‘Psychiatry’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 4

Evidence that potential blockbuster weight loss drug Acomplia (rimonabant) causes neurological and psychiatric problems and increases the risk of suicide has led to a unanimous vote against the drug by a US FDA advisory panel. Although rimonabant is already being marketed in 37 countries, it is now unlikely the FDA will approve the weight loss drug, to have been sold in the United States under the name ‘Zimulti’, without more positive data on safety.

British MPs today begin debating what some have described as a truly draconian Mental Health Bill. Once hailed for its potential to pave the way for a more modern approach to mental health in the United Kingdom, the bill — some 9 years in the making — is now strongly opposed by the Mental Health Alliance, a coalition of 80 organisations representing doctors, nurses, social workers, people with mental illness and their families.

More than a year after VNS was called “the latest moneymaking gimmick” by the Alliance for Human Research Protection, a new longitudinal study suggests benefits of up to 24 months for those with chronic, treatment resistant depression. Does it matter that one of the study’s lead authors is employed by the only company providing VNS devices?

Echoing the conclusions of a report from several UK mental health charities, an organisation which trains group psychotherapists has welcomed the report’s call for greater access to psychological therapies in the NHS and says that the NHS is not making full use of practising group psychotherapists.

The NHS is failing millions of people by ignoring clinical guidelines on psychological therapies, a group of charities warns in a report published today. The report argues that evidence-based talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy are as important for the nation’s health as any cancer drug or surgical procedure.