Tuesday, May 20, 2003

Leading Drugs for Psychosis Come Under New Scrutiny
Front page feature article in today's New York Times - "They were billed as near wonder drugs, much safer and more effective in treating schizophrenia than anything that had come before. For many years, it seemed that the excitement was fully warranted. There were remarkable stories of recovery. And the new generation of antipsychotic drugs, called atypicals, seemed to have few of the side effects commonly seen with high doses of older medications for psychosis. ... But 14 years after the first of the drugs entered the market, researchers are questioning whether they are quite as miraculous — or benign — as originally advertised." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Past Abuse Is Related To Poor Mental Health In HIV-Positive Women
Center for the Advancement of Health article at InteliHealth - "Women with HIV who are young, in poor physical health, in conflict with others, and who have been physically abused by a partner in the past are at greater risk for developing mental health and drug abuse problems, according to a new study."  
  

Expectant Moms Battle Depression More Than Thought
Atlanta Journal-Constitution story - "One in five pregnant women may suffer symptoms of depression, but few get treatment for it. That's the finding of a University of Michigan study in the May 22 issue of the Journal of Women's Health. The study also found women with a history of depression at any time before their pregnancy -- about one in every four women -- are about twice as likely as other women to experience symptoms of depression while they're pregnant."