Ben Locwin, PhD, MS, MBA

The author comments on the current situation where behavioral modification smartphone apps do not undergo any oversight such as safety or efficacy studies, nor do they go through the Institutional Review Board to guide or evaluate ethics.

There has been an ongoing evolution in the treatment of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, and other significant psychiatric morbidities. As therapies have evolved, efficacy in treating positive and negative symptoms has (for the most part) remained quite high, and there has been a concerted push to — as the generations of drugs progress ever-forward — reduce the off-target and unwanted side effects of treatment (which also helps to boost compliance with medication-taking behaviors). Dr Ben Locwin shares his expertise on the future of pharmacologic treatment.

Dr Ben Locwin spoke to Dr Joshua Gear about the impact COVID-19 has had on our collective mental health, how we’re doing with regard to coping with the crisis, substance abuse, and what’s next.