AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
FEBRUARY 1998 TIPSHEET, Release number: 98-3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Saunders Katz
Phone: (202) 682-6142
Email: [email protected]
http://www.psych.org
Journal articles abstracted in this tipsheet are available in their entirety by calling APAFastFAX at 1-888-267-5400 and selecting the appropriate document number (numbers listed below).
In the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry:
(Note: All Items Embargoed until February 1, 1998)
EATING DISORDERS: NOT JUST A WESTERN PHENOMENON
In a survey of South African students in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, a significant percentage of those surveyed reported symptoms of eating disorders. According to the Cape Town study, black students scored significantly higher than other ethnic groups. True to form, female students were more likely to report eating disorders than male students surveyed.
[?Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in 1,435 South African, Caucasian, and Non-Caucasian College Students,? Daniel le Grange, Ph.D., et. al., p. 250] APAFastFAX#6941 Please direct media inquiries to Daniel le Grange, Ph.D. at
516/632/8869
VIOLENCE RISES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND POOR COMPLIANCE
People with severe mental illnesses who abuse alcohol or other drugs and don?t take their psychiatric medication may increase the risk for violent behavior, according to a Duke University study in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
["Violence and Severe Mental Illnesses: The Effects of Substance Abuse and Nonadherence to Medication," Marvin S. Swartz, M.D., et. al., p. 226]
APA FastFAX#6943 Please direct all media inquiries to Marvin Swartz, MD office (919) 684-8676 fax (919) 681-7504.
REM SLEEP PLAYS PART IN DETECTING DEPRESSION
In a study of patients with depression and their families, researchers found that depressed patients who fall quickly into REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, had family members at greater risk for becoming depressed when they too fell into REM sleep quickly. According to a study in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, family members in this risk category had either experienced depression in the past, or if currently unaffected, were thought to be at risk for developing depression in the future.
["Controlled Comparison of Electrophysiological Sleep in Families of Probands with Unipolar Depression," David J. Kupfer, M.D., et. al., p.192] APAFastFAX#6944 Please direct all media inquiries to Donna Giles at 716-275-3530.
WOULD-BE DOCTORS EXPERIENCE DECREASE IN DISCRIMINATION
The number of state medical boards that ask exclusively about the applicant?s history of mental disorders and substance abuse is decreasing. Instead, questions are beginning to focus more on current disabling conditions rather than past diagnosis and treatment, according to a survey in the February issue of Psychiatric Services. For example, 75 percent of boards asking about mental illness on initial licensure applications in 1996 also asked about current impairment, compared with 42 percent in 1993. The number of boards asking about physical conditions increased significantly from 49 percent in 1993 to 65 percent in 1996; in almost all cases (95 percent) the questions addressed impairment.
[?Changes in Questions About Psychiatric Illness Asked on Medical Licensure Applications Between 1993 and 1996,? Thomas Hansen, M.D., et. al. p. 202.] Please direct all media inquiries to Thomas Hansen, M.D., at 503-220-8262, x6464; fax, 503-220-3499; [email protected] APAFastFAX #6945
NEWER ANTIPSYCHOTICS ADDRESS INFERTILITY SIDE EFFECT
Newer atypical antipsychotic agents appear not to interrupt ovulation, according to a research review in the February issue of Psychiatric Services. Some studies even suggest the possibility of increased fertility among patients who take the newer medications. Older medications developed in the 1950s had the potential side effect of interrupting ovulation and reducing fertility.
[?Antipsychotic Medications and Fertility,? Glenn Currier, M.D., et. al., p. 175] Please direct media inquiries to Glenn W. Currier, M.D., M.P.H., at
213-226-5551; fax, 213-226-5502. APAFastFAX#6946
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