Research News

Summaries of research findings that tell of a scientific need to "rethink psychiatry."

Nonclinical Factors are Associated with Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults

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White race and size of initial prescription, along with poor sleep quality, are associated with long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults.

Study Examines Voice Hearing Accounts of 499 Nonclinical Individuals

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Researchers look at voice hearing experiences shared by nonclinical samples, exploring these experiences in the general population.

Less Than Half of Clinical Trials Comply with Legislation to Accurately Report Results

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A new study finds that sponsors of clinical trials in the EU continue to fail at reporting their results as required by recent legislation.

Reanalysis of STAR*D Study Suggests Overestimation of Antidepressant Efficacy

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Reanalysis of the original primary outcome measure in the STAR*D study suggests STAR*D findings inflate improvement on antidepressant medication and exclusion criteria in conventional clinical trials results in overestimation of antidepressant efficacy.

DACA has “Immediate and Positive” Impact on Lives of Immigrant Students, Study Finds

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New research demonstrates the benefits and complexities for immigrants transitioning from undocumented to DACA status.

Is There an Optimal Sleep Duration for Adolescents?

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A new study finds ideal sleep duration differs in adolescents for peak mental health and academic outcomes.

International Study Documents Widespread Distress in College Students

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An international study of college students reveals ubiquitous social and emotional challenges faced by young adults.

Rates of ADHD Diagnosis and Prescription of Stimulants Continue to Rise

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Two new articles find that rates of ADHD diagnosis and stimulant prescription continue to rise all over the world.

What Does Social Justice Really Mean for Psychologists?

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Without clarity and consensus around what social justice means, psychologists risk perpetuating injustices that undermine their stated mission.

Antidepressant Use Climbs as Patients Find it Difficult to Discontinue

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Findings point to the role of withdrawal symptoms and prescriber practices in long-term antidepressant use.

New Review of Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia Questions Evidence for Long Term Use

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A systematic review of the limited research available on the long-term effects of antipsychotics finds fewer symptoms in those off of the drugs.

Minimal Evidence for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Childhood

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Researchers offer a critical take on the inclusion of the Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in the DSM-V.

Are Drug Side Effects Driving Depression Rates?

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A new study finds that more than a third of Americans are taking prescription drugs that can cause depressive symptoms as a side-effect.

New Research on Patient-Centered Deprescribing for Antipsychotics

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Researchers review the risks and benefits of deprescribing from antipsychotic drugs and advocate for a patient-centered approach to tapering.

Out-of-home Placements for Children Increase Odds of Psychiatric Issues

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When controlling for social and family characteristics, separating children from parents into out-of-home care increases psychiatric issues, prescriptions, and criminal activity.

Improving the Efficacy of Mindfulness in Schools

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New research examines factors that make mindfulness interventions in school most effective for adolescent’s mental health outcomes.

Study Finds Greening Urban Land Improves Mental Health

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Remediating dilapidated physical environments in urban settings can contribute to better mental health.

Researcher Challenges Clinical Effectiveness of Antidepressants

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A new article in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine addresses common misinterpretations of the efficacy research on antidepressants.

Challenging Resilience as a Buzzword: Toward a Contextualized Resilience Model

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Researcher Dr. Silke Schwarz highlights how Western psychology’s construction of individual resilience deflects emphasized individual pathology and deflects efforts at structural change.

Study Finds First-Episode Psychosis Patients Fare Better with Vitamin D

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Researchers examine the relationship between vitamin D and clinical and cognitive symptoms in first-episode psychosis.

Exploring the Tension Between Educational Psychology and Child Psychiatry

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Researchers explore efforts to integrate educational psychology and child psychiatry.

Hallucinations Reported as Side Effect of ADHD Medication

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Hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms have been reported after methylphenidate (Ritalin) treatment for ADHD.

Researcher Critically Examines Movements for Global Mental Health

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China Mills raises concerns that global mental health movements obscure social determinants of health and naturalize Western mental health concepts.

Research Emphasizes Association Between Inflammation, Diet, and Depression

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Study finds adults with a pro-inflammatory diet have a greater incidence of depression.

What Stops People From Using Exercise to Treat Depression?

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New research examines important factors of adherence when prescribing exercise to treat depression.