Pragmatic prescribing: why GPs offer beta-blockers for anxiety, despite guideline gaps

GPs’ perceived benefits of beta-blockers for anxiety underscore a need for further research and updated clinical guidance to align practice with evidence.

Beta-blockers like propranolol are being prescribed more often for anxiety in UK primary care, even though they don’t appear in national guidelines. This new qualitative study explores why GPs turn to them, and what that says about evidence, safety, and patient choice.

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When helping hurts: potential harms from CBT and mindfulness in schools

Caucasian,Teen,Girl,Displeased,Sad,Frowning,Offended,Kid,Child,Schoolgirl

With classroom mental health programmes on the rise, this review raises an important question: are we doing more harm than good? The evidence suggests universal interventions may not be right for everyone.

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One therapy, many disorders: the strengths and limitations of CBT across mental health conditions

cbt for all

CBT is a cornerstone of mental health care, but how well does it really work across different disorders? This massive new meta-analysis offers some answers and raises new questions.

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Talking about suicide in psychosis: does a targeted therapy make a difference?

illustration of mysterious man behind glass surface, creepy abstract concept

People with psychosis face unique risks around suicide, but most treatments aren’t designed with them in mind. This new RCT tested a targeted therapy that tackles those specific challenges. So what did it find?

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Does low-intensity CBT help improve anxiety or depression in adults with autism?

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KCL MSc student Yi Ye reflects on a study evaluating the adaptation of low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for autistic adults in NHS Talking Therapies.

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The other side of postnatal depression: what about Dads?

Cheerful,Strong,Indian,Dad,Lifting,Little,Daughter,Kid,On,Shoulders,

Demetra Christodoulou reviews a new randomised controlled trial from Pakistan testing “Learning Through Play Plus Dads”: a group parenting programme designed to support fathers with postnatal depression.

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Cost-effective therapy for postnatal depression in British South Asian Mothers

Close,Up,Of,A,Indian,Happy,Mother,Looking,At,Her

Lorna Staines considers recent studies in psychological interventions, to support affordable healthcare for South Asian women with postnatal depression.

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Culturally adapted CBT may lead to recovery from postnatal depression in British South Asian women

Mother,Bonding,With,Her,Baby,Son,On,The,Grass

Angelica Tong explores the ROSHNI-2 trial of a culturally adapted CBT programme for postnatal depression in British South Asian women.

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Trauma-informed practice in youth justice

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Alice Dawson and Emma Cormack evaluate an umbrella review on trauma-informed clinical practice in forensic youth settings, which finds that trauma-specific treatments show promise, but they need to be supported by trauma-informed organisations.

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Just how good are different psychotherapies for common mental health problems?

A,Female,Psychologist,Advises,A,Client.,Portrait,Of,A,Professional

Lisa Lloyd and Milagros Pallavicini review a recent study on psychotherapies for 8 mental disorders, finding that while most outperform control treatments, response rates remain modest.

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