MedWorm: Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Psychotherapy for self-stigma among rural clients

Journal of Clinical Psychology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article provides practitioners with guidance in selecting and utilizing effective treatments for self-stigma in rural settings. We review both public stigma and self-stigma. Public stigma explains society's negative impact on individuals, while self-stigma describes an individual's internalization of public stigma. We review treatment principles and empirical research on psychotherapy for self-stigma rural settings. We finish with a case illustration of cognitive therapy with a rural client suffering from self-stigma. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 66:1-13, 2010. (Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

CBT effective for managing chronic back pain

Pulse — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:30:00 +0100

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can have a ‘sustained effect’ on chronic low-back pain and is a cost-effective way of managing the condition in primary care, according to a randomised controlled trial by UK researchers. (Source: Pulse)

The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial

BioMed Central — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention for suicidal thoughts. Several limitations and strengths of the design are discussed.Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register, NTR1689 (Source: BioMed Central)

Chronic insomnia: Recent advances and innovations in treatment developments and dissemination.

Canadian Psychology — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Insomnia is a prevalent public health problem that carries an important psychosocial and economic burden for those affected, their families, employers, and for society at large. Despite its negative impacts, insomnia often remains untreated and, when treatment is initiated, it is predominantly with medication, an option that is not always acceptable to people with insomnia. There is extensive evidence that psychological approaches, primarily cognitive behavioural therapy, are effective, produce durable and generalizable outcomes, and should be the first line therapy for chronic insomnia. Nonetheless, these approaches remain under utilised in clinical (medical) practise. Several innovative and cost-effective treatment delivery models (e.g., telephone consultations, Internet-based treatment)...

The ANU WellBeing study: A protocol for a quasi-factorial randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of an Internet support group and an automated Internet intervention for depression.

BMC Psychiatry - Latest articles — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionTo our knowledge this study is the first randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of a depression ISG.Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN65657330KeywordsDepression, Internet support group, evaluation, intervention, cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy239 words (Source: BMC Psychiatry - Latest articles)

The efficacy of family support and family preservation services on reducing child abuse and neglect: what the literature reveals

Journal of Child Health Care — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:45:40 +0100

This article presents a review of the literature on the efficacy of family-centred interventions for child abuse and neglect. Revealed in this review is that such efficacy remains controversial, with literature affirming that the most successful practice is a combination of interventions applied simultaneously. The literature reviewed suggests that more contemporary research around family-centred interventions for child abuse and neglect is required. (Source: Journal of Child Health Care)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Tailoring a cognitive behavioural model for unexplained physical symptoms to patient's perspective: a bottom-up approach

Clinical Psychology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The prevalence of unexplained physical symptoms (UPS) in primary care is at least 33%. Cognitive behavioural therapy has shown to be effective. Within cognitive behavioural therapy, three models can be distinguished: reattribution model, coping model and consequences model. The consequences model, labelling psychosocial stress in terms of consequences rather than as causes of UPS, has high acceptance among patients and is effective in academic medical care. This acceptance is lost when applied in primary care. To increase acceptance of the consequences model among patients in primary care, we tailor this model to patient's perspective by approaching the model from bottom-up instead of top-down. Subsequently, we use this tailored model in an easily accessible group training. We illustrate o...

Psychotherapy May Help Autoimmune Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

This study shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in dealing with patients suffering from lupus and high levels of daily stress as it significantly reduces the incidence of psychological disorders associated with lupus and improves and maintains patients' QOL, despite there being no significant reduction in the disease activity index. A study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics by a group of Spanish investigators addresses the role of cognitive behavioral treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychotherapy May Help Autoimmune Disease

Anxiety News From Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Social Odor Recognition: A Novel Behavioral Model for Cognitive Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The use of the SOR memory model may provide a preclinical method for evaluating cognitive therapies for PD. PMID: 20197696 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Group CBT Effective for Chronic Insomnia

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:30:43 +0100

Cognitive behavior therapy conducted in a group setting appears to be an effective treatment for chronic insomnia. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Therapy targeting insight, self-awareness may improve schizophrenia CBT response

MedWire News - Psychiatry — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Schizophrenia patients who have a poor response to routine cognitive behavior therapy for psychosis may benefit from therapy targeting insight and self-monitoring skills, suggest researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)

Therapy targeting insight, self-awareness may improve schizophrenia CBT response

MedWire News - Schizophrenia — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Phenelzine, Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy, and Their Combination for Social Anxiety Disorder [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:50:46 +0100

Conclusion Combined phenelzine and CBGT treatment is superior to either treatment alone and to placebo on dimensional measures and on rates of response and remission. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Error in Results in: Efficacy of an Internet-Based Behavioral Intervention for Adults With Insomnia [Correction]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:50:46 +0100

(Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy and other psychological treatments for adult depression: meta-analytic study of publication bias [REVIEW ARTICLES]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:01:19 +0100

Conclusions The effects of psychotherapy for adult depression seem to be overestimated considerably because of publication bias. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

CBT and Recovery From Psychosis in the ISREP Trial: Mediating Effects of Hope and Positive Beliefs on Activity [Brief Reports]

Psychiatr Serv — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:00:52 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Fostering hope and positive self-concept should be central components of recovery-oriented services and interventions. Modifying these dimensions may have a positive impact on functional outcome. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

Assessment and management of fatigue in neuromuscular disease.

The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lou JS, Weiss MD, Carter GT Fatigue is a common and potentially debilitating symptom of neuromuscular disease (NMD). Studies show that patients with NMD subjectively report increased levels of fatigue. Laboratory testing has demonstrated that patients with NMD show objective physiological signs of increased fatigue, with both central and peripheral components. To date, no treatment has been proven to be truly effective through evidence-based medicine. Thus, the clinician must use a multimodality approach to treating fatigue in patients with NMD. Management interventions are generally based on a sequential approach including treatment of comorbid factors, with the goal of maximizing physical and psychological functioning. This might include low-intensity exercise training, cogn...

Appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy for the treatment of binge eating with purging: A preliminary trial

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This treatment development study investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a modified version of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for bulimia nervosa (BN), entitled appetite focused DBT (DBT-AF).Thirty-two women with binge/purge episodes at least one time per week were randomly assigned to 12 weekly sessions of DBT-AF (n = 18) or to a 6-week delayed treatment control (n = 14). Participants completed the EDE interview and self-report measures at baseline, 6 weeks, and posttreatment.Treatment attrition was low, and DBT-AF was rated highly acceptable. At 6 weeks, participants who were receiving DBT-AF reported significantly fewer BN symptoms than controls. At posttest, 26.9% of the 26 individuals who entered treatment (18 initially assigned and 8 from the delayed treatment control) wer...

CBT sessions 'help' back pain

NHS News Feed — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:18:00 +0100

Conclusion This well conducted randomised controlled trial found that group CBT was of benefit to people with chronic lower back pain compared with individuals who received one-off advice on how to manage their condition through activity modifications and symptom control. Although the therapy was effective, the researchers noted that 63% of people attended ‘sufficient’ CBT sessions to potentially benefit and 11% did not attend any of the sessions. Further research would be required to find out how to increase the numbers who attended the sessions. People who received CBT were also unlikely to have been using this intervention in isolation to manage their back pain, as advice was given to them about modifying their activities and pain medications. It should also be noted that this manag...

Fear of recurrence: a case report of a woman breast cancer survivor with GAD treated successfully by CBT

Clinical Psychology — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe precisely how the therapy was conducted.Results showed a substantial improvement of the fear of recurrence which 'naturally' extended to other stressful situations not worked during the therapy.Actually, these results are encouraging since it showed that CBT can be efficient in complicated situation involving survivor of a serious disease like cancer who additionally suffers from an anxiety disorder. It also underlines how it is important to be concerned by the distress of cancer survivors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message: (Source: Clinical Psychology)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Group cognitive behavioural treatment for low-back pain in primary care

NeLM - News — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Lancet Area: News The Lancet features a study examining group cognitive behavioural therapy for low-back pain and its cost-effectiveness in primary care practices. The RCT with parallel cost-effectiveness analysis involved 701 adults with troublesome sub-acute or chronic low-back pain recruited from 56 general practices in England. They received an active management advisory consultation and were randomised to receive an additional assessment and up to six sessions of a group cognitive behavioural intervention (n=468) or no further intervention (control; n=233). The primary outcomes were the change from baseline in Roland Morris disability questionnaire and modified Von Korff disability scores at 12 months. In the primary analysis at 12 months, 399 (85%) part...

Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Children and Adolescents: Tools for Enhancing Practice.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: McLeod BD PMID: 20191403 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)

Imagery and the Threatened Self: Perspectives on Mental Imagery and the Self in Cognitive Therapy.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sibrava NJ PMID: 20191402 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with chronic pain

Sleep Medicine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:52:59 +0100

Conclusions: CBT-I was successfully applied to patients experiencing chronic pain. Significant improvements were found in sleep as well as in the extent to which pain interfered with daily functioning. The observed effect sizes for the sleep outcomes appear comparable to or better than meta-analytic norms for subjects with Primary Insomnia. (Source: Sleep Medicine)

Risks From Antipsychotic Medications in Children and Adolescents [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:50:39 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Risks From Antipsychotic Medications in Children and Adolescents [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:50:39 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Risks From Antipsychotic Medications in Children and Adolescents--Reply [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:50:39 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Risks From Antipsychotic Medications in Children and Adolescents--Reply [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:50:39 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

A randomized pilot study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and group cognitive-behavioral therapy for young adults with social phobia

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Piet, J., Hougaard, E., Hecksher, M. S., & Rosenberg, N. K. (2010). A randomized pilot study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and group cognitive-behavioral therapy for young adults with social phobia. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. Twenty-six young participants, 18[ndash]25 years, with social phobia (SP) were randomly assigned to eight 2-hour sessions of group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and twelve 2-hour sessions of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a crossover design with participants receiving treatments in reversed order. Outcome was assessed after treatments, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. MBCT achieved moderate-high pre-post effect sizes (d = 0.78 on a composite SP measure), not significantly different from, although numerical lower than those...

Mindfulness, cognitive therapy and psychosis (2010-03-08)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:00:29 +0100

Abstract will follow shortly (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

There's no quick fix for depression

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

This article was commissioned after being suggested by a commenter in a You tell us threadMental healthHealthNHSPsychologyDepression in adultsDepression in childrenHealth policyLuiza Saumaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Embodied effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Journal of Psychosomatic Research — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:12:13 +0100

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was developed as an intervention for relapse prevention in depression, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated in three randomized controlled trials . One fundamental characteristic of MBCT is that patients practice mindfulness exercises that intensively train bodily awareness. But what could be the benefits of developing a heightened awareness of the body? MBCT proposes that the self-perpetuating patterns of ruminative, negative modes of mind that often lead to relapse are not solely cognitive in nature. Instead, they are characterized by complex configurations of negative mood, thoughts, and body sensations [, p. 67]. This notion is supported by recent research emphasizing the close and reciprocal relationships between bodily and emotional p...

[Cognitive behavioural therapy for schizophrenia.]

Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:04:02 +0100

CONCLUSION: Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for schizophrenia. It is advisable that this type of therapy be made available to patients, in accordance with their specific needs. PMID: 20146181 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie)

[Cognitive-behavioural therapy for primary insomnia: effectiveness in a clinical setting.]

Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:04:02 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: cbt-i has a significant impact on sleep quality, medication use and daytime functioning in primary insomniacs in a clinical tertiary care setting. PMID: 20146179 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie)

Behavioural therapy may improve sleep in back pain patients

Arthritis Research Campaign — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Patients with chronic neck or back pain who suffer from insomnia may benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy, scientists have found. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Ease Pain Response in Fibromyalgia

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:17:03 +0100

Fibromyalgia patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy in a pilot study had a higher threshold for the nociceptive-flexion reflex, an objective measure of the transmission of potentially painful stimuli to the central nervous system. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Effects of mindfulness on meta-awareness and specificity of describing prodromal symptoms in suicidal depression.

Emotion — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:18:56 +0100

The authors examined the effects of mindfulness training on 2 aspects of mode of processing in depressed participants: degree of meta-awareness and specificity of memory. Each of these has been suggested as a maladaptive aspect of a mode of processing linked to persistence and recurrence of symptoms. Twenty-seven depressed participants, all of whom had experienced suicidal crises, described warning signs for their last crisis. These descriptions were blind-rated independently for meta-awareness and specificity. Participants were then randomly allocated to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone, and retested after 3 months. Results showed that, although comparable at baseline, patients randomized to MBCT displayed significant posttreatm...

Usefulness of a trauma-focused treatment approach for travel phobia

Clinical Psychology — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Despite its prevalence and potential impact on functioning, there are surprisingly little data regarding the treatment responsiveness of travel phobia. The purpose of this non-randomized study was to evaluate the usefulness of a trauma-focused treatment approach for travel phobia, or milder travel anxiety arising as a result of a road traffic accident. Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing were used to treat a sample of 184 patients, who were referred to a psychological rehabilitation provider. Patients in both treatment groups were encouraged to encounter their feared objects and situations between sessions. Specific (i.e., travel) phobia was diagnosed in 57% of cases. Patients in both treatment conditions showed equally l...

This isn't the life I dreamed of ...

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:30:27 +0100

Carole Jahme shines the cold light of evolutionary psychology on reader's problems. This week: depressionFeeling downtroddenFrom Linda, age 48Dear Carole, The last decade has been a pretty awful one with bad things happening one after the other. My husband had a heart attack and treble heart bypass. This was followed by his being made redundant not once but twice in a relatively short space of time, with all the consequent money worries and stress that brought. My one and only professional job ended in disaster due to bullying. After this, I vowed I would never work for anybody again because I was sick of the nastiness of some women in the workplace as well the failure of organisations to do anything about it. I have since set up a little business from home as a freelancer providing editor...

Moderators of continuation phase cognitive therapy's effects on relapse, recurrence, remission, and recovery from depression.

Behaviour Research and Therapy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vittengl JR, Clark LA, Jarrett RB About half of patients who respond to acute-phase cognitive therapy (CT) for major depressive disorder (MDD) will relapse/recur within 2 years; continuation-phase CT lowers this risk. We analyzed demographic, clinical, cognitive, social-interpersonal, and personality variables to clarify which patients continuation-phase CT helps to avoid relapse and recurrence and achieve remission and recovery. Participants had recurrent MDD, responded to acute-phase CT, were randomized to 8 months of continuation-phase CT (n = 41) or assessment control (n = 43), and were assessed 16 additional months (Jarrett et al., 2001). Consistent with an underlying risk-reduction model, continuation-phase CT was helpful for responders to acute-phase CT with greater ris...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Use of mirtazapine in an adult with refractory anorexia nervosa and comorbid depression: A case report

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this report was to describe an efficacious treatment of an adult with long-standing anorexia nervosa (AN). A 50-year-old woman with an over 7-year history of AN and comorbid major depression had been treated unsuccessfully with numerous psychotropic medications, manualized cognitive behavior therapy, and an intensive outpatient treatment program before referral. After treatment with mirtazapine, she gained weight and her depression improved. A 9-month follow-up revealed a maintenance of these benefits. Mirtazapine may be useful for older, chronically ill patients presenting with AN and comorbid depression. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Back to Life, Back to Normality: Cognitive Therapy, Recovery, and Psychosis [Book Forum]

Am J Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:01:28 +0100

(Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Clinical efficacy of individual cognitive behavior therapy for psychophysiological insomnia in 20 outpatients

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: CBT for insomnia is able to redress incorrect cognition about sleep, leading to improvement of the disorder. (Source: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences)

Longer term effect of randomized, controlled group cognitive behavioural therapy for Internet addiction in adolescent students in Shanghai.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Multimodal school-based group CBT is effective for adolescents with Internet addiction, particularly in improving emotional state and regulation ability, behavioural and self-management style. PMID: 20113301 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry)

[The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy in affective and anxiety disorders using functional neuroimaging.]

Revista de Neurologia — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS. At the present there is a very limited number of studies due to the complexity in implementing this type of researches. However, data suggest changes in metabolic activity after cognitive-behavioural therapy at the same time as the decrease of symptoms. Future studies should control the influence of variables such as comorbility and medication, which prevent more definitive conclusions. PMID: 20146190 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

It's the thought that counts: Craving metacognitions and their role in abstinence from methamphetamine use

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Craving is frequently reported as a trigger for relapse by those trying to remain abstinent from psychoactive substances. Metacognitive beliefs about managing craving may play an important role in determining further cognition and behavior. They are, therefore, important to measure in treatment and may serve as target cognitions to be modified in support of behavioral change. As part of the assessment battery of a randomized controlled trial among 214 methamphetamine users, we included the Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ), a measure designed to assess an individual's perception of the potential negative impact of craving, at baseline. Changes in abstinence rates were significantly related to CBQ score, suggesting that craving beliefs are associated with changes in methamphetam...

Health advice: germ-phobia

Telegraph Health — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:04:00 +0100

Britain's leading health and wellbeing specialists answer your questions. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals whose lives have been affected by cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:18:03 +0100

Conclusions: These improvements represent clinically meaningful change and provide evidence for the provision of MBCT within oncology settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

Clinical Expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Definition and Pathways to Acquisition

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:48:13 +0100

Abstract Evidence-Based Practice is premised on current research evidence, patient factors, and clinical expertise. The definition of clinical expertise has been the most contentious, primarily owing to the ambiguity of the construct. However, attempts have been made by the American Psychological Association to outline standards of clinical competence required for psychologists, irrespective of theoretical orientation, and the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies program in the UK has recently outlined a framework for therapist competences in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in particular. This paper aims to review these recent conceptual developments in defining competence and addresses current training programs and certification standards that aim to ensure tha...

Brief Cognitive Therapy After a Major Depressive Episode Can Have Enduring Benefits

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:11:32 +0100

For patients who have recovered from an episode of major depression but are at high risk for recurrence, attending a brief course of group cognitive therapy sessions soon after remission can prevent recurrence for 5 years or more, new research shows. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

An Exploratory Study Involving Mindfulness Meditation in the Treatment of King-Kopetzky Syndrome

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology 31(2): 72-79 Abstract King-Kopetzky syndrome (KKS) is a common condition in which individuals with normal audiograms complain of hearing difficulties, particularly in the presence of background noise. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy in KKS sufferers. Patients were selected from a dedicated KKS clinic in the Welsh Hearing Institute. A total of 32 consecutive patients with KKS, of which 20 responded to the six-month follow-up questionnaires, were recruited and analysed using content analysis based on the open-ended benefit/shortcomings questionnaire, as well as two questions on the impact of therapy on hearing difficulties at the six-month follow-up. The qualitative analysis showe...

Exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to improve fatigue, daily activity performance and quality of life in Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome: the protocol of the FACTS-2-PPS trial

BMC Neurology — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionA major strength of the FACTS-2-PPS study is the use of a mixed methods design in which a responsive and economic evaluation runs parallel to the trial. The results of this study will generate new evidence for the rehabilitation treatment of persons with PPS.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register NTR1371. (Source: BMC Neurology)

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Sexually Addictive Behavior

Clinical Case Studies — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:25:20 +0100

This case details the use of cognitive behavior therapy in treating a 41-year-old gay man’s sexually addictive behavior. At assessment, he perceived his sexual behavior to be out of his control and it was particularly interfering with his work life. Motivational interviewing was combined with a number of cognitive behavioral techniques, including a behavior change program, distraction, enhancing metacognitive awareness, and cognitive restructuring, over the course of six therapy sessions. Using self-report, the intervention led to a significant reduction in sexual behavior. Frequency of sexual partners and the amount of time spent online during working hours reduced. The case highlights effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing in reducing sexually add...

Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Worry Reduction in an Outpatient With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Clinical Case Studies — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:25:20 +0100

This article describes the treatment of a 27-year-old female with a particularly challenging manifestation of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with prominent worry. A manualized cognitive—behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol, including problem-solving training, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation training techniques, was tailored to the patient’s presenting profile. Several self-report measures administered during the pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up periods, including: the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Why Worry-II (WW-II), the Ahwaz Worry Inventory (AWI), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), indicated significant worry reduction following treatment. Many difficulties were encountered, most notably designing and monitoring homework. Treatm...

A Novel Approach to Treating Anxiety and Enhancing Executive Skills in an Older Adult With Parkinson's Disease

Clinical Case Studies — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:25:20 +0100

This study describes the case of a 74-year-old male with PD who presented with complaints of anxiety and trouble with memory and attention. A combined cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and cognitive enhancement intervention was delivered in ten 90-to-120 minute sessions.The patient showed a reduction in anxiety symptoms that was of sufficient magnitude to meet criteria for "responder" status. His cognitive skills were mostly unchanged, despite the rigorous rehabilitation practice. Implications for treatment and strategies for enhancing therapeutic benefits are discussed. (Source: Clinical Case Studies)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Cognitive mediation of panic reduction during an early intervention for panic

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The results suggest that changes in cognitions may mediate changes in PD symptomatology and that the process of change is circular. (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness: An Illustrated Guide [Book Forum]

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:36:34 +0100

(Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Evaluating the real-world effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapy efficacy research on eating disorders: A case study from a community-based clinical setting

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article provides a narrative account of an NIMH-funded study that attempted to apply efficacy findings from CBT research to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the largest community-based eating disorder program in the United States.We describe the study as originally envisioned as well as the various challenges that the researchers and the IOP staff encountered in implementing this study.The different training, assumptions, and "ways of knowing" of the research team and the treatment staff in regard to the nature of eating disorders and their treatment created multiple challenges for both groups during the study period. We describe valuable lessons learned about how to - and how not to - implement effectiveness designs in clinical settings that are relatively unfamiliar with emp...

Cardiac Autonomic Control and Treatment of Hostility: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Psychosomatic Medicine — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:45:32 +0100

Conclusions: Reduction of hostility and anger was not accompanied by increases in cardiac autonomic modulation. These findings raise questions about the status of disordered autonomic nervous system regulation of the heart as a pathophysiological mechanism underlying the hostility-heart disease relationship and about whether hostility itself is a mechanism or merely a marker of elevated risk of heart disease. (Source: Psychosomatic Medicine)

DTB: Cognitive behavioural therapy for schizophrenia

NeLM - Mental Health — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) features a review of Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia. The authors found that as an adjunct to routine care, evidence suggests CBT is more effective than routine care alone, both for positive and negative symptoms; and it also appears to be a potentially cost-effective intervention. However, some patients may be too agitated, paranoid or thought disordered to such receive therapy. The authors note that though CBT is available on the NHS, there are limited numbers of trained practitioners at present, which could limit implementation of recommendations from NICE that all patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia should be offered CBT. (Source: NeLM - ...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Meditation "could slash cost of treating depression"

Management in Practice — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:29:08 +0100

Mental Health Foundation advocates mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to treat recurring bouts of depression (Source: Management in Practice)

Call for meditation on the NHS for depression

OnMedica Latest News — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Only one in five GPs can access mindfulness based cognitive therapy Related items from OnMedicaScheme to help depressed patients is rolled out nationwideMental health remains 'Cinderella specialty'More people now use mental health services Fertility experts push for an end to postcode lotteryTop author slams NICE over Alzheimer drug (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study (CAMS): rationale, design, and methods

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: CAMS offers a model for clinical trials methods applicable to psychosocial and psychopharmacological comparative treatment trials. CAMS also provided a large-scale examination of the relative and combined efficacy and safety of the best evidenced-based psychosocial (CBT) and pharmacologic (SSRI) treatments to date for the most commonly occurring pediatric anxiety disorders. CAMS utilized state-of-the-art methods and rigorous cross-site quality controls. Primary and secondary results of CAMS will hold important implications for informing practice-relevant decisions regarding the initial treatment of youth with anxiety disorders.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00052078. (Source: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health)

Psychological Treatments of Binge Eating Disorder [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:51:26 +0100

Conclusions Interpersonal psychotherapy and CBTgsh are significantly more effective than BWL in eliminating binge eating after 2 years. Guided self-help based on cognitive behavior therapy is a first-line treatment option for most patients with BED, with IPT (or full cognitive behavior therapy) used for patients with low self-esteem and high eating disorder psychopathology. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00060762 (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Effectiveness of group-based cognitive-behavioural therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:19:31 +0100

Aims and method To establish whether cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) with response and exposure prevention (ERP) is effective in individuals with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Twenty-four patients with OCD, divided into four groups, participated in ten sessions of group CBT. All patients completed the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Maudsley Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) pre- and post-treatment. Results The mean (s.d.) YBOC score post-treatment was 17.1 (5.8). This was significantly lower than the mean (s.d.) YBOC pre-treatment (24.7 (6.1); t = 8.4, d.f. = 23, P<0.005). A significant reduction was also observed in relation to all othe...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy with children, young people and families: from individual to systemic therapy [Articles]

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:11:08 +0100

In recent decades there has been much interest in using cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) with children, young people and families. CBT is a collaborative approach, based on shared building of a hypothesis (the formulation) about causative and maintaining factors. When working with children, young people, their families and wider systems (e.g. a support network), therapy should incorporate interpersonal, family and systemic factors, together with developmental and attachment issues and phenomena more commonly expressed through other psychotherapeutic modalities. There is growing clinical experience that systemic cognitive–behavioural formulation can lead to systemic-process working on an individual, parent–child, family or wider-system basis. Formal evaluation of this a...

Comparing Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Problem Solving Therapy, and Treatment as Usual in a High Risk Population. - Stewart CD, Quinn A, Plever S, Emmerson B.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:15:30 +0100

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy (PST), or treatment as usual (TAU) were compared in the management of suicide attempters. Participants completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, Social Problem-Solving... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

CHoice of Outcome In Cbt for psychosEs (CHOICE): The Development of a New Service User-Led Outcome Measure of CBT for Psychosis

Schizophrenia Bulletin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:43:41 +0100

This study presents the development and psychometric properties of a new outcome measure (CHoice of Outcome In Cbt for psychosEs [CHOICE]), which reflects more strongly the aims of CBTp and the priorities of service users. Service users who had received CBTp participated in focus groups to discuss their outcome priorities, using a topic guide generated by a panel of experts in CBTp. A qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken to reach consensus on themes and generate items. Response scales were constructed for 3 dimensions: severity, satisfaction, and importance. The resulting questionnaire was piloted with service users who had not received CBTp, stratified by service type, ethnicity, and first language to ensure that it was user friendly and applicable prior to CBTp. The psychometric ...

What Are the Components of CBT for Psychosis? A Delphi Study

Schizophrenia Bulletin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:43:41 +0100

This study uses the Delphi method to try to establish what a group of experts in CBT for psychosis view as important. Experts were invited to participate in 3 rounds of producing and rating statements that addressed areas such as principles, assessment, models, formulation, change strategies, homework, and therapists’ assumptions in order to consolidate consensus of opinion. Seventy-seven items were endorsed as important or essential for CBT for psychosis by >80% of the panel. These recommendations should ensure greater fidelity in clinical practice, allow greater evaluation of adherence within clinical trials, facilitate the development of competency frameworks, and be of value in relation to training and dissemination of CBT for psychosis. (Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin)

An investigation into the experience of self-conscious emotions in individuals with bipolar disorder, unipolar depression and non-psychiatric controls

Clinical Psychology — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: There was evidence for the presence of shame within bipolar disorder, but this differed to the evidence for shame in individuals with unipolar depression. Clinical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message:[bull] Evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioural therapy is not effective in individuals with bipolar disorder with more than 12 illness episodes.[bull] Shame has been elucidated as a factor is some chronic mental health problems, including depression.[bull] Compassionate mind training has recently been developed to address experience of shame and is designed as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioural approaches.[bull] This paper finds evidence for the presence of shame within bipolar disorder, but with a different manifesta...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Cognitive mediation of clinical improvement after intensive exposure therapy of agoraphobia and social phobia

Depression and Anxiety — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results extend previous findings by demonstrating mediation in an unselected clinical sample and by providing evidence for the specificity of mediation effects. They further support the importance of cognitive changes in cognitive-behavior therapy. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Advances in Cognitive Therapy for Schizophrenia: Empowerment and Recovery in the Absence of Insight

Clinical Case Studies — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:32:55 +0100

This article describes a goal-oriented CT approach that was innovated to circumvent limited insight in a young woman with severe paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations. The treatment facilitated recovery by targeting avoidance, inactivity, and social withdrawal, and by promoting detachment from psychotic experiences without directly challenging delusional beliefs. The case study demonstrates the involvement of family in CT and the use of behavioral exercises to modify dysfunctional beliefs and behaviors. Results are consistent with recently advanced cognitive conceptualizations of schizophrenia and suggest that when appropriately tailored and focused on functional goals, CT can promote recovery in the absence of insight. (Source: Clinical Case Studies)

Predictors of disability and pain six months after the end of treatment for fibromyalgia.

Pain Physician — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:18:06 +0100

DISCUSSION: Self-efficacy and adherence are 2 modifiable factors that influence disability and pain intensity in FM. These psychosocial factors need to be addressed in FM treatment programs to assist patients in maintaining posttreatment improvements. PMID: 20026949 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Pain Physician)

Mechanisms of change in negative thinking and urinary monoamines in depressed patients during acute treatment with group cognitive behavior therapy and antidepressant medication

Psychiatry Research — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:25:59 +0100

Abstract: This naturalistic study investigated the mechanisms of change in measures of negative thinking and in 24-h urinary metabolites of noradrenaline (norepinephrine), dopamine and serotonin in a sample of 43 depressed hospital patients attending an eight-session group cognitive behavior therapy program. Most participants (91%) were taking antidepressant medication throughout the therapy period according to their treating Psychiatrists' prescriptions. The sample was divided into outcome categories (19 Responders and 24 Non-responders) on the basis of a clinically reliable change index [Jacobson, N.S., & Truax, P., 1991. Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 12–19.] appl...

Doctor, doctor: Needle phobia and handwriting problems

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:10:27 +0100

How can I overcome my lifelong fear of needles? And is my declining handwriting a warning sign? Dr Tom Smith answers your medical questionsSince my teens, I have had severe needle phobia that has widened to feeling faint at gory scenes at the cinema or when conversations take a bloody turn. I've tried hypnotherapy, but it didn't help. Is cognitive behavioural therapy a potential solution?It may be, though that said, I have often found a rational and calm conversation with patients such as yourself can help a lot. Behavioural therapy takes time, and needs to be with someone very familiar with the technique; sometimes, a session with a GP and nurse can go a long way to easing fears such as yours. There are other ways we can help, too, such as applying a local anaesthetic ...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Review of A CBT-practitioner’s guide to ACT: How to bridge the gap between cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance & commitment therapy.

Canadian Psychology — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:12:14 +0100

Reviews the book, A CBT-practitioner’s guide to ACT: How to bridge the gap between cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance & commitment therapy by Joseph V. Ciarrochi and Ann Bailey (2008). The “third wave” of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with its emphasis on mindfulness and acceptance as core skills to facilitate psychological health, has spurred the development of a number of unique and often provocative therapeutic approaches. Amongst these, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one that has generated especially fervent support amongst its adherents. The rise of ACT has been ushered in part by a plethora of treatment manuals and self-help materials; however, few of these are explicitly targeted toward professionals well-versed and comfortable with CBT who are not ...

Review of La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale : Théorie et pratique.

Canadian Psychology — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:12:14 +0100

Reviews the book, La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale: Théorie et pratique (Cognitive-behavior therapy: Theory and practice), edited by Gaëtan Morin (2008). This book is an introduction to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), covering both its theoretical and practical aspects. It brings a significant contribution to the literature on the topic in the French language. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: Canadian Psychology)

Pain assessment and management in older adults: Conceptual issues and clinical challenges.

Canadian Psychology — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:12:13 +0100

This article reviews clinical pain assessment and psychological pain management in older persons through the lens of a Communications Model of Pain (Craig, in press; Hadjistavropoulos & Craig, 2002; Hadjistavropoulos, Craig, & Fuchs-Lacelle, 2004; Prkachin & Craig, 1995). The Communications Model of Pain has the advantage of drawing attention to a variety of important factors that come into play when selecting assessment instruments and when making decisions concerning intervention. The authors examine a variety of assessment methodologies (including both self-report and observational approaches) that are suitable for older persons with and without dementia. The authors also review psychosocial pain management methods (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy and applications of behavioral approac...

Early improvement is a predictor of treatment outcome in patients with mild major, minor or subsyndromal depression

Journal of Affective Disorders — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:42:25 +0100

Conclusion: The identification of early improvement might be useful in clinical decision making in the early course of treatment of patients with mild major, minor and subthreshold depression. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)

A radical treatment for OCD

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:06:10 +0100

This article was amended on Tuesday 15 December 2009 to clarify the size of the area of the brain affected by the Gamma Knife surgery.Obsessive-compulsive disorderHealth & wellbeingNeuroscienceMedical researchLucy Atkinsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Review of systematic reviews about the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality in insomnia

International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Background Insomnia is a very common condition in various populations. Non-pharmacological interventions might offer (safe) alternatives for hypnotics.Aim To evaluate the evidence for efficacy from systematic reviews about non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality in insomnia by a systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Search strategy Search strategies were conducted in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (2002[ndash]July 2008), The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2000[ndash]July 2008) and PubMed (1950[ndash]July 2008). Sleep quality was the outcome measure of interest.Selection criteria Systematic reviews about the efficacy of one or more non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia, concerning both adult and elderly populations, ...

Do all psychological treatments really work the same in posttraumatic stress disorder?

Clinical Psychology Review — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ehlers A, Bisson J, Clark DM, Creamer M, Pilling S, Richards D, Schnurr PP, Turner S, Yule W A recent meta-analysis by Benish, Imel, and Wampold (2008, Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 746-758) concluded that all bona fide treatments are equally effective in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In contrast, seven other meta-analyses or systematic reviews concluded that there is good evidence that trauma-focused psychological treatments (trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) are effective in PTSD; but that treatments that do not focus on the patients' trauma memories or their meanings are either less effective or not yet sufficiently studied. International treatment guidelines therefore recommend trauma-focused psychologica...

Extreme fear: could you handle it?

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:27:26 +0100

When disaster strikes, whether you live or die depends on how you react to the crisis…If you suddenly found yourself in a life-or-death crisis and had to make a decision that would either save your life or end it, are you confident you'd make the right one? People in the state of Victoria, Australia, faced just such a decision in February and March this year. For five weeks, catastrophic brush fires swept across the state. Government policy held that when fire threatened a neighbourhood, homeowners were to make a choice: stay and fight to save their houses, or evacuate early. They were explicitly instructed not to wait until the flames were close. Trying to run from an advancing wildfire is the surest way to die in it.The choice made sense in strictly rational terms. But in the wake of t...

Digest

Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Treatment options for panic disorderSome patients with panic disorder do not respond to first-line treatment with an SSRI and, say US investigators, there is a lack of evidence on which to base subsequent treatment choices (J Clin Psychiatry 2009; October 6 doi:10.4088/JCP.08m04485blu).Their three-phase trial involved initial open-label treatment with sertraline (up to 100mg daily) or escitalopram (up to 15mg daily) for six weeks. Of 39 patients, 20 per cent achieved remission; the others were then randomised to continue with their initial treatment plus placebo or to receive an increased dose of SSRI (up to 200mg daily sertraline or up to 30mg daily escitalopram). After a further six weeks, symptom scores improved in both groups but there was no significant increase in remission rate with...

The Beliefs about Emotions Scale: Validity, reliability and sensitivity to change

Journal of Psychosomatic Research — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The new Beliefs about Emotions Scale showed good internal reliability, validity and sensitivity to change. (Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Changes in self-schema structure in cognitive therapy for major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:59:32 +0100

Negative cognitive structure (particularly for interpersonal content) has been shown in some research to persist past a current episode of depression and potentially to be a stable marker of vulnerability for depression (D. J. A. Dozois, 2007; D. J. A. Dozois & K. S. Dobson, 2001a). Given that cognitive therapy (CT) is highly effective for treating the acute phase of a depressive episode and that this treatment also reduces the risk of relapse and recurrence, it is possible that CT may alter these stable cognitive structures. In the current study, patients were randomly assigned to CT+ pharmacotherapy (n = 21) or to pharmacotherapy alone (n = 21). Both groups evidenced significant and similar reductions in level of depression (as measured with the Beck Depression Inventory–II and the Ham...

CBT effective for depressive illness in older people in primary care

NeLM - Mental Health — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Arch Gen Psychiatry Area: News Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in older people with depressive illness, and is more effective than treatment as usual or similar time devoted to social contact. Older people are prone to depressive illness, however treatment with antidepressive drugs may be undesirable due to co-morbidity and other drug treatment. The authors note that in this age group psychological therapies are rarely used and there is little relevant research on such treatments. They therefore carried out this trial to clarify whether CBT modified for use in older people was effective. Participants were aged 65 and over, and had a diagnosis of depression or mixed anxiety and depression; major exclusion criteria were suicidality requiring inpatient adm...

SSRI may affect personality factors positively in depressive illness

NeLM - News — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Arch Gen Psychiatry Area: News Treatment of depressive illness with paroxetine is associated with greater positive changes than placebo in neuroticism and extraversion, personality factors relevant in depressive illness, according to a controlled trial. A high level of neuroticism (a tendency to experience negative emotions and emotional instability) increases the risk for depressive illness, as may lower levels of extraversion. Depressed patients describe themselves as more neurotic and less extraverted than normal, and these patterns reverse with effective treatment. It has been assumed that the change in personality factors is purely due to improvements in depressive state, however some evidence suggests that SSRI treatment may affect them directly. This trial aimed ...

Personality Change During Depression Treatment: A Placebo-Controlled Trial [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:51:35 +0100

Conclusions Paroxetine appears to have a specific pharmacological effect on personality that is distinct from its effect on depression. If replicated, this pattern would disconfirm the state effect hypothesis and instead support the notion that SSRIs' effects on personality go beyond and perhaps contribute to their antidepressant effects. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Clinical Effectiveness of Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depressed Older People in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:51:35 +0100

Conclusion Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for older people with depressive disorder and appears to be associated with its specific effects. Trial Registration isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN18271323 (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Who Needs Enemies When you’ve Got Yourself?

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:19:27 +0100

What is self-sabotage? Well, perhaps calling it by some other names might help give you an idea: "shooting yourself in the foot,""putting your foot in your mouth," or "cutting off your nose to spite your face." These phrases all refer to a desire to achieve a goal, but in the process of pursuing that goal you burn bridges to achieving another, more desirable goal. Everyone does something that is self-sabotaging once in a while. Smoking one last cigarette, over and over again, while you are trying to quit. Hitting that snooze button one too many times and being late for work. Yelling something insulting at your romantic partner during a fight - that always goes well, doesn't it? These are common examples of self-sabotage that may be classified as "oops moments" if they happen once in a whil...

Antidepressant May Lead to Personality Changes

About.com Depression — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Patients taking an antidepressant may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of their depression, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. In the background material provided in the article, the authors write that two personality traits - neuroticism and extraversion - have been related to depression risk. Those with depression tend to be more neurotic and less extraverted. People who are neurotic tend to experience negative emotions and emotional instability, while those who are extraverted tend to be socially outgoing and have a tendency to experience positive emotions. Both are traits which are believed to be linked to the brain's serotonin system. Tony Z. Tang, Ph.D, of Northwestern University, and his colleagues stud...

Public involvement at the design stage of primary health research: A narrative review of case examples

Health Policy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The issues raised here should assist researchers in developing research proposals with members of the public. Substantive and methodological directions for further research on the impact of public involvement in research design are set out. (Source: Health Policy)

A randomized controlled study of paroxetine and cognitive-behavioural therapy for late-life panic disorder

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Patients with late-life panic disorder respond well to both paroxetine and CBT. Although promising, the outcomes warrant replication in larger study groups. (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

Normally neurotic

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:00:00 +0100

Claustrophobia isn't rare. So why was my only way out of an airport to run up the down escalator?"You're not the only one," said the kindly airport worker as she drove me across the tarmac, blood pouring from my knee, humiliating apologies flowing from my mouth. We had flown in to Stansted at around 10pm, following signs to arrivals. Escalators took us down to the platform for a shuttle back to the terminal.So far, so efficient. But the shuttle is underground. I, like the character I play in The Thick of It, am badly claustrophobic. I had used it on the way out because a) I didn't know it was going to go underground, and b) it was empty. But now the carriage was full. I stood back with my husband and family, and suggested we wait for the next one. It, too, was almost full. Suddenly this wa...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

“Stepped Care”: A Health Technology Solution for Delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a First Line Insomnia Treatment

Sleep — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:53:09 +0100

There is a large body of evidence that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT) is an effective treatment for persistent insomnia. However, despite two decades of research it is still not readily available, and there are no immediate signs that this situation is about to change. This paper proposes that a service delivery model, based on “stepped care” principles, would enable this relatively scarce healthcare expertise to be applied in a cost-effective way to achieve optimal development of CBT services and best clinical care. The research evidence on methods of delivering CBT, and the associated clinical leadership roles, is reviewed. On this basis, self-administered CBT is posited as the “entry level” treatment for stepped care, with manualized, small group...

Eating Disorders: Hope Despite Mortal Risk [Editorials]

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:02:01 +0100

(Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pathological Gambling: Cultural Considerations [Clinical Case Conference]

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:02:01 +0100

Pathological gambling is a common disorder with severe consequences for patients and their families. This case study describes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for pathological gambling and its general principles and provides an example of a modification of CBT techniques in the treatment of a 51-year-old immigrant Afro-Caribbean woman. The case depicts the contribution of beliefs, especially those that are part of a cultural system, to the perpetuation of a patient’s disorder; the influence of family members’ attitudes, moved by their cultural beliefs and values, in shaping the patient’s behavior; and the consideration of these issues in guiding specific interventions, such as challenging irrational thoughts or helping patients devise strategies to change their behavio...

The Efficacy of Self-Help Group Treatment and Therapist-Led Group Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder [Articles]

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:02:01 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Therapist-led group cognitive-behavioral treatment for binge eating disorder led to higher binge eating abstinence rates, greater reductions in binge eating frequency, and lower attrition compared to group self-help treatment. Although these findings indicate that therapist delivery of group treatment is associated with better short-term outcome and less attrition than self-help treatment, the lack of group differences at follow-up suggests that self-help group treatment may be a viable alternative to therapist-led interventions. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

A Randomized Trial of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Versus General Psychiatric Management for Borderline Personality Disorder [Articles]

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:02:01 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that individuals with borderline personality disorder benefited equally from dialectical behavior therapy and a well-specified treatment delivered by psychiatrists with expertise in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

The Case Formulation Approach to Cognitive-Behavior Therapy [Book reviews]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:01:36 +0100

(Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

Behavioural therapy in the treatment of obesity (I): New directions for clinical practice.

Nutricion Hospitalaria — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This review gives a renewed perspective of BT for obesity, offers key-pointers and describes specific ways in which medical professionals can promote and encourage self-care of patients. PMID: 20049365 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Nutricion Hospitalaria)

Psychological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients with major depression: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: CBT holds promise as an efficacious treatment for people with comorbid OCD and MDD. The high treatment dropout rate with comorbid patients suggests that additional treatment strategies are required to enhance retention and optimize clinical outcomes. PMID: 20047724 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry)

Randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy for coexisting depression and alcohol problems: short-term outcome. - Baker AL, Kavanagh DJ, Kay-Lambkin FJ, Hunt SA, Lewin TJ, Carr VJ, Connolly J.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:25:01 +0100

Aims Alcohol use disorders and depression co-occur frequently and are associated with poorer outcomes than when either condition occurs alone. The present study (Depression and Alcohol Integrated and Single-focused Interventions; DAISI) aimed to compare th... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Newer variations of cognitive-behavioral therapy: Behavioral activation and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Current Psychiatry Reports — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:36:43 +0100

Abstract Recent innovations in the treatment and prevention of depression that build on the foundation of cognitivebehavioral therapy represent promising directions for clinical practice and research. Specifically, behavioral activation and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy have been a recent focus of attention. Behavioral activation is a brief, structured approach to treating acute depression that seeks to alleviate depression by promoting an individual’s contact with sources of reward through increasing activation, improving problem solving, and decreasing avoidance and other barriers to activation. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a brief group intervention that seeks to prevent depressive relapse by promoting mindful attention, acceptance, and skillful action...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Nationwide CBT service still years off, DoH admits

HealthcareRepublic Independent Nurse News — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:10:00 +0100

It will take 'several more years' until the NHS can offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to patients in all parts of England, health secretary Andy Burnham has admitted. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Independent Nurse News)

Mindfulness and the mindful therapist: possible contributions to hypnosis

Contemporary Hypnosis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Mindfulness, an old Buddhist practice, has gained an importance in psychotherapy such as in Hakomi, cognitive therapy or in 'Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction'.Mindfulness is described as being composed of four essential components: (1) attention, concentration, meta-awareness, (2) the internal observer and disidentification, (3) attention to the present moment and beginner's mind, (4) acceptance, equanimity and nonjudging. Hypnosis and mindfulness relate to each other in a complementary way in many dimensions and create spectrums between: (1) absorption - open awareness, (2) dissociation - disidentification, (3) suggestibility - consensus consciousness - awakening, (4) goal- and change-orientation - exploration - equanimity and acceptance, (5) lack of consciousness - hidden observer - in...

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Care for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa and Related Disorders [INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS]

FOCUS — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:29:53 +0100

Conclusions: Compared with family therapy, CBT guided self-care has the slight advantage of offering a more rapid reduction of bingeing, lower cost, and greater acceptability for adolescents with bulimia or eating disorder not otherwise specified. (Reprinted with permission from American Journal of Psychiatry 2007; 164:591–598) (Source: FOCUS)

Top 10 Relationship Wreckers; Take this Advice

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:58:02 +0100

Relationship troubles? The road in any relationship is fraught with potential pitfalls, some of them related to each partner's past experiences, and others due to problematic ways of coping together with various stresses and strains that we encounter in living life. No one ever said it would be easy. But there are ways to increase your chances of making it work with that special someone in your life. Some of the most common mistakes made in relationships can be avoided or corrected with awareness and proper effort. The following Top 10 list can get you started in taking inventory and guide you to the areas that you may need to focus on in your goal to make your relationship succeed regardless of whether you are in couples counseling http://www.cognitive-therapy-associates.com/therapy/coupl...

Evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial resilience training for heart health, and the added value of promoting physical activity: a cluster randomized trial of the READY program.

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionIf successful, this program will provide an innovative means by which to promote psychosocial well-being for heart health in the general population. The program could also be adapted to promote well-being in other at risk population subgroups.Trial registration ACTRN12608000017325. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Pathways Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: Effects on Parent-Child Relationships and Child Behavior Problems

Family Process — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the effects of Pathways Triple P (PTP), an early intervention program designed to promote positive parent-child relationships. Sixty parents met the inclusion criteria of borderline to clinically significant relationship disturbance and child emotional and behavioral problems. They were randomly allocated into PTP or a wait-list (WL) control group. PTP was delivered in a group format for 9 weeks and consisted of parent skills training and cognitive behavior therapy targeting negative attributions for child behavior. Significant intervention effects were found for improving parent-child relationships and reducing behavior problems with gains maintained at 3-month follow-up. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed. Programa de paternida...

Behavioral Activation Is an Evidence-Based Treatment for Depression

Behavior Modification — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:33 +0100

Recent reviews of evidence-based treatment for depression did not identify behavioral activation as an evidence-based practice. Therefore, this article conducted a systematic review of behavioral activation treatment of depression, which identified three meta-analyses, one recent randomized controlled trial and one recent follow-up of an earlier randomized control trial. Behavioral activation was consistently superior to wait list and treatment as usual control groups. Effect sizes were not different from cognitive behavior therapy or cognitive therapy, both post-treatment and at follow-up. Indeed, behavioral activation may be more effective than cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in terms of lower dropout. Behavioral activation, like cognitive behavior therapy, may be superi...

Get Kinky With It

Psychology Today Sex Center — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:04:51 +0100

The mere mention of the word "fetish" usually makes people squirm and feel really uncomfortable--like they just wet their pants. It's not pleasant, which is why I only feel safe discussing this taboo topic behind a protective 15-inch screen.But you know what? Fetishism isn't hiding anymore.Gary Brooks writes in The Centerfold Syndrome (1995):"The difference between the sexual fetishist and the mainstream American man may not be as extreme as we have wanted to think. American boys, adolescents, and men are being taught, classically conditioned if you will, to become sexually obsessed with constant, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, and to make their sexual arousal more dependent upon use of sexualized images of nonliving objects than on real women with whom they are in relationships."He...

Widespread pain symptoms and psychological distress in southern Chinese with orofacial pain

Journal of Oral Rehabilitation — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Summary The study investigated the experience of widespread pain (WP) symptoms and psychological distress in southern Chinese with orofacial pain (OFP). A community-based, cross-sectional case[ndash]control study involving people aged 35[ndash]70 registered with the Hospital Authority/University of Hong Kong Family Medicine Clinic served as the sampling frame. People with recent OFP symptoms and a group without OFP took part. Standard questions were asked about OFP conditions in the previous month. Psychological status was evaluated through depression, and non-specific physical symptoms (NPS) scores were measured with depression and somatization sub-scales of the Symptom Checklist-90. Widespread pain was determined using body outline drawings to identify painful sites prior to a standard c...

Patients with problematic opioid use can be weaned from codeine without pain escalation

Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Brief treatments for chronic non-malignant pain patients with problematic opioid use are warranted. The aims of the present study were to investigate (1) whether it is possible to withdraw codeine use in such patients with a brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), (2) whether this could be done without pain escalation and reduction in quality of life and (3) to explore the effects of codeine reduction on neurocognitive functioning. Eleven patients using codeine daily corresponding to 40[ndash]100 mg morphine were included. Two specifically trained physicians treated the patients with six CBT sessions, tapering codeine gradually within 8 weeks. Codeine use, pain intensity, quality of life and neuropsychological functioning were assessed at pre-treatment to the 3-month follow-up. Codeine ...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Researchers to Investigate Whether More Sleep Can Help Depressed Teens

About.com Depression — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Depression in teens could be reduced, say researchers, by something simple, yet often lacking: a good night's sleep. Teenagers should be getting about nine hours of sleep per night, according to experts, but few do. In fact, the average teen only gets about seven hours of sleep per night. While in the past it was believed that poor sleep was simply a byproduct of depression, thinking on this matter is changing. Chronic sleep deprivation may actually be a cause of depression, experts say. Allison Harvey, a clinical psychologist at UC Berkeley and her team at the university's Sleep and Psychological Disorders Laboratory have plans to research this problem by recruiting 60 middle and high school students to discover if more sleep may indeed be a valid way to prevent or treat teen depression. ...

Does illness attribution affect treatment assignment in depression?

Clinical Psychology — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Illness attribution influences treatment assignment to CBT and PHT. However, factors other than illness attribution for depression affect a treatment choice of IPT. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message: (Source: Clinical Psychology)

H1N1 (Swine Flu): Healthy Paranoia, Panic or Propaganda?

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:28:43 +0100

Reports about the Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu) are constantly on TV, online in the newspapers...we can't escape the news if not the germs. If you feel overwhelmed and confused about the level of danger, you probably are not alone. It is difficult to distinguish the real deal from the hype: "To vaccinate or not to vaccinate," "Flu deaths on the rise," etc. Even the medical community seems somewhat unsure as to the best strategies for handling the threat of the pandemic. Many people are starting to act paranoid. Just today, I saw a face mask on the floor in the subway. Perhaps it's a healthy paranoia (pun intended) to stay away from the person who sneezed on the bus.Each individual has to make their own decision about how to react to the surrounding ecosystem. Regardless of the fact that the symptom...

Video guide to cognitive behavioural therapy

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:16:00 +0100

Authoritative information from the British Medical Journal on CBT, a psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

DTB discusses the management of patients with seasonal affective disorder

NeLM - Mental Health — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin Area: Evidence > Disease Focused Reviews The November 2009 issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) features an article discussing the management of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - 'recurrent major depressive episodes with seasonal pattern' thought to affect up to 6% of the UK population. The article looks at the symptoms and causes of SAD, its clinical course, diagnosis, and treatments. The authors discuss the available evidence for the following treatments: . Conventional antidepressants (acute treatment and prevention) . Light therapy . Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) . Self-help and complementary treatments . Negative ion generators The article concludes with a look ...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Practical Mindfulness: The New Witness Protection Program

Psychology Today Depression Center — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:05:11 +0100

For about 3 hours now, I've been sitting cross legged on my green comforter, staring at the TV. Someone, a woman, with too much lipstick and over-plucked, penciled-in eyebrows squeaks and hiccups about the ‘greatest' buy shoppers could ever hope for. Something about this season's must-have girdle that sweats away fat. Oh gawd. I am watching... The Shopping Channel. Then I notice that familiar feeling that's been sinking into my chest, dawning into my arms, and trailing into my legs. What I fear and respect most shows its edges: Depression. But I've learned that doesn't mean I will spiral out of control, descend under its black sheet. If I gently albeit nervously invite the demons in for tea and watch them, the power they threaten to hold over me dissolves. Or at least lessens. I have lea...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and Brief Supportive Psychotherapy for Augmentation of Antidepressant Nonresponse in Chronic Depression: The REVAMP Trial

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Conclusions Although 37.5% of the participants experienced partial response or remitted in phase 2, neither form of adjunctive psychotherapy significantly improved outcomes over that of a flexible, individualized pharmacotherapy regimen alone. A longitudinal assessment of later-emerging benefits is ongoing. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00057551 (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and Brief Supportive Psychotherapy for Augmentation of Antidepressant Nonresponse in Chronic Depression: The REVAMP Trial [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Acute Inpatient Mental Health Units: Working with Clients, Staff and the Milieu * Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness: An Illustrated Guide [Book reviews]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:30 +0100

(Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

Behavioral activation is an evidence-based treatment for depression.

Behavior Modification — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sturmey P Recent reviews of evidence-based treatment for depression did not identify behavioral activation as an evidence-based practice. Therefore, this article conducted a systematic review of behavioral activation treatment of depression, which identified three meta-analyses, one recent randomized controlled trial and one recent follow-up of an earlier randomized control trial. Behavioral activation was consistently superior to wait list and treatment as usual control groups. Effect sizes were not different from cognitive behavior therapy or cognitive therapy, both post-treatment and at follow-up. Indeed, behavioral activation may be more effective than cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in terms of lower dropout. Behavioral activation, like cognitive behavior...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Clinical aspects and management of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chong YY, Ng BY Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic and debilitating musculoskeletal pain disorder of unknown aetiology with usual accompanying features of fatigue, sleep disturbances and stiffness. Its place in medical textbooks was controversial with rheumatologists holding the helm of its management for many years. Over the last decade, abnormalities have been identifi ed at multiple levels in the peripheral, central, and sympathetic nervous systems as well as the hypothalomo-pitutary-adrenal axis stress response system. With the elucidation of these pathways of pain, FMS is known more as a central sensitivity syndrome. This led to tremendous increment in interest in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of FMS. The United States Food and Drug Administ...

Efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic pain in singapore.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These preliminary results provide some evidence supporting the effi cacy of CBT techniques in chronic pain management and contribute to the growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of psychological and behavioural techniques in the management of chronic pain. PMID: 19956817 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore)

Psychotherapy for OCD

About.com Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Psychological therapies are effective treatments for reducing the frequency and intensity of symptoms of OCD. Effective psychological treatments for OCD emphasize changes in behavior and/or thoughts. When appropriate, psychotherapy can be done alone or combined with medication. The two main types of psychological therapies for OCD are cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. (Source: About.com Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Early-Course Schizophrenia: Effects of a Two-Year Randomized Controlled Trial [Other Articles]

Psychiatr Serv — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:01:27 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: CET appears to be an effective approach to the remediation of cognitive deficits in early schizophrenia that may help reduce disability in this population. The remediation of such deficits should be an integral component of early intervention programs treating psychiatrically stable schizophrenia outpatients. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

Population-Based Service Planning for Implementation of MBCT: Linking Epidemiologic Data to Practice [Brief Reports]

Psychiatr Serv — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:01:27 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of the population is eligible for MBCT introduction; however, after introduction, the rate of emergence of candidates would yield a smaller patient pool, which may limit implementation in small population centers. Treatment acceptability is a key variable. These analyses highlight the potential value of epidemiologic data and simulation modeling in planning. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

The Uncertainty Paradox

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:24:43 +0100

I know a secret--a deeply profound, life-changing secret--one learned through the school of hard knocks in one of its most grueling courses. It is nothing short of the very key to living with uncertainty, this secret; and because you, dear bloggie (is that what one calls a reader of a blog?), have been so supportive of this outreach project, I will share it with you, free of charge and with no obligation. (You are very welcome.) To prepare yourself for the sage, paradoxical wisdom I am about to impart, I suggest you close your eyes and imagine a dramatic drum roll. Picture, if it helps, the clouds in the sky parting above you. Take a deep breath in. Exhale slowly. Ready? Okay. Here goes: The secret to living with uncertainty is . . . learning to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty. Hmmm...

Cognitive behavioural treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients: study design of the TONES study, feasibility and safety of treatment

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:44:23 +0100

Abstract Currently, there are no convincing treatment strategies for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. On this background, we are conducting the treatment of negative symptoms (TONES) study which addresses the question whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is efficacious for the reduction of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. The present paper aims at presenting the design of the clinical trial of the study as well as the treatment concept. Further, we investigate the feasibility and the safety of our study treatment. The TONES study is a multicentric, prospective, single-blind, randomised, and controlled trial (RCT). The clinical trial compares CBT (test condition) and cognitive remediation (CR; control condition) with respect to the efficacy in reducing negative...

Behavioral Activation Treatments for Depression in Adults: A Meta-analysis and Review

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:11:45 +0100

Behavioral activation (BA) treatments for depression require patients to increase overt behavior to bring them in contact with reinforcing environmental contingencies. This meta-analysis sought to identify all randomized controlled studies of BA, determine the effect of this approach, and examine the differential effectiveness of variants. Thirty-four studies with 2,055 participants reporting symptoms of depression were included. The pooled effect size indicating the difference between BA and control conditions at posttest was 0.78. For participants who satisfied the criteria for major depressive disorder, the overall effect size of 0.74 remained large and significant. No differences in effectiveness between BA and cognitive therapy were found. BA may be considered a well-established and a...

Fibromyalgia: From treatment to rehabilitation

European Journal of Pain Supplements — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:42:24 +0100

Abstract: Fibromyalgia is a clinical syndrome of chronic widespread pain and reduced pain thresholds to palpation. The pathophysiology remains unknown, but there is increasing evidence that peripheral and central sensitization cause an amplification of sensory impulses that may alter pain perception in fibromyalgia patients. Interventions to treat fibromyalgia should aim at different targets simultaneously in order to reduce peripheral and central sensitization. There are both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches with evidence for effectiveness in the treatment of fibromyalgia and its associated symptoms. Evidence from randomized trials and meta-analyses shows that partial and short-term improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms can be achieved with low doses of antidepressants and w...

Disarming Your Buttons: How Not to Get Provoked (Part 3 of 4)

Psychology Today Personality Center — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:26:13 +0100

"Inoculating" Yourself Against External Irritants Part 1 of this post focused on better understanding the origins of your hot buttons, while Part 2 centered on resolving past disturbances that created these buttons in the first place. Now, in the next two parts, it's time to look at ways of preparing yourself in the present to better cope with people and circumstances that still seem to threaten your mental and emotional equilibrium--outward forces that continue to activate your not-yet-disconnected buttons. No less an author than Albert Ellis has written a book entitled How to Keep People from Pushing Your Buttons (1995). Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)--later revised to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)--posited (similar to cognitive behaviorists) that the onl...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Dr. Phil Style Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Psychology Today Personality Center — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:45:06 +0100

Dr. Phil will be the first to admit that you cannot expect to accomplish much in one session (or a show), but rather, he intends his intervention to serve as a catalyst for change. He generally employs the concepts, strategies and techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a limited way; on the show, he helps to define the problem and find a better direction. While he makes it clear he is not one who advocates endless, non-directive therapy, he does often recommend that people who are suffering from a variety of difficulties seek treatment with a skilled CBT therapist.Experienced therapists who have been trained in the fundamentals of CBT can actively engage with you during sessions to help you focus on and resolve the issues which prompted you to seek therapy. CBT is the only for...

Looking at the Components of Treatment for Depression

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This commentary reviews the Jacobson et al. (1996) article that is often cited as the basis for the current interest in behavioral activation (BA). It is argued that the results do not necessarily support the conclusion that BA is the essential component of cognitive therapy. Second, the commentary discusses the potential value of isolating components of complex treatment packages for depression and evaluating them for their match to the lives of individual depressed persons. (Source: Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice)

Treatment A-Z

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:30:46 +0100

"What works?"That's the most common, and most painful question my daughter, Lisa, is getting as we give talks about our book, HUNGRY: A Mother and Daughter Fight Anorexia (Berkley/Penguin, 2009). www.sheilahimmel.comIt is usually asked by a distraught parent, but we've had lots of uncles, aunts and family friends. Rarely does this get asked by the person suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and/or obesity, even if that person is sitting right there. We wish we knew."What should we do now?" When we were desperate for help, during Lisa's darkest days, Ned and I asked ourselves constantly. What we really wanted was for an expert to move in with us and tell us what to do. We had to learn to say, "Okay, that didn't help. Now we have to try something else."The first step, from...

CBT Better Than Light Therapy for Prevention of SAD?

About.com Depression — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:33:52 +0100

In a study comparing light therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), University of Vermont researcher Kelly Rohan found that CBT may be most effective at preventing future episodes of the disorder. Rohan randomized 69 people with SAD, a form of depression which occurs during the fall and winter months, into one of four groups: light therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, a combination of the two or a wait-list control group. She then surveyed the participants the following winter to determine how well the interventions had prevented a recurrence of the disorder. Rohan determined that only 7% of the group treated with CBT had a recurrence, compared to 36.7% of those treated with light therapy. The recurrence in the combination ...

Both focused and enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy improve eating disorder symptom severity

Evidence-Based Mental Health — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:01:21 +0100

(Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

The effectiveness of routinely delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A benchmarking study.

The British Journal of Clinical Psychology — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion These results indicate that CBT for adults with OCD delivered outside the constraints of a clinical trial is equivalently effective but that this conclusion should be tested further on a larger group of patients. PMID: 19849894 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The British Journal of Clinical Psychology)

The impact of neuropsychological functioning on treatment outcome in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Depression and Anxiety — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although alternative explanations exist, these findings suggest that poorer performance on the ROCF and, in turn, poorer response to treatment, particularly among those youths receiving CBT alone, may be due to executive functioning difficulties. Clinicians and researchers should be sensitive to this fact and may warrant modification(s) to existing treatment protocols. Limitations to this study, however, suggest the need for replication and extension of these findings in the future. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-7, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

For SAD Sufferers, Cognitive Behavior Better Than Light Therapy At Preventing Recurrence, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0100

A new research study examined the long-term effects of different treatments for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of severe depression that occurs annually in the fall and winter seasons. Of those treated with cognitive behavior therapy, only 7 percent had a recurrence compared to 36.7 percent of people treated with light therapy. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Book Review: Rebecca Crane Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Hove, East Sussex: Routledge, 2009. 176 pp. $17.95. ISBN 978-0-415-44502-3

The Family Journal — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:01:35 +0100

(Source: The Family Journal)

An Innovative Child CBT Training Model for Community Mental Health Practitioners in Ontario [RESEARCH ARTICLES]

Acad Psychiatry — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:14:50 +0100

CONCLUSION: Child CBT can be successfully taught to community practitioners using this training model, but refinement based on participant feedback and further studies that include direct observation of CBT skills are needed. (Source: Acad Psychiatry)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Rapid tryptophan depletion following cognitive behavioural therapy for panic disorder

Psychopharmacology — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:15:00 +0100

Conclusion We suggest that the partial return of symptoms in response to flumazenil reflects a vulnerability to RTD in this group of panic disorder patients who had responded to treatment with CBT. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original InvestigationDOI 10.1007/s00213-009-1696-zAuthors Caroline Bell, University of Otago Christchurch New ZealandSean Hood, University of Western Australia School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences Perth AustraliaJohn Potokar, University of Bristol Psychopharmacology Unit Bristol UKJon Nash, University of Bristol Psychopharmacology Unit Bristol UKMariona Adrover, Hospital Psiquiatrico (GESMA) Long Stay Unit Palma de Mallorca SpainChris Frampton, University of Otago Christchurch New ZealandDana Hince, University of Western Austral...

Wales mental health in primary care bursaries

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:34:17 +0100

The aim of WaMH in PC bursaries is to encourage innovation and support delivery of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health in Wales, the Welsh Declaration for Mental Health and Gold Standards of Care for Primary Care Mental Health in Wales. Since 2003 the bursary scheme has provided funding to thirteen successful applicants for implementing projects, such as: Stress Control Course Promoting Emotional Health and Well-being in Primary care Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the Treatment of Depression and Bulimia Estimated total funds: £50,000 Applications should be made by post with covering application form and must also be submitted in electronic format. The deadline for applications is 30th October 2009. Successful applicants will be notified by 4th Decemb...

Efficacy of D-Cycloserine for Enhancing Response to Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Panic Disorder

Biological Psychiatry — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This pilot study extends support for the role of d-cycloserine in enhancing therapeutic learning from exposure-based cognitive-behavior therapy and is the first to do so in a protocol emphasizing exposure to feared internal sensations of anxiety in panic disorder. (Source: Biological Psychiatry)

US study shows some incremental benefit for telephone care management with telephone psychotherapy for depression in primary care

NeLM - News — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Arch Gen Psychiatry Area: News According to research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, compared with current primary care practice, a structured telephone programme including care management and cognitive behavioural psychotherapy has clinical benefit with only a modest increase in health services cost. Researchers sought to evaluate the incremental benefit, incremental cost, and net benefit of 2 depression care programmes in 7 primary care clinics in USA. The study involved 600 consecutive primary care patients starting antidepressant treatment, who were randomised to usual care (n=195) the telephone care management intervention which included up to 5 outreach calls for monitoring and support, feedback to treating physicians, and care co-ordination (n=207)...