CHLA Psychologist Co-Hosts National Institute of Mental Health Webinar Focused on Disability, Equity and Mental Health

Key takeaways from Dr. Schwartzman’s presentation:Autistic people are frequently excluded from mental health research due to various factors.Including autistic individuals and scientists in the design of autism-focused research studies is crucial to effective research.Dr. Schwartzman’s lab is investigating tools to assess depression and suicide risk in autistic youth, testing autism-adapted cognitive behavioral therapy, and studying the needs of autistic youth and families following a suicide attempt.

American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy or second-generation antidepressants for adults with major depressive disorder

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued an update of its guideline with clinical recommendations for nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments of adults in the acute phase of major depressive disorder (MDD). In the updated clinical guideline, ACP recommends the use of either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) as initial treatment in adults with moderate to severe MDD, and suggests the combination of both, as an alternate initial treatment option. The guideline and supporting evidence reviews are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Chronic insomnia can be cured in cancer survivors with a basic, one-session sleep education class, study finds

In a study published online today by the journal Cancer, investigators at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report that a single-session sleep education program for survivors can cure insomnia in many participants, and that those who don’t benefit from this approach are often helped by a more extensive, but still modest, three-session program.