The association of tanning behavior with psycho-tropic medication use among young adult women

Despite its known association with skin cancer, tanning remains popular among young adult women. Indoor tanning behavior has been found to be associated with affective and addictive disorders. To better understand potential psychological and biological mechanisms of tanning behavior, we investigated associations between tanning and medication (psychotropic and other) use among young women. Two hundred and fifty-three women age 18–29 years old were recruited from two northeastern university campus communities. Women self-reported tanning frequency and chronic medication use. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, indoor tanning ≥12 times last year was significantly associated with use of psychotropic medication and anti-depressants in particular. Sunbathing was not associated with medication use. Potential reasons for associations between tanning and psychotropic medication use are discussed. Indoor tanners should be warned that some psychotropic medications are photosensitizing, thus increasing risk for burns and other skin damage from indoor tanning.     

Psychotherapy and (or) Medications for Depression in Youth? An Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations for Treatment

This article reviews existing research pertaining to antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and their combined efficacy in the treatment of clinical depression in youth. Based on this review, we recommend that youth depression and its treatment can be readily understood from a social-psycho-bio model. We maintain that this model presents an alternative conceptualization to the dominant biopsychosocial model, which implies the primacy of biological contributors. Further, our review indicates that psychotherapy should be the frontline treatment for youth with depression and that little scientific evidence suggests that combined psychotherapy and medication treatment is more effective than psychotherapy alone. Due primarily to safety issues, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should be initiated only in conjunction with psychotherapy and/or supportive monitoring.     

Occupational Therapy in the Rehabilitation of the Patient with Anorexia Nervosa

The first part of this paper develops an ecological and rehabilitative stance for the occupational therapist in relation to the anorexic patient. Maximizing the individual's level of psychosocial functioning is regarded as the primary aim of treatment. A model for approaching the anorexic patient is described which examines environmental factors, and the importance of assessment and follow up. The cognitive behavioral approach is discussed and suggestions are made for adapting it to the occupational therapist's orientation towards practical activity. In the second part of the paper concrete suggestions for therapy are made.     

Ethological analysis of neuropeptides and psychotropic drugs: Effects on intraspecies aggression and sociability of isolated mice

The experiments on mice (under the condition of agonistic interactions) have shown increases and decreases in certain forms of species-specific behavior (aggression, defense, sociability) when synthetic peptides and psychotropic drugs were administered. MIF-1, TRH, and LH-RH (acute injections) enhance aggression in isolated mice while somatostatin reduces it. MIF–1 antagonizes the antiaggressive effects of haloperidol, muscimol, and morphine. ACTH 1–24 counteracts the action of diaze-pam on attacks and threats. Somatostatin reduces both aggression and sociability and that effect may be potentiated by diazepam. Neo-endorphin injected together with diazepam reduces aggression and enhances sociability. A combination of synthetic neuropeptides and well known psychotropic drugs (neuroleptics, tranquil-izers, and others) may be more effective for the control of aggression and sociability than the psychotropic drugs employed alone.     

Improving adherence to medication regimens for children with asthma and its effect on clinical outcome.

We examined the effects of a combined education and token system intervention to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids for an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy with asthma. Adherence was measured by an electronic chronolog monitor, and disease outcome was assessed by repeated pulmonary function testing. A withdrawal design demonstrated improved adherence and, for 1 child, an associated improvement in pulmonary function occurred. Methodological and clinical implications are discussed, including variables other than adherence that may affect disease outcome.     

从2型糖尿病的发病机制谈糖尿病治疗的新策略

2型糖尿病的发病机制主要为胰岛素抵抗与胰岛β细胞分泌功能受损,二者相互依存、相互作用。2型糖尿病的治疗应以减轻胰岛素的抵抗和保护胰岛β细胞为主,以生活方式干预加二甲双胍作为基础治疗,根据不同个体在不同阶段所侧重的不同发病机制,采用联合、综合管理。     

Typologies of Alcohol Dependence. From Jellinek to Genetics and Beyond

The goal of typology research is to identify subtypes of alcohol dependent (AD) patients sharing fundamental characteristics and try to match each subtype, with the most precise treatment strategy. This review provides a comprehensive history of the literature on alcohol dependent subtypes starting from the earliest attempt made by Jellinek. The binary models identified most closely with Cloninger and Babor as well as the successively more complex classifications are discussed. Typology classification potentially useful in guiding the treatment of AD patients, especially in the case of the serotonergic medications. Contrasting data suggests that other factors could influence the response to a medication and/or that more complex typologies should be identified. In summary, typology models may assist in the ascertainment criteria for clinical trials performed in behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Greater emphasis, however, must be made to more clearly delineate this field of research, while moving toward more standardized typologies.     

Recent Developments in the Treatment of Depression

The cognitive and behavioral interventions can be as efficacious as antidepressant medications and more enduring, but some patients will be more likely to respond to one than the other. Recent work has focused on developing sophisticated selection algorithms using machine-learning approaches that answer the question, “What works best for whom?” Moreover, the vast majority of people suffering from depression reside in low- and middle-income countries where access to either psychotherapy or medications is virtually nonexistent. Great strides have been made in training nonspecialist providers (known as task sharing) to overcome this gap. Finally, recent work growing out of evolutionary psychology suggests that antidepressant medications may suppress symptoms at the expense of prolonging the underlying episode so as to increase the risk of relapse whenever someone tries to stop. We address each of these developments and their cumulative implications.     

An Interactional Approach for Pharmacopsychologists and Psychologists: Gender Concerns

A knowledge base of culturally sensitive psychotropic pharmacotherapy is encouraged to help patients receive accurate diagnoses and beneficial treatment. Research is best informed if the complexity of individuals is directly addressed beyond main effects in research designs. The interactions of age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and cultural practices, as well as medication effects, need to be studied. Reporting data with distinctive characteristics exhibited by different ethnic-gender subgroups provides rich information with which psychologists can treat patients more effectively as well as ethically. Conceptual models of prescribing need to include perspectives of the whole person. An interactional model is one model that would address physiological, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions.     

Cultural Issues in Psychopharmacology: Integrating Medication Treatment with Lakota Sioux Traditions

Psychologists may soon be entering into the practice of pharmacologic treatment of mental illness. Although there has been some investigation of biologic differences in drug response among various ethnic and racial groups, very little attention has been paid to the nonbiologic differences. Cultural definitions of health, healing, and illness and specific cultural practices are likely to have a significant impact on various aspects of treatment, compliance, and interaction effects. This article addresses the issue of culture and the impact of cultural practices on the use of psychotropic medications with the Lakota (Sioux) people of the Northern Plains. Specific examples of traditional Lakota ceremonies and their potential interactions with psychotropic medications are presented with recommendations to prescribers for handling these situations in a culturally responsive manner. Emphasis is placed on creating collaborative relationships between prescribers and traditional spiritual healers in the care of Native American clients. Recommendations for future research are discussed.