Bias, Corruption & Accountability

Leading Researchers Critique Current Paradigm for Studying ‘Schizophrenia’ Risk

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Re-conceptualizing the Clinical-High-Risk/Ultra-High-Risk Paradigm: A critique and reappraisal
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Thou Shall Not Criticize Our Drugs

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A medical journal is expected to promote an open-minded discussion of treatments, even if findings—or criticisms—threaten conventional beliefs. But the American Journal of Psychiatry will not find space for criticism even if it comes from one of the best-known psychiatrists in the world.

More Follow Up Needed for Drugs Granted Accelerated FDA Approval

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Drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions can receive accelerated FDA approval, but may expose patients to increased safety risks and reduced efficacy.

The Most Promoted Drugs are Those with Little Therapeutic Value, Study Finds

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Majority of top-selling and most promoted drugs in Canada are rated as having very limited safety and efficacy.

Researchers Question Add-On Treatment for ‘Schizophrenia’

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A common practice when antipsychotics are found to be ineffective for schizophrenia is to prescribe a second, additional psychoactive medication. Now, a new study suggests that this practice is not supported by the research.

Researchers Question the “Adequacy and Legitimacy” of ADHD Diagnosis

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A new article, just published online in the journal Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, presents research suggesting that the diagnosis of ADHD is philosophically inadequate.

Ethical Failings in Experimental Drug Safety Trials

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Leading human subjects ethics researcher questions exploitation of uninsured minorities in experimental drug trials.

ADHD Diagnosis Based on “Illogical Rhetoric,” Analysis Claims

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In a philosophically rigorous article, Spanish researcher Marino Pérez-Álvarez examines the logic of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Patients With Schizophrenia Show Better Work Functioning Off Antipsychotics

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20-year follow-up study finds that after four years, patients not prescribed antipsychotics have significantly better work functioning.

Researchers Find Inadequate Reporting of the Dangers of Ketamine Treatment for Depression

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Researchers report that dangerous side effects are not being adequately reported in the trials of ketamine for depression.

Childhood Bipolar Disorder More Rare Than Previously Claimed, Study Finds

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Re-examination of meta-analytic claims finds the prevalence of pediatric bipolar disorder is close to zero.

In Chronic Patients, Antipsychotics Have Limited Efficacy in Reducing Symptoms

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A large review and meta-analysis of 167 studies across 60 years dissects placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials of antipsychotic drugs.

New Study Asks Doctors About Barriers to Deprescribing

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Researchers interviewed doctors about the barriers that prevent them from being able to decrease excess medications.

Findings Linking Depression to Abnormal Brain Activity Questioned

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Meta-analyses fail to replicate findings linking abnormal brain activity to depression.

Study Finds Mistreatment and Psychological Distress Among LGBT Prisoners in the US

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The rate of incarceration for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals is roughly three times that of the general population and they experience significantly higher rates of victimization and mistreatment in prison.

Providers Fail to Report Information on Suicide Prevention Services

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Researchers investigate services related to suicide prevention across mental health providers in England.

Unanswered Questions in New Mental Health Screening Program for Children

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An article presents new screening tools for pediatric depression and anxiety—but fails to answer its own questions about efficacy.

Psychological Research Fails to Capture Human Diversity, Researchers Call for Action

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Data demonstrate an overreliance of non-representative and non-diverse sampling biases in psychological research.

Researchers Question the Utility of an ADHD Diagnosis

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A new article examines the usefulness of the ADHD diagnosis and suggests alternatives

Study Investigates Physicians’ Beliefs About Placebo and Nocebo Effects of Antidepressants

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Surveyed doctors overestimate pharmacological effects of antidepressants and underestimate placebo effects.

United Nations Report Calls for Revolution in Mental Health Care

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In a new report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dr. Dainius Pūras, calls for a move away from the biomedical model and “excessive use of psychotropic medicines.”

Researchers Reveal Misconceptions About ADHD

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A new article explains common misconceptions about ADHD that are held by teachers and mental health professionals and may lead to overdiagnosis and overmedication in schools.

Researchers Find that Textbooks Include Biased Information About ADHD

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A review of academic textbooks finds that they often leave out effect sizes and molecular genetics findings, both of which suggest minimal impact of genetics on ADHD. Instead, textbooks focus on overblown conclusions from behavioral studies.

Restricting Pharma Reps Contact with Docs Decreases Prescriptions

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Implementing policies that regulate pharmaceutical sales representatives’ interaction with physicians may reduce prescription of promoted drugs.

Lancet Psychiatry’s Controversial ADHD Study: Errors, Criticism, and Responses

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Amid calls for a retraction, Lancet Psychiatry publishes articles criticizing the original finding and a response from the authors.