Negative Studies about Antidepressants (Still) Less Likely to Be Published
-Pharmaceutical companies and psychiatric researchers still "aren't telling you the whole truth" about treating anxiety.
Relaxation Techniques for Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly
-Time magazine looks at the effects of a number of relaxation techniques on depression and anxiety in elderly people.
The Ethical Challenges of Early Intervention in Psychosis
-Columbia University psychiatrist Paul Applebaum reviews the challenges of intervening early in psychosis before symptoms emerge, and of doing so in an ethically responsible manner.
How Can We Build a Better Evidence Base for Treating Psychosis with Therapy?
-A commentary suggests that the evidence to support the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis is tenuous, in part because CBT itself is so variable.
Mindfulness As (In)Effective as Antidepressants at Preventing Relapses?
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy worked as well -- and as poorly -- as antidepressants for preventing relapses in depressed people. Though the mindfulness participants may have been in acute withdrawal.
Kudos to Art Levine for Exposing Government Complicity in Illegal Psychiatric Drugging of Children
In a well-researched, comprehensive article in today's Huffington PostĀ Art Levine has brought to the attention of the mainstream media the government's complicity in the illegal psychiatric drugging of poor children, especially foster children, through Medicaid. Ā The article,Ā Feds Pay for Drug Fraud: 92 Percent of Foster Care, Poor Kids Prescribed Antipsychotics Get Them for Unaccepted UsesĀ is the only mainstream article I know about that has really pressedĀ the federal government over its refusal to enforce Medicaid's coverage restrictions to "medically accepted indications."
“Making Theater Autism-Friendly”
-The Atlantic reports on the growth of "autism-friendly" movie theaters, sports arenas and now live theaters.
Antipsychotic-induced Sexual Dysfunction Underreported
Researchers found some antipsychotics to be worse than others for causing sexual dysfunction.
“The New York Times and the ADHD Epidemic”
-MIA Bloggers Jonathan Leo and Jeffrey Lacasse review the New York Times' history of reporting on ADHD and the ensuing epidemic of ADHD.
Children on Antipsychotics 50% More Likely to Develop Diabetes
Antipsychotic drugs increased the risk of children developing diabetes by 50%, and with an antidepressant added, their risk doubled.
One in Five Children Treated with ADHD Stimulants Also Getting Antipsychotics
About one in five children on Medicaid who are being given long-acting stimulants for ADHD are also being given antipsychotics, often for unapproved conditions.
Thousands of US Preschoolers Taking Psychiatric Drugs
Over 1% of preschoolers on Medicaid in 36 US states are being given antipsychotics, antidepressants, amphetamine stimulants and other psychiatric drugs.
One-third of Preschoolers with ADHD Taking Stimulants
One-third of US children aged 4-5 who've been diagnosed with ADHD are being prescribed stimulant drugs.
One in Five Australian Families Tranquilize their Kids for Long Journeys
-Nearly one in five families in New South Wales, Australia admitted that they give tranquilizing drugs to their children during long road trips.
“Treatment Resistant” Schizophrenia Strongly Linked to Dopamine Supersensitivity
Over 70% of schizophrenia patients who are "treatment resistant" have apparently developed dopamine supersensitivity psychosis from long-term use of antipsychotic medications.
“Poverty Shrinks Brains from Birth”
-A recent study of 1,099 children, adolescents and young adults found poverty associated in a dose-response manner with poorer brain development.
A Lot of “Spin” in Studies of Using Antidepressants for Treating Anxiety
There are a lot of publication and reporting biases in studies of the efficacy of second-generation antidepressants for the treatment of anxiety.
Is it Always Wrong to Try to Convince Children Not to Change Genders?
-A prominent Canadian psychiatrist argues that "gender identity disorder" has no biological basis, and therefore all "conversion therapy" should not be outright banned.
Campaign Against Drugging of Foster Children
-The US National Center for Youth Law has launched an "action campaign" to persuade government officials to reduce the psychiatric drugging of children in foster care.
One-sixth of College Students Misuse ADHD Stimulants
About 17% of college students take stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, primarily because they believe the drugs will help them improve their academic performance.
Have We Found The “Overhype Gene”?
-John Horgan criticizes psychiatrist Richard Friedman's effusive portrayal of a study that allegedly identified the "feel-good" gene in humans.
No, There is no Such Thing as ADHD
Somewhere along the line we have lost the understanding that kids come in all shapes and sizes. Some kids are active, some are quiet; some kids are dreamers, others are daring; some kids are dramatic, others are observers; some impulsive, others reserved; some leaders, others followers; some athletic, others thinkers. Where did we ever get the notion that kids should all be one way?
Many States Trying to Slow Antipsychotic Prescribing to Children
Thirty-one US states have implemented some kind of "prior authorization" policies to try to rein in the unnecessary prescribing of antipsychotic medications to children.
Inappropriate Antipsychotic Prescriptions to Children Keep Increasing
Clinicians are following best practice guidelines only half of the time when giving antipsychotic medications to children, and following FDA-approved indications only one-fourth of the time.
FDA Approves Another Antipsychotic for Children
The FDA has approved the atypical antipsychotic Saphris (asenapine) for use in children on the basis of one trial.
