Psychotherapy News and Research

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Psychotherapy is “talk” therapy. It involves talking with a mental health professional to treat a mental illness. Psychotherapy can occur one-on-one or in a group. Research shows that support from family and friends can be an important part of therapy.

Roundup: Calif. Gov. Brown's pension plan silent on current workers' health care; Psychologists want power to prescribe drugs

Gov. Jerry Brown announced a new plan Tuesday to rein in public pension costs that would raise the retirement age, cap benefits for the highest-paid employees and eliminate "spiking" -- but lacks key parts of the bolder system overhaul he proposed months ago and would even increase some payouts. ... The plan also does not address skyrocketing health care costs for retirees, another main element of the governor's first scenario. Hundreds of thousands of government workers have been promised medical coverage for life.

30 Aug 2012

Scientists use new method to easily investigate stress systems in babies

After waking up, the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva rises considerably; this is true not only for grown-ups but for babies as well. A research team from the Ruhr-Universit-t Bochum and from Basel has reported this finding in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

29 Aug 2012

Acute stress modifies DNA methylation and activity of certain genes

Acute stress alters the methylation of the DNA and thus the activity of certain genes. This is reported by researchers at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum together with colleagues from Basel, Trier and London for the first time in the journal Translational Psychiatry. "The results provide evidence how stress could be related to a higher risk of mental or physical illness", says Prof. Dr. Gunther Meinlschmidt from the Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the LWL University Hospital of the RUB.

16 Aug 2012

Couple therapy decreases PTSD symptoms and improves relationship

A North American study led by a researcher at Ryerson University has discovered that treating a person with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their partner using a specific couple therapy greatly decreases the severity of their symptoms -- and improves their relationship.

15 Aug 2012

Lightlake announces final data from naloxone nasal spray Phase II study on Binge Eating Disorder

Lightlake Therapeutics Inc., an early stage biopharmaceutical company developing modern addiction treatments based on its expertise using opioid antagonists, announced today compelling final data from a Phase II study of the Company's proprietary opioid antagonist naloxone nasal spray treatment for patients with Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

9 Aug 2012

NYUCN professor to investigate efficacy of Acu/Moxa in managing irritable bowel syndrome

New York University College of Nursing's (NYUCN) Joyce K. Anastasi, PhD, DrNP, FAAN, LAc., the Independence Foundation Endowed Professor and Founding Director of the Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management at NYUCN has been awarded a $2.5 million four-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for the study of "Symptom management for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) constipation".

7 Aug 2012

Brief treatments with accelerated resolution therapy reduce symptoms associated with PTSD

Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing have shown that brief treatments with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) substantially reduce symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including, depression, anxiety, sleep dysfunction and other physical and psychological symptoms.

28 Jul 2012

Research roundup: Gastric bypass costs, paying for psychotherapy

Health Expenditures Among High-Risk Patients After Gastric Bypass and Matched Controls -- A few studies have shown that bariatric surgery can help reduce health care spending by obese patients, particularly those with conditions such as diabetes. This latest study looked at 847 patients who received bariatric surgery through the Veterans Affairs medical system. Inpatient and outpatient spending both before and after surgery were compared to 847 obese patients who did not have the operation.

21 Jul 2012

Psychotic depression now fulfills the criteria for a valid psychiatric syndrome

The number of studies reporting significant and clinically relevant differences between psychotic depression (PD) and non-PD has increased considerably over the past decades. This summary of the current evidence suggests that PD now fulfils the criteria for a valid psychiatric syndrome.

14 Jul 2012

Paper describes novel psychotherapeutic approach in a boy with Asperger's syndrome

This paper reports a stable improvement in social skills in a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (AS), after an outpatient treatment with Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children and Adolescents (SET-C), a specific and intensive type of social skill training. Its effectiveness should be further tested in randomized controlled and long-term follow-up studies.

14 Jul 2012

Dynorphin plays an important role in weakening anxiety

Feelings of anxiety very effectively prevent people from getting into situations that are too dangerous. Those who have had a terrible experience initially tend to avoid the place of tragedy out of fear. If no other oppressive situation arises, normally the symptoms of fear gradually subside.

7 Jul 2012

Study examines role and biological effects of psychotherapy in breast cancer survivors

In a study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics the role and biological effects of psychotherapy in breast cancer survivors is examined.

28 Jun 2012

Exposure-based CBT for primary PD/AG effectively reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms

A new study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics examines the role of a specific form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), when depression aggravates panic.

28 Jun 2012

Study examines role of specific forms of psychotherapy in anxious depression

A new study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics examines the role of specific forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy in anxious depression.

27 Jun 2012

Study suggests important role for psychotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis

A study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics suggests an important role for psychotherapy in a severe and debilitating disease, rheumatoid arthritis.

27 Jun 2012

Drug safety warnings by FDA do not always lead to targeted changes

Drug safety warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) don't always lead to targeted changes in the way medications are prescribed and used, reports a study in the June issue of Medical Care.

15 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 12, 2012

Today's headlines include news about the pressure health costs are placing on state budgets.

12 Jun 2012

Secrets and electronic health records: A privacy concern

Now on Kaiser Health News' blog, David Schultz reports: "The issue of how to ensure that psychotherapy notes remain private, even from other doctors, was one that troubled many at the second annual Health Privacy Summit in Washington last week. ... 'Psychotherapists are often the canaries in the coal mine' when it comes to health privacy, said James Pyles, an attorney who specializes in health law."

12 Jun 2012

D-cycloserine may increase response to PTSD psychotherapy

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most common, distressing, and disabling medical consequences of combat or other extremely stressful life events. The first-line treatment for PTSD is exposure therapy, a type of behavioral therapy where patients confront their fears in a safe environment. Although it is an effective treatment, many patients still experience symptoms after treatment and there is a relatively high drop-out rate.

5 Jun 2012

New treatment model of psychotherapy now listed on SAMHSA's national registry

A new treatment model of psychodynamic psychotherapy pioneered at Upstate Medical University for symptoms of borderline personality disorder, depression, heavy drinking, suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors is now listed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Practices and Programs.

25 May 2012