Thursday, April 17, 2003

National Study of Bipolar Disorder Patients Highlights Potential Impact of Illness
PR Newswire item at PsycPORT - "Results published today in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry from the first prevalence and impact survey among people with symptoms of bipolar disorder in the U.S., reveal that the illness significantly disrupts virtually all aspects of their daily lives including work, academic performance and interpersonal relationships. These findings also indicate the disease may disproportionately impact 18-24 year-olds, pointing to the significant burden on this age group of one of the most common mental illnesses."  
  

Group Psychoeducation Helpful in Bipolar Disorder
Article in Medscape Medical News - "Group psychoeducation is effective in preventing recurrence in patients with bipolar I or II disorder receiving standard medical therapy, according to the results of a study published in the April issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. According to the editors, this study is important because of the controlled design, the long follow-up period of 24 months, and the disease severity in its subjects." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Dump the DSM
Article in the most recent Psychiatric Times - "Decades of labor have been poured into the formulation of the DSM and its descendants. Is this system of classification still useful and relevant to clinical practice? Should psychiatrists continue to revise it or get rid of it altogether?" See also a companion piece in the same issue, The DSM: Not Perfect, but Better Than the Alternative.  
  

Global and Social Considerations
Introduction in the latest Psychiatric Times to a "Trauma Special Report." Dr. Andrei Novac places the articles in historical perspective "and reminds the reader of the importance of understanding trauma within today's global constructs and impending war." Other articles in the special report include: Changes in the Concept of PTSD and Trauma, Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: An Introduction for the Clinician and Secondary Traumatization in Mental Health Providers.