The PsyPal study will investigate psilocybin therapy's effectiveness in easing psychological distress in patients with incurable diseases. The trial aims to treat over 100 patients across four clinical sites, using a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
A survey of 2,800 Canadians found that nearly 80% believe psilocybin-assisted therapy is a reasonable medical choice to treat existential distress in patients at the end of life. Researchers suggest that familiarity with palliative care and personal experience with psilocybin may contribute to higher support rates.
A Cedars-Sinai study shows that behavioral activation therapy is as effective as antidepressant medications in treating symptoms of depression in patients with heart failure. The study found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in both patient groups, with improvements in physical and mental health-related quality of life.
A comparative effectiveness trial found that behavioral activation psychotherapy and antidepressant medication management significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure. Psychotherapy recipients experienced better physical health-related quality of life and fewer hospital visits.
A meta-analysis of 10,600 patients reveals that psychological interventions are highly effective in treating PTSD following multiple traumatic events. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy is the first line of treatment recommended in national guidelines, offering improved patient and therapist outcomes.
The latest issues of APA journals focus on improving clinical outcomes, exploring disparities in school-based support, and addressing civil commitment hearings. These studies aim to inform new interventions and improve mental health care.
Researchers developed an AI system that analyzed video recordings from therapy sessions with patients with borderline personality pathology. The system accurately detected the emotional states of patients, including fleeting micro-expressions. It also identified a predictor for therapy success: 'social' smiling at the start of a session.
A UC San Diego study found biomarkers in blood that can help identify individuals at high risk of becoming suicidal, offering a new approach to personalize mental health care. The researchers also discovered sex-based differences in how depression impacts cell metabolism and identified potential targets for future drugs.
Research found a correlation between early negative life events, orbitofrontal cortex thinning, and later depressive symptoms in young adults. A higher burden of negative life events and accelerated thinning of the region were associated with increased depressive symptoms.
A novel brain stimulation technique has shown significant improvement in patients with hard-to-treat depression, with 66% responding to treatment and nearly half achieving acute remission. The study's findings are promising, particularly for patients who have tried other treatments without success.
A small molecule called YM022 has been discovered to block aversive memory formation in mice, offering a new direction for developing anti-depressants. The study found that YM022 suppressed neuroplasticity-caused aversive memory formation and reduced depressive behaviors in mice.
A groundbreaking clinical trial launched by the U.S. Army aims to find new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel and veterans. The trial will test multiple drug candidates and examine biological indicators to determine potential treatments.
A new study suggests an artificial intelligence tool can detect distress in hospital workers' conversations with therapists during the pandemic. The tool analyzed digitalized session transcripts to identify common phrases tied to mental illness using natural language processing.
A review of trials comparing ACT and CBT for depression found mixed results, but suggested that traditional CBT may have a slight edge. The research highlights the need for more reliable trial results to inform treatment decisions.
A large population-level study found that patients with mental health conditions experienced fewer disruptions in care after the transition to virtual psychotherapy, with a shorter time between appointments. Individuals with depressive, anxiety, or bipolar disorders were more likely to maintain consistent visits.
A Phase IIIb study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that esketamine nasal spray achieved higher remission rates (27.1%) compared to quetiapine extended-release (17.6%) in patients with treatment-resistant depression, indicating its potential as a targeted therapy for this population.
The latest American Psychiatric Association journals offer insights into depression and PTSD factors, as well as guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl. The October issues also feature a joint commentary on nuclear war's impact on health professionals.
A new study found that ChatGPT-4 can generate highly accurate personal narratives based on stream-of-consciousness thoughts and demographic details. The AI model was used in conjunction with therapists to guide patients toward healthier thoughts and behaviors, suggesting a potential tool for improving therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that training participants to suppress negative thoughts reduced their vividness and emotional intensity. The study also showed improvements in mental health outcomes for participants, including decreases in depression and anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explore how spiritual coping behaviors help survivors of urban firearm injury recover. The study suggests that combining culturally sensitive spiritual resources with psychotherapy may lead to effective trauma-informed care for injured urban Black men.
Researchers at McMaster University found that peer-led group cognitive-behavioral therapy delivered online significantly improved symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in new mothers. The model has the potential to substantially improve access to effective treatment for mothers with postpartum depression.
A retrospective cohort study found that LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those identifying as lesbian, gay, and transgender, have higher rates of alcohol use disorder and lower access to treatment. The study suggests that targeted interventions are necessary to address these disparities.
A new review challenges the dominant Western approach to mindfulness, emphasizing its potential to foster connection with others and the natural world. The study suggests mindfulness can be used to address issues like eco-anxiety and promote a sense of place within nature.
Conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for women with late-stage gynaecological cancers take too long and require too much stamina. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise in treating anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress with rapid and sustained effects.
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature articles on social determinants of health, youth mental health screening, and AI in psychotherapy. Journalists can access publications by emailing press@psych.org.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that equine-facilitated psychotherapy significantly improves the lives of patients struggling with substance use disorders. The therapy, which involves horses, has been shown to boost mood and overall well-being.
A new pilot study led by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that an AI voice-based virtual coach improved depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as problem-solving skills, in patients. The Lumen app delivered a form of psychotherapy, resulting in changes in brain activity and reduced psychological distress.
A new MRI approach uses harmless glucose solution to map brain glucose metabolism, generating reliable results and potentially improving diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and deploy this less-invasive method for patients.
Researchers at UCLA Health discovered that astrocytes, traditionally considered the brain's support system, are involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder-related behaviors. The study suggests that targeting both neurons and astrocytes may be effective for OCD treatment.
A study by Ruhr-University Bochum's Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy found altered brain activity in patients with fibromyalgia, which may contribute to the disorder's characteristic inability to control pain. The research provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
The April issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry features studies on mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism, and stress-related disorders. A special issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy honors the work of Otto F. Kernberg, M.D.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that physical activity and pelvic floor exercises can effectively increase latency time in men with premature ejaculation. The research suggests exercise as a promising non-pharmacological treatment option, potentially reducing the reliance on drugs with side effects.
A meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Münster confirms that trauma-focused therapy is highly effective for treating PTSD in children and adolescents. The study found that this form of therapy can change patients' thought patterns and behaviors, enabling them to confront their trauma under therapist supervision.
A study of psychedelic therapists found that most had personal experience with psychedelics, which raises concerns about their use in therapy. The survey of 150 therapists involved in a psilocybin trial for depression reported widespread use of psychedelic compounds.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 800 families to show that 80% of children who reported maltreatment also experienced emotional maltreatment, leading to severe psychiatric consequences. The study highlights the need for early intervention and education of parents to take a child's perspective.
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have increased due to misuse and overdose rates. Experts recommend a multipronged strategy for cautious prescribing, including education and surveillance. This approach balances benefits and risks of the medication.
Researchers at the University of Basel found that placebos can significantly reduce feelings of guilt in healthy subjects. Participants who received open-label placebos showed a significant decrease in guilt, even when they knew they were receiving a placebo.
The American Psychiatric Association's January journal issues focus on childhood- and neurodevelopment-related psychiatric disorders. A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry explores how brain scans predict treatment response to psychotherapy for OCD.
Researchers have discovered the positive impact of icaros on men's recovery from drug and alcohol addictions during ayahuasca healing ceremonies. The study, led by UC Riverside doctoral student Owain J. Graham, found that 86% of patients showed statistically significant improvements on the Addictions Severity Index.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry finds that patients with treatment-resistant depression have a 23% higher risk of death, as well as significantly more outpatient care and hospitalization days. The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying patients at risk of developing treatment-resistant depression to improve their ...
A 10-year study found diagnoses of suicidal ideation surged by over 700% among Black pregnant women, while depression diagnoses increased by 66% during the same period. This disparity suggests that many women may be going undiagnosed and untreated until their mental health becomes a crisis.
A meta-analysis of six studies concludes that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is more effective than ketamine in quickly relieving major depression symptoms. The analysis, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found no significant differences in ECT's success rate across various age groups and geographic locations.
Research found that therapists with high warmth and competence can shape patients' expectations by inspiring more positive beliefs about the effectiveness of therapy. This study suggests that practitioners' characteristics, such as warmth and competence, can influence clinical outcomes.
A new study found that timely treatment of depression can reduce the risk of dementia by about 30% in certain patient groups. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 350,000 participants and found that depression elevated the risk of dementia by 51%, but treatment reduced this risk. Those with increasing ...
The October issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry focus on diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder and cannabis use disorder. Psychiatric Services features research reports on issues related to mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
Scientists have designed compounds that activate the 5HT2a receptor, producing antidepressant and antianxiety effects in mice. The compounds' mechanism of action differs from psychedelics like LSD, offering a potential new approach to developing effective antidepressants with fewer side effects.
A recent study found that patients who filled prescriptions for folic acid experienced a 44% reduction in suicidal events over a two-year period. Filling a prescription for folic acid was associated with a decreased risk of attempting suicide, even after adjusting for various confounding factors.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that adults with a history of childhood trauma can experience symptom improvement after pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or combination treatment. Despite previous theories, these common treatments are effective for patients with childhood trauma.
A new study found that financial incentives enhance prosocial decisions in people with low empathy levels. However, this effect does not change the underlying motivation, which remains egoistic. In high empathic individuals, financial incentives have no impact on decision-making.
A survey study of over 3,000 adults found that psychedelic experiences share similarities with non-drug related near-death experiences in reducing fear of death. Participants reported lasting positive effects, including personal meaning and spiritual significance.
A new study found that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced heavy drinking among participants with alcohol dependence. Eight months after treatment, nearly half of those who received psilocybin stopped drinking altogether.
Researchers found that appetite changes in depression are linked to specific changes in the brain's reward system, including a weaker connection between the reward system and areas processing taste stimuli. The study suggests precision medicine approaches could lead to more targeted therapies for individual symptoms of depression.
The August issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative illnesses. Featured research includes reports on mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
Research teams at Mass General Brigham will conduct large-scale studies to treat acute suicidal depressed state and bipolar depression. The studies aim to compare the effectiveness of various treatments and provide valuable data on treatment outcomes.
The July issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services feature new neuroscientific advances addressing major depression, anhedonia, and cognitive deficits. Research reports highlight the provision of care among underserved populations, including Hispanic communities with declining mental health services.
Charité is leading four new EU projects tackling environmental impact on mental health, developing a cell therapy for IgA nephropathy, and improving AI-assisted stroke care. The projects aim to advance research and innovation in these areas.
A study by researchers from the University of Basel found that probiotics can improve depressive symptoms in patients taking antidepressants. The probiotic group showed a greater improvement in symptoms than the placebo group, with changes in intestinal flora composition and brain activity when viewing emotional stimuli.
A meta-analysis by Dr. Maggi Price and colleagues found that Black youth living in communities with high levels of anti-Black racism are less likely to benefit from psychotherapy. The study suggests that addressing stigma and incorporating advocacy into treatment is crucial for improving mental health outcomes. Training programs must e...
A Swedish study found that children with migration backgrounds are less likely to receive recommended psychiatric diagnoses and treatments for conditions like ADHD and depression. They were 40% less likely to receive certain diagnoses and 30% less likely to receive psychotherapy or ADHD drugs.
A new evidence-based matching program aims to improve treatment outcomes by pairing patients with therapists based on their previously established effectiveness strengths. The program, funded by PCORI, has shown promising results in reducing symptoms and improving patient care.