Zack Williams, MD, PhD
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
•Autistic (+ADHD, OCD, Tourettes) autism researcher and trainee psychiatrist (rising PGY-1)
•YaleCSC➡️VanderbiltMSTP➡️UCLA
•Catatonia enthusiast, patient advocate, stats guy
•MH research/methods/advocacy, autism/neurodiversity, academic medicine, dumb jokes
•YaleCSC➡️VanderbiltMSTP➡️UCLA
•Catatonia enthusiast, patient advocate, stats guy
•MH research/methods/advocacy, autism/neurodiversity, academic medicine, dumb jokes
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Bluesky Starter Packs - Bluesky Directory
Browse a list of Bluesky Starter Packs. Discover and connect with your community on Bluesky
blueskydirectory.com
For all my friends who just got here to BlueSky and want some cool people to follow, I've now delved into the wonderful world of Starter Packs (full list at blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...). Here's a thread of some of the cool ones I found!
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
"Doctor-Doctor" Zack Williams shares insights into his research and his view of the world, in this spotlight interview with me. Check out the link below.
Wishing you lots of luck Zack in the next chapter of your life.
www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinn...
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Wishing you lots of luck Zack in the next chapter of your life.
www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinn...
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
FCAI Spotlight: The Many Layers of Zack Williams by Hari Srinivasan
This article is part of a series highlighting the work and people associated with the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation (FCAI) at Vanderbilt University. The Frist Center brings together engineers...
www.vanderbilt.edu
May 5, 2025 at 5:33 AM
"Doctor-Doctor" Zack Williams shares insights into his research and his view of the world, in this spotlight interview with me. Check out the link below.
Wishing you lots of luck Zack in the next chapter of your life.
www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinn...
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Wishing you lots of luck Zack in the next chapter of your life.
www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinn...
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
Excited for another year of the Autism PROMnet Special Interest Group at #INSAR2025!
Come chat with us about using valid, accessible, and inclusive measures for and by autistic people in autism research 🙌
Friday, May 2 at 10:30AM (#706)
www.autismpromnet.org
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Come chat with us about using valid, accessible, and inclusive measures for and by autistic people in autism research 🙌
Friday, May 2 at 10:30AM (#706)
www.autismpromnet.org
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Excited for another year of the Autism PROMnet Special Interest Group at #INSAR2025!
Come chat with us about using valid, accessible, and inclusive measures for and by autistic people in autism research 🙌
Friday, May 2 at 10:30AM (#706)
www.autismpromnet.org
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Come chat with us about using valid, accessible, and inclusive measures for and by autistic people in autism research 🙌
Friday, May 2 at 10:30AM (#706)
www.autismpromnet.org
@quantpsychiatry.bsky.social
Excited to share my latest paper in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social (led by the fantastic @drjessicaphd.bsky.social). We pooled data from the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale from autistic youth and adults in 3 countries (US, Canada, Australia) to assess trajectories across the lifespan...
Elevated Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Autistic Youth and Adults: A Multinational Study | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic people are at significant risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). We examined STB and NSSI in different age-groups, considering sex- an...
www.liebertpub.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Excited to share my latest paper in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social (led by the fantastic @drjessicaphd.bsky.social). We pooled data from the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale from autistic youth and adults in 3 countries (US, Canada, Australia) to assess trajectories across the lifespan...
Really enjoyed being interviewed for this feature on misophonia and misophonia research in @asteriskmag.bsky.social!
asteriskmag.com/issues/09/th...
asteriskmag.com/issues/09/th...
The Unbearable Loudness of Chewing—Asterisk
Why do some people find certain sounds intolerable? And why has it taken so long for scientists to get even a preliminary answer?
asteriskmag.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Really enjoyed being interviewed for this feature on misophonia and misophonia research in @asteriskmag.bsky.social!
asteriskmag.com/issues/09/th...
asteriskmag.com/issues/09/th...
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
To all of the #INSAR members voting in the upcoming board election, (not that anyone cares but) I'm officially endorsing my good (bluesky-less) friend and colleague Mirko Uljarević for INSAR treasurer! With quant skills like his, the society's money is in good hands.
February 1, 2025 at 6:40 AM
To all of the #INSAR members voting in the upcoming board election, (not that anyone cares but) I'm officially endorsing my good (bluesky-less) friend and colleague Mirko Uljarević for INSAR treasurer! With quant skills like his, the society's money is in good hands.
To all of the #INSAR members voting in the upcoming board election, (not that anyone cares but) I'm officially endorsing my good (bluesky-less) friend and colleague Mirko Uljarević for INSAR treasurer! With quant skills like his, the society's money is in good hands.
February 1, 2025 at 6:40 AM
To all of the #INSAR members voting in the upcoming board election, (not that anyone cares but) I'm officially endorsing my good (bluesky-less) friend and colleague Mirko Uljarević for INSAR treasurer! With quant skills like his, the society's money is in good hands.
Really exciting news - new med soon to be on the market for acute pain, mechanism of peripheral Nav1. 8 channel inhibition (not habit forming). Super exciting to see what this med and others like it can do to transform health care!
news.vrtx.com/news-release...
news.vrtx.com/news-release...
Vertex Announces FDA Approval of JOURNAVX™ (suzetrigine), a First-in-Class Treatment for Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Acute Pain | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Newsroom
-- JOURNAVX is the first and only approved non-opioid oral pain signal inhibitor and the first new class of pain medicine approved in more than 20 years -- -- JOURNAVX is an effective and well-tolerat...
news.vrtx.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Really exciting news - new med soon to be on the market for acute pain, mechanism of peripheral Nav1. 8 channel inhibition (not habit forming). Super exciting to see what this med and others like it can do to transform health care!
news.vrtx.com/news-release...
news.vrtx.com/news-release...
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
The Unbearable Incoherence of Heritability: Interview with Eric Turkheimer ( @ent3c.bsky.social )
“The empirical end to the Galtonian project is more whimper than bang.”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-unbear...
“The empirical end to the Galtonian project is more whimper than bang.”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-unbear...
The Unbearable Incoherence of Heritability: Interview with Eric Turkheimer
Eric Turkheimer is Hugh Scott Hamilton Professor of Psychology at University of Virginia.
www.psychiatrymargins.com
January 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The Unbearable Incoherence of Heritability: Interview with Eric Turkheimer ( @ent3c.bsky.social )
“The empirical end to the Galtonian project is more whimper than bang.”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-unbear...
“The empirical end to the Galtonian project is more whimper than bang.”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-unbear...
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
You’re allowed to say “I hate being disabled”.
This isn’t internalised ableism, it’s your reality.
Truth is, being disabled is… disabling.
It’s overwhelming, debilitating, and yeah… for me (and I’m sure many others)… it’s shit.
This isn’t internalised ableism, it’s your reality.
Truth is, being disabled is… disabling.
It’s overwhelming, debilitating, and yeah… for me (and I’m sure many others)… it’s shit.
January 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
You’re allowed to say “I hate being disabled”.
This isn’t internalised ableism, it’s your reality.
Truth is, being disabled is… disabling.
It’s overwhelming, debilitating, and yeah… for me (and I’m sure many others)… it’s shit.
This isn’t internalised ableism, it’s your reality.
Truth is, being disabled is… disabling.
It’s overwhelming, debilitating, and yeah… for me (and I’m sure many others)… it’s shit.
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
✨ Bluesky search tips and tricks
Add `from:me` to find your own posts
Add `to:me` to find replies/posts that mention you
Add `since:YYYY-MM-DD` and/or `until:YYYY-MM-DD` to specify a date range
Add `domain:theonion.com` to find posts linking to The Onion
See more at
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
Add `from:me` to find your own posts
Add `to:me` to find replies/posts that mention you
Add `since:YYYY-MM-DD` and/or `until:YYYY-MM-DD` to specify a date range
Add `domain:theonion.com` to find posts linking to The Onion
See more at
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
Tips and Tricks for Bluesky Search - Bluesky
Let’s dive into all the tips and tricks for advanced Bluesky search!
bsky.social
January 14, 2025 at 9:12 PM
✨ Bluesky search tips and tricks
Add `from:me` to find your own posts
Add `to:me` to find replies/posts that mention you
Add `since:YYYY-MM-DD` and/or `until:YYYY-MM-DD` to specify a date range
Add `domain:theonion.com` to find posts linking to The Onion
See more at
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
Add `from:me` to find your own posts
Add `to:me` to find replies/posts that mention you
Add `since:YYYY-MM-DD` and/or `until:YYYY-MM-DD` to specify a date range
Add `domain:theonion.com` to find posts linking to The Onion
See more at
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
Viewpoint discusses the US Supreme Court's decision in United States v Skrmetti, which will determine if Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause.
#MedSky
ja.ma/4h7WUVv
#MedSky
ja.ma/4h7WUVv
January 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Viewpoint discusses the US Supreme Court's decision in United States v Skrmetti, which will determine if Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause.
#MedSky
ja.ma/4h7WUVv
#MedSky
ja.ma/4h7WUVv
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
EMA study of dissociative episodes shows that heart rate does not change in relation to dissociation intensity, counter to predictions of "hypoarousal models" of dissociation. "Dissociative episodes and concurrent heart rate in patients with PTSD..." www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Dissociative episodes and concurrent heart rate in patients with PTSD – An ecological momentary assessment
Dissociative symptoms are a frequent complication in posttraumatic stress disorders affecting about a third of all PTSD patients. While theoretical mo…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 13, 2025 at 2:32 AM
EMA study of dissociative episodes shows that heart rate does not change in relation to dissociation intensity, counter to predictions of "hypoarousal models" of dissociation. "Dissociative episodes and concurrent heart rate in patients with PTSD..." www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
As 2024 comes to a close, I'm wishing all the best to my Bluesky family. It's been a hard year for me personally, but I've been able to persevere and come out the other side with a PhD, almost an MD, my marriage intact (no thanks to the PhD), and a bright future. Here's to a better 2025 for all!
January 1, 2025 at 3:10 AM
As 2024 comes to a close, I'm wishing all the best to my Bluesky family. It's been a hard year for me personally, but I've been able to persevere and come out the other side with a PhD, almost an MD, my marriage intact (no thanks to the PhD), and a bright future. Here's to a better 2025 for all!
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
just a reminder:
it’s okay if you get overwhelmed today.
there’s a lot going on: noise, people, emotions. demands for your attention/energy.
so take a few minutes. find a quiet space to catch your breath. check your phone. do a quick reset.
you’re doing great. hang in there.
it’s okay if you get overwhelmed today.
there’s a lot going on: noise, people, emotions. demands for your attention/energy.
so take a few minutes. find a quiet space to catch your breath. check your phone. do a quick reset.
you’re doing great. hang in there.
December 24, 2024 at 9:00 PM
just a reminder:
it’s okay if you get overwhelmed today.
there’s a lot going on: noise, people, emotions. demands for your attention/energy.
so take a few minutes. find a quiet space to catch your breath. check your phone. do a quick reset.
you’re doing great. hang in there.
it’s okay if you get overwhelmed today.
there’s a lot going on: noise, people, emotions. demands for your attention/energy.
so take a few minutes. find a quiet space to catch your breath. check your phone. do a quick reset.
you’re doing great. hang in there.
An exciting day in autism epidemiology - numbers are out from the 2021 GBD study. Who's "disease" framing and associated language aside, this is a big effing deal for understanding the prevalence and impact of autism across the globe, especially in LMICs!
Overall prevalence was 0.79% (0.66-0.93)
Overall prevalence was 0.79% (0.66-0.93)
The global epidemiology and health burden of the autism spectrum: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
The high prevalence and high rank for non-fatal health burden of autism spectrum disorder in people younger than 20 years underscore the importance of early detection and support to autistic young people and their caregivers globally. Work to improve the precision and global representation of our findings is required, starting with better global coverage of epidemiological data so that geographical variations can be better ascertained. The work presented here can guide future research efforts, and importantly, decisions concerning allocation of health services that better address the needs of all autistic individuals.
www.thelancet.com
December 21, 2024 at 7:01 PM
An exciting day in autism epidemiology - numbers are out from the 2021 GBD study. Who's "disease" framing and associated language aside, this is a big effing deal for understanding the prevalence and impact of autism across the globe, especially in LMICs!
Overall prevalence was 0.79% (0.66-0.93)
Overall prevalence was 0.79% (0.66-0.93)
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
Naltrexone treats #alcohol use. Avoiding it in patients with liver problems out of safety concerns is neither helpful nor evidence based, argues new paper:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39655573
Even in cirrhosis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39640196
#sober #sobriety #addiction #alcoholism #psychiatry
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39655573
Even in cirrhosis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39640196
#sober #sobriety #addiction #alcoholism #psychiatry
December 20, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Naltrexone treats #alcohol use. Avoiding it in patients with liver problems out of safety concerns is neither helpful nor evidence based, argues new paper:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39655573
Even in cirrhosis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39640196
#sober #sobriety #addiction #alcoholism #psychiatry
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39655573
Even in cirrhosis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39640196
#sober #sobriety #addiction #alcoholism #psychiatry
A very solid critique of TBKTS. Also highly recommend reading the 2019 critique by Scott Alexander (slatestarcodex.com/2019/11/12/b...), which is a bit more academic but nevertheless spot-on IMO. There's far too much anecdata driving the the book's recs, and it draws many unscientific conclusions.
December 20, 2024 at 5:23 PM
A very solid critique of TBKTS. Also highly recommend reading the 2019 critique by Scott Alexander (slatestarcodex.com/2019/11/12/b...), which is a bit more academic but nevertheless spot-on IMO. There's far too much anecdata driving the the book's recs, and it draws many unscientific conclusions.
Brexpiprazole [Rexulti] (2-3 mg flex dosing) + sertraline (150 mg fixed) beat sertraline + placebo for PTSD symptoms in a large-scale trial published in JAMA Psychiatry (n=416; LS mean CAPS difference at 10 wks −5.59, 95% CI [−8.79, −2.38] P < .001). Dropouts high (35%+), but *more* in PBO group.
Brexpiprazole and Sertraline for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
This parallel-design, double-blind, randomized clinical trial investigates if combination treatment with brexpiprazole and sertraline is efficacious, safe, and well tolerated in patients with posttrau...
jamanetwork.com
December 19, 2024 at 6:25 AM
Brexpiprazole [Rexulti] (2-3 mg flex dosing) + sertraline (150 mg fixed) beat sertraline + placebo for PTSD symptoms in a large-scale trial published in JAMA Psychiatry (n=416; LS mean CAPS difference at 10 wks −5.59, 95% CI [−8.79, −2.38] P < .001). Dropouts high (35%+), but *more* in PBO group.
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
Thanks to @jonathanstea for sharing my story as both a mother and clinical psychologist grappling with my daughter’s breakdown when she was at university.
I know it will help so many others who find themselves facing social media stigma when our family members are struggling.
I know it will help so many others who find themselves facing social media stigma when our family members are struggling.
December 17, 2024 at 5:08 PM
Thanks to @jonathanstea for sharing my story as both a mother and clinical psychologist grappling with my daughter’s breakdown when she was at university.
I know it will help so many others who find themselves facing social media stigma when our family members are struggling.
I know it will help so many others who find themselves facing social media stigma when our family members are struggling.
At a Christmas party I just attended, one of my (extremely online young professional) friends kept quoting Chicago, saying "It was a murder, but not a crime." Too many lefty millennials are really finding this *heinous crime* unproblematic (IRL too, not just in the context of memes). Sigh...
Cool zone. thehill.com/policy/healt...
Shock poll: 41 percent of young voters find killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO acceptable
A poll found 41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable. Anger o…
thehill.com
December 17, 2024 at 9:28 PM
At a Christmas party I just attended, one of my (extremely online young professional) friends kept quoting Chicago, saying "It was a murder, but not a crime." Too many lefty millennials are really finding this *heinous crime* unproblematic (IRL too, not just in the context of memes). Sigh...
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
CARES is now through both houses of congress and headed to Biden's desk to be signed into law! Exciting to see that autism research will continue to be funded, but this wasn't without a *significant* lift on all the advocacy orgs' parts.
thearc.org/blog/autism-...
thearc.org/blog/autism-...
The Autism CARES Act Has Passed!
This victory represents a critical step forward in addressing the needs of people with disabilities. Here's what this legislation means.
thearc.org
December 16, 2024 at 9:52 PM
CARES is now through both houses of congress and headed to Biden's desk to be signed into law! Exciting to see that autism research will continue to be funded, but this wasn't without a *significant* lift on all the advocacy orgs' parts.
thearc.org/blog/autism-...
thearc.org/blog/autism-...
@drmbothapsych.bsky.social is here - v important!
bsky.app
December 10, 2024 at 2:55 PM
@drmbothapsych.bsky.social is here - v important!
Reposted by Zack Williams, MD, PhD
📢 Our lab's latest, out today in JAMA Pediatrics: "State Parental Consent Law and Treatment Use Among Adolescents With Depression" jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
TL;DR Teens with depression living in states that require parent consent for mental health treatment may be less likely to access care 🧵
TL;DR Teens with depression living in states that require parent consent for mental health treatment may be less likely to access care 🧵
December 9, 2024 at 6:36 PM
📢 Our lab's latest, out today in JAMA Pediatrics: "State Parental Consent Law and Treatment Use Among Adolescents With Depression" jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
TL;DR Teens with depression living in states that require parent consent for mental health treatment may be less likely to access care 🧵
TL;DR Teens with depression living in states that require parent consent for mental health treatment may be less likely to access care 🧵
So glad to see you here!
Hi 👋 #ACNP2024! I’m a #ACNPTravelAwardee and literally just changed careers! I left academic medicine (Associate Professor at Cincinnati Children’s) last week to become the Chief Science Officer at the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation! Can’t wait to connect!
December 9, 2024 at 5:08 PM
So glad to see you here!