Blogging and Social Media for Mental Health Education and Advocacy: a Review for Psychiatrists.

We live in a digital age where information can be found instantaneously via the Internet. Studies have shown that consumers search for much of their medical information on the Internet, particularly utilizing blogs and social media platforms. As the mental health field is riddled with misinformation and stigma, this offers a unique opportunity for psychiatrists and mental health professionals to reach a broad audience for mental health education and advocacy. In this review, we discuss the various methods and techniques for blogging and social media. We then review the current recommendations for ethics and professionalism as well as make recommendations to strengthen our guidance in this new and evolving field.

Peril and Promise: Teens, Tech, and America's Mental Health Crisis.

Advances in Internet technologies have implications for the health and development of children and adolescents with potential for both beneficial and harmful outcomes. Similar technological advances also impact how psychiatrists deliver mental health care in clinical settings. Internet tech adds complexities to psychiatric practice in the form of electronic health records, patient portals, and virtual patient contact, which clinicians must understand and successfully incorporate into practice. Digital therapeutics and virtual mental health endeavors offer new treatment delivery options for patients and providers. Some have proven benefits, such as improved accessibility for patients, but all require provider expertise to utilize.

Real world efficacy and safety of various accelerated deep TMS protocols for major depression.

There is growing interest in accelerated rTMS dosing regimens, wherein multiple sessions of rTMS are applied per day. This Phase IV study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and durability of various accelerated Deep TMS protocols used in clinical practice. Data were aggregated from 111 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) at 4 sites. Patients received one of several accelerated Deep TMS protocols (2x/day, 3x/day, 5x/day, 10x/day). Self-assessment questionnaires (PHQ-9, BDI-II) and clinician-based rating scales (HDRS-21, MADRS) were collected. On average, accelerated TMS led to an 80.2% response and 50.5% remission rate in the first month based on the most rated scale for each patient. There was no significant difference between protocols (Response: 2x/day:89.6%; 3x/day:75%; 5x/day:81%; 10x/day:67.6%). Response occurred after 10 (3x/day), 20 (5x/day), and 31 sessions (10x/day) on average- all of which occur on day 3-4 of treatment. Of patients with longer term follow up, durability was found in 86.7% (n = 30; 60 days) and 92.9% (n = 14; 180 days). The protocols were well-tolerated with no reported serious adverse events. Accelerated Deep TMS protocols are found to be safe, effective therapeutic options for MDD. They offer treatment resistant patients a treatment option with a rapid onset of action and with long durability.

Deep TMS H1 Coil treatment for depression: Results from a large post marketing data analysis.

Phase IV study evaluated Deep TMS for major depression in community settings. Data were aggregated from 1753 patients at 21 sites, who received Deep TMS (high frequency or iTBS) using the H1 coil. Outcome measures varied across subjects and included clinician-based scales (HDRS-21) and self-assessment questionnaires (PHQ-9, BDI-II). 1351 patients were included in the analysis, 202 received iTBS. For participants with data from at least 1 scale, 30 sessions of Deep TMS led to 81.6% response and 65.3% remission rate. 20 sessions led to 73.6% response and 58.1% remission rate. iTBS led to 72.4% response and 69.2% remission. Remission rates were highest when assessed with HDRS (72%). In 84% of responders and 80% of remitters, response and remission was sustained in the subsequent assessment. Median number of sessions (days) for onset of sustained response was 16 (21 days) and for sustained remission 17 (23 days). Higher stimulation intensity was associated with superior clinical outcomes. This study shows that beyond its proven efficacy in RCTs, Deep TMS with the H1 coil is effective for treating depression under naturalistic conditions, and the onset of improvement is usually within 20 sessions. However, initial non-responders and non-remitters benefit from extended treatment.

Mental health clinicians' attitudes toward narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is an underdiagnosed psychiatric condition in which there is minimal research to support a validated treatment regimen. As a result, it is unclear how mental health practitioners approach NPD patients and the outcomes of clinical management. Given this gap in current mental health practice, this article explores the attitudes of clinicians toward treating NPD patients and the clinician-reported outcomes of managing NPD patients. The study uses a qualitative and quantitative approach to analyze the results of a 16-question survey about clinicians' experiences working with NPD patients. 173 participants were recruited from online psychology interest forums between April 2019 to August 2019. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Scientist (SPSS-26). The qualitative data showed that clinicians find NPD patients to be difficult and challenging. Additionally, clinicians report minimal experience treating NPD and high treatment drop-out rates. The quantitative data were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. These results show that clinicians who view NPD as a diagnosis worth treating report more benefit from their care. These results also showed that participants who report formal didactic training in NPD have better results with their patients. The data also show that clinicians feel group therapy can be helpful in treating NPD, despite reporting that it is often not offered to NPD patients. This is an area that can direct future NPD research to develop a comprehensive approach to NPD management. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Real-world efficacy of deep TMS for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Post-marketing data collected from twenty-two clinical sites.

BACKGROUND: Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) with the H7-coil was FDA cleared for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in August 2018 based on multicenter sham-controlled studies. Here we look at the efficacy of dTMS for OCD in real world practices. METHODS: All dTMS clinics were asked to supply their data on treatment details and outcome measures. The primary outcome measure was response, defined by at least a 30% reduction in the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) score from baseline to endpoint. Secondary outcome measures included first response, defined as the first time the YBOCS score has met response criteria, and at least one-month sustained response. Analyses included response rate at the endpoint (after 29 dTMS sessions), number of sessions and days required to reach first response and sustained response. RESULTS: Twenty-two clinical sites with H7-coils provided data on details of treatment and outcome (YBOCS) measures from a total of 219 patients. One-hundred-sixty-seven patients who had at least one post-baseline YBOCS measure were included in the main analyses. Overall first and sustained response rates were 72.6% and 52.4%, respectively. The response rate was 57.9% in patients who had YBOCS scores after 29 dTMS sessions. First response was achieved in average after 18.5 sessions (SD = 9.4) or 31.6 days (SD = 25.2). Onset of sustained one-month response was achieved in average after 20 sessions (SD = 9.8) or 32.1 days (SD = 20.5). Average YBOCS scores demonstrated continuous reduction with increasing numbers of dTMS sessions. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world clinical practice, the majority of OCD patients benefitted from dTMS, and the onset of improvement usually occurs within 20 sessions. Extending the treatment course beyond 29 sessions results in continued reduction of OCD symptoms, raising the prospect of value for extended treatment protocols in non-responders.

Adaptive phase I study of OROS methylphenidate treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to pilot a randomized controlled trial of OROS methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) plus epilepsy. METHODS: Thirty-three patients, 6-18years of age, taking antiepileptic drugs and with a last seizure 1-60months prior were assigned to a maximum daily dose of 18, 36, or 54mg of OROS-MPH in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. RESULTS: There were no serious adverse events and no carryover effects in the crossover trial. OROS-MPH reduced ADHD symptoms more than did placebo treatment. There were too few seizures during the active (5) and placebo arms (3) to confidently assess seizure risk; however, considering exposure time, we observed an increased daily risk of seizures with increasing dose of OROS-MPH, suggesting that potential safety concerns require further study. CONCLUSION: A larger study to assess the effect of OROS-MPH on seizure risk is needed. A crossover design including subjects with frequent seizures could maximize power and address high patient heterogeneity and recruitment difficulties.

"The Father of BPD" John G. Gunderson, 1942-2019.

On January 11th, our field lost a giant when John G. Gunderson, MD, passed away. During my time as a fellow and attending at McLean Hospital, he was my supervisor and mentor. Very early in my training, Dr. Gunderson showed me how rewarding it is to work with patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). He taught me that these patients can and often do get better, and it fundamentally influenced the trajectory of my career.

Tolerability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in thirty-nine children under age seven: a retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the adverse effects of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) started in children under age 7 yr. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for all children who had begun treatment with an SSRI under age 7 at an academic psychiatry department in Boston. RESULTS: Thirty-nine children (26 males, 13 females) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at start of treatment was 5.9 +/- 0.8 yr, and median treatment duration was 5.0 months. The target diagnoses for SSRI treatment were anxiety disorders in 54%, depressive disorders in 23%, and both anxiety and depressive disorders in 20% of patients. There were no reports of suicidal ideation or attempt. No children were medically or psychiatrically hospitalized for adverse effects (AEs). Eleven patients (28%) reported an AE of at least moderate severity; 7 (18%) discontinued the SSRI due to the AE. Six patients discontinued due to behavioral activation and 1 due to gastrointestinal upset. The median time to onset of an AE was 23 days, and median resolution was 19 days from onset. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of adverse effects, especially activation, in this sample argues for continued caution in using SSRIs in young children. Controlled trials are warranted.

A comparison of divalproex and oxcarbazepine in aggressive youth with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Divalproex (DVP) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) are used to treat pediatric bipolar disorder (PBPD) with severe aggression but these agents have not been compared in head to head trials. METHODS: Electronic medical records were reviewed for those (age < 18) who received DVP (n = 20) or OXC (n = 11) for the treatment of PBPD with severe aggression. Change in prospectively rated Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scores that measured global improvement of mental illness from baseline and rates of discontinuation due to adverse effects at approximately 4 months were the primary outcomes. CGI-S specific to aggression (CGI-Ag-S), which was rated retrospectively and blinded to treatment, was a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Greater reduction in CGI-S scores occurred with DVP compared with OXC at 4 months (p = 0.007). Both CGI-S and CGI-Ag-S scores improved significantly from baseline to the 4-month timepoint with DVP but not OXC. There were no significant differences in weight changes between the groups. Rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were similar. However, more discontinuations due to worsening aggression occurred with OXC (DVP 0%, OXC 27.3%, p = 0.037). More patients receiving DVP had a decrease of 1 point or more on the CGI-S and had not discontinued due to adverse events as of the patient's last recorded visit on the index medication (DVP 13 (65%), OXC 2 (18%), p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: OXC appeared less effective than DVP for PBPD with aggression in this study. Limitations included the small sample size and the open, nonrandomized, retrospective study design. Future prospective, double-blind studies are warranted to determine the place of OXC in the treatment of PBPD.

Comparative clinical responses to risperidone and divalproex in patients with pediatric bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical responses of patients with pediatric bipolar disorder being treated with risperidone versus divalproex. METHODS: Medical records of outpatients younger than 18 years of age were reviewed to gather data on those who received risperidone or divalproex monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Effectiveness was assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales assigned by the treating clinician at visits during the initial 3 months of treatment with risperidone or divalproex. Change in CGI-S score over time was the primary outcome variable. The number of patients with a CGI-I score of < or = 2 at endpoint who did not discontinue the index medication because of adverse events was also compared. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients aged 5-14 years who were being treated for bipolar disorder were identified (risperidone n = 16; divalproex n = 12). Regression analysis of change in CGI-S scores revealed greater reductions in bipolar symptoms (p = 0.022) and a faster reduction in CGI-S scores (p = 0.016) in patients receiving risperidone than divalproex. A significantly shorter time to achieving a CGI-I score of < or = 2 was observed with risperidone than divalproex (26.8 +/- 20.7 days vs. 33.8 +/- 11.3 days; p = 0.048). However, the proportion of patients with a CGI-I score < or = 2 at endpoint was not significantly different (risperidone 69% versus divalproex 42%, p = 0.250). Three patients discontinued risperidone and 2 discontinued divalproex. Of these, none of the patients treated with risperidone and only 1 patient treated with divalproex discontinued treatment because of a documented adverse event. Risperidone was associated with significantly more weight gain then divalproex at 3 months (risperidone 2.46 +/- 1.16 kg versus divalproex 0.43 +/- 0.77 kg, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving risperidone experienced a faster decrease in the severity of their bipolar symptoms, as measured by faster decreases in CGI-S scores, than did those who received divalproex. However, risperidone was also associated with significantly greater weight gain.

Psychiatric disorders and behavioral characteristics of pediatric patients with both epilepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) coexisting with epilepsy is poorly understood; thus, we compared the clinical correlates and psychiatric comorbid conditions of 36 children with epilepsy and ADHD aged 6 to 17 years enrolled in an ADHD treatment trial, with those reported in the literature on children with ADHD without epilepsy. METHODS: Measures included the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (KSADS), the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), and the Scales for Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R). RESULTS: Mean IQ was 86+/-19, and SIB-R Standard Score was 72+/-26. The ADHD-Combined subtype, composed of both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, was most frequent (58%). Sixty-one percent exhibited a comorbid disorder, including anxiety disorders (36%) and oppositional defiant disorder (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity in ADHD with epilepsy is similar to that in ADHD without epilepsy reported in the literature. These preliminary data argue that the pathophysiology of ADHD has common components in both populations.