Rajnish (“Raj”) Mago, MD, is a psychiatrist in Philadelphia and the Founder and Editor of Simple and Practical Mental Health (SimpleandPractica.com).
Dr. Mago is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.
Previously, he was:
– Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He taught advanced psychopharmacology to the psychiatry residents and was director of the psychopharmacology curriculum.
– Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Mood Disorders Program at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Mago has been equally a clinician, researcher, and educator, with each of these areas informing the others.
As a clinician, he provides specialized consultation as well as ongoing care to patients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and ADHD.
As a researcher and academic, he has done studies on tools for identifying and assessing symptoms that may be adverse effects, on the treatment of side effects like antidepressant-induced excessive sweating, and on the use of genetic testing to predict who may be more likely to have adverse effects.
As an educator, his clinical summaries on this website are helping clinicians in over 75 countries.
In the past, for many years, Dr Mago was:
– Chair of the education committee of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society
– Chair of the education committee of the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society
– An Associate Editor of the periodical Current Psychiatry.
Dr. Mago is widely sought after to speak at Grand Rounds, CME conferences, etc. His updated speaking schedule is available at THIS LINK.
Awards
Dr. Mago has been widely recognized for being an exceptional teacher and has received many awards for his teaching.
These include the following (in reverse chronological order):
– Outstanding Academician Award (2023)from the Indo-American Psychiatric Society (IAPA)
– Albert Stunkard Faculty Recognition Award (2019) from the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
– Psychiatric Educator of the Year (2014) from the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society.
– Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education (2013) from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
– Robert Waelder Award for teaching (2012) from the graduating residents (Class of 2012) at Thomas Jefferson University.
– Daniel Blain Award (2011) from the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society.
– Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents (2011) from the American Psychiatric Association.
– Nancy C.A. Roeske MD Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Medical Student Education (2010) from the American Psychiatric Association.
Invited lectures by Dr. Mago
Awards
Invite Dr. Mago to speak
In the media
Publications
In reverse chronological order
Goodman DW, Mago R, Citrome L, Swartz HA, McIntyre RS, Freeman MP, Clayton AH, Kasper S, Vieta E, Williams AR, Frye MA, Gitlin MJ, Cohen LJ, Correll CU, Gorwood P, Iosifescu DV, Jha MK, Kupka R, Macaluso M, Malhi GS, Mitchell PB, Bhatt S, Tohen M, Nierenberg AA, Sajatovic M, Thase ME, Zohar J, Aaronson ST, Young JL, Goldberg JF. The American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology task force consensus statement on the deprescribing of stimulant medications in adults with ADHD✰. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2026 May 20;111:112863. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2026.112863. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42160906.
Goldberg JF, Swartz HA, McIntyre RS, Mago R, Malhi GS, Jha MK, Berk M, Kasper S, Freeman MP, Gitlin MJ, Sajatovic M, Ostacher MJ, Citrome L, Iosifescu DV, Perlis RH, Furukawa TA, Vieta E, Thase ME, Young AH, Tohen M, Nierenberg AA, Macaluso M, Shelton RC, Correll CU, Aaronson ST, Rosenblat JD, Gorwood P, Khan A, Kupka R, Cohen LJ, Mitchell PB, Frye MA, Sanacora G, Kane JM, Rubio-Lorente JM, Goodman DW, Zohar J, Davis L, Gupta S, Steingard S, Zarate CA, Clayton AH. The American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) task force on the deprescribing of psychotropic medications for mood disorders: Delphi expert consensus. Br J Psychiatry. 2026 Mar 25:1-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2026.10580. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41877318.
Goldberg JF, McIntyre RS, Swartz HA, Freeman MP, Mago R, Citrome L, Rosenblat JD, Thase ME, Tohen M, Vieta E, Malhi GS, Sajatovic M, Shelton RC, Macaluso M, Berk M, Perlis RH, Ostacher MJ, Khan A, Iosifescu DV, Sanacora G, Rubio JM, Kane JM, Goodman DW, Nierenberg AA, Correll CU, Kupka R, Kasper S, Furukawa TA, Davis L, Aaronson ST, Gitlin MJ, Jha MK, Cohen LJ, Papakostas GI, Mitchell PB, Gorwood P, Gupta S, Frye MA, Young AH, Zohar J, Steingard S, Zarate CA Jr, Clayton AH; American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology Task Force on the Deprescribing of Psychotropic Medications. Recommendations for the Deprescribing of Psychotropic Medications: A Consensus Statement From the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology Task Force. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Feb 2;9(2):e260043. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0043. PMID: 41739481.
Goldberg JF, Swartz HA, Mago R, McIntyre RS, Malhi GS, Rosenblat JD, Freeman MP, Vieta E, Thase ME, Tohen M, Citrome L. What Is Meant by the Term “Deprescribing,” and Does It Belong in Our Lexicon? J Clin Psychiatry. 2025 Jun 2;86(4):25ac15936. doi: 10.4088/JCP.25ac15936. PMID: 40488722.
Van den Eynde V, Abdelmoemin WR, Abraham MM, Amsterdam JD, Anderson IM, Andrade C, Baker GB, Beekman ATF, Berk M, Birkenhäger TK, Blackwell BB, Blier P, Blom MBJ, Bodkin AJ, Cattaneo CI, Dantz B, Davidson J, Dunlop BW, Estévez RF, Feinberg SS, Finberg JPM, Fochtmann LJ, Gotlib D, Holt A, Insel TR, Larsen JK, Mago R, Menkes DB, Meyer JM, Nutt DJ, Parker G, Rego MD, Richelson E, Ruhé HG, Sáiz-Ruiz J, Stahl SM, Steele T, Thase ME, Ulrich S, van Balkom AJLM, Vieta E, Whyte I, Young AH, Gillman PK. The prescriber’s guide to classic MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid) for treatment-resistant depression. CNS Spectr. 2023 Aug;28(4):427-440. doi: 10.1017/S1092852922000906. Epub 2022 Jul 15. PMID: 35837681.
Richards C, Iosifescu DV, Mago R, Sarkis E, Geibel B, Dauphin M, McIntyre RS, Weisler R, Brawman-Mintzer O, Gu J, Madhoo M. A 12-Month Open-Label Extension Study of the Safety and Tolerability of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate for Major Depressive Disorder in Adults. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2018 Aug;38(4):336-343. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000897. PMID: 29912786; PMCID: PMC6039401.
Grunze A, Mago R, Grunze H. Nebenwirkungen von Psychopharmaka: Tipps für die Praxis [Side effects of psychotropic medication: Suggestions for clinical practice]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2017 Nov;142(22):1690-1700. German. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-110654. Epub 2017 Oct 27. PMID: 29078215.
Richards C, Iosifescu DV, Mago R, Sarkis E, Reynolds J, Geibel B, Dauphin M. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate augmentation for major depressive disorder in adults with inadequate response to antidepressant therapy. J Psychopharmacol. 2017 Sep;31(9):1190-1203. doi: 10.1177/0269881117722998. Epub 2017 Aug 31. PMID: 28857719; PMCID: PMC5606302.
Sayadipour A, Kepler CK, Mago R, Certa KM, Rasouli MR, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ, Anderson DG. Economic Effects of Anti-Depressant Usage on Elective Lumbar Fusion Surgery. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2016 Jun;4(3):231-5. PMID: 27517068; PMCID: PMC4969369.
Mago R. The Neglected Side of Suffering. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;39(3):ix-x. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2016.06.001. PMID: 27514304.
Mago R. Adverse Effects of Psychotropic Medications: A Call to Action. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;39(3):361-73. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.005. PMID: 27514294.
Mago R, Borra D, Mahajan R. Role of adverse effects in medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2014 Nov-Dec;22(6):363-6. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000017. PMID: 25377611.
Mago R, Tripathi N, Andrade C. Cardiovascular adverse effects of newer antidepressants. Expert Rev Neurother. 2014 May;14(5):539-51. doi: 10.1586/14737175.2014.908709. Epub 2014 Apr 17. PMID: 24738823.
Mago R, Mahajan R, Thase ME. Levomilnacipran: a newly approved drug for treatment of major depressive disorder. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Mar;7(2):137-45. doi: 10.1586/17512433.2014.889563. PMID: 24524592.
Mago R, Thase ME, Rovner BW. Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating: clinical features and treatment with terazosin. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013 Aug;25(3):186-92. Epub 2013 May 1. PMID: 23638448.
Mago R. Glycopyrrolate for antidepressant-associated excessive sweating. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2013 Apr;33(2):279-80. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e31828567f2. PMID: 23422382.
Mago R, Kloos A, Daskalakis C, Shwarz M, Rovner BW. Identifying potential adverse effects by patients’ ratings: a proof-of-concept study of a novel approach. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012 Dec;32(6):828-31. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e318270e2e2. PMID: 23131878.
Sayadipour A, Mago R, Kepler CK, Chambliss RB, Certa KM, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ, Anderson DG. Antidepressants and the risk of abnormal bleeding during spinal surgery: a case–control study. Eur Spine J. 2012 Oct;21(10):2070-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-011-2132-8. PMID: 22290783; PMCID: PMC3463707.
Mago R, Mahajan R, Thase ME. Medically serious adverse effects of newer antidepressants. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2008 Jun;10(3):249-57. doi: 10.1007/s11920-008-0041-2. PMID: 18652794.
Mago R. Proposed strategies for successful clinical management with aripiprazole. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jun;9(8):1279-90. doi: 10.1517/14656566.9.8.1279. PMID: 18473703.
Mago R, Chism LM, Pinninti NR, Certa K. Urinary retention associated with ziprasidone: a case report. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;69(3):499-500. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v69n0324c. PMID: 18402503.
Mago R, Monti D. Antiadrenergic treatment of antidepressant-induced excessive sweating in 3 patients. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007 Apr;68(4):639-40. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v68n0423f. PMID: 17474828.
Mago R, Anolik R, Johnson RA, Kunkel EJ. Recurrent priapism associated with use of aripiprazole. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;67(9):1471-2. PMID: 17017839.
Patkar AA, Peindl K, Mago R, Mannelli P, Masand PS. An open-label, rater-blinded, augmentation study of aripiprazole in treatment-resistant depression. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;8(2):82-7. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v08n0205. PMID: 16862232; PMCID: PMC1470647.
Kash KM, Mago R, Duffany S, Kunkel EJ. Psycho-oncology: review and update. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006 Jun;8(3):246-52. doi: 10.1007/s11920-006-0031-1. PMID: 19817077.
Mago R, Gomez JP, Gupta N, Kunkel EJ. Anxiety in medically ill patients. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006 Jun;8(3):228-33. doi: 10.1007/s11920-006-0028-9. PMID: 19817074.
Pinninti NR, Mago R, Adityanjee. Tardive dystonia-associated prescription of aripiprazole. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006 Summer;18(3):426-7. doi: 10.1176/jnp.2006.18.3.426a. PMID: 16963598.
Mago R, Kunkel EJ, Stinnett J. Pearls: in evaluating patient capacity to make medical decisions. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2006 Feb;3(2):42-6. PMID: 21103154; PMCID: PMC2990552.
Mago R, Huege S, Ahuja N, Kunkel EJ. Zonisamide-induced suicidal ideation. Psychosomatics. 2006 Jan-Feb;47(1):68-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.47.1.68. PMID: 16384810.
Pinninti NR, Mago R, Townsend J, Doghramji K. Periodic restless legs syndrome associated with quetiapine use: a case report. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2005 Dec;25(6):617-8. doi: 10.1097/01.jcp.0000186870.75042.25. PMID: 16282854.
Monti DA, Mago R, Kunkel EJ. Practical geriatrics: depression, cognition, and anxiety among postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Psychiatr Serv. 2005 Nov;56(11):1353-5. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.56.11.1353. PMID: 16282252.
Masand PS, Mago R. Duloxetine for pain symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2005 Jun;7(3):203-5. doi: 10.1007/s11920-005-0054-z. PMID: 15935134.
Masand PS, Mago R. Second-generation antipsychotics and the metabolic syndrome. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2005 Jun;7(3):153-4. doi: 10.1007/s11920-005-0044-1. PMID: 15935125.
Pinninti NR, Mago R. Injection site pain with long-acting risperidone. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005 May;66(5):656-7; author reply, 657. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v66n0519c. PMID: 15889958.
Masand P, Mago R. Review: in people with bipolar disorder, short term antidepressants improve clinical response, although tricyclics risk inducing mania. Evid Based Ment Health. 2005 May;8(2):35. doi: 10.1136/ebmh.8.2.35. PMID: 15851798.
Kash KM, Mago R, Kunkel EJ. Psychosocial oncology: supportive care for the cancer patient. Semin Oncol. 2005 Apr;32(2):211-8. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2004.11.011. PMID: 15815967.
Pinninti NR, Mago R. Use of long-acting risperidone. Psychiatr Serv. 2005 Jan;56(1):105; author reply 106-7. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.56.1.105. PMID: 15637204.
Patkar AA, Mago R, Masand PS. Psychotic symptoms in patients with medical disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2004 Jun;6(3):216-24. doi: 10.1007/s11920-004-0067-z. PMID: 15142475.
Mago R. Searching the medical literature for case reports. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004 Mar;65(3):444-5; author reply 445-6. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v65n0322d. PMID: 15096089.
Mago R. Bipolar disorder questionnaire. Am J Psychiatry. 2001 Oct;158(10):1743-4. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.10.1743-a. PMID: 11579028.
Mago R, Bilker W, Ten Have T, Harralson T, Streim J, Parmalee P, Katz IR. Clinical laboratory measures in relation to depression, disability, and cognitive impairment in elderly patients. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2000 Fall;8(4):327-32. PMID: 11069273.
Mago R, Berlin M. Older patients and health care utilization. Am J Psychiatry. 2000 Apr;157(4):661-2. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.157.4.661. PMID: 10739450.
Mago R, Crits-Christoph P. Prevention of recurrent depression with cognitive behavioral therapy. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 May;56(5):479-80. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.56.5.479. PMID: 10232303.
Mago R, Petty R, Wolpe PR. Placebos in research. Psychiatr Serv. 1999 Apr;50(4):568. doi: 10.1176/ps.50.4.568. PMID: 10211750.
Mago R, Crits-Christoph P. Evaluating reporting and abstracts of clinical trials. JAMA. 1999 Jan 6;281(1):34-5. doi: 10.1001/jama.281.1.34-a. PMID: 9892444.
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Dr. Mago said at NEI today, 11/6/2020, that he had (or could devise) a “super-powered” diagnostic interview for bipolar disorder. I would be happy to see such an interview or an outline from an expert.
Michael Gross, MD