The Depressed Child plans to update this page once a quarter or as news warrants
Our primary source of news about the mental health
profession, depression and, especially, treatment of childhood
depression, is Psychiatric
News,
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/, a publication of the American
Psychiatric Association.
You can visit their site and sign up for notice of the
publication and table of contents of the latest issue by e-mail, free of charge.
We are no longer providing our own long summaries of news stories on this page. Rather, we are linking to the original story in Psychiatric News or whatever other publication we reference, unless hyperlinking is not possible. Please click on the first line of a headline to be linked to the original story, unless an editor's note suggests something else.
As of the September 4 issue, where
an item is from Psychiatric News, we are including the
author's name and using the heading and summary paragraph from
Psychiatric News.
Where possible, we also have provided links
to the source material identified by
Psychiatric News or other
publication. Frequently, these are abstracts of professional
publications. These
publications often charge for access to full articles.
If you see a news story of significance to parents of depressed children, and don’t see it here, please send it along to webmaster@depressedchild.org and, if we agree, we will post it here.
Look for a long list of older news articles summarized for you by The Depressed Child, sometimes with comments from the webmaster, on the Archives Page. Just because an article predates 2008 does not mean it is not valid or useful. You may find what you are looking for there. There you also can find some older letters from readers about their own stories dealing with depressed children.
The following article links were added most recently:
Jun Yan
Accidental, self-inflicted, and violence-related injuries are the leading worldwide causes of death in male youth, while maternity-related conditions and infectious diseases are the main contributors in females.
An abstract of “Global Patterns of Mortality in Young People: A Systematic Analysis of Population Health Data” is posted at<www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)60741-8/abstract>.▪
--- Psychiatric News, Oct. 16, 2009
Jun Yan
A major depression-treatment study reveals good news regarding prevention of recurrences of major depressive disorder in adolescents who get high-quality depression treatment for six to nine months.
“The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): Outcomes Over 1 Year of Naturalistic Follow-Up” is posted at<ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2009.08111620v1>.“ Clinical Messages From the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS)” is posted at<ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2009.08101606v1>.“ Fluoxetine Versus Placebo in Preventing Relapse of Major Depression in Children and Adolescents” is posted at<ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/165/4/459>.▪
--- Psychiatric News, Oct. 16, 2009
Mark Moran
Prevention of mental illness has come of age, with two reports last year from the Institute of Medicine on the subject. This article, looking at prevention of depression in children, is the first in an occasional series that Psychiatric News will run on various subjects related to prevention.
An abstract of “Adaptation of the Preventive Intervention Program for Depression for Use With Predominantly Low-Income Latino Families” is posted at <www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122394197/abstract>.
An abstract of “Prevention of Depression in At-Risk Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial” is posted at <http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/301/21/2215>.
“Depression in Parents, Parenting and Children: Opportunities to Improve Identification, Treatment, and Prevention” is posted at <www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12565>.
“Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities” is posted at <http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12480&page5>.
Mark Moran
The results raise questions about whether patients who receive mental health care in general medical settings are receiving treatment in accordance with evidence-based guidelines.
“Psychotropic Drug Prescriptions by Medical Specialty” is posted at<http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/60/9/1167>.▪
--- Psychiatric News, Oct. 16, 2009
Rich Daly
Further information on the Carter Center Mental Health Program is posted at <www.cartercenter.org>.
--- Psychiatric News, Dec. 4, 2009
Rich Daly
Less-strict versions of the Illinois insurer's new requirements have begun to appear in other states as companies look to implement a federal parity law that still lacks regulatory guidelines.
--- Psychiatric News, Dec. 4, 2009
Jun Yun
Research reveals risk factors for increased suicidal ideation during antidepressant treatment in subgroups of patients and offers clues as to which biochemical pathways are involved.
“Suicidal Ideation During Treatment of Depression With Escitalopram and Nortriptyline in Genome-Based Therapeutic Drugs for Depression (GENDEP): A Clinical Trial” is posted at <www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1741-7015-7-60.pdf>. “Genetic Predictors of Increase in Suicidal Ideation During Antidepressant Treatment in the GENDEP Project” is posted at <www.nature.com/npp/journal/v34/n12/pdf/npp200981a.pdf>. Additional information about the GENDEP project is posted at <gendep.iop.kcl.ac.uk>.
--- Psychiatric News, Dec. 4, 2009
Aaron Levin
If it often seems that medications are costing more than ever, it is not your imagination, as wholesale prices for brand-name drugs soar, while they decline for generics.
Joan Arehart-Treichel
Though the SSRI antidepressants may be able to counter depression independently of their effect on neuroticism, their ability to reduce neuroticism may still help buffer people against depression relapses
An abstract of “Personality Change During Depression Treatment” is posted at <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/12/1322>.
-- Psychiatric News,
Jan. 15, 2010
Aaron Levin
Various psychiatric disorders can contribute to higher risks of suicidal thoughts and attempts, but scientists do not yet understand enough about the mechanisms to prevent suicide reliably.
"Cross-National Analysis of the Associations Among Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behavior: Findings From the WHO World Mental Health Surveys" is posted at www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000123
--- Psychiatric News, Sept. 18, 2009
Expanding pediatricians' awareness and skill to assess and treat children with common mental health problems will go a long way toward improving access to care, says the chair of APA's Council on Children, Adolescents, and Their Families.
"The Future of Pediatrics: Mental Health Competencies for Pediatric Primary Care" is posted at <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/124/1/410
--- Psychiatric News, Sept. 4, 2009
******
--- Psychiatric News, Sept. 4, 2009
*********
The rate of antidepressant use doubled from 1996 to 2005, while the use of psychotherapy declined. In more recent years, other data on antidepressant use indicate that this trend has flattened or reversed.
An abstract of "Prevention of Depression
in At-Risk Adolescents" is posted at <http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/301/21/2215>.
An abstract of "Prevention of Depression Among Icelandic
Adolescents" can be accessed at <www.sciencedirect.com>
by clicking on "B," then "Behavior and Therapy," then the
July issue.
*************
"Sudden Death and Use of Stimulant Medications in Youths" is posted at <ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2009.09040472v1>. The editorial "Stimulant Treatment of ADHD and Risk of Sudden Death in Children" is posted at <ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2009.09050619v1>. The FDA announcement is posted at <www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166667.htm>.
-- Psychiatric News, July 17, 2009
***********
An abstract of "Persisting Decline in
Depression Treatment After FDA Warnings" is posted at <archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/6/633>.
-- Psychiatric News, July 17, 2009
************
--
Psychiatric News, July 3, 2009
****************
"Depression in Parents, Parenting, and
Children: Opportunities to Improve Identification,
Treatment, and Prevention" is posted at <www.bocyf.org/parental_depression_brief.pdf>
*************
Found Effective in Reducing Psychiatric Symptoms, Suicide
and Improving Academic
Achievement, Study Finds
"Working Together to Help Youth Thrive in Schools and
Communities" is posted at <www.samhsa.gov/children/docs/shortReport.pdf>.
--- Psychiatric News, July 3, 2009
***************
Study: Depression Causes Thoughts of Suicide,
But Anxiety
Cause
An abstract of "Mental Disorders, Comorbidity, and Suicidal Behavior: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication" is posted at <www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/mp200929a.html>.
-- Psychiatric News, July 3, 2009
**********
Study: ADHD Meds Improve Academic Performance
of Grade Schoolers; Patients Still
Behind Students Without ADHD
An abstract of "Positive Association Between
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Use
and Academic Achievement During Elementary School" is
posted at <pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/5/1273>.
-- Psychiatric News, June 19, 2009
************
Victims
of Chronic Bullying More Likely to Develop Psychosis Symptoms,
Including Depression, Before Age 13, British Study Claims
An abstract of "Prospective Study of Peer Victimization in Childhood and Psychotic Symptoms in a Nonclinical Population at Age 12 Years" is posted at <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/66/5/527>.
--- Psychiatric News,
June 19, 2009
**********
One in 20 Boys Who at Age 8 Lived With One Parent,
Engaged in Misconduct, or were Hyperactive or Suffered Anxiety,
Committed Suicide by Age 24;
No
Similar Link for Girls:
Finnish Study Tracking 5,300 Children
An abstract of "Childhood Predictors of Completed and
Severe Suicide Attempts" is posted at <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/4/398>.
--- Psychiatric News, June 5, 2009
**************
Mental Health Drug Prices Rise Steeply.
Wellbutrin Leads the Pack at 21%; SSRI’s Rise 9% --
All
Well Ahead of Low Inflation
AARP's "Rx Watchdog Report" is posted at <http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/2009_07_rxq408.pdf>.
--- Psychiatric News, May 15, 2009
****************
FDA Approves New Drug For Teen
Depression:
Escitalopram.
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Still
Uncertain; FDA Rejects
Approval of Companion Drug
Citalopram For Teens
The FDA-approved label for escitalopram is posted at <www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2009/021323s030s031,021365s021s022lbl.pdf>.
--- Psychiatric News, May 1, 2009
****************
U.S. Psychiatric Care Caught in
“Stranglehold” of Rising Demand and
Limited Resources; Few States Get
Good Grade in NAMI Study
"Grading the States 2009" is posted at <www.nami.org/gtsTemplate09.cfm?Section=Grading_the_States_2009>.
Difficult-to-Treat Depressed
Adolescents Fare Slightly Better With
Counsel and Medication Than On Medication Alone;
Prospects Still Grim For Abused
Children and Those Who Injure Themselves
See also an earlier article (March 6, 2009) at http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/44/5/14
An abstract of "Treatment of Selective Reuptake Inhibitor–Resistant Depression in Adolescents: Predictors and Moderators of Treatment Response" is posted at <journals.lww.com/jaacap/Abstract/2009/03000/Treatment_of_Selective_Serotonin_Reuptake.13.aspx>.
The Full Study is posted at <http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2008.08070976v1>.
--- Psychiatric News, April 3, 2009
*******************
Older Dads More Likely to Father
Bipolar Kids
An abstract of "Advancing Paternal Age
and Bipolar Disorder" is posted at <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/9/1034>.
--- Psychiatric News, Nov. 7, 2009
***************
Spike In Suicides By Children 10-19 Continued in 2005;
May Be a Trend. Causes Sought.
Decline in Rate Ended in 2003.
Some Suggest FDA Suicide Warnings and Subsequent Reduction in
Antidepressant Prescriptions a Cause.
"Suicide Trends Among Youths Aged 10 to
19 Years in the United States, 1996-2005" is posted at <jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/300/9/1025>.
(Ed. Note: Two articles. Click hyperlinks below headline)
Sleep Disorders May Mimic or Cause Symptoms of Mental Health Problems.
See Sleep Disorder Questionnaire at
Link Below
(Two Articles)
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/43/17/20-a
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/psychnews;43/17/20
The sleep questinnaire may be obtained
free online at <www.kidzzzsleep.org/researchinstruments.htm>.
Spanish and Chinese translations are available.
--- Psychiatric News, Sept. 5, 2008
*****************
Large Study Shows When Mom’s Depression is Treated Successfully,
Her Kids Show Fewer Psychiatric Symptoms, Too
The article, "Children of Depressed
Mothers 1 Year After the Initiation of Maternal
Treatment: Findings From the STAR*D Child Study" is
posted at <http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/appi.ajp.2008.07081286v1>.
****************
Depression Symptoms in Children Differ from Adults
But
Often Are Overlooked By Pediatricians and Mental Health
Professionals;
Irritability, Anxiety May Be More Common Symptom Than Sadness
-- Psychiatric News, July 4, 2008
*******************
The next six articles from
Psychiatric News
in the spring of 2008 show that even the mental health profession is
uncertain if antidepressants are effective, or, if so, whether
warnings about suicide risk and resulting reduction in prescriptions
have caused an increase in suicides among adolescents.
They do seem unanimous that counseling and
medication combined are effective.
in Both Countries Warn of Suicide Risk in Antidepressants,
Causing Prescription Decline
An abstract of "Effect of Regulatory Warnings on Antidepressant Prescription Rates, Use of Health Services, and Outcomes Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults" is posted at <www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/178/8/1005>.
BUT
a Study in Britain Says Decline in Use of Antidepressants Has Not
Increased Suicide Among Adolescents
in that Country
An abstract of "Suicide Rates in Young
Men in England and Wales in the 21st Century: Time Trend
Study" is posted at <http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/bmj.39475.603935.25v1>.
"Antidepressants and Suicide" is posted at <http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39482.666366.80v1>.
*************
AND
the Debate Continues Over Whether Antidepressants are Effective at
All
"Initial Severity and Antidepressant Benefits: A Meta-Analysis of Data Submitted to the Food and Drug Administration" is posted at <http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0050045>. Turner and Rosenthal's editorial, "Efficacy of Antidepressants," is posted at <www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/336/7643/516>.
--- Psychiatric News, April 4, 2008
AND Another Study Concludes that Sustained Treatment Regimen
of Counseling and Medications Seen as Effective in
Treating
Depression in Adolescents
An abstract of "Achievement and Maintenance of Sustained
Response During the Treatment for Adolescents With
Depression Study Continuation and Maintenance Therapy" is
posted at <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/4/447
--- Psychiatric News, May 16, 2008
***************
Combined Counseling and Medication
Results in Good Response Among Depressed Teens
An abstract of "Switching to Another SSRI
or to Venlafaxine With or Without Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy for Adolescents With SSRI-Resistant Depression"
is posted at <http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/299/8/901>.
SO
Does this One:
Counseling Effective for Depressed Teens
State Rankings for Suicide,
Depression
"Ranking America's Mental Health: An Analysis of Depression
Across the States" is posted online at <www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/state-ranking>.
How to Treat Preschoolers With Signs of ADHD,
Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders?
Panel of Experts Offers Guidelines
for Step-by-Step Treatment