AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 1997
Melissa Saunders Katz
(202) 682-6142
[email protected]
Journal articles abstracted in this tipsheet are available in their entirety by calling APAFastFAX at 1-888-267-5400 and selecting the document number .
In the July issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry: (Note: All Items Embargoed until July 1, 1997)
FIREWATER MYTH DOUSED Native Americans are less sensitive to the effects of alcohol than previously believed. Contrary to the "firewater myth" -- the theory that they are more sensitive to alcohol, people at a higher genetic risk for alcoholism tend to inherit less sensitivity to the effects of alcohol. This study provides insight into the high rate of alcoholism observed among some Native American tribes. ["The Firewater Myth and Response to Alcohol in Mission Indians," Consuleo Garcia-Andrade et al. p. 983] FastFAX # 6135 -- Please direct media inquiries to Robin Goldsmith (619) 784-8134.
In the July Issue of Psychiatric Services: (Note: All Items Embargoed until July 1, 1997)
CHILDREN ARE LEFT OUT OF FUNDING "Children do far better in speeches than in the funding and hard choices and work that are supposed to follow," said Lawrence Hartmann, MD, former president of the American Psychiatric Association, in a commentary in the "Open Forum" section of the July Psychiatric Services. Dr. Hartmann urges all mental health professionals to get involved in organizations to support child welfare issues, advocate for better allocation of resources; make alliances with and presentations to the media, business organizations, work with government and public-sector agencies, consumer groups, and insurers, and work to influence legislation, regulations, and judicial action. [From "Children Are Left Out," pp. 953-954. Dr. Hartmann teaches at Harvard and practices psychiatry in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To interview him, call 617-876-8488.] FastFAX #6139
NOTHING PERSONAL: WHY PROFESSIONALS DON'T INCLUDE FAMILIES IN TREATMENT Mental health professionals' attitudes toward the families of their patients appear to have no significant effect on the extent to which the families are involved in the treatment process. A study of nearly 200 clinicians in Indianapolis shows that more mundane considerations such as shift schedules and staff cohesiveness were the critical factors in professionals' involvement of families in treatment. [From "The Impact of Organizational Factors on Mental Health Professionals' Involvement With Families," pp.921-927. To interview the author, contact Eric R. Wright, Ph.D., Indiana University<#150>Purdue University Indianapolis, at 317-274-8589; fax, 317-274-2347; e-mail, [email protected].] FastFAX # 6140
LOWERING YOUR CHOLESTEROL: NOT JUST DEPRESSING Clinicians should be alert to the risk of depression for patients receiving cholesterol-lowering treatment and for patients with very high triglyceride levels. Although more investigation is needed, clinicians should also be alert to the possible suicide risk of patients with low cholesterol. Abnormalities in fats, or lipids, have been reported in people suffering from mood disorders. Lipids have also been linked to aggression, cognition, and schizophrenia. [From " Investigating the Role of Lipids in Mood, Aggression, and Schizophrenia," pp 875-876, 882. To interview one of the authors, contact Marc Hillbrand, Ph.D., at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut, at 860-262-5424; fax, 860-262-5477; e-mail, [email protected].] FastFAX #6141
PERSONS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY: HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS?
As managed care providers, mental health care consumer groups, and health care accrediting organizations ask how well treatments work, psychiatrists and other health care professionals focus on the best way to ascertain this information. This new study examines the usefulness of several measures used to assess the success of patients in the community. Categories include: caring for oneself, social skills, ability to manage money, work skills, personal safety, and life satisfaction. [From "Assessing Clinical Outcomes: The Community Functioning of Persons With Serious Mental Illness," pp. 897-902. To interview the author, call Faith B. Dickerson, Ph.D., Sheppard Pratt Health System, Towson, Maryland, at 410-938-4359; fax 410-938-4364.] FastFAX #6142
For more information on these topics or other areas of interest, or for interview with sources cited herein (if direct contact information is not already provided above), contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, (202) 682-6324, e-mail:
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society, founded in 1844, whose 42,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders. APA objectives include the advancement and improvement of care for persons with mental illnesses through nationwide public information, education, and awareness programs and materials.
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