Stopping SSRI Antidepressants Can Cause Long, Intense Withdrawal Problems
In the first systematic review of withdrawal problems that patients experience when trying to get off SSRI antidepressant medications, researchers found that withdrawing from SSRIs was comparable to trying to quit addictive benzodiazepines.
Brain Response to Antidepressant Mirrors Placebo Effect
People diagnosed with severe depression show the same changes in brain scans when they respond to a placebo as they do when they take an actual antidepressant, according to a new study. Researchers also found that those whose symptoms were decreased by a placebo were more likely to report relief from antidepressant drugs.
Poor Evidence and Substantial Bias in Ritalin Studies
The authors of a large scale well-conducted systematic review of methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, conclude that there is a lack of quality evidence for the drugās effectiveness. Their research also revealed that Ritalin can cause sleep problems and decreased appetite in children.
When Medication Changes More Than Symptoms: Antipsychotics’ Effect on Identity
Recent research reveals how antipsychotic medications can significantly impact users' identity and self-image, challenging existing clinical approaches.
“Psychiatric Power: A Personal View” by Pat Bracken
Psychiatrist Pat Bracken, "a friend of Mad Pride Ireland," writes about the current state of psychiatry in the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. As...
Minority Discrimination Linked to Psychosis
A study published in this monthās issue of the Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that perceived discrimination related to minority status may precede...
Psychology Textbooks Promote Misinformation About Intelligence
In a new study, researchers examined 29 popular introduction to psychology textbooks and found that almost 80% included misinformation about intelligence.
Lithium May Cause Sexual Dysfunction — More Research Needed
Lithium appears to reduce libido and sexual function, and more research into the problem is needed.
FDA Investigator: “The Clinical Trial System is Broken”
A featured article inĀ theĀ British Medical JournalĀ relates the perspective of FDA investigator Thomas Marciniak, who saysĀ āDrug companies have turned into marketing machines. Theyāve kind of...
No Good Evidence That Antidepressants Prevent Relapse
Trials of antidepressants for relapse prevention are confounded by withdrawal effects caused by the drugs.
The Creation of a Conceptual Alternative to the DSM: An Interview with Dr. Lucy...
MIA's Zenobia Morrill interviews Lucy Johnstone about the reaction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework, her life influences, and her hopes for the future.
Common Sleep Aid Dangerous Due to Wide Misuse
Zolpidem, the active ingredient in many common sleep aids, accounts for more emergency hospital visits than any other psychoactive drug.
Anhedonia in Schizophrenia Reflects Beliefs, Not Deficits
Researchers at the University of Maryland investigated "the emotion paradox" in schizophrenia; the tendency of individuals with schizophrenia to report similar levels of positive...
NY Times: A.D.H.D. Experts Re-Evaluate Zeal for Drugs
Authors of aĀ 1999 paper that promoted medication over behavioral therapy for A.D.H.D., Ā in fact dismissing behavioral therapy as unnecessary in light of the apparent...
Cochrane Review Calls for More Research on Antidepressant Withdrawal
Researchers find a lack of current literature on safe, effective ways to manage antidepressant withdrawal and make suggestions for future research.
Antipsychotics Rise in Youth, But Hospitalization Rates Stay the Same
Researchers from Tufts and Harvard find in a review of 233 medical charts of psychiatrically hospitalized youth at three points in time (1991, 1998...
Consumer Reports: Antipsychotics “Last Resort” for Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Insomnia, and PTSD
Consumer ReportsĀ affirms that, though the use of antipsychotic drugs to treat conditions not approved by the Food and Drug AdministrationĀ has increased significantly in the...
Lithium No Better Than Placebo for Preventing Suicide Attempts
A trial in veterans who had survived a previous suicide attempt was stopped early because the drug was found to be no better than a placebo.
Beliefs About Illness and Rehabilitation Predict Outcome in Depression
Researchers in Germany found that in a sample of 98 patients, beliefs about illness and rehabilitation predicted outcome for depression independent of medical or...
Symptom Remission Does Not Equal Recovery
Researchers in the Netherlands and the U.K. explored the relationship between symptom reduction in schizophrenia (according to Andreason's 2005 criteria for remission) and social...
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation No Better Than Placebo for Treatment-Resistant Depression
A new study in JAMA Psychiatry found that transcranial magnetic stimulation was no better than placebo for treatment-resistant depression.
ADHD Stimulant Use Again Strongly Linked to School Accountability
Wealthier children are more likely to take stimulants only during the school year and not during the summer, according to a study in American...
Time’s Up: Culture of Denial Impacts Mental Health of Sexual Abuse Survivors
Study finds that not believing sexual abuse survivors often leads to self-blame and mental health issues.
Critical Influence of Nutrition on Psychosocial Wellbeing in Childhood
The bidirectional relationship between diet and nutrition and social, emotional, and educational factors among European youth.
Ketamine for Harmful Drinking: A Look at the Data
New research contends that ketamine can reduce problematic alcohol use but does the data support the claims?
