Trends in treating Depression favor psychotropic medications over psychotherapy

The way that depression is treated in the US has changed over the last 20 years. Between 1987 and 1997, significantly more people were treated for depression on an outpatient basis. During this time, the use of of psychotherapy declined, replaced by antidepressant medications. In 1987, 37.3 % of outpatients  treated for depression received anti-depression medication. By 1997, it had doubled to 74.5 %. Two recent studies looked at the next decade from 1998 to 2007 to see if these trends in treating depression continued.

Results revealed a continued decline in the use of psychotherapy and stabilization in the use of antidepressants to treat depression. Both studies were supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) See studies at http://www.ahrq.gov/research/jul11/0711RA22.htm

Reprinted at darkestcloset.blogspot.com

Stem Cells of People who experience Schizophrenia Could Lead to Breakthrough in Treatment

A new method for recreating the brain cells of patients with schizophrenia is being described as a breakthrough in treating the condition. Scientists used a technique to reprogram the skin cells of schizophrenic patients to become stem cells and then coaxed them become neurons. These were then compared to brain cells derived from the skin cells of healthy volunteers. That would allow scientists to test the effects of antipsychotic drugs. (Voice of America, 4/13/11)