All articles tagged with #psychiatry
A Nature Outlook opinion argues that updating the DSM is insufficient and calls for abandoning diagnosis labels in favor of a care-focused approach that situates mental distress within a person’s experiences, vulnerabilities, and social context, prioritizing supportive relationships, environmental changes, and individualized interventions over refining disease categories.
Harvard psychiatrist Christopher Palmer said Kennedy Jr.’s claim that keto diets cure schizophrenia is not accurate; while ketogenic therapy shows promise for some patients, it remains unproven and should not replace antipsychotics without medical supervision. Palmer envisions a future where dietary interventions could play a role, with ongoing trials and funding, as Kennedy’s MAHA movement promotes broader research and access to metabolic treatments.
APA researchers outline a new Diagnostic and Scientific Manual that could replace DSM-5 with a living, broadly accessible guide that emphasizes dimensional diagnoses and etiological factors (cultural, environmental, biological) while guiding research and policy; biomarkers would be added gradually as evidence grows, with the project taking place over years rather than months.
The American Psychiatric Association unveiled plans to radically rethink the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, potentially renaming it and adding layers that reflect a person’s life context, biology, and lived experience to make diagnoses more inclusive, dynamic, and educational. The approach could introduce contextual factors alongside traditional symptoms and allow for future biomarkers, but there is no set timeline yet and insurers are involved in discussions.
The American Psychiatric Association announced a sweeping plan to rework the DSM, renaming it the Diagnostic Science Manual of Mental Disorders and adding patient voices, broader life-context factors, and the potential integration of biomarkers, aiming for a more flexible, inclusive, and educational diagnostic framework—though no timeline is set and changes will involve insurers and clinicians.
A US study finds eight psychiatric disorders—autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, Tourette syndrome, OCD, and anorexia—share genetic variants that affect brain development, with pleiotropic genes influencing multiple networks and developmental stages, suggesting shared targets for cross-disorder therapies.
A woman with schizoaffective disorder and her husband pursue parenthood, navigating medical uncertainties about antipsychotics in pregnancy and repeated adoption rejection due to her psychiatric history. After years of hope and crisis, they ultimately choose wellness and build a meaningful life with their partner and pets rather than pursue birth or adoption.
Leaders of the DSM have been divided for years over whether postpartum psychosis should be recognized as a distinct disorder, a move with broad implications for diagnosis, treatment, and research; the piece follows Emily Sliwinski’s postpartum deterioration after birth to illustrate the real-world stakes of adding a separate diagnosis to psychiatry’s guiding manual.
A UK–Australia study of 10 young adults with first-episode psychosis argues delusions are grounded in emotional, bodily experiences and life history—not just faulty reasoning—featuring persecutory, reference, and grandiose themes, with treatment needing to address embodied feelings and metaphorical language.
Research from the University of Oslo reveals extensive genetic links between neurological and psychiatric disorders, challenging traditional distinctions and suggesting a more integrated approach to treatment and understanding of brain conditions.
A retired surgeon shares a detailed and personal account of being misdiagnosed, forcibly medicated, and subjected to ECT in psychiatric care, highlighting issues of patient rights, treatment abuses, and the impact of psychiatric practices on his life and family.
Recent research suggests that psychiatric disorders identified by the DSM may not correspond to distinct, biologically valid categories, highlighting the limitations of symptom-based clustering and the importance of clinical judgment and understanding individual patient experiences. The article discusses the potential for more nuanced, data-driven approaches to psychiatric diagnosis, emphasizing the need for better diagnostic tools and recognition of the spectrum of mental health conditions.
A rising concern in psychiatry involves 'AI psychosis,' where prolonged interactions with chatbots may reinforce delusional beliefs, though it is not yet a recognized diagnosis. Experts warn that such interactions can exacerbate mental health issues, especially in vulnerable individuals, but caution against prematurely labeling this as a new disorder, emphasizing the need for further research and careful terminology to avoid stigma and misdiagnosis.
Max Fink, a pioneering psychiatrist and neurologist who championed the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression, died at 102. He dedicated his career to demonstrating ECT's effectiveness, despite opposition and misconceptions, and authored numerous influential works on the subject.
Professor Barbara Franke's research bridges genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatry to uncover the biological roots of ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the role of DNA variations and environmental influences, with the goal of developing personalized treatments and improving psychiatric diagnosis and care.