NEWS BRIEFS
A Service of the American Psychiatric Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 1997 Release No. 97-11
Contact: Gus Cervini; (202) 682-6142; [email protected]
In the April Issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry
MEDICATION MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR DEPRESSED PATIENTS WITH SLEEP PROBLEMS (Note: Not for publication or broadcast before April 1, 1997.)
Patients with depression who experience sleep problems are more likely to benefit from medication therapy than from psychotherapy, according to psychiatrists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The researchers measured the sleep patterns of a group of depressed patients, then divided the patients into two groups based on whether their sleep was considered normal or abnormal. All the patients then underwent a course of interpersonal psychotherapy. Patients with abnormal sleep profiles had significantly poorer responses to psychotherapy. However, 75% of these patients with sleep problems experienced improvement once anti-depressant medication was prescribed. "These findings help to define further a neurobiological boundary that may limit response to psychotherapy in depression," said lead researcher Michael Thase, M.D. "As a result of this study, a significant group of depressed patients -- those with changes in their sleep profiles -- may be helped to get the medication they need more quickly," he said.
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY PLUS MEDICATION IS BULIMIA TREATMENT OF CHOICE
(Note: Not for publication or broadcast before April 1, 1997.)
Researchers at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute found that cognitive-behavioral therapy is superior to supportive psychotherapy in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. The study examined 120 women with bulimia nervosa and found that cognitive-behavioral therapy plus medication was more effective than medication alone, but that supportive psychotherapy plus medication was not effective.
The text of this news release and other materials for media are available in electronic format. On the World Wide Web, visit Newswise at
In the April issue of Psychiatric Services
ON-DEMAND MANIC DEPRESSION TREATMENT SAVES MONEY (Note: Not for publication or broadcast before April 1, 1997.)
Easy access to outpatient office visits can keep patients with manic depression out of the hospital and save money. An outpatient program developed by the Providence (Rhode Island) Veterans Affairs Medical Center for patients with manic depression has realized significant reductions in hospital days and mental health care expenditures for patients who were formerly high users of such care. The findings suggest that increasing outpatient treatment for this patient group -- rather than limiting it -- improves treatment effectiveness and reduces expenditures over the longer term.
[From "Impact of an Easy-access VA Clinic-Based Program for Patients With Bipolar Disorder," pp. 491-496. To interview one of the authors, call Mark S. Bauer, M.D., (401) 457-3057; fax, (401) 457-3371; e-mail, [email protected].]
MANAGED CARE OF CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS CAN LIMIT PATIENT STABILIZATION
(Note: Not for publication or broadcast before April 1, 1997.)
Researchers in Wisconsin found that community-based mental health services for a group of patients with severe mental illness would not have been covered if those patients had been in a managed care arrangement. Managed care plans generally exclude community support and residential and vocational services, greatly reducing the ability of patients to lead stable lives in the community. Lack of post-hospitalization care is a penny-wise, pound-foolish approach that can result in greater rehospitalization, diversion of untreated populations into public assistance systems, inappropriate incarceration, and homelessness.
[From "Mental Health Expenditures for Services for People With Severe Mental Illnesses," pp. 485-490. To interview one of the authors, call Ellen Jane Hollingsworth, M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, (608) 262-1961; fax (608) 265-5584;e-mail, [email protected]]
STUDY EXAMINES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE MORE THAN 500,000 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE (Note: Not for publication or broadcast before April 1, 1997.)
Children in foster care are at particular risk of developing pediatric and psychiatric problems according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Risk factors include poverty, chronic health problems, abuse, and neglect. In the study child and adolescent psychiatrists and other child healthcare professionals offer a comprehensive overview of foster care in the U.S. and make recommendations to improve the care this population receives. "Ultimately society must decide what resources our most vulnerable children deserve," states child and adolescent psychiatrist Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D. "If we do not pay now, a far higher price will be exacted later."
Journal articles are available to you in their entirety from the Division of Public Affairs.
News from the American Psychiatric Association
APA's 150 ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 17-22, 1997, IN SAN DIEGO, CA
The latest findings in psychiatric research into mental illnesses and substance use disorders will be presented by psychiatrists, mental health professionals, researchers and educators at the APA's 150th Annual Meeting May 17-22, 1997, in San Diego, CA. The meeting will include presentations in more than 60 topic areas. Media registration to the Annual Meeting is complimentary. Preliminary programs, housing forms, and registration materials are now available. Contact Gus Cervini, APA Media Coordinator, at (202) 682-6142.
MEDIA ALERT: MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
1997's National Mental Health Month organizers are encouraging activities that focus public attention on the all too common inequities between insurance coverage for mental illnesses and other medical conditions. National Mental Health Month is the creation of the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). NMHA President and CEO Michael M. Faenza says, "Mental illnesses are real, common, diagnosable, and treatable; yet insurance discrimination against people with mental illnesses is common. Individuals can help educate policymakers about this inequity." Mr. Faenza noted that, "Most Americans do not have adequate coverage in the event of a mental health problem, let alone a serious mental illness. Annual out-of-pocket expenses for a serious mental disorder can cost tens of thousands of dollars under most current healthcare plans."
The American Psychiatric Association supports National Mental Health Month and offers free informational pamphlets to help the public understand these disorders and their treatments. For more information on specific National Mental Health Month activities in your area, contact the National Mental Health Association at (703) 684-7722.
Note to Media: For information on informing your readers about the free APA Let's Talk Facts About Mental Illnesses series, contact Gus Cervini, APA Media Coordinator, at (202) 682-6142.
FREE SCREENING FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Free public screenings for anxiety disorders will be offered across the nation on National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day, Wednesday, May 7, 1997. The program, a National Mental Health Month event, is co-sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association and other mental health organizations. It is conducted by the National Mental Illness Screening Project, the psychiatrist-led organization responsible for the highly successful National Depression Screening Day held each October during Mental Illness Awareness Week. "Anxiety disorders" refer to generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Media interested in National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day should call Mary Guardino, program director, at (718) 351-1717.
DEADLINE FOR 1998 MEDIA AWARDS ENTRIES
The deadline for the 1998 media awards entries is July 31, 1997. Entries for the 1998 media awards must have first appeared in print or first aired between August 1, 1996, and July 31, 1997. For more information about the awards and an entry form, contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, at (202) 682-6324, e-mail:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
-- Unless otherwise noted, contact Gus Cervini, APA Media
Coordinator, for more information, (202) 682-6142,
e-mail:
--April 24-30, 1997 -- National TV-Turnoff Week, A project of TV-Free America, recognized by the APA and 44 other organizations. Expected number of participants in 1997's Turnoff: 5 million. For more information, contact TV-Free America at (202) 887-0436, e-mail:
--May 1997 -- National Mental Health Month. Contact Patrick Cody, Director of Media Relations of the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), at (703) 838-7528.
--May 7, 1997 -- National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day, a National Mental Health Month event. Contact Mary Guardino, Director, at (718) 351-1717.
--May 17-22, 1997, San Diego, CA -- Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association
--July 31, 1997 -- Deadline for APA 1998 Media Awards entries. Contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, (202) 682-6324, e-mail:
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For more information on these topics or other areas of interest, or for interviews with sources cited in News Briefs, contact Gus Cervini, APA's Media Coordinator, at (202) 682-6142; e-mail
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical speciality society whose 42,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders.
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