Hallucinations are sensory perceptions that appear in the absence of stimuli. Although they are often associated with illnesses such as schizophrenia, these phenomena can occur in the absence of mental ill health. But what explains these uncanny occurrences? Not all hallucinations occur due to psychotic disorders or psychedelic drugs. There are many types of hallucinations....
by McMaster University Cognitive behavioral therapy delivered electronically to treat people with depression is more effective than face to face, suggests an evidence review led by McMaster University. Based on randomized control trials, the systematic review and analysis revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy that connected therapists and patients through such modes as web-based applications, video-conferencing,...
A medication used as a second line of defense against tuberculosis could enhance therapy for fear and anxiety disorders, according to a new clinical study. D-cycloserine (DCS) has landed itself on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines for its abilities to stop the growth of bacterial cell walls. In recent decades, however, mental...
by Indiana University COVID-19 has placed tremendous pressure on health care systems, not only for critical care but also from an anxious public looking for answers. Research from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business found that chatbots—software applications that conduct online chats via text or text-to-speech—working for reputable organizations can ease the burden on...
Technology Org Science and technology news Drug reduces the risk of child sexual abuse Posted Today A drug that lowers levels of the male hormone testosterone in the body reduces the risk of men with pedophilic disorder sexually abusing children, a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry shows. About one in...
by Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics This study uses an individual participant data meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of two PHQ-9 diagnostic algorithms for detecting major depression and compare accuracy between the algorithms and the standard PHQ-9 cutoff score of ≥10. Data were included for 54 of 72 identified eligible studies (n participants = 16,688,...
by Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics A new study indicates that the antidepressant effects of ketamine may not be such, according to a paper published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. The study investigates the hypothesis that depressed individual receiving ketamine infusions, associate feelings of lightness and floating which are a typical occurrence in the use of...
Researchers find that nowmattersnow.org reduces self-harm feelings in nearly one-third of visitors UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON HEALTH SCIENCES/UW MEDICINE Mental health researchers behind the website nowmattersnow.org have demonstrated that the site could be beneficial in decreasing suicidal thoughts. Researchers asked more than 3,000 website visitors how they felt before they got to the site compared to a few minutes on the website. Nearly one-third were significantly...
An estimated one in ten Australians were taking antidepressants in 2015. That’s double the number using them in 2000, and the second-highest rate of antidepressant use among all OECD countries. Yet some studies have found antidepressants might be no more effective than placebo. Not only does this mean many Australians aren’t experiencing relief from their psychological distress, but some may also be...
A leading UK study has found that a new mindfulness-based approach to tinnitus could transform the treatment of the condition. The BTA estimates tinnitus affects approximately six million people in the UK. Credit: University of Bath Published in the journals Ear and Hearing and Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, the research, led by Dr. Liz Marks from...
