Researchers found that reappraising emotions can quickly reduce negative responses to angry faces, with brain activity showing decreased signals for negative emotions after reappraisal. This process is faster and deeper than previously thought, allowing people to prepare themselves for potentially challenging situations.
A lack of national suicide prevention strategy in Canada puts lives at risk, but education and targeted interventions have shown promise. Physicians can play a crucial role in prevention through early detection, treatment, and follow-up.
A review of 160 reports found that common mental health interventions, such as counselling and child-friendly spaces, often lack rigorous scrutiny. The authors call for increased research into these interventions to improve their effectiveness and sustainability in humanitarian settings.
Several prominent scientists respond to a call for rethinking the current approach to mental health care, highlighting innovative programs like those developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors emphasize the need to reduce the burden of mental illness in the United States through improved treatment and accessibility.
A study of 228 patients found that those with high anger levels had a higher risk of cardiac events and lower infarction-free survival. The researchers suggest a multidimensional therapeutic approach incorporating physical, pharmacological, and psychotherapy treatment to address underlying suffering.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway affected in schizophrenia and successfully alleviated symptoms using a cancer drug. The study found that reducing p35 enzyme levels led to cognitive impairment, which was addressed by administering the cancer drug MS-275.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity exhibited reduced anxiety reactivity when engaging in high levels of physical activity. Regular exercise was shown to be an effective alternative or complementary strategy to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety problems.
A new psychotherapy intervention, dignity therapy, significantly improves quality of life and enhances the dignity of patients at the end of life, while helping their families. The study found that dignity therapy reduces distress and enriches the end-of-life experience compared to standard palliative care and client-centred care.
Research suggests that recreational Ecstasy use is associated with chronic changes in brain function, particularly increased brain activation in visual processing areas. The study's findings may have implications for the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of Ecstasy use, as well as its impact on mental health over time.
A quick, inexpensive, and easy-to-administer physiological measure of pupil dilation in response to emotional words can predict which patients are likely to respond to cognitive therapy. This technology has the potential to improve treatment response rates in mental health clinics.
Dr. Loftus's research has had a profound impact on the administration of justice in the US and abroad, highlighting the fragility and malleability of human memories. Her work has led to the dismissal of murder charges based on repressed memories, contributing to her being recognized as a pioneer in the field.
A new study by Durham University shows that patients with severe depression can be treated successfully with behavioural activation, a psychotherapy for depression, by non-specialist mental health staff. The research suggests that this approach could lead to cost-savings for the NHS and alleviate the shortage of specialist therapists.
A Canadian psychological scientist team found improvements in brain activity after group cognitive behavior therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. The study used EEGs and found that changes in brain electrical interactions paralleled clinicians' and patients' reports of easing symptoms.
A study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy found that women with anorexia or bulimia draw themselves with distinct characteristics, including a larger neck and emphasized mouth. Self-figure drawings can be used as a tool for assessing eating disorders and may help individuals open up to therapists about their struggles.
Researchers propose a new target structure for deep brain stimulation to treat depression, with promising results. The method has already shown significant improvement in mood for half of patients with the most severe depression, and may lead to even better success rates with fewer side effects.
A study published in Current Biology pinpointed the amygdala as the brain region causing fear. The researchers observed a patient without an amygdala, who failed to experience fear despite encountering traumatic events. This discovery may lead to new interventions for PTSD and anxiety disorders.
Research suggests that MDMA produces empathogenic effects, increasing feelings of friendliness, playfulness, and loving feelings in individuals. However, it also reduces the ability to recognize facial expressions of fear, potentially leading to increased social risk-taking.
Animal studies suggest that the stress response, immune system, and regulation of nerve cell signals may play important roles in depression. The findings highlight the need for new treatment targets and approaches to help those not responding to existing therapies.
Researchers identified characteristics that predict which children with OCD will benefit from specific treatments. Children with less severe symptoms and those who recognize their irrational thoughts as such showed greater improvement in various treatments.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that family-based therapy is twice as effective as individual psychotherapy in producing full remission of anorexia nervosa. The study compared the two treatment approaches in 121 adolescents and found that family-based therapy led to a significantly higher rate of patients re...
Depression is associated with dysfunction of specific brain regions involved in cognitive control and emotional response, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex. Persistent abnormalities after treatment may indicate a need for complementary therapy.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved symptom control in adult ADHD patients taking medication. The skills-based approach taught patients how to cope with attention problems and manage symptoms more effectively.
The book recounts Ellis's life, including his development of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), which helps individuals create healthy ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Ellis's principles and methods have influenced many fields, including cognitive therapy, coaching, and personal development.
A completed clinical trial found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly improved symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients who had failed traditional treatments. Eighty percent of trial participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with notable improvements in workability and emotional regulation.
Research highlights the importance of early detection and intervention for preschool depression, which can be a precursor to later childhood depression. Developmental interventions and psychotherapy may be effective in addressing preschool depression, with novel treatments like Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) showing promise.
A new study by Brigham Young University finds that telephone therapy for depression is nearly as effective as face-to-face consultations. At a six-month follow-up, 42% of participants had recovered from depression, compared to 50% in similar in-person therapy.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital found that meta-cognitive therapy significantly improved symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults compared to supportive therapy. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, demonstrated the efficacy of a non-medication treatment for adult ADHD.
A randomized trial found that massage eased anxiety symptoms, similar to psychotherapy or medications, but not more effective than simple relaxation. The benefits of massage may be due to a generalized relaxation response.
A study by a University at Buffalo School of Social Work professor found that hypnosis can significantly reduce the intensity of pain and suffering among women with metastatic breast cancer. However, it did not show significant benefits in reducing the frequency or constancy of pain episodes.
Research using MRI reveals that childhood stress and abuse can lead to permanent brain structure changes, making individuals more susceptible to developing depression. The study's findings have significant implications for early intervention and prevention strategies.
A study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with severe treatment-resistant depression. The procedure showed promising results with minimal side effects.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association finds psychodynamic psychotherapy to be highly effective in alleviating mental health symptoms, with benefits persisting after treatment has ended. The therapy's focus on self-reflection and examining relationship patterns leads to substantial treatment benefits.
A 64-year-old woman with severe depression was treated with deep brain stimulation of the habenula, showing significant improvement and long-term remission. The procedure is a new treatment option for therapy-resistant depression, building on existing knowledge of the habenula's role in the condition.
A national survey found that only 21% of Americans with clinical depression receive adequate treatment, while half go untreated. Disparities in mental healthcare access persist, particularly for African Americans and Mexican Americans, who face significant barriers to care.
A study found that many Americans with major depression do not receive adequate treatment, with racial and ethnic groups facing disparities. Psychotherapy is more commonly used than pharmacotherapy, but individuals with specific ethnic backgrounds have lower odds of receiving concordant care.
Researchers pinpointed prime factors identifying elderly persons at high risk for developing major depression, including low-level depressive symptoms and poor social support. Preventive treatments hold promise for providing the greatest health benefit at the lowest cost.
A pilot study found that Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) can help 'at risk' teenage girls stabilize or reduce their body mass index (BMI), preventing excessive weight gain. IPT targets social and interpersonal difficulties linked to loss of control eating, a key factor in childhood obesity.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that children with PTSD symptoms exhibit poor hippocampus function, which can lead to avoidance and numbing symptoms. The research provides a potential biomarker for early detection and improved treatments for traumatized children.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins scientists suggests that repeated ecstasy use significantly raises the risk of developing sleep apnea in otherwise healthy young adults. The researchers found that the more participants had used MDMA in the past, the more severe their apnea was likely to be.
A new study from University of Bonn suggests that deep brain stimulation can significantly improve depression in half of patients, who had previously not responded to other therapies. The treatment involves implanting electrodes in the nucleus accumbens, a key area of the brain's reward system.
Researchers are adapting cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anxiety in early adolescents with autism. The study aims to reduce anxiety and improve mental health outcomes in this population, addressing the growing need for effective treatments.
Research identifies a 12-step process where morally upstanding individuals become embroiled in white-collar criminality due to organizational culture and leadership behavior. Key findings include the role of personality, life circumstances, and passive participants in the descent into crime.
A randomized trial found that organized phone therapy for depression significantly improved symptoms, leading to a gain of 46 depression-free days over two years. The treatment was cost-effective, with only a $397 increase in outpatient health care costs, compared to $676 for phone care management alone.
A new report calls for reform of clinical psychology training programs and accreditation system to ensure mental health clinicians use evidence-based treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for PTSD with fewer side effects, yet many psychologists do not use it.
Researchers develop virtual environments and novel medicines to help military personnel diagnosed with PTSD, and explore the use of psychiatric service dogs. Preliminary data from clinical trials show promising results in treating co-morbid alcohol dependence.
A new family care model called I-FAST aims to assist families dealing with severe emotional and behavioral issues in their children and adolescents. The model empowers agencies to develop their own home-based treatment protocols, reducing reliance on out-of-home placements and support.
The study explores the therapeutic process of mother-infant psychotherapy, highlighting its unique catalytic factors that promote change and growth through relational connection and the 'now moment'. The findings emphasize the importance of observing and responding to infant behavior, recognizing maternal experiences and capacities, an...
The inaugural issue of Ecopsychology, a new peer-reviewed online journal, chronicles the transdisciplinary endeavor of ecopsychology and its role in advancing psychological practice in an ecological context. The journal examines the link between human health, culture, and environmental issues.
Recent studies in epigenetics provide new understanding of how environmental factors influence brain function and behavior, potentially explaining the complex nature of mental illness. Epigenetic changes can be long-lived and influenced by life experiences, psychotropic drugs, and psychotherapy.
Researchers developed a new form of CBT-E that can effectively treat over 80% of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The treatment has been shown to improve symptoms and sustain changes over time.
A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that antipsychotic drugs do not form homogeneous classes, with individual differences in efficacy, side effects, and cost. This challenges the traditional classification of 'first-generation' and 'second-generation' antipsychotics.
A study by UCLA researchers found that approximately 4.7% of the nation's population suffers from persistent depression or anxiety disorders. Many individuals who remain ill receive modest increases in medication use but no significant increase in counseling, highlighting a need for improved treatment and insurance arrangements.
A randomized clinical trial found that breast cancer patients who participate in psychological intervention sessions experience reduced stress, improved mood, and altered health behaviors. This led to a significant decrease in cancer recurrence and death from breast cancer, as well as overall mortality.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health has identified three effective treatments for childhood anxiety disorders: a combination therapy with psychotherapy and antidepressant medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and an antidepressant medication alone. The study found that 81% of children in the combination treatmen...
A new research review concludes that the most important factor in successful therapy is a motivated and engaged client who can use therapy to build on their strengths. A strong relationship between therapist and client is also a key indicator of a positive therapeutic outcome.
Mice conditioned for safety display reduced anxiety in stressful situations, comparable to antidepressant medications. The study reveals learned safety influences brain development, including increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine neurotransmitters.
A meta-analysis found that longer psychodynamic psychotherapy lasting at least a year is effective and superior to shorter-term therapy for patients with complex mental disorders. The study suggests that short-term therapy may be insufficient for these patients, who often require more intensive treatment.
A new study by Lifespan researchers found that young children as young as four can develop full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and exhibit similar characteristics to older kids. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, analyzed 58 children with OCD between the ages of four and eight.
A new meta-analysis found that phone psychotherapy retained 97.4% of patients compared to face-to-face therapy's 50%. This breakthrough suggests a more accessible and effective treatment option for those struggling with depression.
A national study found that post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were prevalent among injured patients one year after suffering a serious injury. Injured patients diagnosed with PTSD or depression were six times more likely to not have returned to work in the year following the injury.