Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Taking The Perspective That A Depressive State Reflects Inflammation: Implications For The Use Of Antidepressants, Jill Littrell

jill l littrell Dr.

This paper reviews both the evidence that supports the characterization of depression as an inflammatory disorder and the different biochemical mechanisms that have been postulated for the connection between inflammation and depression. This association offers credible explanation for the short term efficacy of antidepressants, which have short term anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence for those anti-inflammatory effects is discussed. Evidence of the contrary long-term effects of antidepressants, which increase rather than decrease inflammation, is also reviewed. It is argued that this increase in inflammation would predict an increase in chronicity among depressed patients that have been treated with antidepressants drugs, which has …

Resilience : An Independent Psychobiological Mental Health Construct (Guest Editorial), Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Survival against trauma is a unique characteristic of all human beings. While a number of factors contribute in building this capacity, resilience appears to be the most important one. Interest in studying resilience arises from number of areas which are of utmost clinical significance such as such as exploring the possibility of at-risk individuals who developing a mental illness]. Resilience is a human capacity to adapt swiftly and successfully to stressful or traumatic events and revert back to a positive state. It is commonly conceptualized as the ability to thrive despite experiencing adversity

Development Of A Self-Report Measure Of Dual Diagnosis Capability For Addiction And Mental Health Programs, Kenneth E. Fletcher, Anna Kline, Tara Zandi, Gregory Seward, Sun Kim, Douglas M. Ziedonis

Douglas M. Ziedonis

The purpose of this study is to develop and test the psychometrics of a self-report version of a measure of the capacity of addiction and mental health programs to deliver dual-diagnosis treatment, that is, to provide treatment for both addiction problems and mental health problems. Traditionally these services are provided by very different service providers that did not until recently interact very well, if at all. The increasing recognition that patients who suffer from both kinds of problems – who are dually diagnosed – would benefit from integrated delivery of addiction and mental health services has led to efforts to …

Implementing The Massachusetts Child Trauma Project (Mctp) To Improve Services For Children With Complex Trauma In Child Welfare: Phase I Needs And Readiness Assessment, Charmaine B. Lo, Melodie Wenz-Gross, Jessica L. Griffin

Melodie Wenz-Gross

MCTP seeks to improve placement stability and outcomes for children with complex trauma in the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) by creating a sustainable capacity for providing evidence-based trauma interventions within provider agencies, and trauma-informed practices within DCF.

Outpatient Commitment: A Competency Based Justification, Albert J. Grudzinskas, Jeffrey L. Geller, Jonathan C. Clayfield, William H. Fisher

Jeffrey L. Geller

A recent survey of state statutes for outpatient commitment (Torrey and Kaplan, 1995) indicates that while thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have laws permitting outpatient commitment, Massachusetts is not one of them. Rather, Massachusetts uses a competency-based, substituted-decision-making model for the involuntary administration of medication in the community. To appreciate the Massachusetts model, it is important to understand how this court-ordered involuntary outpatient treatment fits into the overall scheme of outpatient commitment and how it is structured. A review of involuntary outpatient treatment (IOT) literature indicates that it is prudent to distinguish between outpatient commitment, conditional release, and …

The Family Options Project: Implementing An Innovative Intervention For Parents With Mental Illnesses And Their Families, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Valerie F. Williams, Elizabeth A. Aaker, Karen Albert, Bernice Gershenson, Brenda Warren, Katherine Woolsey

Kathleen Biebel

The Family Options Project reflects a productive partnership between researchers and providers at the UMMS Center for Mental Health Services Research and Employment Options, Inc., Marlborough, MA The Family Options Intervention is an evidence-informed psychiatric rehabilitation intervention, developed and tested within the context of a community-based agency setting.

Heroin And Opiate Abuse In Ashland County, Ohio: A Public Perception Study, Oscar T. Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This research began with identifying an expert panel of professionals in Ashland County and facilitating an informational focus group on the perceived scope of heroin/opiate abuse within multiple social services, community intervention and support programs. Seven general findings emerged: 1. The overall total number of clients/cases/patients in the system has remained stable over the years; however, the proportional number of clients abusing opiates has increased. 2. That virtually every person abusing opiates enters their respective system at one point or another. 3. Only a small percent remain active with more than one system while engaged in opiate treatment. 4. Multiple …

In-Hospital Depression Predicts Early Hospital Readmission After An Acute Coronary Syndrome: Preliminary Data From Trace-Core, David Mcmanus, Jane Saczynski, Molly Waring, Milena Anatchkova, Richard Mcmanus, Robert Goldberg, Jeroan Allison, David Parish, Hamza Awad, Jerry Gurwitz, Arlene Ash, Catarina Kiefe

Richard H. McManus

Background: Hospital systems, patients and providers seek to avert rehospitalizations within 30 days for patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Rehospitalizations within 30 days of discharge are often considered preventable and to reflect poor in-hospital management or discharge practices. However, independent associations of psychosocial factors with early rehospitalization in patients admitted with an ACS have not been examined. Methods: A multi-racial cohort of 1,540 patients admitted with an ACS reported psychosocial factors via standardized questionnaires in an in-hospital interview. One month following discharge, patients were interviewed via phone and reported hospital readmissions. We used logistic regression models to …

Executive Functions And Social Skills In Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumor., Kelly Wolfe, Karin Walsh, Nina Reynolds, Francie Mitchell, Alyssa Reddy, Iris Paltin, Avi Madan-Swain

Nina Reynolds

No abstract provided.

Managed Mental Health Care's Effects On Arrest And Forensic Commitment, William Fisher, Sharon-Lise Normand, Barbara Dickey, Ira Packer, Albert Grudzinskas, Hocine Azeni

Ira K Packer

No abstract provided.

Self-Reported Lifetime Psychiatric Hospitalization Histories Of Jail Detainees With Mental Disorders: Comparison With A Non-Incarcerated National Sample, William Fisher, Ira Packer, Steven Banks, David Smith, Lorna Simon, Kristen Roy-Bujnowski

Ira K Packer

Lack of access to hospitalization is an often-cited risk factor for incarceration among persons with severe mental illness. This proposition is examined by comparing self-reports of lifetime psychiatric hospitalization histories of mentally ill jail inmates with data from a national sample of non-incarcerated mentally ill. Roughly 52% of mentally ill jail detainees reported at least one psychiatric hospitalization, a rate nearly three times that of the comparison group. The data call into question the notion that mentally ill jail inmates have reduced access to psychiatric inpatient treatment, without addressing the adequacy of the treatment received. Longitudinal studies are needed to …

Community Mental Health Services And The Prevalence Of Severe Mental Illness In Local Jails: Are They Related, William Fisher, Ira Packer, Lorna Simon, David Smith

Ira K Packer

The excessive prevalence of severe mental illness noted in correctional settings has sometimes been attributed to the inadequacy of community based mental health services. This study examines the prevalence of severe mental illness in two jails situated within catchment areas featuring markedly different levels of community mental health services. We use these settings to test the hypothesis that greater levels of services in a community are associated with lower prevalence of severe mental illness in the community's jail. An epidemiologic approach, using standardized field instruments, was used to estimate the prevalence of major mental illness in detainees arriving at the …

Socio Cultural Risk Factors And Suicide Prevention, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Society at large, particularly in the developing countries has been undergoing rapid socio-economic changes. There are newer risk factors for mental disorders playing a crucial role in pathogenesis e.g. economic transition and social inequalities. Students suicide and farmers’s have been of particular concern.Newer challenges need befitting responses, which are seldom sufficiently available in any society. Most conspicuous barrier to identify and treat mental disorders is human resources, which is not only dismal but also unequally distributed amongst different geographical and social strata of society. Globalization has changed the agenda for mental health. It’s now demonstrated that people immigrate, they share …

An Introduction To Drugs And The Neuroscience Of Behavior, Adam Prus

Adam J Prus

This up-to-date new text provides an introductory overview of the nervous system actions and behavioral effects of the major classes of psychoactive drugs. Appropriate for undergraduate students who have an introductory level background in psychology or other areas within the social sciences, AN INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS AND THE NEUROSCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR illustrates concepts and highlights research techniques. The book's most important feature is its pedagogical elements, which are not found in other psychopharmacology texts, but are particularly important for making this specialized topic approachable for undergraduates. Charts and diagrams illustrate basic concepts and processes important for understanding the actions and …

Honorable Mention: 27th Annual No Big Heads Exhibition, Adam Prus

Adam J Prus

This up-to-date new text provides an introductory overview of the nervous system actions and behavioral effects of the major classes of psychoactive drugs. Appropriate for undergraduate students who have an introductory level background in psychology or other areas within the social sciences, AN INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS AND THE NEUROSCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR illustrates concepts and highlights research techniques. The book's most important feature is its pedagogical elements, which are not found in other psychopharmacology texts, but are particularly important for making this specialized topic approachable for undergraduates. Charts and diagrams illustrate basic concepts and processes important for understanding the actions and …

Relaxation Training And Opioid Inhibition Of Blood Pressure Response To Stress, James Mccubbin, John Wilson, Stephen Bruehl, Paloma Ibarra, Charles Carlson, Jane Norton, George Colclough

James A. McCubbin

The present study was designed to determine the role of endogenous opioid mechanisms in the circulatory effects of relaxation training. Opioid mechanisms were assessed by examination of the effects of opioid receptor blockade with naltrexone on acute cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stress before and after relaxation training. 32 young men with mildly elevated casual arterial pressure were recruited for placebo-controlled naltrexone stress tests and relaxation training. The results indicated that relaxation training significantly reduced the diastolic pressure response to mental arithmetic stress. Opioid receptor blockade with naltrexone antagonized the effects of relaxation training. These findings suggest that some of the …

Psychological Coping With Acute Pain: An Examination Of The Role Of Endogenous Opioid Mechanisms, Stephen Bruehl, Charles Carlson, John Wilson, Jane Norton, George Colclough, Marianne Brady, Jeffrey Sherman, James Mccubbin

James A. McCubbin

This study examined the relationship among endogenous opioids, Monitoring and Blunting coping styles, and acute pain responses. Fifty-eight male subjects underwent a 1-min pressure pain stimulus during two laboratory sessions. Subjects experienced this pain stimulus once under endogenous opioid blockade with naltrexone and once in a placebo condition. Blunting was found to be negatively correlated with pain ratings, but this relationship was significantly more prominent under opioid blockade. Results for coping behaviors subjects used to manage the experimental pain were generally consistent with the Blunting results, indicating that cognitive coping was related more strongly to decreased pain ratings and cardiovascular …

The Psychobiology Of Hostility: Possible Endogenous Opioid Mechanisms, Stephen Bruehl, James Mccubbin, Charles Carlson, John Wilson, Jane Norton, George Colclough, Marianne Brady, Jeffrey Sherman

James A. McCubbin

This study examined the role of endogenous opioids in the relation between hostility and cardiovascular stress responsiveness. Forty-six mencompleted the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale, and experienced a laboratory pain stressor once under opioid blockade and once under placebo. Hostility scores were significantly related to the magnitude of change in cardiovascular reactivity/recovery resulting from opioid blockade. Low scorers on the Cynicism subscalc displayed increases in heart rate (HR) reactivity under blockade relative to placebo, with reactivity decreases noted in high scorers. Low Hostile Affect scores were similarly associated with impaired diastolic blood pressure recovery under opioid blockade. HR recovery results were somewhat …

An Unusual Reaction To Opioid Blockade With Naltrexone In A Case Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Paloma Ibarra, Stephen P. Bruehl, James A. Mccubbin, Charles R. Carlson, John F. Wilson, Jane A. Norton, Thomas B. Montgomery

James A. McCubbin

An unusual behavioral and cardiovascular reaction was observed during opioid blockade with naltrexone in a 32-year-old male who met DSM III-R criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As part of an ongoing placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of naltrexone on laboratory and ambulatory blood pressure reactivity, this participant reported experiencing feelings of rage, explosive behavior, and other unpleasant symptoms. When compared to all other subjects (N=24), this individual showed significantly greater effects of naltrexone on blood pressure reactivity during the laboratory stressor. His ambulatory blood pressures, when compared to placebo, were significantly increased during the 24-hr period following naltrexone. The …

Mental Health Systems Transformation Through Participatory Research And Action: The Young Adult Appreciative Inquiry/Photovoice Project, Thomas M. Laporte, Mason G. Haber, Damie Jackson - Diop, Brittany Holt

Mason G. Haber

Participatory action research and evaluation methods (PAR) have been used to help individuals to address a variety of challenges and improve the responsiveness of service systems to these challenges. To the present, however, few studies have examined applications of PAR in systems change advocacy for youth with mental health needs in the transition to adulthood (transition-age youth [TAY]). PAR may be especially beneficial in systems transformation efforts for this population, which lacks resources of other mental health system consumers for advocacy such as formal settings, specialized professional attention, and well established consumer organizations. The present paper describes how specific strategies …

Risk, Vulnerability And Resilience: An Epigenetic Trajectory Of Psychiatric Disorders, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Biopsychosocial model is generally widely accepted for pathogenesis of mental disorder, recent research shows a different concept. . Social, cultural, environmental factors possibly interact in a complex way to give rise to behavioral symptoms in a particular disorder. Such factors are considered 'risk factors'. but their discrete role in causation of illness is less clear. Two main factors appear to play important role which may partially explain this process. 1. risk-vulnerability and stress diathesis model and the 2. Gene-environment interaction. Both may be operating simultaneously. Our understanding of psychosocial risk factors has been changing in recent years. Psychosocial risk can …

A Pilot Study Of Qigong For Reducing Cocaine Craving Early In Recovery, David A. Smelson, Kevin W. Chen, Douglas M. Ziedonis, Ken Andes, Amanda Lennox, Lanora Callahan, Stephanie Rodrigues, David Eisenberg

Douglas M. Ziedonis

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study examined the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and determined the effect sizes of external qigong therapy (EQT) in reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving and associated symptoms among recently abstinent cocaine-dependent (CD) individuals. METHODS: This study randomized 101 CD subjects to either a real EQT (n=51) or sham EQT control (n=50) group. Subjects underwent a baseline assessment and a weekly cue-exposure session for 2 weeks. Total EQT or sham treatments ranged from 4 to 6 sessions in 2 weeks. RESULTS: EQT-treated subjects displayed a greater reduction in cue-elicited craving (p=0.06) and symptoms of depression (p<0.05) with medium effect sizes. …

Effect Of The Planet Health Intervention On Eating Disorder Symptoms In Massachusetts Middle Schools, 2005-2008, S. Bryn Austin, Jennifer L. Spadano-Gasbarro, Mary L. Greaney, Emily A. Blood, Anne T. Hunt, Tracy K. Richmond, Monica L. Wang, Solomon Mezgebu, Stavroula K. Osganian, Karen E. Peterson

Monica L. Wang

INTRODUCTION: The Planet Health obesity prevention curriculum has prevented purging and abuse of diet pills (disordered weight control behavior [DWCB]) in middle-school girls in randomized trials, but the effects of Planet Health on DWCB when implemented by schools under dissemination conditions are not known. METHODS: Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts disseminated Planet Health as part of the 3-year, Healthy Choices obesity prevention program in middle schools. We conducted an evaluation in 45 schools from fall 2005 to spring 2008. We gathered data from school staff to quantify intervention activities, and we gathered anonymous …

Need For Newer Experiments In Strengthening Education And Training Human Resource Development For Suicide Prevention, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Suicide is a global public health problem and one of the leading causes of premature death for all ages. Studies show that only 25% suicide has been within health care system, we have no information about the rest 75%. To bring more people at risk for suicide is an urgent requirement which makes a strong argument education and awareness.The WHO acknowledged that suicide prevention requires intervention from outside the health sector and calls for an innovative, comprehensive multi-sectorial approach, including both health and non-health sectors, e.g. education, labor, police, justice, religion, law, politics, the media. . Early identification of at-risk …

Education And Training For Human Resource Development For Suicide Prevention' In Low And Middle Income Countries, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Developing countries have more than two-thirds share of suicide in the world with dismal numbers of trained professionals. WHO data shows that more than 90% suicide occurs in the mentally ill individuals. Lack of effective manpower continues to be one of the three main barriers for prevention of suicide world over, particularly in developing countries, followed only by stigma and non-availability of care. Therefore training and education, especially for people, like teachers and health workers, who are in direct contact with vulnerable groups, can help increase identification of individuals with related problems, offer support, and make a referral. Though the …

Global Mental Challenges: Response To Local Needs, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Global mental Challenges: Response to local needs 1Amresh Shrivastava Running Title: Mental health: beyond Geo-political Boundaries 1Department of Psychiatry, Elgin Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada, and Mental Health Resource Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, e-mail: dr.amresh@gmail.com.

The health of the people determines athe health of a society and a country. Reference to ‘health’, more often than not, directs one’s thinking towards physical health, without realizing that physical health is inseparable from mental health. Physical disorders co-exist with mental disorders and mental disorders are a significant risk factor for physical illnesses. The WHO agenda on …