AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
NOVEMBER 1997
TIPSHEET ONE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 1997
Melissa Saunders Katz Release no. 97-51
(202) 682-6142 /[email protected] www. psych.org
Journal articles abstracted in this tipsheet are available in their entirety by calling APAFastFAX at
1-888-267-5400 and selecting the appropriate document number (numbers listed below).
In the November issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry:
(Note: All Items Embargoed until November 1, 1997)
QUIT SMOKING, LOWER ANXIETY
Contrary to the claims of many smokers, removing nicotine from the system will actually reduce anxiety, according to a study in the November issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. This London study found no increase in anxiety levels immediately following smokers quitting. In fact, within the first two weeks of quitting, a significant decrease in anxiety levels was found. ["What Happens to Anxiety Levels on Giving Up Smoking?" Robert West, Ph.D., et al. p. 1589] APAFastFAX #6923
P.O.Ws SUFFER LONG AFTER WAR IS OVER
In a study of 262 male United States World War II and Korean War former prisoners of war, more than half, 53 percent, were diagnosed with having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime and 29 percent were diagnosed with currently having PTSD. A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study in Minneapolis published in the November American Journal of Psychiatry, found that the highest rates of PTSD were in prisoners held by the Japanese with rates of 84 percent having PTSD in their lifetime, and 59 percent currently having the disorder. ["Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Community Group of Former Prisoners of War: A Normative Response to Severe Trauma," Arthur Blank, Jr, M.D. et. al. p. 1576] APAFastFAX #6924 Please direct all media inquiries directly to Dr. Brian Engdahl at 612-725-2073.
DEPRESSION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA MAY HAVE A GENETIC CAUSE
Researchers attribute depression that is often seen in patients newly diagnosed with schizophrenia to genetic causes. According to a carefully conducted UCLA study appearing in the November issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, depression occurring during the one-year period following the onset of schizophrenia was associated with a family history of depression. This suggests that depression in schizophrenia is not solely either a reaction to having had a psychotic episode or part of the recovery process. Please direct media inquiries to Warren Robak at UCLA Health Sciences Communications Center (310) 206-1960 ["Depressive Symptoms in the Early Course of Schizophrenia: Relationship to Familial Psychiatric Illness," David L. Fogelson, M.D., et. al. p. 1551.] APAFastFAX #6925
Note: For more information on the early signs of schizophrenia visit www.degnanco.com/schizophrenia/video on the world wide web.
In the November issue of Psychiatric Services:
(Note: All Items Embargoed until November 1, 1997)
HIGH MARKS FOR RURAL TELEPSYCHIATRY
A survey of 46 parents and nine children in rural Kentucky found that all participants were very satisfied with the telemedicine consultations in which they participated. According to a study in the journal of Psychiatric Services, the children were as satisfied with the telemedicine method as with seeing a doctor in-person.
["Consumer Satisfaction with Telemedicine Child Psychiatry Consultation in Rural Kentucky," Lee Ann Blackmon, M.D. et al. p. 1464] APAFastFAX #6926
NEW MEASUREMENT TOOL DETERMINES COMPETENCY FOR CONSENT
Researchers study of the new MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Treatment (MacCAT-T), a semi-structured interview procedure, found it to be an effective method for determining a patient's ability to consent to the appropriate treatment for his/her mental illness. According to this study in the journal of Psychiatric Services, the MacCAT-T is a flexible, yet structured method with which caregivers can assess, rate, and report patient competence in 15-20 minutes.
["The MacCAT-T: A Clinical Tool to Assess Patients' Capacities to Make Treatment Decisions,"
Paul S. Appelbaum, M.D., et al. p. 1415] APAFastFAX #6927
Please direct all media inquiries directly to Dr. Appelbaum's office at 508-856-3066.
The text of this tipsheet (APAFastFAX #6148) and other materials for media are available in electronic formats:
Newswise -- http://www.ari.net/newswise -- visit SciNews-MedNews
Compuserve's Journalism Forum (go jforum), SciNews-MedNews library (section 17)
search for files with the extension ".APA" (e.g. "TIP11097.APA")
APA's website -- http://www.psych.org -- check out our "News Stand"
Get your news via APAFastFAX! Call 1-888-267-5400 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:
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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