A new way of looking for mental health risk factors: the PsyRiskMR database

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PsyRiskMR is a new database that helps researchers investigate risk factors for common psychiatric disorders using Mendelian randomization.

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Body dissatisfaction in adolescence: does it cause eating disorders and depression later?

Within-twin analyses supported the causal effects of body dissatisfaction during adolescence on eating disorder and depressive symptoms in young adulthood.

This twin study of nearly 14,000 UK adolescents found that body dissatisfaction at age 16 was linked to eating disorder symptoms at 21 and depression at 26. Comparing twins helped researchers show these were likely causal relationships, not just correlations, though genetics also played a substantial role.

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Stopping antidepressants safely: network meta-analysis compares deprescribing strategies

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This network meta-analysis of 76 trials found that slow tapering (over 4 weeks) combined with psychological support was most effective for preventing relapse when stopping antidepressants. Abrupt discontinuation and fast tapering substantially increased relapse risk and should be avoided.

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Does the flu shot make you feel sick? What this randomised trial tells us about vaccine-induced inflammation

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Although a flu vaccine activated the immune system and raised cytokine levels in this randomised trial, participants didn’t feel substantially different from the placebo group. Vaccine models can help study subtle inflammation effects.

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Racialised experiences of detention under the Mental Health Act: a PhotoVoice study

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The Co-Pact study uses powerful images and narratives from 48 people to reveal how compulsory admission under the Mental Health Act is experienced by racially minoritised communities. Participants described coercive care, institutional racism, and being “voiceless”, but also what could prevent crisis admissions.

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Inside the urge: Interoception, affective touch, and the emerging science of skin-picking disorder

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A growing body of research suggests that disrupted interoception and affective touch might play a role in skin-picking disorder. This blog critically examines the first systematic review to map this emerging field.

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Healing takes time: Can cognitive therapy for PTSD help young people in CAMHS? Insights from DECRYPT

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PTSD in young people is common, complex, and often entangled with depression, anxiety, and multiple traumatic experiences. A major new UK trial (DECRYPT) tested whether a structured form of trauma-focused cognitive therapy (CT-PTSD) can work in real CAMHS settings for those with the most severe difficulties.

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Rapid weight gain after SMI diagnosis, but why so few referrals for support?

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A 15-year analysis of UK primary care records showed steep and sustained weight gain after an SMI diagnosis, especially among younger adults and people prescribed antipsychotic medication. Yet very few received referrals for weight-management support, raising important questions about practice and policy.

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Can preventing childhood maltreatment reduce depression?

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Researchers pulled together evidence from more than half a million people to test a simple but important idea: if childhood maltreatment raises the risk of adult depression, could reducing maltreatment help prevent it? The answer, as always, is more complicated than it first appears.

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Between the farm and the family: Work-family conflict and farmer mental health in Ireland

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Irish farmers report moderately high work–family conflict, driven by long hours, structural pressures, and the demands of raising young children. This large survey maps who is most affected and why it matters for wellbeing, services, and policy.

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