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.
Germanwings Pilot Allowed to Fly Based on Psychiatrist’s Letter
The pilot who deliberately crashed a Germanwings commercial airplane was questioned by the Federal Aviation Administration and denied a license to fly. The Agency...
“Global Pandemic” of Fake Medicines, Say Researchers
Teams of researchers from around the world, including from the US government, tested 17,000 drug samples and found that up to 41% failed to meet quality standards.
Lieberman Calls Whitaker “A Menace to Society”
On Canada's popular national CBC radio program The Sunday Edition, psychiatrist Jeffrey Lieberman today described Robert Whitaker as "a menace to society."
America Becoming Divided Nation of Have-more and Have-less Mental Health Care?
A report and national map showed which US states have been implementing new Medicaid provisions that buttress mental health care access, and which states haven't.
Antipsychotic-induced Sexual Dysfunction Underreported
Researchers found some antipsychotics to be worse than others for causing sexual dysfunction.
Lithium May Cause Sexual Dysfunction — More Research Needed
Lithium appears to reduce libido and sexual function, and more research into the problem is needed.
Antidepressant Caused Six-fold Artery Plaque Build-up in Monkeys
Zoloft caused up to six-fold increases in build-up of atherosclerosis plaque in the coronary arteries of monkeys.
PTSD and Antidepressants Linked to Diabetes
A JAMA Psychiatry study found links between PTSD, type 2 diabetes, and antidepressants.
University of Minnesota Leadership “Can’t Regain Trust”
The University of Minnesota's psychiatry department continues its scandal-plagued run at making national news...
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.
Pfizer Accused of Knowing Zoloft Antidepressant Caused Birth Defects
The first of more than 1,000 lawsuits about Zoloft and birth defects has gotten underway.
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.
“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.
More Evidence Antidepressants Might Induce Sexual Dysfunction Even After Stopping Them
A retrospective study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry examined cases of people who suffered sexual dysfunction that endured even after stopping taking SSRI antidepressants.
Psychotropics During Pregnancy Raise Risk of Babies with Low Birth Weight, Hospitalizations
The use by mothers of any of four major classes of psychiatric medications during pregnancy significantly raises the risk that their babies will be born with low birth weights and will need to be hospitalized.
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.
Call to Ban “Low Testosterone” Ads as “Disease-mongering”
An editorial in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has called for a ban on advertisements about testosterone replacement therapy, and the FDA has issued warnings about the practice.
Many Unforeseen Drug-drug Interactions Possible By Following Clinical Guidelines
If doctors follow UK government guidelines, they could endanger patients who have both depression and any of a number of other common diseases or conditions.
Health Canada Adds Suicide Warning to ADHD Medications
Stronger warnings on the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors are being incorporated into the prescribing information for ADHD drugs in Canada.
FDA Cannot Find Conclusive Evidence Zyprexa Injection Killed Patients
The US Food and Drug Administration is still unsure whether a long-acting, injectable antipsychotic killed two people days after they received it.
National Security Rationales are Intensifying the Pharmaceuticalization of Society
Scholars from the Centre for Global Health Policy describe changes in drug policies being taken by many national governments that are motivated by national security concerns.
Veterans Often Being Given Risky Combinations of Opioids and Psychotropics
The vast majority of veterans who are taking opioids for pain are also being prescribed one or more psychiatric medications.
