CBT assessed and found wanting in three disorders

Research carried out by psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire calls into question the relevance of the revalidation of a NICE guideline on schizophrenia published in March 2009. The meta-analytical review of rigourous trials, published online in the journal Psychological Medicine, examined the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. The authors concluded that there was no evidence of the effectiveness of this sort of therapy, particularly in the case of schizophrenia.

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Read the abstract
Psychological Medicine
doi:10.1017/S003329170900590X

Delusional Conclusions

A study by UK researchers published online in advance in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin shows that with training schizophrenic patients suffering from delusions can modify their tendency to jump to conclusions during reasoning tasks.

To read this article in depth go to:
http://www.medwire-news.md/47/83156/Psychiatry/Jumping_to_conclusions_in_delusional_patients_

To read the abstract go to:
Schizophrenia Bulletin, doi:10.1093/schbul/sbn165

Study on Gene Theory for Depression

A new study in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has discredited the findings of previous studies which claimed depression was caused by a genetic deficiency of serotonin. The research maintains that depression is not caused by biological factors and is far more likely to be caused by stressful events in a person's life.

To read this article in depth got to:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155114.php

To read the original full text:
JAMA. 2009;301(23):2462-2471

ECT Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

A Belgian study in the journal Bipolar Disorders compared the treatment of Bipolar Disorder and Unipolar patients with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The researchers concluded after monitoring 64 patients that although, as previously known, there were no differences in treatment outcome, bipolar patients responded faster than unipolar.

To read this article in depth go to:
http://www.medwire-news.md/47/83101/Psychiatry/ECT_response_quicker_in_bipolar_versus_unipolar_depression.html

To view the abstract:
Bipolar Disorders. 2009; 11(4):418-24

Underground Smoking

The Mental Health Foundation has conducted a survey which gives insight into the realities of implementing the smoking ban in psychiatric units. Some 85% of the respondants to the survey stated the ban had not been enforced effectively in their trust. Many patients did not have access to a safe outdoor space so smoking had been driven underground as a secret activity.

To read this article in full go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8109495.stm

Inpatient or Outpatient Care for Bulimia Nervosa

A study in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, carried out by German researchers, investigated treatment options for Anorexia Nervosa. They evaluated the outcomes of treatment in clinics compared to inpatient care. The Randomised Controlled Trial concluded that outpatient treatment was as effective as inpatient for severe cases of the disease.


Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2009; 78(3):152-60

To read this Medical News Today article in depth:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154400.php

Dehumanising in Dementia Care

A report on social care carried out by The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia has described the service offered to some Dementia sufferers as "dehumanising." During the four month enquiry MPs talked to staff, carers and patients and found instances where care had been less than adequate. Cases of rudeless and unhelpful behaviour by members of staff were cited and MPs have called for better training and pay to improve standards. However, the Government has stated that improvements are already in place to raise standards.

To read this in depth go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8101325.stm

Attitudes to Mental Illness

The Department of Health has published its latest statistics on public attitudes to mental illness. The statistics are the results of a survey that has been carried out annually since 2007. One of the key points from the report was that people are broadly sympathetic to others who are mentally ill.
For more information go to:
Attitudes to mental illness 2009 research report

Epilepsy and Adults with Learning Disabilities

A study published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior has investigated the psychosocial quality of life of adults with learning disabilities who also suffer from epilepsy. The researchers at the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities in Cardiff investigated how the mental health status affected the epilepsy management of these adults.

Follow this link to read the abstract of this study

Youth Crime and Mental Health

A new document published by the London Serious Youth Violence Board part of the London Community Safety Partnership aims to break the cycle of violence in young people with a three part strategy. One of these strategies is to address the mental health of adolescents by ensuring that CAMHS services work in partnership with schools.

You can read this article in depth at:
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Health/login/912068/

Test Your Memory

Researchers at Addenbrooke's Hospital have devised a new five minute test named Test Your Memory for diagnosing early symptoms of dementia. Their study, which is published online in the BMJ, states that the test is not only more accurate but also faster than any previous methods. The research involving 540 people with and without cognitive problems was funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust