AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
JUNE 1998
TIPSHEET
EMBARGOED: June 1, 1998
May 20, 1998
Release no.
98-25
Melissa Saunders Katz
(202) 682-6142 /[email protected]
www. psych.org
Journal articles highlighted in this tipsheet are available in their
entirety by calling APAFastFAX at 1-888-267-5400 and selecting the
appropriate document number (listed below).
In the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry:
(Note: All Items Embargoed until June 1, 1998)
POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION IN MEN ?
Depressive symptoms in a new fathers are closely related to the rate of depression experienced by the mother's of their children, according to a University of Bristol study in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Other risk factors for depression in men include having step children, partners who are single mothers, less education, stressful lives, less social support, and more aggression within the primary relationship. ['Family Structure and Depressive Symptoms in Men Preceding and Following the Birth of a Child,' Kirby Deater-Deckard, Ph.D., et. al. p. 818] APAFast FAX#6966
CHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS INHERIT PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder in a Holocaust survivor increases the risk of PTSD in their children, according to a study in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. The Mt. Sinai School of Medicine study found that five of the 22 adult children studied had signs of PTSD. Each of the five had parents who also show signs of PTSD. ['Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Characteristics of Holocaust Survivors and Their Adult Offspring,' Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D., et. al., p. 841] APAFastFAX#6967
EARLIER ONSET, TOUGHER BATTLE FOR ELDERLY WITH DEPRESSION
Geriatric patients who experience their first episode of depression before age 60 have a harder time experiencing remission of symptoms than patients who experience their first episode after 60, according to a study in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. The University of Pittsburgh study found that early-onset patients took 5-6 weeks longer to improve after treatment and had a higher suicide attempt rate than those patients whose depression first occurred late in life. ['Effects of Age at Onset of First Lifetime Episode of Recurrent Major Depression on Treatment Response and Illness Course in Elderly Patients,' Charles F. Reynolds III, M.D., et. al., p. 795] APAFastFAX#6968
Some Highlights From the June Issue of Psychiatric Services
"LASSIE THERAPY" PUTS PATIENTS AT EASE
Hospitalized psychiatric patients who attended a group therapy session in which a specially trained therapy dog was present had significantly reduced anxiety levels, according to an article in the June issue of Psychiatric Services. Over an eight-month period, 230 patients hospitalized in the inpatient psychiatry service of an urban academic medical center attended a session with the therapy dog. ['The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Anxiety Ratings of Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients,' Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D. et. al., p. 797] APAFast FAX#6969 Please direct all media inquiries to Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D. at 804-828-4570; fax, 804-828-4614; e-mail, [email protected]
INADEQUATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS NEED WORK
Artificial limits on funding and duration of services wastes $490 million annually on services to persons with mental illness by placing and deterring rehabilitation programs from competing for state contracts, according to an article in the June issue of Psychiatric Services. A survey by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) determined that spending by state vocational agencies on client services has declined despite an overall increase in basic program funding. ['Policy Reform Dilemmas in Promoting Employment of Persons With Severe Mental Illnesses,' John H. Noble, Ph.D., et. al., p. 775] APAFastFAX#6970 Please direct all media inquiries to Dr. Noble at 202-319-5459; fax, 202-319-5093; e-mail, [email protected]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
May 30-June 4, 1998 - The American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada - To cover the meeting on-site or off-site, call Erin Murphy 202-682-6324 or e-mail [email protected]
July 31, 1998 - APA Journalism Awards entry deadline for submissions. Contact Erin Murphy for an entry form.
The text of this tipsheet (APAFastFAX #6155) and other materials for media are available in electronic formats: www.newswise.com; Compuserve's Journalism Forum (go jforum); APA's website --www.psych.org; APAFastFAX: 888-267-5400 and select the document number to have an item faxed to you. Other APA materials for media are also available through APAFastFAX -- just call for the menu. For more information on these topics or other areas of interest, contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, (202) 682-6324, e-mail: [email protected]
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.
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