Friday, January 07, 2005

Schizophrenia prediction possible    BBC story - "The development of schizophrenia can be accurately predicted in high risk groups years before symptoms harden into psychosis, say scientists. A team from Edinburgh University has found people who go on to develop schizophrenia show subtle signs at an early stage. This includes social withdrawal, odd behaviour, and feelings of being disconnected from reality. Details are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. "  
  

The Rewards of Employment   Item at the NAMI web site based on a story that originally appeared in the St. Petersburg Times - "Many consumers when asked what has been an aspect of their recovery will typically name off several things which include housing, employment, and relationships with others. These things are in addition to the medications and treatment that they receive to alleviate their symptoms of mental illness. Ed Wohlford of Florida is no different. As part of a program through his local drop in center consumers who have proven their work skills at the center are given the opportunity to participate in a supported employment program..."  
  

State May Pay Larger Share of Medicaid (New York)   New York Times story - "Gov. George E. Pataki's top budget advisers are considering a plan that would require the state to pick up a larger share of the skyrocketing Medicaid costs now being paid by localities, according to administration officials. Medicaid, a $42 billion-a-year health insurance program for the state's three million low-income and poor residents, is the fastest growing part of the state's $100 billion annual budget, state officials say. Its costs are shared by state and local governments in New York, as well as by the federal government. But in recent years, local government officials have complained that the program's soaring costs have placed a strain on county budgets and services across the state and have been a prime cause of local property tax increases..." "nyt"  
  

The Bipolar Educational Consortium Case Reviews    A new Medscape CME, based on reviews of two cases, The Longitudinal Treatment of Bipolar Disorder and Treatment of Refractory Bipolar Depression. [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Cymbalta Wins Final EU Approval for Major Depression   Reuters Health story at Medscape - "European regulators approved Eli Lilly and Co's Cymbalta (duloxetine) as a treatment for major depression on Wednesday, giving a boost to a key new product for the U.S. firm. Lilly said it would make the product available 'soon' in Europe following the green light from the European Commission. The final approval had been widely expected after a positive recommendation from a committee of European scientific experts in September." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

MCO Toll on Psychotherapy Difficult to Undo Psychiatric News story - "Managed care organizations' disenchantment with psychotherapy won't be reversed until practitioners have the data to persuade payers of its value to patients. Evidence-based data, studies of medical-cost offset, and advocacy will be needed to reverse the managed care industry's skeptical view of dynamic psychotherapy, according to Paul Appelbaum, M.D. ..."  
  

Pharmacists Often Uneasy With Psychiatric Patients    Psychiatric News story - "Professional interactions between patients using psychiatric drugs and community pharmacists could be improved if pharmacists were better informed about treatment and diagnoses of patients with psychiatric illness. Pharmacists have positive attitudes toward patients who fill prescriptions for psychiatric medications but still feel so awkward talking to them that they provide less counseling about symptoms and side effects than to patients with medical diagnoses, says a new Canadian study."  
  

AMA to Study Safety of SSRIs In Youngsters    Psychiatric News story - "The decision is a response to the recognition that parents, physicians, and the public are confused and uncertain about the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents. Altha Stewart, M.D., chair of the Steering Committee to Reduce Disparities in Access to Psychiatric Care, discusses the committee's final report with former APA president Richard Harding, M.D., at last month's Board of Trustees meeting. See page 13 for coverage of the meeting. The AMA will prepare an independent and comprehensive review of the scientific data pertaining to safety and efficacy of using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in the treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders."  
  

Grant to aid treatment center for adolescents (Ohio)Story in the Toledo Blade - "A grant of $330,400 that will help build a residential facility for adolescent substance abuse treatment was presented yesterday to the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lucas County. The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services funds will be used by Connecting Point to construct the 20-bed complex..."  
  

Mental Health Advocates in Pennsylvania Applaud State Hospital Closing   Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania press release - "The mental health advocacy community in Pennsylvania has enthusiastically endorsed the decision by the state Department of Public Welfare to close Harrisburg State Hospital, an institution for people who have mental illnesses. ... 'For someone who has never been in an institution, the stark contrast between community and institutional life is difficult to imagine,' said Sue Walther, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania. 'But those who have can attest to the fact that people with even the most serious mental illnesses, including those with the least relief from their symptoms, can be served much more effectively in the community than within the walls of a state institution.' " See also the story in The Sentinel, State to shutter Harrisburg mental hospital, Altoona center.  
  

Attitudes to mentally ill improve (UK)BBC story - "People in Scotland are becoming more understanding of mental health problems and more tolerant of those who suffer from them, according to new research. The results of the Scottish Executive survey suggested that there was now widespread acceptance of the fact that anyone can suffer from such problems..."