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1

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, encompassing a wide range of topics that explore how individuals think, feel, and act. It aims to understand both the conscious and unconscious mechanisms that shape human actions, emotions, and cognitive functions. Psychologists use various methods, including experiments, observations, and case studies, to explore these aspects.

Biological Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology
Health Psychology
Neuropsychology
Educational Psychology
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Positive Psychology
Environmental Psychology

2

It deals with a wide range of conditions that can affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior, often with a biopsychosocial approach, which considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Mental Health Disorders
Psychopharmacology
Psychotherapy
Neuropsychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry
Geriatric Psychiatry
Addiction Psychiatry
Cultural Psychiatry
Psychiatric Ethics

3

Psychopharmacology examines the effect of medications on mental health, behavior, and brain function. It involves the development and testing of new drugs, understanding their mechanisms of action, and exploring their efficacy and safety in treating psychiatric conditions. The field also delves into how different drugs impact neurotransmitters, neuroreceptors, and neural circuits in the brain, providing insights into the biology behind psychiatric disorders.

Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders
Psychopharmacological Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics in Psychiatry
Emerging Drug Therapies
Psychopharmacology in Special Populations
Ethics and Personalized Medicine in Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology and Therapy Integration
Impact of Technology on Psychopharmacology

4

Neurobiology investigates how brain circuits, neurotransmitters, hormones, and structural changes in the brain influence behavior, cognition, emotions, and psychological functions. Advances in neuroimaging, genetics, and molecular biology have provided deeper insights into how mental illnesses manifest at the cellular and systems levels, improving both diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Neurochemistry and Neurotransmitters
Genetic Factors in Mental Illness
Neuroimaging in Mental Health
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neuroplasticity and Mental Health
Neuroinflammation and Psychiatric Disorders
Hormonal Influences on Mental Health
The Blood-Brain Barrier and Drug Delivery
Psychiatric Disorders and Brain Circuitry
Psychosocial and Environmental Influences on Mental Illness

5

Integrative approaches in psychiatry within primary care involve the combination of psychiatric treatment with other therapeutic modalities (such as psychological interventions, social support, and lifestyle changes) within the context of a patient's overall health. This holistic method aims to treat the whole person, addressing both mental and physical health in a coordinated manner. By improving communication between primary care providers and mental health specialists, integrative approaches ensure early identification and effective management of mental health issues.

Collaborative Care Models
Psychiatric Screening and Diagnosis in Primary Care
Psychological Therapies in Primary Care
Managing Common Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care
Medication Management in Psychiatry
Mental Health and Physical Health Integration
Training and Education for Primary Care Providers
Telehealth and Mental Health in Primary Care
Cultural Competency in Mental Health Care
The Future of Psychiatry in Primary Care

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Geriatric psychiatry is a specialized branch of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders in older adults. As the global population ages, the demand for specialized care for this demographic increases. Geriatric psychiatry addresses a variety of complex mental health issues that are unique to older adults, such as dementia, depression, and anxiety, often compounded by physical health issues, polypharmacy, and the social challenges of aging. Innovations in geriatric psychiatry focus on advancing diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and improving the overall well-being of older patients.

Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Mood Disorders in Older Adults
Psychosocial Issues in Aging
Physical Health and Mental Health
Innovative Therapeutic Approaches
Neuropsychological Assessments in Older Adults
Psychiatric Disorders and Their Relationship with Aging
Ethical Considerations in Geriatric Psychiatry
Prevention and Health Promotion in Older Adults
Cultural Sensitivity in Geriatric Psychiatry

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Suicide prevention and crisis intervention are critical aspects of mental health care. These strategies focus on identifying individuals at risk, providing immediate support, and ensuring long-term therapeutic interventions. Below is a comprehensive description along with key subtopics related to suicide prevention and crisis intervention from both psychiatric and psychological perspectives.

Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Risk Factors for Suicide
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Immediate Suicide Prevention Strategies
Crisis Intervention Techniques
Long-term Suicide Prevention and Therapy
Family and Social Support
Public Awareness and Education
Special Populations and Tailored Approaches
Suicide Prevention in Specific Settings
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Research and Future Directions

8

It's focuses on the mental health and developmental issues affecting children and teenagers. Early detection and intervention are crucial for addressing emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric conditions in young people. This field involves assessing and managing a wide range of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and eating disorders. Early management strategies aim to improve long-term outcomes by identifying issues early and providing appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Early Detection and Diagnosis
Common Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Psychosocial Factors Affecting Mental Health
Treatment Approaches and Therapies
Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment
Preventive Strategies
Challenges in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

9

Trauma-Informed Care is an approach to healthcare that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It integrates an understanding of the prevalence of trauma, its effects, and the potential paths to healing. In Psychiatry and Psychology, trauma-informed care aims to provide sensitive, compassionate, and empowering treatment to those who have experienced trauma. When trauma is not addressed, it can result in mental health conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which requires specialized management.

Trauma
Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Diagnosis of PTSD
Treatment Modalities for PTSD
Cultural Sensitivity in Trauma Care
Impact of Trauma on Mental Health
Trauma-Informed Organizational Practices
Self-Care for Trauma Survivors
Challenges and Barriers in PTSD Management

10

Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior Analysis is a field that combines the principles of psychology and psychiatry with the legal system to understand criminal behavior and assist in legal decision-making. It involves the study of how psychological principles and methods can be applied to criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and the treatment of offenders.

Criminal Behavior Analysis
Psychological Assessments and Evaluations
Victimology
Juvenile Forensic Psychology
Mental Health and the Law
Psychiatric Disorders and Crime
Forensic Psychiatric Treatment
Biopsychosocial Model
Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry
The Intersection of Law and Psychology

11

It's is a process that involves evaluating an individual's behavior, personality, cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and mental health. It is used to diagnose mental disorders, plan treatments, and provide a clearer understanding of a person's psychological state. In the fields of psychiatry and psychology, various techniques and tools are used to assess different aspects of an individual's psychological functioning.

Psychological Testing
Clinical Interviews
Observational Assessment
Neuroimaging Techniques
Psychophysiological Assessment
Cognitive Assessment
Diagnostic Classification and Tools
Behavioral Assessment
Psychiatric Assessment in Psychiatry

12

Behavioral addictions encompass a range of activities where individuals engage in excessive, compulsive behaviors despite negative consequences. In the context of psychiatry and psychology, behavioral addiction is characterized by a loss of control, persistent engagement with the behavior, and continued engagement despite detrimental impacts on social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Internet Addiction Disorder
Gaming Addiction
Social Media Addiction
Neuropsychology of Behavioral Addictions
Assessment and Diagnosis
Psychological Treatment Approaches
Prevention and Education
The Role of Society and Technology

13

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a therapeutic approach that combines aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices, aimed at preventing relapse in people who have recovered from depression and other mood disorders. The core of MBCT is cultivating mindfulness through meditation and awareness exercises, which helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This awareness allows them to break the cycle of negative thinking patterns that often lead to depression, anxiety, and stress.

Mindfulness
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Relapse Prevention
Applications of MBCT in Depression
MBCT and Anxiety
MBCT for Stress Reduction
Neurobiology of MBCT
MBCT and Emotional Regulation
Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Reappraisal
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
MBCT in Bipolar Disorder
Mindfulness and Sleep Disorders
Cultural Considerations in MBCT
MBCT vs. Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

14

The intersection of neurology and psychiatry involves the study of disorders that are both neurological (originating in the brain or nervous system) and psychiatric (affecting thoughts, emotions, and behavior). Many mental health conditions have a biological basis that can be linked to neurological processes. Conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder often have both psychological and neurological components. Similarly, neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy can also lead to psychiatric symptoms such as mood changes, psychosis, or cognitive decline.

Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Psychiatric Neurology
Neurobiological Mechanisms
Trauma and Stress-related Disorders
Psychological Assessments in Neurology

15

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental health diagnostics is revolutionizing the way mental health conditions are identified, understood, and treated. With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data, AI can help clinicians make more accurate diagnoses, provide personalized treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes. AI technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and neural networks, are being utilized to assess mental health by analyzing patterns in behavior, speech, facial expressions, and even social media activity. This shift offers the potential for earlier detection and more efficient management of psychiatric and psychological conditions.

AI in Diagnosing Psychiatric Disorders
Predictive Analytics and Early Diagnosis
Neuroimaging and AI
Treatment Personalization Using AI
AI and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
AI in Predicting Suicide Risk
AI in Mental Health Screening
AI in Therapy and Psychotherapy
Sentiment Analysis and Mood Tracking
AI in Behavioral Health
Ethical Considerations in AI-Powered Psychology
AI for Cognitive Rehabilitation

16

Mental Health and Climate Change: Psychological Impacts explores the growing body of evidence linking environmental changes to mental well-being. Climate-related disasters, displacement, and eco-anxiety are increasingly affecting individuals and communities worldwide. This topic examines how climate stressors contribute to psychological disorders, the role of mental health professionals in addressing these issues, and strategies for building psychological resilience in the face of environmental crisis.

Climate Change and Mood Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress from Environmental Disasters
Psychiatric Morbidity in Displaced Populations
Neurobiological Impacts of Climate Stressors
Psychopharmacology and Environmental Stress
Suicidality and Extreme Weather Patterns
Eco-Anxiety and Climate Grief
Behavioral Change and Climate Action Psychology
Youth and Climate Mental Health
Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
Cognitive Dissonance and Climate Denial
Therapeutic Approaches to Environmental Distress

17

It refers to an individual's personal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth. Mental health challenges can arise due to gender dysphoria, social stigma, discrimination, lack of access to supportive care, and internal conflict. Psychiatry and psychology play critical roles in supporting individuals through assessment, counseling, and treatment for mental health conditions related to or influenced by gender identity.

Gender Dysphoria
Psychiatric Comorbidities
Hormone Therapy and Mental Health Outcomes
Pharmacological Interventions for Co-occurring Disorders
Psychiatric Evaluation for Gender-Affirming Surgery
Suicide Risk and Prevention in Transgender Populations
Inpatient Care for Severe Psychiatric Crises
Substance Use Disorders and Gender Identity
Ethical and Legal Aspects in Psychiatric Practice
Gender Identity Development Across the Lifespan
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies for Gender Dysphoria
Affirmative Psychological Practices
Trauma-Informed Care for Trans and Nonbinary Individuals
Identity Formation and Self-Concept
Minority Stress and Resilience Models
Impact of Family, School, and Social Support
Psychological Assessment Tools for Gender Diversity
Intersectionality and Cultural Considerations

18

Psychosomatic disorders involve physical symptoms that are either caused or worsened by mental factors such as stress, anxiety, or depression. These conditions highlight the intricate link between the mind and body, where psychological distress manifests as real physical ailments. Diagnosis and management require a collaborative approach combining psychiatric evaluation and psychological therapies, along with medical assessment to rule out organic causes.

Psychiatry Perspective
Diagnostic Criteria and Psychiatric Assessment
Pharmacological Interventions
Multidisciplinary Management Approaches
Psychological Theories and Mechanisms
Psychological Assessment Tools
Therapeutic Interventions
Psychoeducation and Behavioral Modification

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Workplace Mental Health and Organizational Psychology is a multidisciplinary field focused on understanding, promoting, and managing mental well-being within professional environments. It draws from both clinical psychiatry and psychological research to address how workplace structures, cultures, and interpersonal dynamics impact employee mental health, productivity, satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness. The aim is to create psychologically healthy workplaces that prevent mental distress and support resilience, performance, and engagement.

Occupational Stress Disorders
Work-Related Depression and Anxiety
Substance Use in the Workplace
Psychiatric Disability and Employment
Occupational Psychiatry
Organizational Behavior and Motivation
Job Satisfaction and Employee Well-being
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Work-Life Balance and Burnout Prevention
Positive Psychology in the Workplace
Change Management and Employee Adaptation

Telehealth does not increase risk of substance use disorder in ADHD patients

2025-06-12 - 2025-06

Telehealth can make health care easier to access for patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who need treatment, but experts worry about an increased risk of substance use disorder for patients being prescribed controlled medications such as stimulants for ADHD during these appointments. Mass General Brigham researchers scrutinized this concern with the first-ever study comparing substance use disorder rates in patients with ADHD who were prescribed stimulant medications during in-person versus virtual appointments. They found that, overall, telehealth was not associated with increased risk of substance use disorder. Still, the researchers noted the importance of comprehensive diagnoses and routine follow-ups. Results are published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
The researchers examined the electronic health records of 7,944 ADHD patients between March 2020 and August 2023, a time when many physicians pivoted to online care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that 91% of the patients had at least one in-person visit with the prescriber around the time they received a stimulant prescription, while 9% of the patients had a telehealth-only relationship with their doctor.
The study found that, overall, patients who only had telehealth visits to access their ADHD medication were not more likely to develop a substance use disorder compared to patients who initially met their prescribers in person, after adjusting for other factors like age and income. However, patients who received their initial stimulant prescription through telehealth were at a higher risk of developing a stimulant use disorder after adjusting for other factors. Stimulant use disorder involves drugs such as prescription medications, cocaine or methamphetamine, among other drugs. Patients aged 26 years and above who received an initial stimulant prescription during a telehealth appointment were at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders than younger patients.
The authors note that, given that only 19 patients in the study developed a stimulant use disorder, the finding could be coincidental. Another possibility is that those who opt for telehealth care are at higher risk for stimulant use disorder.
"While we think the findings should be replicated, the vast majority of the data show no increase in substance use disorder developing when patients exclusively use telehealth," said corresponding author Timothy Wilens, MD, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH. "Our study supports the use of telehealth for ADHD stimulant therapy in clinical settings."

Integration of Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Diagnostic Systems

2025-06-12 - 2025-06

Although psychosomatic medicine is regarded as a branch of psychiatry in many countries, some of its diagnostic concepts are not fully encompassed by mainstream psychiatric diagnostic systems. When these two systems are integrated, the interrelationships among various diagnoses and their associations with psychopathologies remain to be elucidated.
One of the most widely used contemporary psychiatric diagnostic systems is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). However, DSM-5 does not encompass all the key concepts in the field of psychosomatic medicine.
To address the limitations of the DSM system, a diagnostic framework known as the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) was developed in the 1990s. It includes several classic psychosomatic concepts, such as type A behavior and alexithymia. The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research-Revised (DCPR-R) is its new version.
In this study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, researchers from National Taiwan University used a standardized interview to comprehensively examine the relationships between DCPR-R and various DSM-5 diagnostic constructs in 502 individuals. They focused on three core questions: (1) Among DCPR-R and DSM-5 diagnoses, which ones are more closely related? (2) When considering psychopathologies assessed by rating scales, which DCPR-R/DSM-5 diagnoses are more strongly associated with specific psychopathological phenomena? (3) Which DCPR-R/DSM-5 diagnoses have a greater impact on quality of life?
The results showed that DCPR-R/DSM-5 diagnoses could be grouped into three main classes based on latent class analysis: somatic symptoms, demoralization and stress, and insomnia. In addition, somatic symptoms could be further distinguished between constructs related to short-term stress (such as health anxiety) and those representing more chronic and persistent concepts (such as somatic symptom disorder, persistent somatization, hypochondriasis, and disease phobia).
In terms of psychopathological phenomena, the diagnoses most strongly associated with somatic distress were persistent somatization, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder. The diagnosis most strongly associated with illness-related anxiety was somatic symptom disorder. The diagnoses most strongly associated with depression were major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and irritable mood.
When focusing on overall quality of life, the DSM-5 diagnoses remained the most impactful, particularly major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. Among the DCPR-R diagnoses, those with relatively stronger associations with quality of life were irritable mood and demoralization with hopelessness.
The study also yielded several interesting findings. For example, when focusing on quality of life, DSM-5 remains a highly reliable and broadly influential system; thus, clinical decisions based on DSM-5 diagnoses are likely to be highly efficient.
However, incorporating DCPR-R concepts offers opportunities to add more individualized meaning in nuanced areas. In addition, adjustment disorder was among the top diagnoses in terms of associations with both psychopathology and quality of life, suggesting that issues related to short-term stress, even when not meeting the full criteria for major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, can still involve considerable distress.
In the DCPR-R framework, the constructs within the "demoralization and stress" class-such as demoralization, demoralization with hopelessness, irritable mood, and Type A behavior-were those that most substantially affected quality of life. In contrast, the diagnoses within the "somatic symptoms" class had relatively modest impacts.
"We hope that the results of this study will contribute to the further development of diagnostic systems and help guide the design of more personalized treatment plans," says Prof. Wei-Lieh Huang.

Incorporating physical health considerations into mental health strategies could save millions

2025-06-11 - 2025-06

Reducing the number of physical health issues associated with mental health conditions, such as alcohol use disorders, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and schizophrenia, by just 1% could translate to savings of over 190 million purchasing power standard Euros (PPS€) in hospital costs every year in Europe, according to international researchers. The modelling study highlights the importance of integrating mental and physical healthcare to improve overall health outcomes and reduce costs, and they suggest that better access to and quality of care for both mental and physical health can lead to significant economic benefits for healthcare systems in Europe.
The Lancet Psychiatry: Incorporating physical health considerations into mental health strategies could save millions of Euros in annual hospital costs across Europe, modelling study suggests
Reducing the number of physical health issues associated with mental health conditions, such as alcohol use disorders, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and schizophrenia, by just 1% could translate to savings of over 190 million purchasing power standard Euros (PPS€)1 in hospital costs every year in Europe, according to a new modelling study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal. The authors say their study highlights the importance of integrating mental and physical healthcare to improve overall health outcomes and reduce costs, and they suggest that better access to and quality of care for both mental and physical health can lead to significant economic benefits for healthcare systems in Europe.
People with mental health conditions have a higher rate of physical health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and infectious diseases, when compared to the general population. These conditions also lead to higher healthcare costs. Understanding the size of these extra costs is important for improving the integration of mental and physical healthcare and reducing related economic costs, but this hadn't been fully studied in Europe before.
This current study is the first to estimate the excess annual hospital costs of non-mental health related physical health issues for those with selected serious mental health conditions in Europe. The study modelled hospital costs for non-mental health services in 32 European countries2, finding that people with serious mental health conditions face significantly higher costs for physical health care compared to the general population in Europe, amounting to approximately 55.3 billion euros annually. The study suggests the costs were 20.3 billion PPS€ euros for alcohol use disorders, 6.7 billion for bipolar disorder, 26.5 billion for depressive disorders, and 1.8 billion for schizophrenia. The authors highlight that people with schizophrenia potentially under-utilise services.
The authors say their study is the first quantification of economic benefits that could be achieved in the European hospital sector by reducing physical health issues related with serious mental health conditions through enhanced preventive, diagnostic and access efforts, and better integrated service pathways.

U.S. Maternal Mental Health Declines Sharply

2025-05-31 - 2025-05

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a concerning decline in self-reported mental health among mothers in the United States between 2016 and 2023. Conducted by researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the study also found modest but measurable declines in self-reported physical health during the same period.
This large-scale analysis examined data from 198,417 mothers who participated in the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), a nationally representative annual survey of households with children aged 0-17. Most participating mothers were over age 30, and over half had a privately insured or a non-Hispanic white child.
"Although high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality have been well documented, national data on the health status of mothers beyond pregnancy and the first year postpartum is lacking," said Jamie Daw, PhD, assistant professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia Mailman School. The findings show that the percentage of mothers reporting excellent mental health dropped sharply from 38 percent in 2016 to 26 percent in 2023. Similarly, the proportion reporting excellent physical health declined from 28 percent to 24 percent.
Most notably, the percentage of mothers rating their mental health as fair or poor rose by 3.5 percentage points over the 8 year-period, representing a 63.6 percent increase from the baseline prevalence of 5.5 percent in 2016. Declines in maternal mental health originated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and were observed in nearly every socioeconomic subgroup examined.
Among fathers, the percentage reporting excellent physical health declined as well-from 30 percent to 26.4 percent; the changes in mental health were less pronounced. However, fathers reported substantially better mental and physical health than mothers in all years of the study.
The authors also examined disparities in maternal mental and physical health and found that the prevalence of fair and poor mental and physical health was considerably higher among mothers of lower educational attainment, single mothers, and those whose children have Medicaid or are uninsured.
Daw and colleagues emphasize the intergenerational consequences of poor parental mental health, including increased risks for adverse birth outcomes, developmental delays, and mental health issues in children. "Maternal mood disorders, in particular, can have long-term effects on children, directly by affecting development, and indirectly, by increasing the chance of exposure to co-occurring risks such as parental substance use and lower household resources," Daw explained.
"Our results highlight the rising tide of worsening mental health among parenting women as a key target for efforts to improve maternal and child health in the U.S.," Daw said. "We found consistently worse health outcomes for mothers compared to fathers, suggesting that mothers may need additional consideration and attention in policies aimed at supporting parental health and especially mental health.
In all cases, our study underscores the need for more comprehensive research on the health and well-being of U.S. parents more broadly, and we urge support for more interventions that support prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health outcomes."
Co-authors are Colleen L. MacCallum-Bridges, PhD, and Lindsay K. Admon, MD, MSc, University of Michigan.

New Research Offers Insights on Youth Suicide Trends

2025-05-29 - 2025-05

Two recent studies from the American Journal of Psychiatry examine trends in suicidal thoughts and suicides among youth. One study found that one in four high school students experienced suicidal ideation in the past year and that targeted screening based on behavioral risks may be missing many youth. Another study identified Black girls as having especially high rates of suicide.
Screening all students
Researchers, led by Tanner J. Bommersbach, M.D., M.P.H., with the University of Wisconsin, examined data on past-year suicidal thoughts and attempts among 119,000 high school students from the 2007 to 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
They found significant increases in suicidal plans and attempts from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, nearly 1 in 4 high school students reported suicidal ideation in the past year and 1 in ten reported a suicide attempt. In addition,
The increase in suicidal thoughts was disproportionately high among females, non-Hispanic White and Black students, and students with depressive symptoms.
The increase in suicide attempts rose disproportionately among non-Hispanic White and Black students and high school seniors.
The researchers examined 24 health-risk behaviors/factors across five categories, including: 1. violence related behavior (bullied at school, bullied online, involved in a physical fight, threatened with a weapon, carrying a weapon, etc.); 2. activity/sedentary behavior (e.g., time watching TV/social media; frequency of physical activity; hours sleeping, etc.); 3. weight-related factors (overweight/obese); 4. substance use (alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes, cocaine, etc.); and 5. sexual activity.
Between 2007 and 2021, the students, regardless of behavioral risk, generally reported similar rates of suicidal symptoms. However, there was a disproportionately large increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts among students who used cigarettes or cannabis. The authors conclude that these findings "point to a need to identify adolescents with suicidal symptoms who may not be identified with targeted screening based on behavioral risks."
Black girls at especially high risk
In the second study, researcher Ran Barzilay, M.D., Ph.D., with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, and colleagues, looked at data on youth suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
They analyzed data on youth suicidal ideation and suicide attempts from three sets of data:
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study, more than 11,000 youth ages 9-15 years during 2016 and 2022).
The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS, more than 16,000 high school students in grades 9 to 12), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Emergency Department (CHOP-ED, more than 19,000 youth ages 12 -18 years between 2013 and 2020).
The overall rate of suicidal ideation was 22.5%, and the suicide attempt rate was 8.6%. In all three sets of data, Black girls experienced the higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt than their white and male peers.
The analysis suggests there are specific factors underpinning the elevated rates among Black girls. And the researchers note that past research has pointed to a "few potential exposures that may disproportionately contribute to suicidal ideation among Black girls, including intimate partner violence, racial discrimination, cyberbullying, and underdiagnosis of depression."
Some specific therapies or approaches may be especially effective for helping Black girls. Other research, the authors note, has identified culturally relevant interventions such as the Adapted-Coping With Stress Course, attachment-based family therapy, and multisystemic therapy that may be effective for Black youths.
The authors expressed the hope that the evidence of elevated suicide ideation and attempts among Black adolescent girls leads to greater clinical awareness of the concern and an increase in suicide prevention efforts created for, and disseminated to, Black girls in particular.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, know that your are not alone and help is available.

How your country's culture could affect your mental health recovery journey, study finds

2025-05-28 - 2025-05

Cultural differences can have a big impact on mental health recovery provisions, a new study from the University of Nottingham has shown.
The study, led by Dr. Yasu Kotera at the University of Nottingham, has shown that the effectiveness of Recovery Colleges (RCs)-educational centers supporting people with mental health challenges-is significantly shaped by national cultural values.
This innovative study was also co-led by Professor Mike Slade at the University of Nottingham, and Professor Claire Henderson at King's College London. The researchers looked across 28 countries and revealed how national culture influences the way mental health services-specifically RCs-are run, using cultural indices and data from 169 RCs around the world.
First introduced in England in 2009, RCs now operate in 28 countries across five continents. Rather than focusing solely on clinical treatment, RCs offer educational courses that empower people with mental health difficulties to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
These courses-co-produced and co-delivered by people with lived experience and professionals-cover topics such as understanding mental health, developing life skills, and planning for recovery, and are seen as a mental health innovation.
However, most RCs have been developed in Western countries, which share similar cultural characteristics. This has previously raised questions about how well the model fits in other parts of the world, especially where values around independence, group harmony, or emotional expression may differ.
In this current study, published in General Psychiatry, the researchers surveyed 169 RC managers in 28 countries, covering over 55,000 students.
The team assessed how closely RCs follow 12 core operational components such as equality, learning, and community focus. They then analyzed how these scores were linked to cultural characteristics, using Hofstede's widely recognized framework of national culture.
The study found that seven of the twelve core components of RCs are influenced by cultural characteristics. They found that RCs in countries with Individualistic and Indulgent cultures were more likely to emphasize co-production and community connection.
They also explained how RCs in countries with Short-term-oriented cultures scored higher on equality, perhaps because they prioritize immediate, practical outcomes over long-term planning.
Another finding was the strong role of Individualism-it influenced nearly every part of RC operations, from how learning is delivered to how people's strengths are described. In more collectivist societies, the open sharing and self-promotion encouraged by RCs may feel uncomfortable or inappropriate.
"This research shows that culture really matters in mental health recovery. Recovery Colleges are a powerful way to support people, but they cannot be one-size-fits-all. Understanding how cultures shape recovery processes helps us deliver more inclusive and effective care and tools around the world," says Dr. Yasu Kotera, Associate Professor of Cross-Cultural Mental Health at the University of Nottingham and Collaborative Researcher at the University of Osaka.
The study highlights a need to adapt the RC model to local cultures-particularly in countries where services are just starting to emerge.
These findings are especially relevant as RCs continue to expand globally-including into low- and middle-income countries such as Brazil, where planning is already underway.
The research team now plans to use these insights to refine the RECOLLECT Fidelity Measure to better reflect global cultural diversity. They also call for more qualitative research and collaboration with local stakeholders to further understand how to make RCs culturally inclusive.

Study Finds Zuranolone Effective for Anhedonia in Patients With PPD

2025-05-20 - 2025-05

New data presented at the 2025 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting demonstrated that zuranolone was relatively safe and effective to addressing anhedonia in adult patients with postpartum depression (PPD). The data was presented as part of the poster session at the meeting, being held May 17-21, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.1
The poster leverage data from the SKYLARK Study (NCT04442503), which looked at the safety and efficacy of 50 mg zuranolone in adults patients with PPD. Investigators conducted a post hoc analysis to assess improvement in anhedonia.2 A core symptom of depression, anhedonia (a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities) has been linked to worse outcomes and more severe disease states.
Participants included female adults (N=196) aged 18 to 45 years who had a 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale or Depression (HAMD-17) total score of 26. All patients were randomized to receive zuranolone (N=98) or placebo (N=97) once daily for 14 days; there follow-ups evaluations conducted through day 45 to ascertain changes in the Montgomery-Masberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) anhedonia subscale score, which examines such symptoms as apparent sadness, reported sadness, concentration difficulty, lassitude, and inability to feel.
At baseline, participants in both the zuranolone and placebo treatment groups had similar MADRS scores, with a mean (SD) MADRS total scores for zuranolone of 35.5 (5.37) and a mean score of 35.0 (4.81). for placebo. As the study progressed, patients in the zuranolone group fared better. At day 15, for example, depressive symptoms measured by MADRS total scores decreased by 19.7 (1.20) points in the zuranolone group while those in the placebo group only realized a 14.6 (1.21) reduction (nominal p=0.003).
Improvements were also seen in anhedonia, which was assessed via LS mean (SE) CFB in MADRS anhedonia subscale scores. By day 8, patients in the zuranolone group experienced an 8.8 (0.78) reduction, while those in the placebo group only experienced a 6.4 (0.78) reduction (nominal p=0.012). The improvements continued through the study, as measured on day 45: patients in the zuranolone group saw a reduction of 12.7 (0.85) points vs a 9.9 (0.85) reduction for participants in the placebo group (nominal p=0.008).
The post hoc analysis likewise found zuranolone to be relatively well tolerated. Most of the treatment adverse events (62/65 [95.38%]) reported were found to be mild or moderate. Somnolence, which also included hypersomnia and sedation) was the most commonly reported event (35/98 [35.71%]). These were categorized as mild or moderate events and resolved either during treatment or shortly (less than 5 days) following the final dose.
Zuranolone, which was approved in 2023 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PPD in 2023, became the first oral agent to address PPD. (Zuranolone has also been investigated for the treatment of major depressive disorder, but has not received approval for that indication). It is a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and neuroactive steroid. In approving the agent, the FDA cautioned that it could impact the patient's ability to drive and perform other potentially hazardous activities. Because it could cause fetal harm, patients should use contraception while taking zuranolone. Dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infection were also noted by the FDA as potential adverse effects.
"Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which women experience sadness, guilt, worthlessness-even, in severe cases, thoughts of harming themselves or their child. And, because PPD can disrupt the maternal-infant bond, it can also have consequences for the child's physical and emotional development," Tiffany R. Farchione, MD, then director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Division of Psychiatry, said following its approval.

Mother's childhood trauma linked to emotional and behavioral issues in her children, study finds

2025-05-18 - 2025-05

A new longitudinal study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry provides compelling evidence that a mother's exposure to adversity in childhood can influence the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development of her own children. The research found that these early experiences are not only linked to a child's outcomes, but also shape the environment in which a child is raised-by affecting socioeconomic status, maternal mental health, relationship conflict, and caregiving behavior.
Researchers undertook this study to better understand how adversity experienced during a mother's early years can ripple forward into the next generation. While previous studies have found that childhood adversity is associated with a range of negative outcomes in adulthood, much less is known about how these effects play out in parenting and early child development. The study aimed to test an intergenerational model of risk by examining both direct and indirect pathways from maternal childhood adversity to child outcomes during the preschool years.
The researchers followed 501 families from the time children were 2 months old until they reached 5 years of age. Participants were recruited in the Toronto area between 2006 and 2008. Mothers reported on their own adverse childhood experiences (including physical and sexual abuse, household substance use, mental illness, parental separation, and exposure to violence), as well as their current socioeconomic conditions, relationship conflict, and symptoms of depression. Fathers contributed information on their own childhood conduct problems, and trained observers assessed parenting behaviors. Children's emotional and behavioral issues were rated by both parents, and cognitive abilities were measured through standardized testing.
The results showed that a mother's history of childhood adversity was linked to her child's emotional and behavioral problems, as well as cognitive performance. However, these associations were not straightforward. Instead, the effects were often indirect, operating through a network of interconnected family and contextual factors.
For example, mothers who had experienced more adversity in childhood were more likely to live in lower socioeconomic conditions as adults. This, in turn, was related to lower maternal sensitivity-how attuned and responsive mothers were to their children during interactions-and also linked to greater marital conflict and maternal depression. These factors shaped children's outcomes in specific ways.
Children's emotional problems, such as anxiety and sadness, were primarily linked to maternal depression. Mothers with more childhood adversity were more likely to experience depression, and this was a key predictor of emotional difficulties in their children. Fathers' histories of conduct problems also contributed indirectly to maternal depression, strengthening this link.
For conduct problems in children-such as aggression and rule-breaking-multiple pathways emerged. One involved fathers' own histories of behavior problems, which were directly associated with children's behavior. Another pathway went through the couple's relationship: maternal childhood adversity predicted more marital conflict, which was in turn linked to conduct issues in children. Lower maternal sensitivity also played a role in this association.
Cognitive outcomes followed a different pathway. Here, maternal sensitivity emerged as a key influence. Mothers with more childhood adversity tended to have lower socioeconomic status, which was associated with less sensitive caregiving. In turn, children in these environments showed poorer performance on measures of vocabulary and early math ability. Interestingly, maternal adversity showed a small direct link to higher child cognitive scores, but this was likely a statistical artifact. Once indirect pathways were considered, the overall effect of adversity on cognition was negative.
These findings support an "interactionist model" of development. In this model, a mother's early adversity can influence her adult socioeconomic status and the characteristics of her romantic partner, which then affect her mental health and caregiving behavior. These, in turn, shape her child's development. The model highlights how early life experiences can create cascades of risk that accumulate over time and generations.
While the study cannot prove causation, its design strengthens confidence in the findings. By including multiple informants (mothers, fathers, and trained observers) and multiple measurement methods (questionnaires, behavioral observations, and standardized tests), the researchers were able to paint a more complete picture than many earlier studies that relied solely on maternal self-reports. The longitudinal design, spanning several years of a child's early development, also allowed the researchers to track how these effects unfolded over time.
One limitation of the study is its focus on mothers. While the researchers did incorporate paternal conduct history, they did not collect data on fathers' own childhood adversity. Future studies could explore whether fathers' early experiences also shape intergenerational risk in similar or distinct ways. Another limitation is that the adversity measures did not include some potentially important forms of early trauma, such as community violence or discrimination. Also, maternal ACEs, mental health, and relationship conflict were all self-reported, which may introduce bias.
Despite these limitations, the study has significant implications for public policy and early intervention. The findings suggest that childhood adversity is not just an individual problem but one that can affect future generations. Policies that aim to reduce childhood trauma or mitigate its effects could have broad, long-lasting benefits. For example, programs that support young families with financial resources, mental health services, and parenting support may help break the cycle of adversity.
Screening tools for adverse childhood experiences are relatively easy to administer and could be incorporated into pediatric and maternal healthcare settings. Identifying families at risk could allow for early, targeted support. Moreover, addressing multiple factors at once-such as economic hardship, caregiver mental health, and parenting quality-may be more effective than focusing on any single issue in isolation.
The study also supports the potential value of broader social policies, such as cash transfer programs, to alleviate economic stress. Preliminary research has found that unconditional financial support to families can lead to improved cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children. High-quality, affordable childcare may also help buffer the effects of family stress on young children's development.
The study, "The long reach of adversity: Intermediary pathways from maternal adverse childhood experiences to child socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes," was authored by Sheri Madigan, Andre Plamondon, and Jennifer M. Jenkins.

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