News: FDA says Pfizer study overdosed kids

Consider This: A trial, and an ad, featuring Seroquel
. . .evidence vs. spin
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News: The bar for normal -- DSM update
Advancing the conversation about revising the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, DSM-V, On the Media's Brooke Gladstone. . .
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Did You Know: Researchers discovered a gene associated with depression and bi-polar disorders.
Read Genes and Circuitry, Not Just Clinical Observation, to Guide Classification for Research about the overlap of depression and bipolar disorder on Chromosome 3, one of the many genes researchers believe will one day influence classification, diagnosis and treatment....
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Did You Know: Lithium's effect was discovered accidentally by an Australian doctor experimenting with guinea pigs.
Read more about the process by whiche Dr. John Cade learned that lithium had a calming effect in the laboratory. To test the properties of lithium, Cade used took it himself before giving it to 10 patients on an experimental basis....
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News: Bipolar diagnosis mixed bag in youth
With the hike in diagnosing bipolar disorder, and prescribing drugs for kids, researchers wanted to know the circumstances in which these decisions were made. Researchers reviewed 1.3 million insurance claims for youth under the age of 17. . .
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News: Safety of atypical antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotic drugs are used widely beyond the original group of mental disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, for which they were initially approved.
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News: Schizophrenia's genetic puzzle

Did You Know: When there is a dual diagnosis, mood disorders are most likely to be associated with substance use disorders.
Read more about dual disorders from AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)....
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Consider This: APA: May is Borderline Personality Disorder month
. . .John Gunderson, M.D., lecture
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News: Personal narratives of recovery and activism
Three engaging, powerful, personal narratives about managing with a mental illness are available. In the May-June issue of Health Affairs, television news personality Jane Pauley discusses her bipolar disorder, diagnosed when she was 50. And Fred Frese, former president of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a psychologist who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1966, calls for mental health professionals to come out of the closet. His remarks are also available in a webcam of the Health Affairs conference....
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Did You Know: Bipolar disorder ranks 6th of causes of disability worldwide.
Read more from Psychiatric Services....
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News: Broadway lifts curtain on bipolar disorder
A musical might seem a surprising venue for a play about bipolar disorder, but New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley gives "Next to Normal" a thumbs up. He says the play, which opened this week, "assesses the losses that occur when wounded people are anesthetized." In his estimation, part of the success comes from "never releasing the audience from the captivity of its characters' minds." He calls it "brave."...
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News: Awards for stories about mental illness
The Association of Health Care Journalists announced five of its annual awards will go to reporters who have written about mental illness. They are: •Mary Carmichael of Newsweek for a story detaiiling how bi-polar disorder dominates the life of one youngster and his parents. •Randy Dotinga, of Voice of San Diego, for a story about the bridge in San Diego which has been used by people intending suicide since 1973. •Sharon Salyer and Alejandro Dominguez, of the Daily Herald in...
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News: Premature death associated with bipolar disorder
Evidence of premature death for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder comes from a study published in Psychiatric Services (abstract available). This study adds to previous warnings discussing risk factors contributing to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. The authors reviewed 17 published studies (between 1959 and 2007) involving more than 330,000 people....
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News: Mental illness does not predict violence
A new study concludes that mental illness alone does not predict violence. For the past two decades, debate about a putative link between mental illness and violence has been heated with implications for policy, treatment and legal decisions. The authors of this study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, interviewed 34,500 people in a national sample who were diagnosed with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and major depression. Their findings, based on interviews roughly 3 years apart, indicate that of the numerous...
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News: New books about bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia
Two books have been published this month for an audience concerned about mental illness in their families. Author Michael Greenberg writes about his daughter and her hospitalizations, starting as a teenager, when she was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Greenberg's discussed Hurry Down Sunshine, with radio host Lenny Lopate on WNYC. Researchers at New York State's Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Irene and Jerome Levine, wrote a book they hope will debunk myths and explain current research and treatments....
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News: Seroquel update from FDA
Seroquel appears on the FDA's list of drugs with serious risks that were compiled by the Adverse Event Report System between Jan-March 2008. The FDA warning attributed labeling confusion on sample packs to overdoses. Seroquel is made by AstraZeneca and is a mood stabilizer prescribed for bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia....
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News: Canadian series on bipolar disorder
Inside Toronto continues its series about bipolar disorder with a story detailing speak outs aimed to diminish stigma....
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News: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder-shared qualities
An article in Advance Access Schizophrenia Bulletin discusses neurobiology and genetic studies about overlapping etiologic determinants" in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (Abstract available; full text requires subscription.)...
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News: Regulating residential treament programs
Parents with troubled teens often choose mental health and behavioral treatment programs within an industry suffering from lack of state and federal oversight. Congressional hearings, and an April GAO report about reforms needed in the residential treatment industry are part of the background to a bill proposed by Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), "Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008" 
(H.R. 5876). Kathryn Whitehead (above) discusses her experience in a Montana program....
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News: Growth in antipsychotic meds for kids
A British study reported in Pediatrics indicates a hike in prescribing atypical anti-psychotic medication for kids “despite the lack of conclusive evidence showing their superiority over older conventional antipsychotics.” About six times as many American children take antipsychotic medication, according to the Associated Press. Recent research indicates conditions for which they are being used, including bipolar disorder, might be over diagnosed....
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Consider This: About the APA
Highlights. . .
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Commentary: Home genetic tests: science or marketing?


With daily updates about genetics, the direct-to-consumer marketing of testing kits is proliferating. Whom do these kits serve? asks Laura Hercher.


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Announcements: Award winning stories
Three stories reporting about the impact of mental illness on family relationships, and the neglect of patient care leading to a federal investigation were among those recognized for excellent journalism at the 10th annual Health Care Journalism held in Washington, D.C., March 27-30. The stories, reporters and categories: Large newspapers: Alan Judd and Andy Miller's 10-part series about the suspicious deaths of 115 people in Georgia’s psychiatric hospitals between 2002-2006 led to an investigation by the Justice Department. A Hidden...
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News: Detecting childhood bipolar
Reading facial emotions may provide clues to brain circuitry and pediatric bipolar disorder, according to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Psychiatry (abstract online)....
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News: Risk factors and prevention
The January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry (subscription required) has published two different articles addressing the predictive value of risk factors for psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. One article, a follow-up (n=591) study of young adults in Zurich, showed the specificity of manic symptoms in Bipolar II for predicting co-occurring substance use and addiction. A second articles discusses how combinations of five factors can predict the onset of full-blown psychosis in youth. The study was based on a sample...
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News: Treating kids for bi-polar
Public Broadcasting System's FRONTLINE explores the complexities and uncertainties facing parents who turn to medication when their children are diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. The hour-long film, The Medicated Child, tells the story of three youngsters, their families and how they are living with the decisions they made. Interviews conducted for the broadcast, and questions about bi-polar disorder, are also available....
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News: Overlap challenges dichotomy
Pointing to growing evidence about genetics, metabolism, cognitive function and imaging, an article in the December issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin (subscription required) challenges the historic dichotomy between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This updates an article by the same author which MIWatch originally posted (May) from Advance Access Schizophrenia Bulletin. Related PET scans/ MRIs used diagnostically...
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Commentary: Complex PTSD
by Julian Ford, Ph.D.

Stories about PTSD have become a daily occurrence as a result of conditions of combat in war zones. Now Complex PTSD -- resulting from early life trauma -- is being recognized for its profound effects leading to problems with emotional and physical growth. Noted expert Dr. Julian Ford discusses some of the earmarks of Complex PTSD, how it differs from PTSD, and why clinicians are taking note.
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News: When a parent has a mental illness
Children with a mentally ill parent is not just a topic for feature films such as Canvas, but one that is beginning to receive attention with new books and an article in the Sept-Oct. issue of Social Work Today. Concrete ideas for answering questions, creating an accepting environment, and tools for helping youngsters who may feel a stigma, are enumerated....
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News: FDA approves pediatric antipsychotic
Following double-blind controlled trials, the FDA approved Risperidal for pediatric use in two conditions, schizophrenia (ages 13-17), and bipolar disorders (ages 10-17). It was approved in 1992 to treat adults with schizophrenia....
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News: PET scans/ MRIs used diagnostically
The Menninger Clinic announced a novel step in the diagnostic process using MRI's (magnetic reasonance imaging) and PET scans (position emission tomography). Now part of Baylor University, Menninger is offering these tools in addition to traditional assessments for schizophrenia, bipolar, depression. PET scans and MRI's have been used for research, but not for diagnostic purposes....
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News: Manic episodes risk factors for brain's loss
Imaging studies at the University of Edinburgh reveal that frequent manic episodes increase the risk for shrinking the brain's gray matter. Study leader Dr. Andrew McIntosh said the results confirmed "the importance of maintaining people in remission" and getting them good treatment....
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News: Debate continues over antipsychotics for kids
Last year's death of a four year-old in Boston, and concern over efficacy, have created a backlash about treating young children with atypical anti-psychotics. Sunday's Boston Globe report how child psychiatrists are lining up in the debate. In Mass., the number of children under the age of 18 who are receiving the most commonly prescribed drugs (Zyprexa, Risperdal, and Seroquel) increased 25 percent over a four year period ending in 2006....
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News: Analysis of bipolar meds
The June issue of Bipolar Disorder contains an article reviewing 154 randomized studies of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics used in the maintenance phase of bipolar disorder....
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News: Back to basics: disorders of thought vs. of mood
Schizoprhenia Bulletin online, May 21, 2007 The Schizophrenia Bulletin revisited the conceptual dichotomy -- thought versus mood disorders --prevalent since Kraepelin in an article about mania. Focusing on overlapping symptoms, especially during acute phases, the author attempts “to clarify the relationship between schizophrenia and psychotic mood disorders.” An earlier issue of the Bulletin discussed the prodrome to mania “to examine the phenotypic proximity to the schizophrenia prodrome.”...
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Links: Children and Youth
These organizations explicitly address children's concerns as they relate to diagnosis, education, statistical prevalence, and medication. Updated 10.03.07
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News: Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children
The Journal of Pediatrics reports findings of a cross-cultural study about the onset of bipolar disorder indicating that about half the subjects in the United States experienced symptoms before the age of 19. Delays in the correct diagnosis, and a lag in treatment, could lead to an adverse course of illness for adults....
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News: Lithium appears to drop suicide rates
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has published an article based on a McLean Hospital study (N=329) analyzing patterns of suicide attempts of people with depression or bipolar disorder. Those being treated with lithium showed substantial (88.5 percent) reductions in risk....
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News: Follow-up study of pediatric bipolar disorder
The April issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry publishes a study of 71 children one year after an episode of mixed mania, discussing recovery, recurrence and the impact for family caregivers....
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News: Medication choices for treating bipolar
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study (N=366) appearing in the on-line New England Journal of Medicine reports that, as an adjunct to mood stabilizers, anti-depressants added no more benefit than a placebo to people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Work was conducted by a consortium of medical schools in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health....
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News: $100 million to Harvard and MIT for genetic research
The Maryland philanthropy, the Stanley Foundation, has given $100 million to the Broad Institute to unlock the genetics of serious mental illness. Research will examine the DNA of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Broad is located at Harvrd University and MIT....
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