A study found that young adult individuals with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders, referred to as dual diagnosis (DD), show similar benefits compared to those diagnosed only with a substance use disorder. Despite worse abstinence rates, DD patients who actively participate in 12-step programs experience benefits.
Despite ample evidence supporting its effectiveness, psychotherapy is on a decline in the US. This stems from a lack of definition, adoption, and articulation of its own evidence base, whereas medications have done so. Research shows that many therapists prioritize personal experience over evidence-based treatment.
The article highlights the need for a systematic framework of case identification, triage, and mental health interventions in post-disaster settings. Researchers found that standard treatments like pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are effective, but psychosocial interventions have not been sufficiently evaluated.
A University of Zurich study found online psychotherapy to be equally effective, and in some cases better than, face-to-face therapy in reducing depression. After treatment, 53-57% of patients showed significant improvement, with higher satisfaction rates for both groups.
A new biomarker has been identified to predict which type of depression treatment is most likely to be successful, either therapy or medication. The study used pre-treatment brain scans to identify a pivotal predictor of outcomes from two standard forms of depression treatment: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or escitalopram.
A study found specific patterns of brain activity can indicate whether a patient will respond to medication or psychotherapy for depression. Low activity in the anterior insula region was associated with remission through CBT, while high activity was linked to improved response to medication.
A study in Journal of Analytical Psychology reveals internal conflict between the left and right parts of the brain when triggered by 'hot button' words, affecting sense of self and external responses.
A new approach using brain-training computer games is being explored to improve memory and thinking in forensic psychiatry patients, who are considered among the most severely mentally ill. The games may be used with psychotherapy, medication, and other approaches to help these patients restore their competency.
Researchers used optogenetics to re-establish normal behavior in mice with obsessive-compulsive disorder-like symptoms. Light stimulation attenuated compulsive behavior, and the approach may help identify dysfunctional neuron circuits contributing to the disorder.
A randomized controlled study found that short-term therapy delivered by para-professionals significantly reduced mental health symptoms among rape survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A Johns Hopkins trial found that group psychotherapy significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among women survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The treatment achieved more dramatic results compared to individual support services.
A new drug has been shown to prevent PTSD-like symptoms in mice by targeting the Oprl1 receptor, a gene variant linked to increased risk of developing PTSD in humans. The results suggest that the drug could have a similar preventive effect on PTSD in humans.
The University of Huddersfield has published the first academic book to address child sexual abuse in the Caribbean. The book draws from previously unpublished material and explores nuanced conceptual, cultural, and social behaviours underpinning the issue.
A recent study found that practicing meditation and stretching can help relieve PTSD symptoms in nurses by regulating stress hormone levels. Cortisol levels responded favorably to mind-body exercises, decreasing PTSD symptoms by 41% in those who participated.
International researchers found that all seven psychotherapeutic interventions have comparable effects on depressive symptoms, regardless of patient group or therapy type. The therapies worked equally well for individual and group therapy, as well as internet-based interactions.
Randomized trials show exercise reduces depressive symptoms in MDD patients, whether used alone or combined with medication and/or psychotherapy. Exercise intensity and duration are recommended to be 50-85% of maximum heart rate for aerobic exercises and 80% 1-repetition maximum for resistance training.
A Concordia University study shows that a veil of shame surrounds suicide in cultures worldwide, forcing those affected to grieve alone. Researchers used arts therapy to facilitate dialogue and find common themes across diverse communities, promoting healing and hope.
A new study found that only 38.4% of adults with clinician-identified depression met the 12-month criteria for depression. Many participants used prescription psychiatric medication despite not meeting the criteria, highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment targeting in community settings.
The USPSTF reviewed evidence on suicide screening and treatment for adults and adolescents, finding that primary care-feasible screening tools can identify adults at increased risk for suicide but have limited ability to detect risk in adolescents. Treatment with psychotherapy reduced the risk of suicide attempts by 32% in high-risk ad...
A new study from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System found that group mindfulness activities significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines meditation, acceptance, and awareness to help individuals manage traumatic thoughts and emotions.
Despite identifying effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most mental health professionals fail to use them, leaving patients without access to crucial care. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven highly effective in addressing PTSD symptoms, yet they are not widely adopted.
A long-term study by Ruhr-University Bochum found that patients who undergo plastic surgery experience improved life satisfaction, self-esteem, and mental health. The results suggest that cosmetic surgery can be a successful treatment for psychological variables, with no adverse effects observed.
BMC Psychology is the first solely dedicated open access psychology journal, covering all aspects of psychology. The new journal will practice open peer review and welcome submissions of replications and null findings in addition to positive results.
A systematic review of clinical interventions found only a few psychotherapeutic treatments showing promise for reducing symptoms in children exposed to trauma. School-based cognitive behavior therapy interventions were associated with changes in post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.
A study found that mental health parity reduced total and out-of-pocket spending for patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder. Despite no significant change in service utilization, individuals with more severe illnesses experienced lower expenses due to the policy.
A large-scale trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provided in addition to usual care reduced symptoms of depression and improved patients' quality of life. At six months, 46% of those who received CBT had improved, reporting at least a 50% reduction in symptoms.
A Loyola University Medical Center neurologist reports a higher-than-expected rate of patients with non-epileptic seizures who also experience epileptic seizures during the same hospital stay. This finding is significant because it highlights the need for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Researchers have developed a new treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease by knocking out the gene responsible for producing the HDAC6 enzyme. This intervention improved cognitive abilities and behavioral disorders in mice, suggesting that improving cellular traffic may be key to treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Butler Hospital and Bradley Hospital found a sharp decline in the availability and use of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for severe depression in general hospitals across the US. The annual number of hospital stays where ECT was administered fell by 43% over 17 years, from over 1.2 million to 720,000.
A recent study has found that former political prisoners in East Germany continue to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 15 years after their imprisonment. The study, which followed up with 78 men and 15 women who were initially interviewed in the mid-1990s, revealed that PTSD affects about a third of those studied.
A new video game with biofeedback is being studied to help children with anger issues. After playing the game, kids showed a clinically significant decrease in anger scores and improved emotional regulation.
Female family physicians in Canada are practising differently, working fewer hours and seeing more patients with longer visits, but younger male physicians also work less than older counterparts
Researchers found that a medication inhibiting inflammation showed promise in treating major depression, especially in individuals with high levels of inflammation. The study employed infliximab, an antibody blocking tumor necrosis factor, and demonstrated improved symptoms in subjects with elevated C-reactive protein levels.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified a potential medical treatment for the cognitive effects of stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experimental drug S107 prevented learning and memory deficits associated with stress-related disorders in a PTSD mouse model.
A research team found that infants' cortisol levels rise after waking up, with shorter pregnancies linked to lower cortisol rises. This new method could lead to diagnosing illnesses in hormone-producing organs and understanding the stress system's development in humans.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that acute stress increases DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene, leading to excessive receptor production. This change may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer or depression.
A study published in JAMA found that couple's therapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT), can significantly decrease PTSD symptom severity and improve intimate relationship satisfaction in couples. The treatment was more effective than a wait-list condition, with improvements maintained at a 3-month follow-up.
Dr. Anastasi's $2.5 million NIH grant aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture/moxibustion in reducing abdominal pain and IBS symptoms. The randomized, blinded study will follow rigorous clinical trial standards.
A study by the University of South Florida College of Nursing found that Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) substantially reduced PTSD symptoms, including depression and anxiety, after just one to four sessions. The therapy uses eye movements to process traumatic memories, resulting in a significant improvement in symptoms.
A weekly stress management program for patients with multiple sclerosis prevented the development of new brain lesions, a marker of the disease's activity in the brain. The study showed that stress management therapy reduced two types of new brain lesions common in multiple sclerosis.
A Northwestern University study found that phone therapy retains more patients and improves depression outcomes compared to face-to-face sessions. The randomized control trial included 325 primary care patients with major depressive disorder and showed that phone therapy reduced dropout rates by 12 percentage points.
A study compared the effectiveness of face-to-face and telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating depression in primary care patients. The results found that telephone CBT had lower rates of discontinuing treatment, but was less effective at reducing depressive symptoms in the long term.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry found that D-cycloserine augmentation enhances exposure therapy for PTSD, particularly in patients with severe symptoms. This approach may improve treatment outcomes by promoting neuroplasticity and reducing deficits in brain regions involved in emotion and memory.
A study by Marc Berman found that nature walks improved memory performance after a walk in nature, compared to an urban environment. Participants showed a 16 percent increase in attention and working memory, but no significant improvement in depressive mood.
Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center will present on grief and major depression, exploring the complexities of complicated grief. The session also delves into the ethics of psychiatric relationships with pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to patient care.
The conference, Gender, Health & Creative Arts Therapies, will explore themes such as feminism/womanism and social justice, offering a platform for practitioners to share their experiences. Participants can expect rich artistic and music opportunities, including traditional Mohawk blessing ceremonies and performances.
Scientists discovered that repeated cocaine exposure decreases a crucial brain protein's activity, enhancing reward for cocaine use and stimulating addiction. The study also found that blocking this protein's light-activated form can prevent addiction.
A study found that AD patients have difficulties transferring acquired knowledge to new contexts, despite being able to learn and acquire information. This transfer deficit may be related to deficits in declarative learning and dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe region of the brain.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that work-focused psychotherapy can help employees return to work faster and improve their mental health over time. Employees who received this therapy were able to fully return to work on average 65 days earlier than those in standard therapy, with significant impro...
A computerized cognitive training program has been shown to improve reality-monitoring tasks and social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia. The study found that 16 weeks of intensive training was associated with increased activation of the medial prefrontal cortex, a critical brain region for reality-monitoring processes.
A new theory suggests that sleep problems may contribute to dissociation and dissociative disorders. Research finds that sleep disturbances can impair memory and increase suggestibility, potentially increasing the impact of leading interventions. Therapists should adopt a more nuanced approach to treat patients with dissociative symptoms.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing novel technologies to treat depression and other mood disorders using smartphones, web-based platforms, and virtual human coaches. These innovative approaches aim to provide immediate support, increase accessibility, and reduce costs.
Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of group schema therapy in treating borderline personality disorder, with a 94% recovery rate over an 8-month period. The approach combines theoretical, conceptual, and practical information, including therapist tips and patient workbook materials.
Two studies published in scientific journals provide the most detailed picture yet of how psilocybin affects brain activity. The research suggests that psilocybin suppresses activity in 'hub' regions of the brain, leading to a state of heightened perception and memory vividness.
Research suggests that estrogen can improve mood in women, particularly during the premenstrual phase. Studies have shown a significant increase in activity in brain areas related to emotional processing premenstrually, and estrogen has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women.
A new study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found that regular exercise can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Women who underwent six weeks of strength or aerobic exercise training experienced remission rates higher than those in a control group.
Most patients need several sequential treatment steps to achieve remission from major depression. The Lancet review highlights the importance of primary care providers recognizing and addressing depression in chronic physical disorders. Deep brain stimulation holds promise as a future treatment option.
Rhode Island Hospital is conducting a 5-year study on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus supportive psychotherapy for treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The study aims to reduce BDD symptoms and improve daily functioning.
A 10-year study on Medicaid patients with depression found substantial spending increases (29%) but only slight improvement in antidepressant use and decline in follow-up visits. Meanwhile, psychotherapy utilization fluctuated, and hospitalizations decreased.
Scientists at the University of Hull found that highly suggestible individuals can see colours in monochrome patterns and experience changes in brain activity under hypnosis. The study suggests that these abilities exist independently of hypnosis and may be useful for medical interventions, such as pain control.