955 Results
What Is are Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.
An App for Therapy? Exploring Digital Therapeutics
In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first app for the treatment of depression, Rejoyn. This new smartphone app is intended to help treat people who don’t fully respond to antidepressants and it is expected to be available for patients starting this summer. This is the latest in a series of FDA approvals of digital therapeutics for mental health conditions
Hispanic Heritage Month: How One Psychiatrist Explored Culturally Competent Care
One in five (22%) Hispanics/Latinos have a mental illness and one in 20 have a serious mental illness, according to the latest federal government data (SAMHSA 2023). Yet only 36% of Hispanics/Latinos received mental health services, compared to 52% of whites. During Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), we can celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanics/Latinos while also acknowledging the equity work that still needs to be done to increase access to care and decrease stigm
Effective Psychotherapists Must Focus on Trustworthiness, Says New Book
While there is broad agreement—among therapists, students, and patients alike—that trust is important in psychotherapy, author Jon Allen, Ph.D., argues in a new book, “Trust in Psychotherapy,” that it deserves a closer look, and we should shift the focus.
Special Issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry Examines Structural Racism and Mental Health Disparities, Offers Solutions
A special issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, released today at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting, highlights the pervasive negative consequences of structural racism on mental health and the importance of community and system-wide interventions and proposes mental health inequity research priorities.
American Psychiatric Association Honors Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra with Jacob K. Javits Public Service Award
On Tuesday, the American Psychiatric Association conferred the highest award it gives a public servant, the Jacob K. Javits Public Service Award, to Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) at an event jointly hosted by the Washington State Psychiatric Society, the Washington State Medical Association and NAMI Washington. Sen. Dhingra is being honored for her tireless dedication to ensuring patients, families, and communities have access to the best possible mental health care from wel
Pandemic Experience Shows Benefits of Telepsychiatry in Increasing Access to Care
New research finds that after the shift to mostly remote appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at psychiatric appointments increased significantly, potentially leading to more effective treatment. The research was published online in March in Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association.
APA Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution for People with Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
As the COVID-19 vaccine is being administered across the country, the American Psychiatric Association called on state public health authorities today to include people with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) to the equivalent of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Phase 1-C of their prioritization schedules. The recommendation coincides with APA’s recently released guidance document, The Role of the Psychiatrist in the Equitable Distribution of the COV
Audaces Líderes: Hispanic Heritage Month and the Value of Culturally Competent Mental Health Care
When we see ourselves in our role models, it motivates us to believe in ourselves and to aim higher. During my residency, I was already actively involved in the American Psychiatric Association as a member in training, which provided me with the opportunity to meet Hispanic leaders in our organization. What impressed me most about them was that they each embodied a culture of service. Witnessing their impulse to serve others created a lasting impression and was a huge motivating factor in my dec
Mental Health Pathfinders: Amalia Londoño Tobón, M.D., and Hector Colón-Rivera, M.D.
The co-chairs of APA's Spanish Language Working Group, Amalia Londoño Tobón, MD, and Hector Colón-Rivera, MD, join us to discuss LaSaludMental.org, APA's online home for evidence based information and resources in Spanish. The conversation also covers the unique mental health challenges facing the Hispanic/Latino community in the U.S., and how cultural competency can help physicians from any background better engage with and treat patients from this community.
Psychotherapy
Learn about incorporating into your practice the use of psychotherapy, a treatment that uses verbal exchange, and sometimes behavioral interventions, within a professional relationship, with the primary goal of fostering the growth and development of healthier and more satisfying patterns of response to stressors so that an individual can lead a self-directed life.
Mental Health Disparities: Barriers to Care and Resilience Among College Students of Color
Mental health concerns among college students have increased in recent years and students of color are less likely to access care. One factor that can contribute to mental health concerns and harm well-being is experiences of discrimination and racism.