Biological and Psychological Factors Determining Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in COVID-19
We present biological and psychological factors implicated in psychiatric manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, as well as its neuroinvasive capability and immune pathophysiology.Recent FindingsPreexisting mental illness leads to worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19. The presence of the virus was reported in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue post-mortem. Most common psychiatric manifestations include delirium, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. “Long-COVID” non-syndromal presentations include “brain-fogginess,” autonomic instability, fatigue, and insomnia.SummarySARS-CoV-2 inf...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - October 1, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Women ’s Mental Health in the U.S. Military — Where Are We Now? A Review of Recent Research
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe field of women ’s mental health has grown in the military healthcare system, which has begun to acknowledge and address the sex-specific differences in mental health for service women. The purpose of this review is to examine recent research in active duty populations addressing perinatal mental health, post-tra umatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and gender isolation.Recent FindingsWithin the examined literature focused on active duty populations, analyses by sex and gender continue to exist as notable gaps, and a majority of studies reviewed either do not aim to examine sex or gender...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - September 29, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Mental Health Services for Autistic Individuals Across the Lifespan: Recent Advances and Current Gaps
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis synthesis of recent mental health services research with autistic individuals presents significant advances, current gaps, and recommendations for improving mental healthcare for this population.Recent FindingsRecent advances include improved understanding of co-occurring mental health conditions among autistic individuals, a growing evidence base for interventions to address them, the development and implementation of new service models to support mental health for this population, and a substantial increase in mental health services and implementation research focused on autism. Ongoing chal...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - August 17, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Challenges for Child Mental Health Raised by School Closure and Home Confinement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the education of children worldwide. This paper reviews the psychological effects of this action on children and the impact on school-based services.Recent FindingsEmerging epidemiologic findings have generated an intense debate about the need for, and potential benefit of, school closure in the context of COVID-19. International research reveals reactions in children that are not typically considered in the disaster literature as well as those that arise in other disasters. School closure also has curtailed the delivery of mental ...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - August 16, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Motor Skill Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Clinically Focused Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review synthesizes recent, clinically relevant findings on the scope, significance, and centrality of motor skill differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Recent FindingsMotor challenges in ASD are pervasive, clinically meaningful, and highly underrecognized, with up to 87% of the autistic population affected but only a small percentage receiving motor-focused clinical care. Across development, motor differences are associated with both core autism symptoms and broader functioning, though the precise nature of those associations and the specificity of motor profiles to ASD remain unestabl...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - August 13, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Neuropsychological Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder
AbstractPurpose of ReviewNeuropsychological assessment involves the comprehensive evaluation of intellectual, attentional, executive, social-cognitive, language, and motor functioning. Such assessments are used to characterize areas of strength and weakness, inform differential diagnosis, guide treatment planning, and evaluate change over time. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with varied clinical presentations, which can make the design of testing batteries and subsequent interpretation of results challenging. Here we provide an overview of neuropsychological domains as they relate to the evaluation...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - July 30, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Disparities in Health Care and the Digital Divide
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDisparities in health outcomes are a well documented and worrisome part of our health care system. These disparities persist in spite of, and are occasionally exacerbated by, new technologies that are intended to improve health care. This results in a “digital divide” in which populations that have poorer health outcomes continue to have poorer health outcomes despite technological improvements.Recent FindingsIn many ways, the digitical divide is already shrinking via improved access to internet and technology/process improvements. For example, people with schizophrenia, PTSD, and bipolar disor...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - July 23, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
The Effect of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe summarized peer-reviewed literature investigating the effect of virtual mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on sleep quality. We aimed to examine the following three questions: (1) do virtual MBIs improve sleep quality when compared with control groups; (2) does the effect persist long-term; and (3) is the virtual delivery method equally feasible compared to the in-person delivery method?Recent FindingsFindings suggest that virtual MBIs are equivalent to evidence-based treatments, and to a limited extent, more effective than non-specific active controls at reducing some aspects of sleep distu...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - July 23, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Technology and Sexual Offending
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review examines the literature on technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The prevalence, perpetrators, harms, and victims of a selection of types of TFSV are covered. Particularly, the topics of image-based sexual abuse, video voyeurism, sending of unsolicited sexual images, and the use of technology to facilitate in-person sexual violence are discussed.Recent FindingsThe literature suggests that the types of TFSV discussed are prevalent and the impacts far-reaching. There is emerging evidence outlining the characteristics associated with and motivations behind these acts of TFSV. The ...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - July 19, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Dimensional Models of Personality Disorder in DSM-5 and ICD-11: Opportunities and Challenges
AbstractPurpose of ReviewChildhood trauma is an important risk factor for the development of personality disorders (PDs), yet most research has been devoted to categorical models of personality pathology. Considering the introduction of a dimensional PD model with ICD-11, we review current findings related to various forms of childhood trauma, and PDs, operationalized in the form of personality functioning and maladaptive traits. We focus on the magnitude of associations and examine specific relationships between emotional and physical trauma with areas of personality functioning and single traits.Recent FindingsTwo studie...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - July 19, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
