Choosing Wisely

On April 23, 2015 APA published a revision to the third item on its Choosing Wisely list to better reflect that there are instances in which dementia-associated symptoms (e.g., aggressive behavior due to paranoid delusions) pose an acute threat to the individual and others, and in these instances antipsychotic medications must be used before formal nonpharmacologic measures can be instituted.

¿Qué es el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT)?

¿Qué es el Trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT)?

Overtraining and Under Eating: Athletes at Risk of RED-S Syndrome

• Eating Disorders, Patients and Families

Regular exercise typically improves mood, promotes better sleep, and prevents health problems such as high blood pressure. However, if people exercise too much, as Katie Kirk did, they can experience a wide range of negative health effects.

Interested in Serious Mental Illness (SMI)? We’ve Got Sessions for You.

During the 2023 Annual Meeting, several high-interest sessions are led by experts from SMI Adviser. SMI Adviser is an initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by the APA.

CEO Alliance for Mental Health Launches Campaign to Drive 988 Crisis Hotline Preparedness

The CEO Alliance for Mental Health, a collaborative of 15 of the nation’s leading mental health professional organizations, advocacy groups and funders, today announced the rollout of a coordinated effort to drive awareness and support among state and municipal officials as they prepare for the nationwide transition from the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the new 988 Hotline for mental health emergencies and suicide prevention.

How Pets Can Protect Cognitive Health in Older Adults

• Healthy living for mental well-being, Patients and Families

Pets offer a range of benefits for our physical and mental health. Several recent studies add to the list, finding that pet ownership can help slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia in older adults.

Thousands of Mental Health Apps Available: Supporting Evidence Not So Plentiful

• Patients and Families

There are more than 10,000 mental or behavioral health apps publicly available; however, there is little available information on the quality and effectiveness of the apps, “leaving consumers with very little to go on when trying to determine which apps might be helpful and worthwhile.” Several recent studies highlight the need for better information on the effectiveness and quality of mental health apps.

Infertility: The Impact of Stress and Mental Health

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families, Women

Infertility, though often not talked about, is common. An estimated one in eight couples (or 12% of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. There are a range of complex connections between mental health and infertility.

Do the Words Matter?: The Language We Use for Mental Health

• Mental health disorders, Patients and Families, Public awareness

Several general terms used to describe mental disorders are understood by most people to have similar meanings, according to a new study published in BMC Psychiatry. However, with specific mental disorder concepts and terms, the study found some differences between public perceptions and the descriptions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuu56a5l of Mental Disorders (DSM).

While Most Americans Align With Close Family Members on Controversial Political Issues, One in Five Report Family Estrangement Based on These Topics

New American Psychiatric Association (APA) polling reveals that about one in three Americans (31%) anticipates having a heated political discussion with their family members this election season. While most (71%) indicate that their family will weather the storm and get along about the same as the holidays come around, 12% expect an improvement in relations, and 6% said family relations will get worse.

Media Advisory: With Fewer Daylight Hours, Time Change and Colder Weather Coming, New APA Polling; Experts Available on Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring.

What are Personality Disorders?

What are personality disorders? A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time.