AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
WWW.PSYCH.ORG
ON-LINE TIPSHEET
JULY 1997 - PART TWO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 1997
Release no. 97-31
Melissa Saunders Katz
(202) 682-6142
[email protected]
Journal articles abstracted in this tipsheet are available in their entirety by calling APAFastFAX at 1-888-267-5400 and selecting the document number.
In the July issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry: (Note: All Items Embargoed until July 1, 1997)
RESEARCH OFFERS INSIGHT INTO DEPRESSION AND ALCOHOL Researchers have found ways to differentiate between alcohol-induced and independent episodes of
depression. As many as 80 percent of alcoholics complain of depressive symptoms, while one third of
alcoholics meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. Because alcohol can cause temporary and at
times severe, depressive symptoms accurate diagnosis is challenging. ["Comparison of Induced and Independent Major Depressive Disorders in 2,945 Alcoholics," Marc A.
Schuckit et al. p. 948] FastFAX #6136
REFUGEES DEVELOP COPING SKILLS TO DEAL WITH ADVERSITY Separating bad times in their lives from good ones and suppressing memories of the past help refugees
faced with extreme adversity reduce the risk of depression. In this study by the Clarke Institute/University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry Refugee Resettlement Project, researchers
studied the experiences of 1,348 Southeast Asian refugees who migrated to Vancouver, Canada. ["Refugees' Time Perspective and Mental Health," Morton Beiser et al. p. 996] FastFAX #6137 --
Please direct all media inquiries to (416) 979-4988.
PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA LOSE ABILITY TO FUNCTION Older patients with schizophrenia suffer significant disability and lose more skills than other older
people without psychiatric illnesses, according to a study of the life-skills of older, stable patients with
schizophrenia living in the community. Basic skills such as time orientation and eating were measured
as were more complex skills like communication, transportation, handling finances, and shopping. No
significant disability was found in the comparison of the basic skills, but significant disability was
present when more complex skills were measured. ["Direct Assessment of Functional Status of Older Patients with Schizophrenia," Joshua C. Klapow et
al. p. 1022] FastFAX #6138 Please direct media inquiries to Dilip Jeste, MD (619) 534-4020.
From the Office of Public Affairs:
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA) SEEKING NOMINEES FOR JOURNALISM AWARDS -- $1,000 HONORARIUM
APA recognizes excellence in media coverage of mental illness and psychiatric treatment by journalists,
editors, newspapers, producers, radio and television programs with two annual awards: Robinson Award
for broadcast journalism and the Morse Award for print journalism. Examples of outstanding work in
print and broadcast journalism may be submitted by the journalists themselves, colleagues, or professional organizations. The entries are judged separately in the categories of print and broadcast.
Winners will receive $1,000 for each award and a plaque from the APA (or $500 each if two winners are
selected for an award). Please submit entries to the APA Department of Public Affairs, 1400 K Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20005. Please contact Erin Murphy with questions (202) 684-6324. Deadline for
receipt of entries: July 31, 1997
[FastFAX #6201. The faxed entry form provides eligibility requirements and lists of past winners.]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
. . . . . . . .July 31, 1997 -- Deadline for APA 1998 Media Award entries.
Contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, (202) 682-6324, e-mail: [email protected]
. . . . . . . .October 5-11, 1997 -- Mental Illness Awareness Week 1997. Contact Walter Hill, APA's Manager of Network Communications at (202) 682-6122, e-mail: [email protected]
. . . . . . . .October 9, 1997 -- National Depression Screening Day, a Mental Illness Awareness Week event. Contact Barbara Kopans at the National Depression Screening Day Project (617) 239-0071.
. . . . . . . .October 24-28, 1997 Washington, DC -- American Psychiatric Association Institute on Psychiatric Services.
For more information on these topics or other areas of interest, or for interview with sources cited herein
(if direct contact information is not already provided above), contact Erin Murphy, APA Media Assistant, (202) 682-6324, e-mail: [email protected].
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society, founded in 1844, whose
42,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses
and substance use disorders. APA objectives include the advancement and improvement of care for
persons with mental illnesses through nationwide public information, education, and awareness programs
and materials.
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