‘Psychiatry’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 13

A new study of clinical trials involving nearly five thousand patients has reaffirmed that St. John’s Wort reduces symptoms of depression among adults suffering mild to moderate symptoms but questions the herbal extract’s effectiveness for moderate to severe depression. The study also indicates that serious drug interactions can occur between St. John’s Wort and other frequently used anti-depressants.

A study in the Journal of Preventive Medicine indicates that exercising for half an hour per day, six days per week, offers significant mental health benefits — and for those suffering from depression, benefits are comparable to those of medication or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Sudden changes in direction and mental focus caused by handling large volumes of emails can have a greater negative impact on IQ than taking canabis, according to a psychiatrist at London University.

Researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in the United States are seeking participants for a nationwide investigation into pharmaceutical treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Participants receive medication and related medical care free of charge.

A new study of 240 moderately to severely depressed individuals fails to support current American Psychiatric Association guidelines indicating that most moderately to severely depressed patients will require antidepressant medication. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, concludes that cognitive therapy can be as effective as medication.