RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

D-cycloserine may improve behavioral therapy treatment for anxiety

July 17, 2008

Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but in some, it can develop into a disabling disorder of excessive and irrational fears, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Effective treatments are available and can involve either behavioral therapy or medications. Although "it makes intuitive sense that combining these two treatments would result in even better results," David Tolin, Ph.D. notes that has unfortunately not yet been the case and the majority of the evidence suggests that combined therapy is no more effective than behavior therapy alone, and in some cases can even be less effective. However, Dr. Tolin is one of the three authors on a meta-analysis scheduled for publication on June 15th in Biological Psychiatry, in which they evaluated a potentially important new treatment paradigm for anxiety.

Dr. Tolin explains the impetus behind their analysis: "Recently, several researchers have tried a radically different approach: instead of just throwing two effective monotherapies at the problem, they have instead looked at medications that specifically target the biological mechanisms that make psychotherapy work in the first place." John H. Krystal, M.D., Editor of Biological Psychiatry and another of the study's authors, adds that "there has now been a sufficient amount of research in this area to take a step back to look at the basic research conducted in animals and the initial clinical trials." This research effort has involved the addition of D-cycloserine, an old drug long approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of tuberculosis, to exposure-based fear treatment in animals and humans. The meta-analysis, a pooling of the published literature on this approach, provides evidence that D-cycloserine enhances the learning process in the brain, indicating that, unlike many other medications, it may improve the effectiveness of behavioral therapy.

There is a caveat, however, as the authors also discovered that tolerance may develop to this effect. Dr. Krystal comments that, if so, "it may be best used before therapy sessions to 'warm up the brain' and make it more responsive to the treatment sessions rather than as a daily treatment."

Dr. Tolin makes an additional, important observation regarding this line of work: "Another very exciting aspect of this work is that it's one of the few really good examples of translational research in psychiatry: taking basic science from the laboratory, in this case animal studies, and translating that research into useful interventions for humans." Although additional research is clearly necessitated, this confirmation of the effectiveness of D-cycloserine is a positive step forward in improving treatments for individuals suffering with anxiety disorders.

Elsevier

Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Current Events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder News Articles

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Current Events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder News RSS

Regulating emotion after experiencing a sexual assault
After exposure to extreme life stresses, what distinguishes the individuals who do and do not develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Researchers develop an integrated treatment for veterans with chronic pain and posttraumatic stress
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a growing number of soldiers evacuated to the United States for comprehensive care for physical and psychological trauma.

Iraq Troops' PTSD Rate as High as 35%, Says Management Insights StudyLawrence M. Wein
The Veterans' Administration should expect a high volume of Iraq veterans seeking treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, with researchers anticipating that the rate among armed forces will be as high as 35%.

Invisible Ink? What Rorschach Tests Really Tell Us
One of the most well-known psychological tools is the Rorschach Inkblot Test. A viewer looks at ten inkblots, one at a time, and describes what they see.

If bipolar disorder is over-diagnosed, what are the actual diagnoses?
A year ago, a study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University researchers reported that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received an actual diagnosis of bipolar disorder after using a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview tool --the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID).

Unspoken memories of Holocaust survivors find silent and nonpathological expression
A faculty member of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Haifa presented the results of a new research at an international Holocaust conference held at the University of Haifa.

Treating addiction by eliminating drug-associated memories
Addicts, even those who have been abstinent for long periods of time, are often still vulnerable to their own memories of prior drug use. For example, exposure to the same environment in which they commonly used drugs -- a contextual memory -- can increase their craving for the drug dramatically and can lead to relapse.

New strategy to weaken traumatic memories
Imagine that you have been in combat and that you have watched your closest friend die in front of you. The memory of that event may stay with you, troubling you for the rest of your life. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most common and disabling psychiatric casualties of combat and other extremely stressful situations.

Gulf War research panel finds 1 in 4 veterans suffers from illness caused by toxic exposure
At least one in four of the 697,000 U.S. veterans of the 1991 Gulf War suffer from Gulf War illness, a condition caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, including pesticides and a drug administered to protect troops against nerve gas, and no effective treatments have yet been found, a federal panel of scientific experts and veterans concludes in a landmark report released Monday.

New study suggests that high-dose hormone treatment might reduce risk for PTSD
Cortisol helps our bodies cope with stress, but what about its effects on the brain? A new study by Cohen and colleagues, appearing in the October 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry, suggests that the answer to this question is complex.

More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Current Events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder News Articles

	The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth by Glenn Schiraldi (Author) The Definitive Resource for Trauma Survivors, Their Loved Ones, and Helpers Trauma can take many forms, from witnessing a violent crime or surviving a natural disaster to living with the effects of abuse, rape, combat, or alcoholism. Deep emotional wounds may seem like they will never heal. However, with The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook, Dr. Glenn Schiraldi offers a remarkable range of treatment alternatives and self-management techniques, showing survivors that the other side of pain is recovery and growth. Live your life more fully-without fear, pain, depression, or self-doubt Identify emotional triggers-and protect yourself from further harm Understand the link between PTSD and addiction-and how to break it Find the best treatments and...
	Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Scientific and Professional Dimensions by Julian D. Ford (Author) This authored text-reference will be the first comprehensive text in the rapidly growing field of psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. According to the NIMH, approximately 5.2 million American adults already suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Caused by everything from combat experience to violent personal assaults to natural disasters and accidents, the incidence of PTSD has already reached epidemic proportions. The profound impact of psychological trauma and the need for proactive and scientifically-based approaches to timely prevention and evidence based treatment is unarguable and mental health programs are seeing a significant rise in the number of PTSD courses offered and services required. As a result, scholars, researchers, educators,...
	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Basic Science and Clinical Practice by Priyattam J. Shiromani (Editor), Terence M. Keane (Editor), Joseph E. LeDoux (Editor) Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric illness that can occur in anyone who has experienced a life-threatening or violent event. The trauma can be due to war, terrorism, torture, natural disasters, violence, or rape. In PTSD the brain areas that are likely to be affected are the hippocampus (memory), amygdala (fear association), the prefrontal cortex (cognitive processing), and the ascending reticular activating system (arousal). The chemical of interest is norepinephrine, which is released during a stressful event and is part of the fight-or-flight response meant to mobilize the body to action.The objective of this title is to outline the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and provide treatment strategies for clinicians. The chapter material from this book has...
	PTSD: Living In a Stressful World - Understanding and Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Starring: Jef Gazley M.S. LMFT Directed By: Russ Wagner This psychology video explains the causes and development of PTSD. Over a period of time, overwhelming shock and/or shocking experiences can cripple your ability to deal effectively in the present day. This problem often develops when people grow up in dysfunctional families. You will see yourself here, and discover that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not something mysterious, and is curable. This tape was used as research for the movie "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004).
	Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Newest Techniques for Overcoming Symptoms, Regaining Hope, and Getting Your Life Back by Victoria Lemle Beckner (Author), John B. Arden (Author) More than 13 million Americans experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and one out of 13 adults will develop it in their lifetime. Recent worldwide crises and events including the Iraq war; the September 11th attacks; numerous Columbine-like events; the Catholic Church child molestation scandal; and the Katrina tragedy in New Orleans, continue to present thousands more PTSD cases each year in all age groups. This book helps victims make sense of the events that led to their illness and teaches them how to create a new reality with specific advice and action plans that put them on the road to recovery and long-term healing.
	PTSD: Living In a Stressful World - Understanding and Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [VHS] Starring: Jef Gazley M.S. LMFT Directed By: Russ Wagner This psychology video explains the causes and development of PTSD. Over a period of time, overwhelming shock and/or shocking experiences can cripple your ability to deal effectively in the present day. This problem often develops when people grow up in dysfunctional families. You will see yourself here, and discover that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not something mysterious, and is curable.
	I Have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Also With: MTVN (Producer)
	Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Posttraumatic Stress Disorder mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness!
	(anxiety, ptsd) OVERCOMING POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (2 Books + 12 CE Credits or 12 CME Credits) by Larry D. Smyth, Ph.D. (Therapist manual ISBN 1572241634 and Client manual ISBN 1572241632 (continuing education, psychology, social work, psychiatry, evidence based practice) by Red Toad Road Company TRAINING OBJECTIVES are to learn the following: The diagnostic criteria for PTSD, an information processing theory of PTSD, a theory of PTSD treatment, the extent of the empirical support for CBT-Exposure, the six phases of the TAB-P Protocol, to use the TAB-P Protocol to treat PTSD, to conduct brief exposure plus assimilation work, to conduct prolonged exposure plus assimilation work, to use the eye-movement technique as a client-directed emotion-focused coping skill, to use the relaxation response as a client-directed emotion-focused coping skill.......................... DESCRIPTION: This 15-session cognitive-behavioral exposure-based approach to treating posttraumatic stress disorder includes both a therapist manual and a client manual. The sessions are broken down into six phases...
	The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms by Mary Beth Williams (Author), Soili Poijula (Author) Post-traumatic stress disorder is an extremely debilitating condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. In The PTSD Workbook, readers determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, and learn effective techniques and interventions to overcome them. They start with the exercise best suited to relieve their worst symptom then progress to less troubling symptoms, picking up key information about PTSD along the way.