What's new in child and youth mental health, behavioral health, Wraparound and Coordinated Care?
Tune into what's new in wraparound, coordinated care and behavioral health. Here are some top stories:
1. Team-based coordinated care treatment is key in treating psychosis, NIMH study says
On February 1, 2016, the National Institute of Mental Health released new data from a recent mental health study that explores treatment for the first episode of psychosis in young people. The study demonstrated that team-based "coordinated specialty care" (CSC) produces better clinical and quality of life outcomes for youth and young adults suffering from psychosis.
What is coordinated specialty care?
Coordinated specialty care is a team-based treatment program that is tailored to each youth's unique needs. In this case, the researchers focused on a specific coordinated specialty care program called NAVIGATE. This program featured a team of mental health specialists who deliver a combination of recovery-oriented psychotherapy, low-dose antipsychotic medication, family engagement and education, case management, and encouraging and supporting the youth to pursue work or education.
The mental health study, led by Dr. Robert Rosenheck, professor of psychiatry and public health at Yale University, was published in Schizophrenia Bulletin.
2. Scientists demonstrate for the first time that depression affects more than the brain
A study with nearly 4,000 people demonstrated that depression is not merely a mental illness. In fact, the disease affects the entire body on a cellular level. Patients suffering from depression experienced an imbalance in various oxidative stress parameters.
The study was conducted by an international research team and led by the University of Granada. The data compiles meta analysis insights from 29 previous studies, which include 3,961 people.
Study findings:
After receiving treatment for depression, the patients had significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde, a biomarker that measures oxidative deterioration in cell membranes. The decrease in antioxidant substances, including uric acid, zinc and dismutase enzyme, were decreased. The study's findings demonstrate that depression should be considered a systemic disease, because it affects the entire body. The significant alterations on oxidative stress could help researchers define the relationship between depression and other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
3.Significant number of young people with undiagnosed bipolar disorder
A study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. recently found that close to 10% of primary care patients who were prescribed antidepressants for depression or anxiety have undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder in patients diagnosed with depression can be difficult to identify, as patients do not often tell their doctor about mood swings. This lack of diagnosis can result in incorrect or insufficient treatment. Researchers encourage doctors to review the health history of individuals to find evidence of bipolar disorder in their family.
