Recent research: borderline, separation anxiety, bipolar disorder, telemedicine, fish oil, depression memory & safety behaviours
Last updated on 2nd July 2008
Kitcheman, J., C. E. Adams, et al. (2008). "Does an encouraging letter encourage attendance at psychiatric out-patient clinics? The Leeds PROMPTS randomized study." Psychol Med 38(5): 717-23. [PubMed] An 'orientation letter' delivered shortly before their scheduled first appointment considerably reduced failure to attend at UK psychiatric outpatient clinics.
Levy, K. N. (2008). "Psychotherapies and Lasting Change." Am J Psychiatry 165(5): 556-559. [Free Full Text] Helpful - freely accessible full text - editorial overviewing psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder and their outcomes at follow-up.
Lewinsohn, P. M., J. M. Holm-Denoma, et al. (2008). "Separation anxiety disorder in childhood as a risk factor for future mental illness." J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 47(5): 548-55. [PubMed] Childhood separation anxiety disorder is a major risk factor for the development of mental problems - particularly panic and depression - in young adulthood. Treatment and preventive strategies look worth exploring.
Mantere, O., K. Suominen, et al. (2008). "Differences in outcome of DSM-IV bipolar I and II disorders." Bipolar Disorders 10(3): 413-425. [PubMed] Sufferers from bipolar II disorder seem to spend more time in depression than sufferers from bipolar I disorder.
Mitchell, J. E., R. D. Crosby, et al. (2008). "A randomized trial comparing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa delivered via telemedicine versus face-to-face." Behav Res Ther 46(5): 581-92. [PubMed] CBT for bulimia delivered via telemedicine was both acceptable to participants and roughly equivalent in outcome to therapy delivered in person.
Montgomery, P. and A. J. Richardson (2008). "Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder." Cochrane Database Syst Rev(2): CD005169. [PubMed] This systematic review found some tentative evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil might provide benefit for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. There is a pressing need for better research.
Moulds, M. L., E. Kandris, et al. (2008). "The use of safety behaviours to manage intrusive memories in depression." Behav Res Ther 46(5): 573-80. [PubMed] Interesting research suggesting that distraction from upsetting memories in depression may function as a safety behaviour and be associated with beliefs like "I should be able to rid my mind of this memory" and "Because I can't control this memory, I am a weak person".