Genetic risk for Tourette Syndrome and related conditions

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Ed Palmer considers new research on the genetic risk for Tourette Syndrome and it’s relationship to other mental and physical health conditions.

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Are transdiagnostic mental health interventions the future of treatment?

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Isabeau Tindall summarises a recent meta-analysis by Pim Cuijpers and colleagues investigating the effective of transdiagnostic treatments for depression and anxiety.

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Psychological disorders associated with poor oral health

Authors reviewed studies that assessed oral health of people with severe mental illness.

26 studies were included in this review of the association between common psychological disorders and poor oral health. Dental decay and tooth loss were significantly higher in those with common psychological disorders

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Meta-review presents the risks of all-cause and suicide mortality in mental disorders

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This recent and well-conducted meta-review concludes that the impact on mortality and suicide of mental disorders is substantial, and probably poorly appreciated as a public health problem. Raphael Underwood’s blog summarises the data for all-cause and suicide mortality in mental disorders.

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Latest evidence from NICE on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Many of the drug treatments included in this report are not currently approved for use in the UK

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that has recently been given a significant amount of TV airplay and media coverage, perhaps most notably in the Channel 4 documentary Jon Richardson: A little bit OCD, which received mostly good reviews from mental health groups. Despite this reasonable public profile, our knowledge about the best way [read the full story…]

Patients with anxiety disorders are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and actions, says recent review

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Suicidal thoughts and actions are typically discussed in relation to depression, but a number of studies have suggested suicide may also be linked to anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders often co-occur with depression, and this may be masking a risk of suicide specifically related to anxiety. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day so it seemed relevant [read the full story…]

New evidence update from NICE on common mental disorders

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The NICE guideline on common mental disorders (PDF) was published back in May 2011, which means that it only included evidence published up until the end of 2010. This is a fast moving field, so NICE have now put out an evidence update, which focuses on new evidence published from Sept 2010 to Oct 2012. This [read the full story…]

NICE clinical case scenarios aim to help GPs improve diagnosis and management of common mental health disorders

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NICE has developed a series of case studies for GPs to help apply the recommendations from the Common mental health disorders guideline to practice. The case studies which are informed by clinical experience, include contributions from GPs, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to help GPs when considering the range of treatments and approaches that are recommended [read the full story…]

Self-help interventions are effective treatments for social phobia and panic disorder, says new meta-analysis

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The demand for psychological therapies far outstrips the supply and in this ongoing period of austerity we surely need to produce some cost-effective alternatives. One method that patients can attempt pretty much on their own is self-help provided through books, CDs, DVDs and websites. This new systematic review claims to be the first to bring [read the full story…]

Adding CBT to drug therapy helps children with OCD who don’t respond to antidepressants alone

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Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that is usually associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour. It’s one of the most common mental health problems in young people, with an estimated 5% of children and teenagers suffering from the chronic condition. Studies have shown that SSRI antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are both [read the full story…]