Scientists in Switzerland are exploring how psychedelic drugs may be used to treat the likes of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. The Guardian (12 August 2008) report provides an interesting video clip from Pamela Sakuda who took part in another study, where people with terminal illness were given psilocybin, a chemical substance found in magic mushrooms.
Vanda Taylor of Cancer Research UK is quoted in the Daily Mail: "Research into the use of a variety of drugs to help with pain, anxiety and quality of life, may lead to better treatments and help patients cope better with their illness."
www.therapyme.com
Monday 25 August 2008
Thursday 7 August 2008
News: Move over Freud: Psychiatrists embrace pill power - Reuters
Could financial considerations be getting in the way of appropriate psychiatric care? Office-based psychiatrists in the United States are increasingly turning to pills for a quick fix replacement for psychotherapy, according to research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry (and reported by Reuters, 4 August 2008 and the LA Times, 5 August 2008).
Comparing the percentage of patients who received psychotherapy in 2004-2005 and 1996-1997, researchers discovered a fall of 15.5%.
Dr Ramin Mojtabai, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who conducted the research whilst at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, comments: "Psychiatrists get more for three, 15-minute medication management visits than for one 45 minute psychotherapy visit."
Commenting on the research, Dr Eric Plakun, of the American Psychiatric Association, voiced concerns: "I'm worried about our patients. Patients need the best help we can give them...If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
Comparing the percentage of patients who received psychotherapy in 2004-2005 and 1996-1997, researchers discovered a fall of 15.5%.
Dr Ramin Mojtabai, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who conducted the research whilst at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, comments: "Psychiatrists get more for three, 15-minute medication management visits than for one 45 minute psychotherapy visit."
Commenting on the research, Dr Eric Plakun, of the American Psychiatric Association, voiced concerns: "I'm worried about our patients. Patients need the best help we can give them...If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
News: Mental illness sufferers barred from Olympics - Stuff
People suffering from mental illness are banned from entering China, according to a report on the Stuff website (7 August 2008).
In New Zealand, the Foundation for Mental Health has urged the Chinese government to change their policy.
The Foundation's chief executive, Judi Clements, comments: "The Olympic spirit is all about taking part. It is a cruel blow for sportspeople and spectators to be excluded purely because they experience mental illness, which affects around one in five people in New Zealand alone."
You can read the Foundation's press release on their website.
In New Zealand, the Foundation for Mental Health has urged the Chinese government to change their policy.
The Foundation's chief executive, Judi Clements, comments: "The Olympic spirit is all about taking part. It is a cruel blow for sportspeople and spectators to be excluded purely because they experience mental illness, which affects around one in five people in New Zealand alone."
You can read the Foundation's press release on their website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
