Articles tagged with Psychotherapy
A study found that the percentage of psychiatrist visits involving psychotherapy dropped to 21.6% between 1996 and 2016, with rural and Black/Hispanic patients experiencing significant declines. The shift towards medication management is attributed to economic factors and a national shortage in psychiatric services.
A new study at UMass Amherst found that different psychotherapists use common treatment processes to varying benefits for patients. Personalizing clinical training to therapists' unique strengths and weaknesses may enhance training outcomes.
The article discusses the importance of addressing identity problems in clinical practice, which can help patients develop a stable sense of self and overcome symptoms. Psychiatrist John R. Peteet reviews four common types of identity problems, including diffusion, distortion, threatened identity, and difficulty integrating identity.
A randomized trial found that a video game with biofeedback can help youth learn to regulate their anger, leading to reduced aggression and oppositional behavior. The game trains kids to stay calm during stressful situations, and its effectiveness was validated in parents' and clinicians' reports.
A new VA study finds a strong connection between PTSD symptom severity and anxiety sensitivity among female Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma. Treating anxiety may ease core PTSD symptoms, suggesting anxiety sensitivity as a potential target for treatment.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that computerised training can reduce PTSD symptoms by helping patients reappraise trauma memories. Patients who underwent the 'Cognitive Bias Modification-Appraisal' training showed fewer trauma-relevant symptoms and lower stress hormone levels compared to those in a control group.
A large-scale study from Lund University found that psychotherapy for panic disorder produces lasting improvements in symptoms and quality of life. Two years after treatment, 70% of patients were clearly improved and 45% were remitted.
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers has found that trauma-focused psychotherapy reduces brain communication between emotion and logic regions, promoting symptom recovery. The study's findings suggest this restructuring of brain connections may be a key signature of PTSD recovery.
A recent study found that MBCT reduces feelings of self-inadequacy and improves self-reassurance in patients with depression. Individuals who showed improvements in self-reassurance were less likely to experience depressive relapse within 2 years after the intervention.
A trusting therapeutic relationship and collaborative approach between therapist and patient are crucial for successful mental illness treatment. Early alliance in therapy also plays a significant role in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes.
A review of 56 randomized clinical trials found that cognitive behavior therapy is superior to other psychotherapies in reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. CBT was most effective in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in CMAJ found that self-reported mental health issues and service use in Ontario increased between 2002 and 2014, with a significant rise in the number of people reporting fair or poor mental health status. The increase in help-seeking behavior suggests improved awareness and reduced stigma around mental health issues.
A study by CAMH and ICES found that only 2-3% of patients with urgent mental health needs can access publicly-funded psychotherapist physicians. The authors suggest allowing non-physician clinicians to provide CBT as a solution to improve access.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham suggest integrating various theories to inform clinical practice. They propose a new approach that acknowledges patients' sense of self is disrupted in schizophrenia. By focusing on how patients can lead fulfilling lives with their symptoms, clinicians can improve treatment outcomes.
A long-term UCLA-led study of Armenian earthquake survivors found that early psychotherapy significantly improved depression and PTSD symptoms in adolescents, with benefits continuing into adulthood. Factors such as social support and chronic medical illnesses also played a role in the development of PTSD and depression.
Clinical trials suggest that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is more effective than traditional therapy alone in treating PTSD. The combination of MDMA and traditional psychotherapy has shown promising results, with patients experiencing temporary adverse reactions not requiring additional medical intervention.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found insufficient evidence to determine whether serotonin reuptake inhibitors or trauma-focused psychotherapy are more effective in treating PTSD. The study concludes that clinicians should make shared decisions with patients based on patient preferences regarding treatment characteristics.
A University of Houston study found that hope increases during cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, leading to greater recovery rates. Moderate-to-large increases in hope were consistent across different CBT protocols and anxiety disorders.
A recent study published in Psychopharmacology found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly improved PTSD symptoms, with 54% of participants no longer meeting criteria after two sessions. The therapy was compared to small doses or non-drug psychotherapy and showed promising results.
The use of embodied AI in psychiatry raises concerns about access, effectiveness, and social effects. While AI applications have enormous potential, urgent action is needed to establish guidelines and regulations.
A study found prolonged exposure therapy to be more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking in veterans with both conditions. The treatment also led to higher rates of PTSD remission compared to a coping skills therapy approach.
A neuroimaging study identified unique brain activity patterns that predict poorer responses to talk therapy in patients with PTSD. Patients with impaired verbal memory and VAN function had poorer outcomes after psychotherapy, while those with intact verbal memory or normal VAN function were more responsive.
The rise of psychotherapy in Uganda reveals distinct views on happiness and mental health across the country. In Northern Uganda, psychotherapy services emerged to address post-war traumas, while upper-middle-class Kampalans prioritize wellness and seek private psychology practices.
Surjo Soekadar, a renowned neuroscientist, has been appointed Germany's first Professor of Clinical Neurotechnology at Charité. He aims to enhance brain functions such as attention, memory, and emotional control using innovative brain-computer interfaces.
The MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial at UConn Health will specifically recruit people from communities of color with PTSD, focusing on experiences of racial violence and discrimination. The treatment has shown promise in reducing symptoms and allowing patients to process their trauma into something stronger.
A new study tests the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting it may enhance benefits of psychotherapy. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and long-term effects.
A randomized controlled trial analyzed 126 adults with PTSD, concluding that trauma-focused therapy WET was just as effective as CPT in reducing symptoms. The findings have important implications for treating PTSD, addressing a significant barrier to care by identifying time-efficient treatment options.
Researchers found that specific brain scan patterns can identify which treatment is most effective for individual patients with depression. Patients with positive connectivity in certain brain regions were more likely to achieve remission with cognitive behavioral therapy, while those with negative connectivity were more likely to resp...
A meta-analysis of 186 studies found that patients are more likely to refuse treatment with only psychotropic drugs compared to psychotherapy. The rates of premature termination were also higher for pharmacotherapy alone, particularly for anorexia/bulimia and depressive disorders.
A study by Vanderbilt University found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is most effective in improving daily functioning for IBS patients. Cognitive behavioral therapies were found to be the most effective type of psychotherapy in reducing symptoms and increasing ability to participate in activities.
Research found promising initial evidence that specific neuroimaging markers can help predict the response to psychotherapy in patients with depression or anxiety. Neuroimaging markers such as activity in the amygdala, anterior insula, and anterior cingulate cortex may indicate which patients are more likely to benefit from psychotherapy.
A randomized clinical trial found that psychotherapy for complicated grief is efficacious and adding antidepressant citalopram improves outcomes for those with co-occurring depressive symptoms. The study's results support using antidepressants in conjunction with therapy for relief of co-occurring symptoms.
Non-Hispanic blacks are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia as non-Hispanic whites, but they're significantly less likely to receive medication for treatment. The study found that racial-ethnic differences in diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions were significant across 11 private healthcare delivery s...
A clinical study found that veterans with subclinical PTSD experience a 29% drop in symptoms after treatment, compared to 14% for those with full PTSD. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of early-stage PTSD treatment and could lead to cost-effectiveness in treating this common disorder.
A medical approach combining psychoactive medications, long-term psychotherapy, and screening for associated health issues is recommended for treating posttraumatic symptoms in refugees. This approach provides rapid relief from suffering and supports a long-term doctor-patient relationship.
A RAND Corporation study found that the US military health system provides good care in following up with patients after discharge, but needs improvement in other realms. Most patients receive at least one psychotherapy visit, but may not receive sufficient evidence-based therapy.
Researchers found that treatment with transference-focused psychotherapy was associated with increased activation in cognitive control areas and decreased activation in emotional reactivity areas, suggesting potential symptom improvement in BPD. The study suggests that talk therapy may impact neural functioning.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that psychotherapy's effectiveness in treating depression is often overstated due to publication bias. The research team analyzed unpublished data from 55 clinical trials and concluded that the treatment works but its benefits are inflated by selective publication of positive results.
A review of the available data concludes that there is very little evidence to recommend a low FODMAP diet as an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. While some studies suggest potential benefits, such as changes in gut bacteria profiles, more research is needed to establish its efficacy and long-term effects.
A new narrative review published in JAMA found that current psychotherapy treatments are less than optimal for PTSD, with non-medical approaches effective but not universally effective. The study suggests a need for broader and more personalized approaches to care.
A systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that benzodiazepines are not effective for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and may even worsen symptoms. The study found that benzodiazepines were associated with no improvement in PTSD-related outcomes and increased the risk of developing PTSD in patients with recent trauma.
A study published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that 'religiously integrated' cognitive-behavioral therapy is at least as effective as conventional CBT for treating major depression in chronically ill patients. Highly religious patients showed greater improvement with this approach.
A telemedicine-based collaborative care model successfully engaged rural veterans with PTSD in evidence-based psychotherapy, improving clinical outcomes. The study found that patients who attended eight or more sessions of cognitive processing therapy experienced significant improvements in PTSD severity.
Researchers found changes in metabolic activity of key brain region after successful treatment with psychodynamic therapy. Patients who completed therapy had a greater than 50 percent reduction in depression symptoms.
A large-scale randomized control trial shows Schema Therapy to be significantly more effective than Clarification-Oriented Psychotherapy and treatment as usual in treating a range of personality disorders. The therapy resulted in higher recovery rates, greater declines in depression, and lower dropout rates.
A study found that medication and individual psychotherapy are effective treatments for alcohol dependence, particularly when patients commit to the treatment. The stepped-care approach, which escalates services as needed, also showed promise in reducing heavy drinking and relapse rates.
A large-scale study found that two new psychotherapeutic methods and a specialized form of standard psychotherapy can effectively treat anorexia nervosa in adults. Patients continued to show significant weight gains even after therapy concluded, with improved BMI and mental health outcomes.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.