Harvard Mental Health Letter articles from August 2008

Harvard Mental Health Letter archives from August 2008

Finding the right depression medication.(Report)
August 1, 2008... Finding the right depression medication STAR*D and other studies provide guidance, but the research continues. In spite of the variety of medication options now available, major depression remains a challenging disease to treat. Only...

Involuntary outpatient commitment.
August 1, 2008... Involuntary outpatient commitment An update about the controversies and possible alternatives. Involuntary outpatient commitment statutes are now on the books in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Although they vary in detail, the...

Alzheimer's and driving ability.(Report)
August 1, 2008... Alzheimer's and driving ability Knowing when it may be time for someone to surrender the car keys. As people grow older, their vision, hearing, reflexes, strength, flexibility, and coordination tend to deteriorate. These physical...

In Brief: Anti-inflammatory drugs may not protect cognitive function.(Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In Brief Anti-inflammatory drugs may not protect cognitive function Although earlier observational studies suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a large...

In Brief: Study suggests bipolar disorder is overdiagnosed.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In Brief Study suggests bipolar disorder is overdiagnosed Researchers at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University have concluded that more than half of bipolar diagnoses may be wrong. The report is one of the latest...

In Brief: Psychotherapy for early childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In Brief Psychotherapy for early childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder A small randomized trial at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center provides evidence that family-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help many...

Questions & answers: Munchhausen's syndrome.
August 1, 2008... Questions & answers Q. What is Munchhausen's syndrome by proxy and why is it not in the DSM-IV? A. A subscriber sent us this month's question after reading about a mother accused of child abuse. Her four children, who ranged in age...