depression, and Bipolar) 07/06/2023

Psych| Mood Disorders (Grief, Depression, and Bipolar) 5.10 Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar) Psychiatry Review for the USMLE Step 1 exam Mood disorders are persistent disruptions in emotion, categorized into bipolar disorders and depressive disorders. Bipolar disorders are characterized by manic or hypomanic episodes, while depressive disorders feature periods of depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is characterized by feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, and anhedonia lasting for at least two weeks. SIG E CAPS is an acronym used to remember the symptoms of depression: Sleep changes, Interest loss, Guilt, Energy loss, Concentration difficulties, Appetite changes, Psychomotor retardation, and Suicidal ideation. In MDD, at least 5 of the SIG E CAPS symptoms must persist for more than 2 weeks. Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia) is a chronic, low-grade form of MDD that lasts for at least two years. Mania is a symptom common to all bipolar disorders, characterized by elevated or irritable mood and increased activity or energy. Mania lasting for at least 1 week is called a manic episode, while hypomania is a less severe form lasting longer than 4 days. The symptoms of mania can be remembered using the mnemonic DIG FAST: Distractibility, Irritable mood/insomnia, Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Agitation/increased activity, Speedy thoughts/speech, and Thoughtlessness. Bipolar I involves manic episodes, and bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes. Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode, while bipolar II requires depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers such as lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine are used to treat bipolar disorders. Litium is the best (notable exeptions however). Antidepressants are contraindicated for bipolar patients due to the risk of flipping into mania. The risk of suicide is high in bipolar patients, with 25-50% attempting suicide and 10-15% dying by suicide. Cyclothymia is a less common form of bipolar disorder characterized by cycling between hypomania and mild depression over many years. /episode/index/show/72942236-d863-4759-88fb-9e43c37d7e18/id/27342498

Psych| Schizophrenia 07/04/2023

Psych| Cluster C Personality Disorders 06/29/2023

Psych| Cluster B Personality Disorders 06/27/2023

Psych| Cluster B Personality Disorders 5.07 Cluster B Personality Disorders Psychiatry review for USMLE Step 1 Exam Cluster B personality disorders are the highest yield among all personality disorders. The cluster B disorders include borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Substance abuse and comorbid mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), are commonly associated with cluster B disorders. Personality disorders are distinguished from normal personality traits by their negative impact on daily life, lack of awareness of the problem, and deviation from cultural expectations. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable emotions, impulsivity, disturbed relationships, and potential psychotic features. Criteria for diagnosing borderline personality disorder include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, unstable interpersonal relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity, recurrent suicidal behavior, affective instability, chronic feelings of emptiness, inappropriate anger, and paranoid ideation or dissociative symptoms under stress. Borderline personality disorder has a high risk of suicide, especially in women, and is often treated with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Histrionic personality disorder involves excessive attention-seeking, inappropriate sexually seductive behavior, shallow emotional expression, and self-dramatization. Diagnostic criteria for histrionic personality disorder include discomfort when not the center of attention, sexually provocative behavior, emotional instability, attention to physical appearance, impressionistic speech, self-dramatization, and susceptibility to influence. Histrionic personality disorder is more common in women and is associated with the defense mechanism of regression. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by grandiosity, a need for admiration, lack of empathy, and a sense of entitlement. Diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include a grandiose self-importance, fantasies of unlimited success, a belief in being unique, excessive need for admiration, sense of entitlement, exploitation of others, lack of empathy, envy, and arrogant behavior. Narcissistic personality disorder is exemplified by individuals who exhibit characteristics similar to a former president (not mentioned by name), including being grandiose, preoccupied with success, and envious of others. Antisocial personality disorder, often referred to as sociopathy, involves a disregard for others' rights, lack of remorse, criminal behavior, hostility, and manipulation. Antisocial personality disorder is more common in males, has a high prevalence in incarcerated individuals, and is usually preceded by childhood conduct disorder. Diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder include failure to conform to social norms, deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggressiveness, disregard for safety, irresponsibility, and lack of remorse. /episode/index/show/72942236-d863-4759-88fb-9e43c37d7e18/id/27239364

Psych| Cluster A Personality Disorders 06/23/2023

Psych| Hallucinogens (Types, Intoxication, and Withdrawal) 06/20/2023

Psych| Depressants (Types, Intoxication, and Withdrawal) 06/15/2023

Psych| Stimulants (Types, Intoxication, and Withdrawal) 06/13/2023

Psych| Classical and Operant Conditioning 06/06/2023

Psych| Classical and Operant Conditioning 5.02 Classical and Operant Conditioning Psychiatry review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Classical Conditioning: Pavlovian conditioning discovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known for his experiments with dogs. Learning through association. Example: Conditioning dogs to respond to a noise the way they would respond to meat. Involves associating an unconditioned stimulus with a new conditioned stimulus to elicit the same response. Process of Classical Conditioning: Start with a stimulus that produces a response (e.g., smelling pizza makes you hungry). Pair the stimulus and response with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., receiving a text indicating pizza delivery). Eventually, the conditioned stimulus (the text notification) alone elicits the conditioned response (mouth watering). Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery in Classical Conditioning: If the conditioned stimulus (text notification) is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (pizza), the conditioned response (mouth watering) will weaken and eventually extinguish. Spontaneous recovery may occur, where the conditioned behavior briefly reappears after a period of extinction. Terms in Classical Conditioning: Unconditioned stimulus (US): Triggers a response unconditionally. Unconditioned response (UR): The response elicited by the unconditioned stimulus. Conditioned stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus. Conditioned response (CR): The response elicited by the conditioned stimulus. Operant Conditioning: Developed by B.F. Skinner. Learning occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Three types of responses: neutral operants, reinforcers, and punishers. Examples of Operant Conditioning: Positive reinforcement: Giving a child candy for good behavior. Negative reinforcement: Taking away a child's phone until homework is done to increase desired behavior. Positive punishment: Using physical force as punishment (not recommended). Negative punishment: Taking away a child's phone to decrease unwanted behavior. Different Schedules of Reinforcement: Continuous Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement every time a specific behavior occurs. Fixed Ratio Reinforcement: Reinforcement after a specified number of correct responses. Fixed Interval Reinforcement: Reinforcement after a fixed time interval with at least one correct response. Variable Ratio Reinforcement: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses. Variable Interval Reinforcement: Reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time. Summary: Classical conditioning involves learning through association of stimuli. Operant conditioning involves learning through rewards and punishments for behavior. /episode/index/show/72942236-d863-4759-88fb-9e43c37d7e18/id/27051921

Psych| Ego Defenses 05/31/2023

Psych| Ego Defenses 5.01 Ego Defenses Psychiatry review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Defense mechanisms protect the unconscious part of our personality from anxiety caused by unacceptable thoughts or feelings. Ego defenses are categorized into three groups: mature, neurotic, and immature. Immature defense mechanisms include projection, regression, denial, acting out, and splitting. Projection involves attributing objectionable thoughts or emotions to others. Regression is behaving in an age-inappropriate way to avoid tension associated with the current phase of development. Denial is not accepting or believing something to protect one's ego. Acting out involves giving in to socially inappropriate impulses to avoid anxiety. Splitting is viewing people as either all good or all bad, without considering the middle ground. Neurotic defense mechanisms include intellectualization, isolation of affect, displacement, rationalization, reaction formation, and repression. Intellectualization is overanalyzing situations or focusing on irrelevant details to avoid negative feelings. Isolation of affect is unconsciously limiting the experience of emotions associated with a stressful event. Displacement involves shifting emotions from one thing to another, which is deemed more acceptable. Rationalization is justifying one's behavior or negative feelings through rational explanations. Reaction formation is unconsciously acting opposite to an unacceptable impulse. Repression involves preventing thoughts or feelings from entering consciousness to avoid negative emotions. Mature defense mechanisms include humor, altruism, suppression, and sublimation. Humor is used to relieve anxiety and negative thoughts. Altruism involves performing beneficial acts for others to experience pleasure and relieve anxiety. Suppression is consciously blocking undesirable ideas, thoughts, or impulses. Sublimation is transforming anxiety or emotions into socially valued pursuits. Sublimation involves channeling negative emotions into productive and socially desirable actions. /episode/index/show/72942236-d863-4759-88fb-9e43c37d7e18/id/26993484