Accentuating the Positive Is Hard for Depressed or Socially Anxious Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The two disorders are associated with different facets of the extraversion trait, consistent with their fundamental differences.
CBT for Preventing Depression in Teens? It Depends
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
CBT showed no preventive effects in adolescents whose parents were currently depressed.
Trends in Mental Illness Treatment: A Decade of Progress?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
More patients now receive psychiatric diagnoses, but some subgroups receive less care.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
June 1, 2009
Covering:
Glied SA and Frank RG., Health Aff (Millwood) 2009 May/Jun; 28:637
Laws on Alcohol Availability Might Reduce Suicide Rates
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
If it works in Slovenia, could it work here?
By Joel Yager, MD
June 1, 2009
Covering:
Pridemore WA and Snowden AJ., Am J Public Health 2009 May; 99:915
A New Kind of MAO Inhibitor on the Horizon
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A promising, but early, study of a novel medication with possible applications in dementia and depression
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 1, 2009
Covering:
Hirvonen J et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009 May; 85:506
Finally, a New Target for Antidepressants
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In animal studies, inhibition of a pH-responsive sodium channel seems to have an antidepressant-like effect.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 22, 2009
Covering:
Coryell MW et al., J Neurosci 2009 Apr 29; 29:5381
Valproate of Little Help in Childhood Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A randomized, controlled study has negative results.
By Barbara Geller, MD
May 18, 2009
Covering:
Wagner KD et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2009 May; 48:519
Suicide After Psychiatric Hospitalization
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Attentive care early after discharge is crucial.
Prior Authorization of Antidepressants: Effects on Patient Care
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A common strategy to control medical costs has subtle effects, but these might hit vulnerable populations hard.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
May 4, 2009
Covering:
Adams AS et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Apr 27; 169:750
Long-Term Use of Antidepressants and Diabetes: Et tu, Antidepressant?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Analysis of a large database points to increased diabetes risk with long-term use of these medications at moderate-to-high doses.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 4, 2009
Covering:
Andersohn F et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Apr 1
Attention Training for Anxiety Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A simple, brief computer-based intervention has surprisingly strong results.
By M. Katherine Shear, MD
April 27, 2009
Covering:
Amir N et al., J Abnorm Psychol 2009 Feb; 118:28
Schmidt NB et al., J Abnorm Psychol 2009 Feb; 118:5
How Clinicians Adopt Innovative Medications: The Case of Prazosin for PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The farther from the research site, the lower the adoption rate for this generic drug.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
April 27, 2009
Covering:
Harpaz-Rotem I and Rosenheck RA., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009 Apr; 66:417
USPSTF: Screening Children and Adolescents for Depression
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The task force recommends screening for adolescents when follow-up is available, but data are still sparse on whether screening benefits children.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 21, 2009
Covering:
US Preventive Services Task Force., Pediatrics 2009 Apr; 123:1223
Are Two Medications Better Than One for Initial Treatment of Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An industry-funded study looks at using quetiapine plus lithium or divalproex for treating bipolar disorders and preventing recurrences.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 17, 2009
Covering:
Suppes T et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Apr; 166:476
Give Depressed Patients What They Fancy?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This secondary analysis of treatment study results indicates that providing the treatment that patients prefer might improve outcomes.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
April 17, 2009
Covering:
Kocsis JH et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2009 Mar; 70:354
Neuroticism, Mood, and Mortality: Two Epidemiology Studies
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Pessimism, depression, and anxiety might shorten your life.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 17, 2009
Covering:
Grossardt BR et al., Psychosom Med 2009 Mar 25
Phillips AC et al., Psychosom Med 2009 Mar 25
Health Effects of Depression and SSRIs in Pregnancy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Untreated depression and continuous SSRI treatment in pregnant women are associated with increased rates of preterm birth.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 13, 2009
Covering:
Wisner KL et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Mar 16
Primary-Care CBT for GAD in Adults Older Than Age 60
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Lacking the adverse effects of medications, this psychotherapy should become a first-line treatment for many.
Depression-Rating Scales in Primary Care: Time for a Change?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Some physicians are reluctant to employ these, although patients appreciate them.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
April 6, 2009
Covering:
Dowrick C et al., BMJ 2009 Mar 19; 338:b663
Kendrick T et al., BMJ 2009 Mar 19; 338:b750
Do You Drink Because You’re Depressed, or Are You Depressed Because You Drink?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Sophisticated statistical modeling of longitudinal data suggests that alcohol misuse causes depression more than depression causes alcohol misuse.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
April 6, 2009
Covering:
Fergusson DM et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009 Mar; 66:260
Can We Erase Maladaptive Responses to Traumatic Experience?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
By disrupting the reconsolidation of memory, a beta-blocker might help patients struggling with fearful memories.
Can Written Information Reduce Anxiety for Patients in a Chest Pain Unit?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The statistically significant benefit found in this study might not be clinically significant.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
April 3, 2009
Covering:
Arnold J et al., BMJ 2009 Feb 26; 338:b541
Jones M and Mountain D., BMJ 2009 Mar 18; 338:b35
"How Do You Feel About Your Mother?": Epigenetics of Early Experience
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Severe childhood abuse is linked to altered expression of a glucocorticoid receptor gene in suicide completers.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
March 30, 2009
Covering:
McGowan PO et al., Nat Neurosci 2009 Mar; 12:342
Hyman SE., Nat Neurosci 2009 Mar; 12:241
SSRIs and Pregnancy: More to Think About
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
SSRI use in late pregnancy is linked to gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
By Joel Yager, MD
March 30, 2009
Covering:
Toh S et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Mar; 166:320
Adjunctive Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Adding this antiepileptic to lithium therapy is a possible option.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 30, 2009
Covering:
van der Loos MLM et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2009 Feb; 70:223
