Clinical Psychiatry News articles from February 2003

Clinical Psychiatry News archives from February 2003

Walk-in center offers acute care. (Treatment, Referrals 24/7).
February 1, 2003... Barbara Kelly was nearly frantic when she pulled into the parking lot of Los Angeles County's Mental Health Urgent Care Center on a windy, Tuesday afternoon, her agitated brother, Larry, in the passenger's seat. After a checkerboard...

Teens using less alcohol, ecstasy, more narcotics: the use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and others drugs remained unchanged. (Mixed Results).
February 1, 2003... The latest Monitoring the Future survey of substance use among adolescents in the United States has yielded mixed results. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) use declined. But the use of...

Suicide is top cause of early death among MDs: some physicians fear raising the issue. (Far Higher Than General Population).
February 1, 2003... HENDERSON, NEv.--Suicide ranks as the leading cause of premature death among physicians, Dr. Peter Mansky said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. "Physicians probably start out with better health than the...

Medication-induced psychiatric emergency admissions in older adults. (Vital Signs).
February 1, 2003... VITAL SIGNS Medication-Induced Psychiatric Emergency Admissions in Older Adults Cardiovasular Drugs 1% Analgesics/Antipyretics 35.8% Other Systemic Agents 24.7% Anticonvulsants 19.7%...

New drug treatment guide shows where teens can get help. (144 Programs Listed).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- A new guide to adolescent drug programs lists 144 treatment centers nationwide where teens with substance abuse problems can go for help. The treatment guide was created by Drug Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit...

Nonmedical use of prescriptions rising in youths. (Learn to Recognize Abuse).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The nonmedical use of prescriptions continued to rise among adolescents and young adults in 2001, Dr. H. Westley Clark said at a press conference sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental...

Depression may hit one-third of adolescents. (More than 3,000 Studied).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Lifetime prevalence of depression in adolescents is estimated to hover around 20%, but results of a recent study suggest that figure might be nearly two times higher, Dr. Stephanie Riolo reported in a poster session at the...

Bioterrorism funds don't cover states' health cuts. (Public Health Funding Down Overall).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Stepped-up federal funding for bioterrorism preparedness has yielded some beneficial effects at the state level, notably by helping health officials temper the impact of budget cuts, two state health officials said at the annual...

Kids' psychotropic use approaching adult levels. (Steady Rise Over a Decade).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Children were two to three times as likely to be taking psychotropic medication in 1996 as they were a decade earlier, and those utilization rates were approaching those of adults, according to a 10-year prospective study. Julie Magno...

Prozac approved for major depressive disorder, OCD in children and teens. (Patients Aged 7-17 Years).(obsessive compulsive disorders)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration approved Prozac for treating major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents aged 7-17 years. "It is reassuring for physicians that a certain threshold of evidence...

A call for strong volunteerism. (Guest Editorial).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... It's remarkable to reflect on the evolution of addiction psychiatry as a subspecialty. We've gone from embracing learning theory and the controlled drinking movement to beginning to understand the genetic and biologic roots of addiction....

Pro & Con: should videotaping of forensic psychiatric examinations be the standard? (Opinion).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... YES The central purpose of the law is to find fact and seek truth using the best evidence. The forensic psychiatrist's role is to aid the court in reaching this central purpose. No matter how good one's notes are or how good a...

The death of common sense. (Guest Editorial).(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... The legal tort system of America is corroding the fabric of our society, and the time has come for a radical overhaul of the underlying philosophy. The harm to society of our tort system is not the occasional crazy verdict, but the fear...

Antidepressants after stroke. (Guest Editorial).
February 1, 2003... A growing body of literature suggests that antidepressants should be part of the routine medical management of any patient who has recently had a stroke. Poststroke depression diminishes the patient's quality of life and significantly...

Letters.
February 1, 2003... The Biggest Drawback I read with amazement Dr. Stephen R. Marder's comments in the article "Try Higher Doses of Atypicals Before Giving Up" (December 2002, p. 16). Dr. Marder suggested that it is safe to use Zyprexa up to 60 mg/day...

Fink! Still at large: high-achieving women. (Opinion).(Sylvia Ann Hewlett)
February 1, 2003... Sylvia Ann Hewlett has created quite a stir with her book "Creating a Life: Professional Women and the Quest for Children." Ms. Hewlett contends that 49% of the 1,647 "high-achieving" women she surveyed were childless after age 40. These...

Depressed heart patients may benefit from SSRI? (Sertraline Trial).(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Antidepressant treatment appears effective for depressed patients who were recently hospitalized for myocardial infarction and unstable angina--but only if they have had previous episodes of the mood disorder, Dr. Alexander Glassman...

Sertraline surpasses placebo for anxiety symptoms. (Physiologic Arousal Reduced).
February 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline was significantly more effective than placebo for the treatment of moderate to severe social anxiety disorder in two multicenter controlled trials supported by funding from...

Oral atypicals prove effective for agitation. (Less Invasive Approach).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- An oral atypical antipsychotic was as effective as intramuscular haloperidol for treating acute psychotic agitation when added to the benzodiazepine lorazepam, Dr. Glenn W. Currier said in a poster presentation at the American...

Depression, sexual dysfunction. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Sildenafil effectively treats more than half of men who have sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants, reported Dr. H. George Nurnberg of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, and his colleagues. The prospective, randomized,...

Chronic fatigue treatment. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Dexamphetamine improves the severity of fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, reported Dr. L.G. Olson of John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia, and his associates. Among 20 patients randomized equally to dexamphetamine or...

Combining antipsychotics. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Combination antipsychotic therapy is prevalent and often is used before trying sequential trials of single antipsychotics, said Dr. Andre Tapp and his colleagues at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Tacoma, Wash. The...

Adolescent depression. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Paroxetine and clomipramine have similar effectiveness in improving the symptoms of adolescent major depression, reported Dr. Alain Braconnier of Centre Philippe Paumelle, Paris, and his associates. By the end of a prospective, 8-week,...

Nefazodone off Europe market. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The antidepressant nefazodone will no longer be on the European market, said Bob Laverty, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. spokesman. Bristol-Myers had begun pulling nefazodone voluntarily from shelves in the Netherlands and Spain at press time....

Practical psychopharmacology: treating women with schizophrenia. (Psychopharmacology).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Schizophrenia looks different in women than it does in men, and those differences are most clearly apparent in age at disease onset. The incidence peak is from late adolescence to early adulthood, but symptoms typically appear 4-6 years...

Two drugs most effective in psychotic substance abusers. (Ziprasidone, Risperidone).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Ziprasidone and risperidone were significantly more effective than olanzapine or depot typicals in treating patients with co-occurring psychotic and substance abuse disorders, Dr. Elizabeth Stuyt reported at the annual meeting of...

Newer anticonvulsants seem well tolerated, but carry other risks? (Off-Label Pediatric Use).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO--Eight antiepileptic drugs approved for use in adults in the past decade give physicians off-label options for pediatric use that may cause fewer side effects yet confer other risks, compared with traditional anticonvulsants. ...

Valproate tied to highest rate of birth defects. (Antiepilepsy Drugs).(Abstract)
February 1, 2003... SEATTLE--Sodium valproate had the highest rate of birth defects of any of 12 antiepileptic drugs during the first 30 months of an Australian epilepsy/pregnancy registry. A total of 132 epileptic patients were exposed to valproate during...

Long-term study suggests concerta is well tolerated. (Children with ADHD).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO--Once-daily administration of the Osmotic Release Oral System formulation of methylphenidate appears to be well tolerated. Efficacy was maintained for up to 24 months in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Dr....

Naltrexone depot may curb alcohol dependence. (Patients Abstinent 3 and 6 Months Later).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS - Studies of oral naltrexone for alcohol dependence have yielded variable results. But an injectable form helped patients remain abstinent at 3 and 6 months follow-up, compared with those who received placebo, Dr. Henry Kranzler...

Binge drinking in pregnancy linked to SIDS. (Plains Indians Studied).(sudden infant death syndrome)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Binge drinking during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a sixfold increase in risk of SIDS among Northern Plains Indian infants, according to Solomon Iyasu of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and his...

Sustained virologic response possible in HCV. (Role of the Psychiatrist is Critical).(hepatitis C virus)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who have a past or current history of psychiatric or addictive disorders should receive interferon treatment, Dr. Mark Willenbring said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

HIV, viral hepatitis patients should avoid alcohol, maintain CD4 counts. (Haart Helps Those With Coinfection).
February 1, 2003... BOSTON -- A heavy alcohol intake is associated with increased liver-related mortality in patients coinfected with HIV and viral hepatitis, Dr. Maurizio Bonacini reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver...

Think bipolar in treatment-resistant anxiety. (Atypical Forms of Bipolar II Disorder).
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- The first possibility to consider in a patient with treatment-resistant anxiety is "wrong diagnosis," Dr. Peter P. Roy-Byrne said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. "Think bipolar. More and...

High anxiety scores predict heart-unhealthy lifestyle. (Middle-Aged Men).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Middle-aged men with clinically significant levels of anxiety are far less adherent to recommended lifestyle modifications for coronary risk reduction than their nonanxious peers, Dr. Fabrice Bonnet said at the annual scientific...

Anorexic patients could be using diet as self-medication. (Reducing Tryptophan in Body).
February 1, 2003... BETHESDA, MD. -- Starvation--or reducing the amount of tryptophan in the body--may be the anorexic patient's way of coping with anxiety, Dr. Walter H. Kaye said at a psychopharmacology update sponsored by the National Institute of Mental...

Confusion rampant at unipolar, bipolar border. (Source of Antidepressant 'Poopout').
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK--The difference between unipolar and bipolar affective disorder is more a matter of degree than of kind, two speakers suggested at a conference on depression sponsored by Columbia University. "DSM-IV puts them in distinct groups,...

PTSD can deter growth of neurons in brain. (More Evidence Confirms Connection).
February 1, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- An increasing amount of evidence shows that posttraumatic stress disorder has detrimental effects on the biology of the brain, Dr. J. Douglas Bremner said at a meeting on posttraumatic stress disorder sponsored by the Foundation...

Gene mutations affect cognition, emotions. (Imaging Studies).
February 1, 2003... BETHESDA, MD. -- Specific mutations to single genes may help predispose some patients to abnormal behaviors, Dr. Daniel R. Weinberger said at a psychopharmacology update sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. In imaging...

Apo E [epsilon]4 allele boosts Parkinson's disease risk. (Clues to Alzheimer's).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- People with at least one [epsilon]4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene have an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease earlier or in a more severe form. About a decade ago, the apolipoprotein E (apo E) [epsilon]4...

Rooting out primary, secondary substance abusers. (Expert Shares Interviewing Tips).
February 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Don't be surprised if it takes more than one office visit to establish a primary or secondary substance abuse disorder in a suspected dual-diagnosis patient, Dr. Timothy Fong said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Cancers pose significant risk for acute stress, PTSD. (Different Findings).
February 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Patients with newly diagnosed cancer are at significant risk for acute stress disorder and later posttraumatic stress disorder, Maria Kangas, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress...

Psychosocial issues don't hurt breast ca outcomes. (Depression, Helplessness).
February 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Psychosocial factors aren't related to outcome in women with early-stage breast cancer, Dr. Pamela J. Goodwin reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San Antonio Cancer Institute. Contrary to popular belief,...

Treat PTSD and comorbid substance abuse for best results. (Patients Want to Talk About Traumas).
February 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Patients with coexisting substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder are more likely to stay in therapy when it addresses past traumatic events as well as addiction, Dr. Elisa Triffleman reported at the annual meeting of the...

HDL cholesterol level linked to longevity, cognitive function. (Study of Centenarians).
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- HDL cholesterol may have a role in regulating the rate of aging, particularly affording protection against cognitive decline, Dr. Nir Barzilai said at the annual conference of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental...

Brain function and connectivity correlated to corpus callosum. (In Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Patients with either Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia have a lower level of interhemispheric brain connectivity that is correlated with a smaller size in specific areas of the corpus callosum, Dr. Oliver Pogarell said at a...

Drug update: alzheimer's disease. (Clinical Rounds).
February 1, 2003... With the recent approval of galantamine, clinicians can now choose among four cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These agents appear to be most useful when started early in the disease. Their effects are...

Use substitute diagnostic criteria for depression in medically ill. (Endicott Soulution More Applicable).
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- The use of substitute diagnostic criteria for depression lessens overdiagnosis in medically ill patients, Elizabeth Dettmer, Ph.D., said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. Physicians...

Depression signals worse outcomes after a bypass. (Risk of Second Cardiac Event).
February 1, 2003... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Depression that occurs soon after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with an elevated risk of cardiac events during the next 5 years, Dr. Constantine Lyketsos reported at the annual meeting of the Academy of...

Frontostriatal brain circuits may be tied to late depression. (Pramipexole Helps Some Patients).
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The distinctive clinical features of late-onset depression-executive function impairment and a weak response to antidepressants--may reflect the importance of frontostriatal dysfunction in its pathophysiology, Dr. George S....

Epilepsy and depression: a biological link? (Right Temporal Abnormality).
February 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- The frequent occurrence of depression in epileptic patients may have an organic basis, researchers said at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. The evidence presented at the meeting included survey data...

25% with panic disorder experience nocturnal attacks. (Leader Fear of Sensations Tied to Sleep).
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- One in four patients with panic disorder experience frequent nocturnal panic attacks, Michelle C. Craske, Ph.D., said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. This phenomenon, in which an...

Insomniacs need training in effective coping skills. (Stress Appraisal).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Training in more effective stress appraisal and coping skills should be a part of insomnia treatment, Charles M. Morin, Ph.D., suggested at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. In a study comparing...

Nocturnal panic responds to cognitive-behavioral therapy. (Physoiologic Response Lessens at 9 Months).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for nocturnal panic, Michelle G Craske, Ph.D., reported at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. This finding from her controlled trial featuring 9-month...

Autoimmune woes prevail with endometriosis. (Survey of 3,680 Women).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Women with endometriosis more commonly have systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, allergy and asthma, compared with women...

Try to improve overall functioning in treating fibromyalgia patients. (Analgesics, Antidepressants Can Help).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- Don't overlook the simple and obvious in treating fibromyalgia, Dr. Andrew F. Leuchter said at a psychopharmacology update sponsored by the University of California, Los Angeles. No cure for this disorder has been found, but...

Perimenopause is good time to focus on healthy aging. ('It's a Teachable Moment).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The perimenopause is an ideal time to help women protect and improve health-related quality of life, Karen A. Matthews, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society. "I would suggest to you that this...

Resistant depression research isn't being followed. (Do as I say, not as I Do').
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE--The best-supported therapeutic strategies in treatment-resistant depression are paradoxically relegated to third-tier status, Dr. Michael J. Gitlin said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. ...

Rules needed for transporting seizure patients. (Many don't Need Emergency Care).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SEATTLE--Many people who have a seizure do not necessarily need an ambulance ride to the emergency department, according to an analysis of records from San Francisco. Yet when emergency medical paramedics respond to a call for a person who...

Mild traumatic brain injury often misdiagnosed due to vertigo issues. (Grocery Store Test is Helpful).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- One of the most common sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury-vestibular dysfunction or balance disorder--is often overlooked because patients have dizziness and disequilibrium rather than "true vertigo," Dr. Edwin Richter said at...

Device finds cortical brain injury in real time. (Cardiac Arrest Patients).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Real-time detection of cortical brain injury after a cardiac arrest may be feasible, Feras Al Hatib, Ph.D., said at a conference on clinical electrophysiology sponsored by the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society. He reported...

Many migraineurs are awakened by their headaches. (Case for Parenteral TX).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... DENVER -- Forty-four percent of migraineurs in a large national survey reported being "often or always" awakened by their headaches. The implication is that standard oral triptan therapy may be less than optimal in patients prone to...

Mitochondrial oxidation linked to aging. (Antioxidant Nutrients May Help).
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The cumulative impact of oxidative stress on mitochondrial DNA may be responsible for many age-associated changes, perhaps including neurodegenerative disorders, Dr. M. Flint Beal said at the annual meeting of the Association for...

Try older remedies for alopecia areata. (Anthralin, Nitrogen Mustard).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Traditional treatments may still grow hair in patients with alopecia areata, and can pave the way for new therapies. "We're at the threshold of targeted, immunomodulated therapies for alopecia areata," Dr. Jerry Shapiro said...

Smoking cessation no help for postoperative acne inversa. (Recurrences Common).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PORTO, PORTUGAL --Smoking is a major triggering factor for the development of acne inversa, but quitting does not appear to benefit the postoperative course of the disease, Dr. M. Hagedorn said at the 23rd Congress of the International Society...

Screen patients diagnosed with alopecia areata for depression and anxiety. (Stress is Thought to Play a Role).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Patients with alopecia areata should be screened for depression and anxiety, Sandy Venneman, Ph.D., said in a poster presentation at a meeting sponsored by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Stress is thought to play a...

Psoriasis has a moderate to large impact on the quality of life of 75% of patients. (One-Third Unsatisfied With Therapy).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PARIS -- Seventy-five percent of psoriasis patients view their disease as a moderate to large problem in their lives, Dr. Jean-Paul Ortonne said at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology. Thirty-six percent of psoriasis patients say the...

Interstitial cystitis a culprit for chronic pelvic pain. (Overactive Bladder).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Interstitial cystitis may be the culprit behind millions of cases of overactive bladder, and chronic pelvic pain should be considered in the differential diagnosis, investigators said at a meeting sponsored by the International...

Paper defines female androgen insufficiency. (Affordable Assay Needed).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Los ANGELES--A newly published consensus statement on female androgen insufficiency offers a working definition of the condition and an algorithm for its management. It also emphasizes an urgent need for development of a practical,...

Erectile dysfunction common among men on dialysis. (82% of Men Affected).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA--More than 80% of men on hemodialysis have erectile dysfunction, based on the results of a study with 302 patients. Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with end-stage renal disease was more common among men who were older or who...

Address cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. (One Intervention is Errorless Learning).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PITTSBURGH--The functional outcomes of schizophrenia are determined much more by the way in which cognitive deficits are addressed than by treatment of psychotic symptoms, Dr. Michael F. Green said at a conference on schizophrenia sponsored by...

Myelination defects may play key role in schizophrenia. (Cognitive Decline in Later Life).
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Cognitive function is not stable in schizophrenia and undergoes sparked deterioration later in life Dr. Kenneth L. Davis said at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease. A likely suspect...

Ionized bracelets show no medical benefit. (Placebo-Controlled Trial).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Not surprisingly, those popular "ionized" bracelets that are touted to energize muscles and alleviate pain show no medical benefit, Dr. Robert L. Bratton said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. ...

Kava formally banned in the U.K. due to hepatotoxicity. (70 Reports of Liver Damage).
February 1, 2003... The anxiolytic herb kava has been formally banned by regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom because of its potential for causing serious hepatotoxicity. "There is clear evidence linking kava kava with rare cases of liver toxicity,"...

USP-certified dietary supplements hit shelves. (Ingredient Standards).(U.S. Pharmacopeja)
February 1, 2003... Faltering consumer confidence in dietary supplements should be bolstered by a new U.S. Pharmacopeja verification mark, officials said. The USP's Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP) mark signifies that the product has undergone...

DHEA for depression and dementia. (Alternative Medicine).(dehydroepiandrosterone)
February 1, 2003... * The supplement DHEA is touted as a "super-hormone" that can slow aging, "melt away disease," and improve strength. * Investigational medical uses include depression and dementia; the data thus far have been mixed, and long-term effects...

Obesity onset corresponds with preexisting depression. (In Adolescence).
February 1, 2003... Depressed youths are twice as likely to develop obesity during adolescence as their nondepressed peers, a longitudinal analysis has shown. In a prospective cohort study of 9,374 adolescents in grades 7-12, 8.8% of the patients fit the...

Smoking may be linked to eating disorders in teens. (Ask About Dietary Habits).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Poor eating attitudes and symptoms of eating disorders are more common among adolescents who smoke compared with those who don't, Dr. Carmel Flores reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Social withdrawal is often the first sign of schizophrenia. (Adolescents in Prodromal Stages).
February 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Adolescents in the prodromal stages of schizophrenia most commonly present with social withdrawal and isolation, Barbara Cornblatt, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent...

Seek psychiatric comorbidity in childhood OCD. (The Rule, not the Exception).(obsessive-compulsive disorder)
February 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- Psychiatric comorbidity in childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder is the rule, not the exception, John C. Piacentini, Ph.D., stressed at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. In a consecutive...

Behavioral comorbidities cause havoc in Tourette Syndrome. (Tics Often Mild in Comparison).
February 1, 2003... ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- Comorbid conditions often pose bigger problems for children with Tourette syndrome than the condition itself, Dr. John Walkup said at a conference sponsored by the Tourette Syndrome Association. Comorbid conditions...

Study indicates autism prevalence higher than previously thought. (Similar to Numbers Outside U.S.).
February 1, 2003... The prevalence of autism among U.S. children aged 3-10 is 10 times greater than it was thought to be in the 1980s and early 1990s, based on the results of an Atlanta area study, said Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp of the Centers for Disease...

MTS patch appears to safely control ADHD. (Methylphenidate Transdermal System).(methylphenidate transdermal system)
February 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- A once-daily methyiphenidate transdermal system was effective at varying doses in controlling symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially when used with behavior modification, Dr. Martin Hoffman said at the...

Many conditions coexist with or mimic ADHD. (Awareness of Child's Temperament is Key).
February 1, 2003... HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.--Many conditions can either coexist with or masquerade as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, making the diagnosis more complex than it might first appear, Dr. Adrian Sandier said at a meeting sponsored by the...