Articles tagged with Psychotherapy
Researchers have identified three new variants of MDMA as promising alternatives for controlled psychotherapeutic use, retaining therapeutic potential while reducing side effects. The new compounds show a similar effect on clinical target structures in the brain and are broken down more favorably, resulting in fewer toxic products.
A study led by UCLA Health found that emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) significantly reduces chronic pain among older adults compared to cognitive behavioral therapy. EAET helps patients confront and release traumatic emotions, leading to a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.
A study suggests that a strong therapeutic alliance is key to successful psychedelic-assisted therapy in reducing depression. Participants who had stronger relationships with their therapists experienced lower depression scores one year later.
A recent study found that mimicking participants' actions or words increased feelings of guilt, contradicting the assumption that it fosters social bonding and reduces negative emotions. The researchers suggest that therapists carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mimicry in therapy.
A trio of studies show increased diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in pregnant and new mothers with private insurance, but disparities persist. The findings suggest that policy changes and increased awareness have contributed to the rise in diagnoses and treatments.
Research highlights treating anxiety and depression in people with heart disease can significantly reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even death. The study found that talk therapy and antidepressant medications improved heart outcomes among those with blocked arteries or heart failure.
A new study finds that individuals who received therapy for anxiety prior to the COVID-19 pandemic did not experience an increase in anxiety symptoms during its peak. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provided tools to manage symptoms, according to researchers.
A new study combines virtual reality exposure with transcranial direct current stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. The innovative approach shows significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and accelerates psychological adjustment, offering hope for an effective treatment.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) emphasizes the need for policy efforts to address homelessness, recommending stable housing and adequate funding. The report also highlights the importance of providing targeted medical services and decriminalizing life-sustaining activities in public.
A recent study at the University of Eastern Finland gathered information on psychotherapy-associated adverse events, their content and scope. The researchers found no significant negative outcomes in included studies, but highlighted the need for standardised methods to assess adverse effects.
Researchers found stable differences in brain activity in unmedicated children with anxiety that improved after treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy. The study shows CBT leads to clinically significant decreases in anxiety symptoms and improves brain functioning.
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.
Researchers found that a person-centered approach, trusting relationship, and proper training are crucial for effective peer support. Trained peer support can help plug gaps in medication advice and improve patient adherence to treatment.
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 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.
New research reveals that children with childhood mental health issues are at higher risk of social isolation, low educational attainment, financial difficulties, and heavy substance use in late teens and early 20s. The study also found a strong link between internalising symptoms and poor physical health in young adulthood.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
A study conducted at Ohio State University found that performing acts of kindness led to improvements in life satisfaction and reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. The intervention was more effective than other therapeutic techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in making participants feel more connected to others.
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 new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that internet-based therapy can help people with anger and aggression, with a combination of mindful emotion awareness and cognitive reappraisal being the most effective strategy. Four-week treatments resulted in decreased self-reported anger and aggressiveness.
Researchers developed a 'leapfrog design' to efficiently test new psychological interventions. This method allows for the quick identification of ineffective interventions and rapid integration of new findings, leading to faster optimization of existing treatments.
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 ...
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 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 randomized trial found that a 12-week online yoga program improved knee function in participants, but did not significantly reduce knee pain during walking. The study suggests that unsupervised online yoga programs can be feasible and improve physical function, but more research is needed to sustain the effectiveness.
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.
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.
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.
A new therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Headache (CBTH) significantly reduced related disability in veterans following a traumatic brain injury. It also showed comparable reductions in co-occurring symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with low drop-out rates and ease of use for therapists.
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 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.
A recent brain imaging study has found evidence of weakening connections between key brain areas in adolescents at high genetic risk of developing bipolar disorder. This study suggests that early intervention strategies may be effective in preventing the progression towards major changes in the brain.
Researchers report promising results from a phase 3 clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with two-thirds of participants no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria. The therapy showed better effect sizes than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and was equally effective in treatm...
Researchers from UBC Okanagan and the University of Exeter found ketamine to have significant anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects in a comprehensive systematic review. The study suggests ketamine may be helpful in treating various disorders, including eating disorders, substance use, and anxiety.
A new study finds that mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and improves well-being in family caregivers. The therapy teaches mindfulness and guided imagery skills to help caregivers better understand their loved ones and manage chronic stress.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that individuals without jobs or stable housing experience worse depression symptoms when treated with therapy or antidepressants. The researchers analyzed data from nine studies involving over 4,800 participants and discovered that unemployed patients had 28% poorer outcomes compar...
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to significant and durable improvements in depression, with effects lasting at least a year for most patients. The treatment was shown to produce large decreases in depression severity and stable rates of response throughout the follow-up period.
A randomized study of over 1,000 people with PTSD and/or bipolar disorder shows that telehealth and integrated care models can improve treatment engagement and outcomes. Patients who received guidance from local clinic team members and in-person follow-up with nurses or social workers had better results.
A national survey reveals that over 85% of primary care practices struggle to access pediatric medication advice and evidence-based psychotherapy. Policy changes may be necessary to address these barriers and improve child behavioral health treatment.
A national study by Boston Children's Hospital found that primary care practices caring for children reported significant difficulties in obtaining behavioral health services. The study, published in Annals of Family Medicine, highlights the pressing need for mental health support in children and adolescents.
Researchers found that people who were in a sad mood improved more quickly when they used a mood-improving method that they were told was their strongest skill. This approach helped participants regain confidence and persistence, leading to better results.
A landmark VA study found that prolonged exposure was statistically more effective than cognitive processing therapy in easing PTSD symptoms, with most Veterans showing meaningful improvement from both treatments. The researchers recommended shared decision-making between clinicians and patients to select their preferred treatment.
A meta-analysis of 83 studies found that digital interventions improved depression symptoms over control conditions, but the effect was not as strong as face-to-face psychotherapy. Digital treatments with human components were most effective in reducing symptoms, particularly when accompanied by human guidance.