FDA Approves Novel Depression Treatment

• Depression, Patients and Families

Last month, esketamine nasal spray became the first treatment for depression with a new mechanism of action approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) was approved in the late 1980s. Esketamine (sold as Spravato) has the potential to be extremely useful for people who have not responded to other treatments. Used in combination with an oral anti-depressant, it can take effect much faster than many common antidepressant medications. However, it comes

Lifestyle Factors Key to Reducing Risk for Dementia, Late Life Depression

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

A recent study highlights the lifestyle factors that can be protective against age-related brain conditions, including depression and late life depression. The research used the “Brain Care Score,” measuring lifestyle factors, and found that a higher Brain Care Score is associated with a lower risk of age-related brain disease, including stroke, late-life depression, and dementia.

A Few Phone Calls From Trained Volunteers Can Make a Difference for People with Depression

• Depression, Older adults, Patients and Families

New research finds that volunteers who make a few empathetic phone calls can significantly improve others’ loneliness and depressive symptoms among adults. This type of program could help address the significant shortage of mental health professionals and improve mental healthcare, the study authors suggest.

Computer-Assisted Treatment and Mobile Apps for Depression

• Depression, Patients and Families

Technology is increasingly assisting us in many aspects of our lives, and mental health treatment is no exception. Research continues to show the benefits of computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) for treating depression and the potential of mental health mobile apps to help.

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.

Women’s History Month: The Rise of Reproductive Psychiatry

• Depression, Patients and Families, Women

During Women’s History Month, we invite you to reflect on the history of women’s mental health and the rapid advancement of the field of reproductive psychiatry over the past several decades. While our understanding of women’s mental health has thankfully progressed from Hippocrates’ attribution of psychological distress to a “wandering uterus,” much of this development has been surprisingly recent.

Knowing about Mental Health Concerns of Friends and Family Members Reduces Stigma and Encourages People to Seek Help

• Depression, Patients and Families

A new study highlights the value of people sharing their mental health problems and treatment with friends and family. When people know a friend or family member with a mental health illness, they are more likely to recognize and understand their own mental health issues and seek treatment, according to study from researchers from Palo Alto University in Palo Alto, California

Rumination: A Cycle of Negative Thinking

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

Rumination involves repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings and distress and their causes and consequences. The repetitive, negative aspect of rumination can contribute to the development of depression or anxiety and can worsen existing conditions.

Chronic Pain and Mental Health Often Interconnected

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

Chronic pain and mental health disorders often occur together. In fact, research suggests that chronic pain and mental health problems can contribute to and exacerbate the other.

October Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Look at Factors Influencing Depression and PTSD, Guidance on Handling Drugs Laced with Fentanyl, and More

The latest issues of three of the American Psychiatric Association’s journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services and The American Journal of Psychotherapy are now available online. The October issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry is focused on research devoted to understanding factors influencing depression, PTSD, and suicidal behavior.

Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care for Spanish-Speakers

• Diverse populations, Patients and Families, Public awareness

An estimated 14% of the U.S. population speaks Spanish at home, and 16 million Spanish speakers have limited English proficiency(1). In addition to the potential barrier of lack of language services, recent research has identified other factors contributing to inequities in access and outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients, including perceived discrimination, and mistrust and privacy concerns.(2)

October Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover Diabetes and Depression Connection; Schizophrenia Treatment; Mental Health of Community College Students and more

The October issues of two of the American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services are available online. The American Journal of Psychiatry is the most widely read psychiatric journal in the world. The October issue presents findings that extend and validate salient results from previous studies relevant to clinical psychiatry. Among the research featured: