Positive psychology interventions are brief self-adminstered exercises designed to promote positive emotions, behaviours, or thoughts. They are potentially effective for reducing depression and are considered suitable for online dissemination to people with depression and related conditions, as they are assumed to be more acceptable than traditional symptom-focused approaches. However, there is little investigation into perceived acceptability and potential factors that might affect it. This might limit the development and evaluation of effective interventions.
Open access. Research has shown that a history of childhood adversities is common in patients with psychiatric disorders but few studies have investigated links between specific types of adversity and specific psychiatric disorders.
Emotion (Dec 27, 2018). DOI:10.1037/emo0000541
The present study aimed to investigate the everyday emotional dynamics of depressed individuals, especially the role of emotional inertia, emotional context insensitivity, and emotional variability and instability.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
We consider how to choose an antidepressant (AD) medication for treatment of clinical depression.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
Although evidence exists for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in preventing depression, little is known about its prevention through online interventions. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of online interventions in preventing depression in heterogeneous populations. Open Access Article
Implications for research and practice:
> Active pain treatment improves sleep in people with dementia and depression.
> This study paves the way for improved methods; these results should be used as the basis for further exploration of this important issue.
> Future studies should include subjective evaluation of the benefits of pain treatment on sleep and explore improvements in related areas such as day-time functioning and falls. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
News. Some patients with treatment resistant depression have tried up to 12 antidepressants and waited 10 years before they are seen at specialist centres, a recent press briefing heard. The figures fall far short of targets set out in draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which says that all patients who have not responded to two antidepressants should be referred to specialists. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
Psychological Medicine; Cambridge Vol. 49, Iss. 1, (Jan 2019): 49-54. DOI:10.1017/S003329171800288X
The working environment may have a significant effect on response to treatment of depression and this issue has not yet been sufficiently addressed in the scientific literature. There is evidence showing that being engaged in high-level positions can be an obstacle to the success of treatment. This article discusses the few evidence in the literature and some of the possible mechanisms involved. Specific personality attributes and difficulties in adapting to depression may delay access to care and may also reduce treatment compliance. The presence of stress in jobs that require high cognitive function and lack of social support may be elements that hinder the recovery process. Residual symptoms that impact on cognitive functions may undermine adherence to treatment and adversely affect the response. The implications of these issues are potentially relevant for clinical practice in the treatment of depression and for future research.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
International Journal of Stress Management Vol. 25, Iss. S1, (Dec 2018): 124-136. DOI:10.1037/str0000082
In a previous study, we developed and evaluated a pilot predeployment stress inoculation training (SIT) program designed to teach relaxation breathing skills to minimize negative mental health consequences of combat stress. This study extends the investigation of the effectiveness of a SIT program of relaxation breathing on perceived stress symptoms and other mental health outcomes in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
Emotional stress reactivity may be a mediating factor in the association between trauma and psychosis. This review aimed to (i) identify, summarise and critically evaluate the link between emotional stress reactivity and psychotic experiences (ii) examine evidence for a 'dose–response' relationship between stress reactivity and psychosis in the wider psychosis phenotype (i.e., sub-clinical symptoms).
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The authors concluded that several issues are influencing older Black Caribbean adults’ views on depression and help-seeking. This included participants’ past personal experiences of coping with depression, migratory histories, cultural and religious views, and personal relationships.
The authors concluded that the evidence quality was low for omega-3 preventing or reducing depression or anxiety and that it should not be recommended by clinicians for this purpose. Additional research is needed to confirm how omega-3 may affect other aspects of mental health.
This systematic review provided a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of a large volume of data, which has recently emerged since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a unique study, offering pooled prevalence estimates and focusing on doctors specifically as a high-risk group of the health workforce cohort. However, there was a wide variation in point prevalence and pooled prevalence estimates had broad confidence intervals.
CBT treatment for children and young people with anxiety appears to be equally effective with and without family/parental involvement. This suggests that it is appropriate to offer both approaches to patients under the age of 17. In deciding which approach to offer it would be helpful to consider the child’s age and developmental level, as well as the child’s preferences. It’s likely that treatment adherence and engagement can be improved if the child feels their voice is heard and that their views are considered during treatment.