Research News

Summaries of research findings that tell of a scientific need to "rethink psychiatry."

Pennsylvania Foster Kids Prescribed Too Many Psychotropic Drugs

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Amid growing criticism about the over-prescription of psychotropic medication in foster care, Pennsylvania commissioned PolicyLab to conduct an analysis of the use of psychiatric drugs among all of the state’s Medicaid-enrolled children. The report, released in June, found that the rate of psychotropic prescriptions among youth in Medicaid and foster care was higher than previously reported.

“Silent” Forms of Child Abuse Strongly Tied to Depression

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Psychological abuse and childhood neglect are strongly associated with depression in adulthood, according to a meta-analysis of childhood trauma and depression published in this month’s issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders. “The findings clearly highlight the potential impact of the more ‘silent’ types of childhood maltreatment (other than physical and sexual abuse) on the development of depression,” the researchers conclude.

Community-Driven Healthcare for the Homeless Reduces Hospital Costs

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Direct access to care in safe locations is key in reducing healthcare costs and increasing quality of life for homeless populations.

Percentage of Americans on Antidepressants Nearly Doubles

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From 1999 to 2012 the percentage of Americans on antidepressants increased from 6.8% to 13%, according to a report published this week by the...

Cannabis May Precipitate Psychosis

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In a study of 785 patients with a psychotic disorder, researchers from The Netherlands found that cannabis us was associated with an earlier onset...

Individuals with Psychosis Symptoms More Likely to be Victimized

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Individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder are 4-6 times more likely than the general population to experience victimization.

Non-English Language Journals: Unrecognized Contributors

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A review in BMC Psychiatry concludes that "Non-English language general psychiatry journals contribute substantially to the body of research. However, recognition, and in particular...

Woman “Jacked Up” on Zoloft Kills Baby

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Saying that she had been "jacked up" on a new medication (Zoloft) and had not slept for five or six days, a Milwaukee man...

Compulsory Hospitalization Does Not Improve Outcomes

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Researchers in Israel followed 320 patients who had been admitted involuntarily with schizophrenia diagnoses.  157 (49%) left the hospital against medical advice (AMA), and...

Therapy Gets More Effective Over Time While Antidepressants Decrease in Effectiveness

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New review of long-term depression data finds psychotherapy more effective over time whereas antidepressants decrease in effectiveness.

New Zealand Asks: “How is Your Antidepressant Working For You?”

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Researchers at Auckland University have launched a study that "positions the people who are prescribed antidepressants as the experts" and which aims at asking...

Conflicts of Interest Found in Psychotherapy Research

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Research highlights the need for conflict of interest transparency and management in systemic reviews of psychological therapies.

Why Most Biomedical Findings Echoed by Newspapers Turn Out to be False

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Researches in France and the United States found that seven of the top ten most reported-upon studies on ADHD in newspapers in the 1990s...

Do Insurance Companies Profit from Rising Drug Costs?

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Many insurance companies have little interest in slowing the rise of inappropriate over-prescribing of pharmaceutical drugs, according to a study in Health Policy. That's...

Involuntary Hospitalization Increases Risk of Suicide, Study Finds

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New study finds that people who felt they were coerced into being hospitalized were more likely to attempt suicide later.

Antidepressants Double Death Risk in Intensive Care

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Analysis of 10,568 critically ill patients' records by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and MIT finds that those on antidepressants were almost twice as...

Canadian Newspaper Investigates Health Problems of ADHD Meds

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The Toronto Star's investigation of ADHD meds has revealed 600 cases so far of Canadian children "suffering serious, sometimes fatal side effects suspected to...
Doctor attentively examines the MRI scan of the patient.

SSRI Antidepressants Do Not Improve Depression After a Stroke

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A study in JAMA Neurology finds that antidepressants do not reduce depression symptoms more than placebo in patients recovering from a stroke.

Developing Alternatives to the DSM for Psychotherapists

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A new article suggests counselors and psychotherapists are dissatisfied with current diagnostic systems and outlines some potential alternatives.

Researchers Explore the Relationship Between Religiosity and Psychotic Experiences

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Individuals who identify as religious may be more likely to have symptoms associated with psychosis.

Despite Safety Risks, Prescribers Receive Little Guidance of Monitoring Antipsychotic Clozapine

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A new review finds a lack of available guidance on how to effectively monitor adverse effects of antipsychotic drug clozapine.

High Attrition Leads to Misrepresentation of Antipsychotic Efficacy

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Researchers from Manchester and Melbourne assess the impact of high drop-out rates on  Cochrane reviews of five frequently prescribed second-generation antipsychotics. They found that all...

Parachute NYC Peer Support Program Presents Challenges and Opportunities

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Anthropologists study Parachute NYC to identify challenges and opportunities for implementing peer support and Open Dialogue practices.

Psychosocial Approaches to Schizophrenia with Limited Antipsychotic Use

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Researchers review nine previously studied psychosocial approaches and call for more high-quality trials treating schizophrenia with minimal to no antipsychotics.

Pfizer Settling Chantix Lawsuits

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Pfizer is in the final stages of settling 660 lawsuits filed between 2009 and 2012 by people who complained of of psychological problems, including...