Current opinion in psychiatry
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Considerable progress has been made in the neurobiological understanding of expectations in physiological and pathological processes. This article is aimed at presenting an overview of the role of expectations in producing health-related effects. We selected recent laboratory and clinical studies in the field of the placebo effect, with a particular focus on psychiatric disorders. ⋯ The studies of expectations in the field of psychiatry and in other fields of medicine suggest that placebo effects are likely to be an important aspect of any treatment. The application of research on health-related expectations has the potential for promoting wellness, improving health, and benefiting patient care.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Jan 2011
ReviewAfter the fire: the mental health consequences of fire disasters.
This article aims to summarize recent findings relating to the impact of fire disasters on the mental health of victims, responders, families and communities within the context of the existing literature. ⋯ Fire disasters, like other natural or man-made disasters, can have significant mental health impact on individuals directly and indirectly affected and on communities caught up in the events.
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The rapidly growing number of published research papers attests to the increasing interest in Internet-delivered psychotherapy (iPT). The present article reviews the current status of iPT for the treatment of adults with symptoms of depression. ⋯ Recent studies indicate the utility of iPT. Large-scale trials are needed to evaluate optimal strategies for disseminating iPT. Future studies should independently replicate findings and efforts are required to educate patients and health professionals about iPT.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Jan 2011
ReviewSecond-generation antipsychotics in major depressive disorder: update and clinical perspective.
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy and safety of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD). ⋯ Both SGA monotherapy and adjunctive therapy showed greater efficacy in the treatment of MDD than placebo, but augmentation is more widely utilized in treatment-resistant depression. Clinicians should routinely monitor for cardiometabolic side-effects and extrapyramidal symptoms during SGA therapy.
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The existence of people with mental disorders in prisons is a reality found worldwide. The purpose of this article is not only to review the publications on this subject in 2009 but also to stimulate discussions that could contribute to its further scientific study. ⋯ The existence of the mentally ill in prisons is a complex issue and the studies attempt to analyze aspects such as the type of disorder, sex of criminals, the opposition between incarceration and treatment, policy, harm reduction and stigma. A further study on the variables raised in this work is required, as well as examining others, to the extent that they are relevant to the various socio-economic and cultural realities.