999 Results
Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., Is Named APA President-Elect
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) members have chosen Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., DrMedSc, DLFAPA, as the medical society’s next president-elect. The results were released today but are not official until the APA Board of Trustees confirms them at its March meeting.
FDA Approves First Game-Based Therapy for ADHD
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this month approved a video game-based therapy for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is the first game-based therapy, called a digital therapeutic device, approved by FDA for any type of condition.
Tech Trends 2023: What to Watch out for This Year in Digital and Telemental Health
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), and attendant regulatory flexibilities, have rapidly expanded the role of technology in accessing care while adding stressors for most of us.
Light, Sleep and Mental Health
Light, both natural and artificial, can affect our health and mental health in several different ways. Depending on the time of day, light exposure can promote or disrupt sleep. A persistently disrupted sleep cycle can contribute to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, obesity and mental health disorders. Research is also beginning to clarify non-circadian effects of light – light can have a direct impact on the sleep and mood centers in the brain.
New APA Poll: Most Americans Believe They’d Know How to Get Help for a Loved One Living with Addiction; Define Recovery as “Being Able to Function Better in Life”
Nearly three in four Americans (71%) say they’d know how to get a friend or family member help with addiction, and most would refer a loved one to recovery treatment (73%) and or initiate a conversation with them about it (74%). As America marks National Recovery Month this September, the majority of adults (65%) said that recovery from substance use disorder or other mental illness means “being able to function better in life,” when asked to choose among a variety of different options.
Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal
They say in Washington, if you want a friend, get a dog. The results of an American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly Poll released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association seem to align with that adage: Among the many mental health benefits of pets, nearly two-thirds of pet owners say that their animals offer companionship (65%), are a true friend (65%) and provide unconditional love and support (64%).
Supporting Research Into Gun Violence is a Vital Public Health Concern
As physicians, we rely on a science-based approach to problem solving and know that solutions must be developed through evidence and extensive research. The APA believes that robust study into the underlying causes of gun violence and the effectiveness of potential interventions is necessary to reversing course and preventing further injury, death and other harms to society resulting from firearms.
Family Involvement in Treatment Can Improve Outcomes
A recent column in APA’s journal Psychiatric Services recommends that patients and caregivers be involved in the decision making regarding the patients’ care. Authors Johannes Harmann, M.D., and Stephan Heres, M.D., concluded that “caregiver involvement might improve clinical decision making and health outcomes for both patients and caregivers.
Is CMS Expanding Telemedicine Service Reimbursement?
On July 12, 2018, the Centers for Medicare @ Medicaid Services published the proposed 2019 revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. CMS limits telemedicine payment based on service, provider, technology and patient location. Now, CMS is considering reducing some of these restrictions.
Kleptomania
Most people are familiar with the term kleptomania, a real, but rare, mental health condition. The key feature of kleptomania is the repeatedly acting on impulses to steal items even though the items are not needed. A person with kleptomania does not usually preplan the theft and does not work with others. The stolen objects typically have little value and the person often gives or throws them away. Kleptomania is different from ordinary theft or shoplifting.
Mental Health and Faith Community Partnerships Can Help Improve Access to Care
For many people, faith or spirituality are strongly connected to their mental health and emotional well-being, though it may not be directly addressed within the faith community. According to a recent survey from APA, about 60% of adults say that faith or spirituality is an important factor in supporting their mental wellness. However, just half of those who belong to a religious community say that mental health is discussed openly and without stigma.
APA Leadership Statement on Anti-Asian American Racism and Mental Health
The APA strongly condemns racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against the AAPI community. Racism is considered an adverse event, and an assault to the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. In our role as physicians, we back efforts to eliminate bigotry and discrimination.