Coexistent Psychiatric Illness Affects Risk for Completed Suicide After Suicide Attempt
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Coexistent psychiatric illnesses, especially bipolar and unipolar disorders and schizophrenia, affect the timing of and risk for completed suicide after a previous attempt.
New-Onset Panic Disorder Is Associated with Coronary Disease
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Psychic strain might cause cardiac pain!
Learned Safety: A New Behavioral Antidepressant?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Conditioned inhibition of fear in mice and pharmacologic antidepressants share some neurobiologic mechanisms.
CBT, Sertraline, or Both for Children with Anxiety
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Either CBT or sertraline alone is effective, and combination therapy is even more effective.
Requests for Assisted Suicide: Does Depression Play a Role?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
One quarter of patients in an Oregon study who sought aid in dying were clinically depressed.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 3, 2008
Covering:
Ganzini L et al., BMJ 2008 Oct 8; 337:a1682
van der Lee ML., BMJ 2008 Oct 8; 337:a1558
What Can Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy Do for Patients with Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
It can quickly improve vocational functioning, according to this controlled study.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 3, 2008
Covering:
Frank E et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Oct 1
Adolescent Insomnia and Depression, Now and Later
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Self-reported insomnia in adolescence is associated with higher rates of depression in early adulthood.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
November 3, 2008
Covering:
Roane BM and Taylor DJ., Sleep 2008 Oct 1; 31:1351
Finding the Right Treatment for Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Either CBT or sertraline worked well; combining them was even more effective.
By Barbara Geller, MD
October 30, 2008
Covering:
Walkup JT et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 30
Depression in Patients Who Request Physician Aid in Dying
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Under Oregon’s Death with Dignity law, some depressed, terminally ill patients can receive lethal prescriptions.
Insomnia and Depression in Young Adults
Neurology Summary and Comment
New evidence highlights the need to screen for depression in patients with insomnia.
By Milena Pavlova, MD
October 28, 2008
Covering:
Buysse DJ et al., Sleep 2008 Apr 1; 31:473
Does Childhood Bipolar I Disorder Persist?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
It did for a large proportion of participants in this longitudinal study, and morbidity was high.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 27, 2008
Covering:
Geller B et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Oct; 65:1125
"Hoarding Spectrum Disorders"?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A dimensional look at hoarding, with and without other OCD symptoms
By Joel Yager, MD
October 27, 2008
Covering:
Pertusa A et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Oct; 165:1289
Leckman JF and Bloch MH., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Oct; 165:1229
Emerging Perspectives: A Glimpse into the Future of Psychosurgery
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Glimmers of hope for some patients with treatment-resistant depression, due to new and better techniques
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 20, 2008
Covering:
Shields DC et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Sep 15; 64:449
Nierenberg AA et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Sep 15; 64:455
Lozano AM et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Sep 15; 64:461
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depressed Mothers in Rural Pakistan
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Minimally trained rural health workers can make a difference.
Reviews of Note
Naltrexone; genetics of bipolar disorder and depression; new drug development; stress; psychotherapy; renal effects of lithium; cognition in twins; and the geography of genetics
Massage Therapy or Simple Touch to Reduce Pain and Improve Mood
Both techniques were beneficial for patients with advanced cancer.
By Barbara A. Murphy, MD
October 14, 2008
Covering:
Kutner JS et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Sep 16; 149:369
Long-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Is All the Evidence In?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This study shows effectiveness in patients with chronic, complex illnesses, but the analysis may have flaws.
How Different Is Depression Following Bereavement?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
The special treatment of bereavement in the DSM might not be all that helpful.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 22, 2008
Covering:
Kendler KS et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Aug 15
Fluoxetine in MS May Help the Disease, Not Just the Mood
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Another study highlights benefits of this SSRI.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
September 22, 2008
Covering:
Mostert JP et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008 Sep; 79:1027
Psychiatric Practice: A March from the Brainless to the Mindless?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
When fewer psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, what is the effect on the patient — and on the field of psychiatry?
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
September 15, 2008
Covering:
Mojtabai R and Olfson M., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Aug; 65:962
Symptoms of Juvenile-Onset OCD Across the Lifespan
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
As patients age, their risks for psychiatric comorbidities increase.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 15, 2008
Covering:
Mancebo MC et al., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2008 Aug; 118:149
SSRIs May Break Bones
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Two studies in older populations add to the evidence base.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
September 15, 2008
Covering:
Bolton JM et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2008 Aug; 28:384
Ziere G et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2008 Aug; 28:411
Depressive Episodes: Is It Unipolar Depression or Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
The speedier the onset of depression, the more likely that it’s bipolar disorder.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 8, 2008
Covering:
Hegerl U et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2008 Jul; 69:1075
GABAA and Postpartum Depression: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A robust mouse model for postpartum depression implicates GABAA receptor dysregulation.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 8, 2008
Covering:
Maguire J and Mody I., Neuron 2008 Jul 31; 59:207
Long-Term Mortality Risks in Veterans with PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
PTSD may be bad for your heart.
By Joel Yager, MD
August 25, 2008
Covering:
Boscarino JA., Psychosom Med 2008 Jul; 70:668
