Mental Disorders Research Articles

Evaluating the Effect of Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels Among Women Firefighters.

Objective: To assess whether depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Study Design: We used data from a sample of women firefighters from the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study. Participant demographics, reproductive history, and self-reported clinical diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were collected with serum for AMH analysis at enrollment. Main Outcome Measure: Linear regression models were used to estimate the association between anxiety, depression, and PTSD and log transformed AMH levels adjusted for age years (continuous and squared) and body mass index. Percent difference in AMH was calculated by [exp(β) - 1] × 100. Results: Among 372 participants, with mean ± standard deviation age 32.54 ± 6.32, clinical diagnoses were reported as follows: depression (15%), anxiety (18.2%), or PTSD (8.7%). No statistically significant association was observed between depression and AMH levels (-22%Δ, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -47.3, 14.5). Women firefighters with a history of anxiety (-33%Δ, 95% CI: -53.5, -4.2) and PTSD (-66%Δ, 95% CI: -79.1, -44.6) had lower serum AMH compared with participants without those conditions. When individuals with concurrent PTSD were excluded, the association between anxiety ceased to be statistically significant (26.7%Δ, 95% CI: -17.9, 92.6). Conclusion: A history of clinically diagnosed anxiety or PTSD was associated with statistically significantly lower AMH levels. This association offers insight into the potential biological mechanisms through which mental health conditions may influence reproductive health.

Facing stress and inflammation: From the cell to the planet

As identified in 1936 by Hans Selye, stress is shaping diseases through the induction of inflammation. But inflammation display some yin yang properties. On one hand inflammation is merging with the innate immune response aimed to fight infectious or sterile insults, on the other hand inflammation favors chronic physical or psychological disorders. Nature has equipped the cells, the organs, and the individuals with mediators and mechanisms that allow them to deal with stress, and even a good stress (eustress) has been associated with homeostasis. Likewise, societies and the planet are exposed to stressful settings, but wars and global warming suggest that the regulatory mechanisms are poorly efficient. In this review we list some inducers of the physiological stress, psychologic stress, societal stress, and planetary stress, and mention some of the great number of parameters which affect and modulate the response to stress and render it different from an individual to another, from the cellular level to the societal one. The cell, the organ, the individual, the society, and the planet share many stressors of which the consequences are extremely interconnected ending in the domino effect and the butterfly effect.

Fire setting in the custodial environments: developing the evidence base for improving fire safety in prisons

Purpose The HMPPS National Fire Safety Team commissioned three research studies from HMPPS National Psychology Services to explore fire setting in prisons. The purpose of this paper is to share the outcomes of these studies which explored the characteristics of known fire-setters; the act of repeat fire setting and its relationship to fire severity and level of injury; and the triggers for fire-setting incidents in prisons. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative matched-groups design allowed for a direct comparison between 100 known adult male fire-setters and 100 adult males in prison who had not set fires. The second study identified 4,003 fire-setting incidents recorded in Sphera Cloud. It used a series of categorical variables to explore repeat custodial fire setting and its relationship to fire severity and level of injury sustained. The third study was qualitative, comprising seven semi-structured interviews with adult males in custody. Findings Mental illness, being supported via a Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan, and self-harm history predicted fire setting in custody, with the statistical model able to correctly classify 86% of the fire-setting incidents. Fire severity and level of injury alone do not distinguish first from repeat fires, but their interaction does. Themes from prisoner interviews include emotional coping and mental health, fire setting to affect change and costs of fire setting, with subthemes such as grievances towards staff and prolonged periods in cell. Research limitations/implications Both quantitative studies were subject to the known limitations of secondary data which include incomplete or inaccurate reporting and/or recording. There was also missing information which could have included unreported fires. The qualitative study struggled to secure interviews with known fire-setters who were suspicious of the research/er. The study also coincided with the Covid-19 lockdowns which may have impacted what the people in prison reported. Practical implications The research suggests that there are some likely predictors for fire setting in prisons, and that a statistical model could be worthy of replication with a larger sample. The finding that those who set fires learn from their experiences, and thus can minimise their potential for serious injury suggests a need to prevent cycles of fire setting from the very first fire. The triggers for fire setting in prison suggest that a preventative approach to fire safety must go beyond physical measures and also address environmental factors. This includes staff−prisoner relationships, encourage the recognition of mental health problems and the need for procedurally just approaches to be consistently applied. Originality/value Little is known about individuals who set fires in prison or repeat fire setting and its relationship to fire severity and level of injury. The qualitative study involving known fire-setters is likely the first in an English prison.

Depression: implications for learning and education

ABSTRACT Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that involves low mood, lack of pleasure and reduced energy. Previous research on depression, learning, and education has focused on developing and testing preventive interventions. However, as these interventions are not entirely effective, there is a need to understand how to best manage depression in the educational system so that affected individuals may progress and grow. Supporting students with depression requires knowing how the disorder may affect psychological processes that are vital for learning and knowledge acquisition, and I propose that depression may compromise cognitive focus, hinder intrinsic motivation, and lower self-confidence. Additionally, supporting affected students requires knowing how to best interact with them, and I suggest five strategies that may be beneficial to adopt, namely limiting destructivity, instilling hope, promoting control, embracing failure, and fostering understanding. Finally, I discuss the opportunities for and the obstacles to intervention.

Heart abnormality associates with a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders: Evidence from Mendelian randomization analyses

Psychiatric disorders and heart abnormality are closely interconnected. Previous knowledge has been well-established that psychiatric disorders can lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity and even sudden cardiac death. Conversely, whether heart abnormality contributes to psychiatric disorders remains rarely studied. The work by Zhang et al pointed out that chronic heart failure had effects on the anxiety and depression (AD) severity, and indices including left ventricular ejection fraction, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and interleukin-6 were independent risk factors for AD severity. In addition to the aforementioned AD, we herein find that heart failure might additionally impact the development of autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (albeit P > 0.05), and significantly protects against the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), [odds ratio (OR) = 0.61, P = 0.0071] by using a Mendelian randomization analysis. Bradycardia is also a protective factor for ADHD (OR = 0.61, P = 0.0095), whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a mild risk factor for schizophrenia (OR = 1.02, P = 0.032). These data suggest a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders secondary to heart abnormality, and we highlight more psychiatric care that should be paid to patients with heart abnormality.

Research Review: A review of the past decade offamily and genomic studies on adolescent mentalhealth.

Mental health problems and traits capturing psychopathology are common and often begin during adolescence. Decades of twin studies indicate that genetic factors explain around 50% of individual differences in adolescent psychopathology. In recent years, significant advances, particularly in genomics, have moved this work towards more translational findings. This review provides an overview of the past decade of genetically sensitive studies on adolescent development, covering both family and genomic studies in adolescents aged 10-24 years. We focus on five research themes: (1) co-occurrence or comorbidity between psychopathologies, (2) stability and change over time, (3) intergenerational transmission, (4) gene-environment interplay, and (5) psychological treatment outcomes. First, research shows that much of the co-occurrence of psychopathologies in adolescence is explained by genetic factors, with widespread pleiotropic influences on many traits. Second, stability in psychopathology across adolescence is largely explained by persistent genetic influences, whereas change is explained by emerging genetic and environmental influences. Third, contemporary twin-family studies suggest that different co-occurring genetic and environmental mechanisms may account for the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology, with some differences across psychopathologies. Fourth, genetic influences on adolescent psychopathology are correlated with a wide range of environmental exposures. However, the extent to which genetic factors interact with the environment remains unclear, as findings from both twin and genomic studies are inconsistent. Finally, a few studies suggest that genetic factors may play a role in psychological treatment response, but these findings have not yet been replicated. Genetically sensitive research on adolescent psychopathology has progressed significantly in the past decade, with family and twin findings starting to be replicated at the genomic level. However, important gaps remain in the literature, and we conclude by providing suggestions of research questions that still need to be addressed.

Embracing the complexity of lived experiences in psychiatry research: Reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and emergent design

This article examines the critical integration of reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and emergent design in qualitative psychiatry research focused on lived experiences. While quantitative methods offer essential clinical insights, qualitative approaches provide a deeper understanding of the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of mental health. Reflexivity enables researchers to remain aware of how their personal biases and professional backgrounds shape data interpretation. Cultural sensitivity ensures that mental health conditions are understood within their broader cultural contexts, helping avoid misrepresentation and promoting authentic participant expression. Emergent design offers flexibility in adapting the research process to evolving themes, particularly in the dynamic and multifaceted realm of psychiatric conditions. Together, these principles promote ethically sound, participant-centered research that captures the full complexity of lived experiences. The article also highlighted the practical implications of these principles for enhancing both academic knowledge and clinical practice in psychiatry.

Well-Being and Mental Health: Where Do We Stand After COVID-19 Pandemic?

Mental health encompasses the ability to cope with important stresses of life and to realize one's abilities in the community, and the COVID-19 pandemic represented a very stressful event for people with mental illnesses. Our aim was to assess mental well-being in people living with different mental disorders, comparing results obtained in 2016 with those observed after the COVID-19 pandemic. Ninety-six participants were assessed using the Mental Health Continuum Short Form and classified as "flourishing," "moderately mentally healthy," and "languishing." Overall, a significant increase in the prevalence of "flourishing" and "moderately mentally healthy" subjects and a reduction of "languishing" subjects ( p = 0.003) were observed. However, a significant improvement in well-being ( p = 0.005) was observed only in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder group. Moreover, only subjects that never contracted SARS-CoV-2 showed a significant ( p = 0.019) increase in positive well-being states. Lockdowns may have led caregivers to spend more time with the participants, also increasing treatment adherence, resulting in an improvement of overall well-being in several participants.

Inner dialogue dysfunction and the abusive comments of the dominant hemisphere.

Inner dialogue and inner speech are normal systems of cerebral intrapersonal communication, crucial to self-awareness. Lesions affecting the cerebral network involved in these systems have been associated with the occurrence of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVHs). These are regarde as a continuum phenomenon experienced by healthy, individuals, as well as those with psychiatric disorders. In this paper, two patients with left hemispheric lesions of different pathologies, vascular and tumor, respectively, who during their recovery of motor and sensory functions presented severe deregulation in their inner dialogue. In both cases, the damaged left dominant hemisphere adopted arrogant, demeaning, and abusive inner speech, while the right non-dominant side, which commands the rehabilitation of the lost functions, was subdued and quiet. This abusive unilateral inner dialogue was present until adequate recovery of independent functions was achieved for both patients.

Pass/failure on the memory validity profile: one size does not fit all

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the influence of various demographic variables on pass/failure on a pediatric performance validity test, the Memory Validity Profile (MVP) in a mixed clinical sample (n = 393; 62% male, 62% White, median age 11 years). Children who failed the MVP (n = 72, 18%) according to a uniform cutoff of ≤30/32 correct were younger and were more likely to have a special education history than those who passed it (n = 321, 82%). There were no statistically significant group differences on other variables such as sex, race, parental education, history of treatment for ADHD or other psychiatric disorder. Possible false positive findings were relatively most common in children under the age of 10 years and in children who received special education services under the Physical/Other Health Impairment or Speech & Language Impairment qualifications. We conclude that a uniform cutoff for pass/failure on the MVP across any and all ages and diagnostic categories is ill-advised. Instead, we recommend the development of various adjusted cutoffs for this test that maintain 90% specificity at both ends of the age spectrum as well as with different medical or developmental conditions.

Interaction between serum inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cognitive function among first-episode schizophrenia patients

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (SCZ) remains unclear. Accumulating studies showed that inflammatory-immune dysregulation and altered brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels play a crucial role in the psychopathology of SCZ. However, their association with cognitive dysfunction in first-episode SCZ patients has not been thoroughly investigated. AIM To explore the interaction effects between cognitive function and inflammatory cytokines and BDNF in first-episode SCZ. METHODS The current study is a cross-sectional case-control investigation that recruited 84 patients with first-episode SCZ (SCZ group) and 80 healthy controls (HCs group) at the Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital between August 2021 and September 2023. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and BDNF. The Chinese brief cognitive test (C-BCT) and the positive and negative syndrome scales were measured the severity of cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS Compared to the HC group, the SCZ group exhibited elevated IL-1β and IL-6 levels, decreased BDNF levels, and reduced C-BCT scores (all P < 0.001). In SCZ, BDNF was negatively correlated with IL-6 (r = -0.324, P < 0.05). Information processing speed was negatively correlated with IL-6 (r = -0.315, P < 0.05) and positively with BDNF (r = 0.290, P < 0.05); attention, working memory, comprehensive ability, and executive function were negatively correlated with IL-1β and IL-6 (all P < 0.05) and positively with BDNF (all P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed IL-6 influenced C-BCT dimensions (β = -0.218 to -0.327, all P < 0.05); attention and executive ability were influenced by IL-1β (β = -0.199 to -0.261, all P < 0.05) ; comprehensive executive ability was influenced by BDNF (β = 0.209, P < 0.05) . CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that interrelationships between immune dysfunction and neurotrophic deficiency might underlie the pathological mechanisms of cognitive impairments in first-episode SCZ patients.

Sex difference in alexithymia and cognitive impairment in chronic schizophrenia: a large sample study based on Chinese Han population.

Sex differences in schizophrenia have been noted across domains such as alexithymia and cognitive function; however, how they interact remains unclear. This study aimed to explore sex differences in the relationship between alexithymia and cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia. A total of 695 patients (464 males and 231 females) who met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. We assessed alexithymia using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), cognitive function using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and psychiatric symptoms using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Male schizophrenic patients have to read 56.7% of the alexithymia rate, and higher scores on the RBANS visuospatial/constructional, language and total score than female patients (all P < 0.05).Alexithymia patients had lower language than non-alexithymia patients(P = 0.001). In addition, there were significant differences of the correlation scores for men and women in immediate memory and delayed memory (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that there are sex differences in the prevalence comorbid alexithymia symptoms, as well as their association with cognitive function, in patients with schizophrenia. However, a cross-sectional design could not establish definitive causative associations between sex and alexithymia or cognitive function.

Addiction to smartphones in Arabs is associated with severe depressive symptoms and insomnia: a cross-sectional study.

Addiction to smartphones is a global issue. Mental health disturbance is an emerging factor implicated in smartphone addiction. Whether depressive symptoms and anxiety are implicated in smartphone addiction in developing countries such as Jordan is a nexus that warrants investigation. The present study investigated whether depressive symptoms and insomnia are correlated with smartphone addiction in a cohort of Jordanian participants. We adopted a cross-sectional design for a convenient sample, smartphone addiction, depressive symptoms, and insomnia were assessed using validated scales. Data analysis from 484 participants revealed that smartphone addiction was reported in 180 (37.1%) of the participants. Symptoms of severe depression and severe insomnia were reported in 174 (35.9%) and 198 (40.9%) of the participants respectively. The multivariable regression analysis showed that severe depressive symptoms and severe insomnia were significantly associated with addiction to smartphones (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.11-2.55, p = 0.01) and (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.46-3.29, p < 0.001) respectively. In conclusion, poor mental health outcomes are correlated with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as addiction to smartphones, the addressing these alarming mental health symptoms is required to optimize the well-being of the community.

Why U.S. science and engineering undergraduates who struggle with mental health are left without role models

Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health concerns for science and engineering (S&amp;E) undergraduates in the United States (U.S.), and students perceive they would benefit from knowing a S&amp;E instructor with depression or anxiety. However, it is unknown how prevalent depression and anxiety are among S&amp;E instructors and whether instructors disclose their depression or anxiety to their undergraduates. These identities are unique because they are concealable stigmatized identities (CSIs), meaning they can be kept hidden and carry negative stereotypes. To address these gaps, we surveyed 2013 S&amp;E faculty instructors across U.S. very high research activity doctoral-granting institutions. The survey assessed the extent to which they had and revealed depression or anxiety to undergraduates, why they chose to reveal or conceal their depression or anxiety, and the benefits of revealing depression or anxiety. These items were developed based on prior studies exploring why individuals conceal or reveal CSIs including mental health conditions. Of the university S&amp;E instructors surveyed, 23.9% (n = 482) reported having depression and 32.8% (n = 661) reported having anxiety. Instructors who are women, white, Millennials, or LGBTQ+ are more likely to report depression or anxiety than their counterparts. Very few participants revealed their depression (5.4%) or anxiety (8.3%) to undergraduates. Instructors reported concealing their depression and anxiety because they do not typically disclose to others or because it is not relevant to course content. Instructors anticipated that undergraduates would benefit from disclosure because it would normalize struggling with mental health and provide an example of someone with depression and anxiety who is successful in S&amp;E. Despite undergraduates reporting a need for role models in academic S&amp;E who struggle with mental health and depression/anxiety being relatively common among U.S. S&amp;E instructors, our study found that instructors rarely reveal these identities to their undergraduates.

Decreasing Agitation in Neurodiverse Patients with Mental Health Concerns.

Children and adolescents are experiencing a mental health crisis. Neurodiverse patients have high rates of mental health conditions and worse outcomes. To address this disparity, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care Pathway was applied to a pediatric emergency department (PED) and Observation Unit (OU) in order to decrease agitation experienced by these patients. This prospective cohort study was in a community-based PED and OU from June 2023 to February 2024. A medical education curriculum consisting of a multidisciplinary champion training and toolkit rollout was completed. Agitation was measured by the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale. The primary aim was to decrease frequency of agitation experienced by neurodiverse patients at any point in the PED/OU. The secondary outcome was to decrease pharmacologic intervention and physical restraint use. We captured data from a total of 45 patients, with 19 baseline patients and 26 patients in the intervention group. At baseline, 9 out of 19 (47%) patients experienced agitation at some point in their PED/OU stay. After implementation of the curriculum, agitation levels decreased to 6 out of 26 (23%) patients (p = 0.04). Inter-rater reliability was 0.95. There were 3 incidences of pharmacologic intervention and no physical restraint use. This pilot medical education curriculum for PED and OU staff members decreased agitation in neurodiverse patients who presented for mental health complaints. This study is the foundation for expansion of the curriculum for use in general emergency departments.

Re-thinking the normal through comics: in conversation with Ellen Forney

ABSTRACT Giving a renewed definition of what a cure can be and a close view of the predicament of bipolar in her works, Ellen Forney dispels the misrepresentations of mental illness and misconceptions of mental health in dominant discourses of ableism. This is an interview with Ellen Forney on her graphic narrative Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir. The interview adds to the ongoing dialogue on mental health and art, particularly comics, as a companion for guiding the articulation of visceral experiences of mental illness. It touches upon topics such as stigma, agency, and the various affordances of comics.

Examining Systemic and Interpersonal Bias in Violence Risk Assessments of Patients in Acute Psychiatric Care.

The assessment and management of inpatient risk for violence in acute psychiatric care are challenges that introduce the potential for bias. This study aimed to examine inequities based on social determinants of health (SDoH) (e.g., race-ethnicity, gender, or mode of admission to acute care) that may lead to unfair assessment of psychiatric patients. The authors analyzed electronic health records of 7,424 acute care patients across 12,650 stays (2016-2022) at a large Canadian psychiatric hospital. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated by SDoH for staff assessments of high risk (perceived risk), for violent incidents (actual risk), and for potentially biased risk assessment (particularly when a patient was assessed as high risk but did not become violent). In univariate analyses, patients assessed as high risk who did not become violent were more likely to be male than female and to be Black, Indigenous, or Middle Eastern than White. When RRs were mutually adjusted for all variables, the associations for gender and race-ethnicity were attenuated or were no longer statistically significant. Associations with potentially biased risks that remained significant included most psychiatric diagnoses (vs. a depressive or anxiety disorder), supportive or unstable housing (vs. owning a home), and admission by police (vs. self-admission; RR=2.14, 95% CI=1.92-2.40). Systemic factors, such as admission by police and housing status, and having severe mental illness were the primary drivers of observed inequities in risk assessments of patients from racial-ethnic minority groups. Addressing these systemic factors might be key to improving acute psychiatric care.

A Digital Mental Health Solution to Improve Social, Emotional, and Learning Skills for Youth: Protocol for an Efficacy and Usability Study

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a devastating youth mental health crisis in the United States, characterized by an all-time high prevalence of youth mental illness. This crisis is exacerbated by limited access to mental health services and the reduction of mental health support in schools. Mobile health platforms offer a promising avenue for delivering tailored and on-demand mental health care. Objective To address the lack of youth mental health services, we created the Science Technology Engineering Math and Social and Emotional Learning (STEMSEL) study. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of a digital mental health intervention, Neolth, in enhancing social and emotional well-being, reducing academic stress, and increasing mental health literacy and life skills among adolescents. Methods The STEMSEL study will involve the implementation and evaluation of Neolth across 4 distinct phases. In phase 1, a comprehensive needs assessment will be conducted across 3 diverse schools, each using a range of teaching methods, including in-person, digital, and hybrid modalities. Following this, in phase 2, school administrators and teachers undergo intensive training sessions on Neolth’s functionalities and intervention processes as well as understand barriers and facilitators of implementing a digital mental health program at their respective schools. Phase 3 involves recruiting middle and high school students aged 11-18 years from the participating schools, with parental consent and student assent obtained, to access Neolth. Students will then be prompted to complete an intake questionnaire, enabling the customization of available modules to address their specific needs. Finally, phase 4 will include a year-long pre- and posttest pilot study to rigorously evaluate the usability and effectiveness of Neolth in addressing the mental health concerns of students across the selected schools. Results Phase 1 was successfully completed in August 2022, revealing significant deficits in mental health resources within the participating schools. The needs assessment identified critical gaps in available mental health support services. We are currently recruiting a diverse group of middle and high school students to participate in the study. The study’s completion is scheduled for 2024, with data expected to provide insights into the real-world use of Neolth among the adolescent population. It is designed to deliver findings regarding the intervention’s efficacy in addressing the mental health needs of students. Conclusions The STEMSEL study plays a crucial role in assessing the feasibility and adoption of digital mental health interventions within the school-aged youth population in the United States. The findings generated from this study have the potential to dismantle obstacles to accessing mental health assistance and broaden the availability of care through evidence-based strategies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/59372

The role of olive oil and its constituents in mental health: a scoping review.

Mounting evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on mental health. It has been hypothesised that this effect is mediated by a variety of foods, nutrients and constituents; however, there is a need for research elucidating which of these components contribute to the therapeutic effect. This scoping review sought to systematically search for and synthesise the research on olive oil and its constituents and their impact on mental health, including the presence or absence of a mental illness or the severity or progression of symptoms. PubMed and OVID MEDLINE databases were searched. The following article types were eligible for inclusion: human experimental and observational studies, animal and preclinical studies. Abstracts were screened in duplicate, and data were extracted using a piloted template. Data were analysed qualitatively to assess trends and gaps for further study. The PubMed and OVID MEDLINE search yielded 544 and 152 results, respectively. After full-text screening, forty-nine studies were eligible for inclusion, including seventeen human experimental, eighteen observational and fourteen animal studies. Of these, thirteen human and four animal studies used olive oil as a comparator. Observational studies reported inconsistent results, specifically five reporting higher rates of mental illness, eight reporting lower and five reporting no association with higher olive oil intake. All human experimental studies and nine of ten animal studies that assess olive oil as an intervention reported an improvement of anxiety or depression symptoms. Olive oil may benefit mental health outcomes. However, more experimental research is needed.

Therapeutic Potential of MDMA- and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression and Trauma.

There is a mental health crisis affecting youth, and the utility of existing treatments is often limited by lack of effectiveness and tolerability. The aim of this review is to report on outcomes of clinical trials for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for adults with depression and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and discuss recommendations for exploring these treatments in adolescent populations. There have been encouraging data supporting the use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for depression, including previously treatment-resistant symptoms. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is showing similar promise in treating PTSD, with excellent response and remission rates that appear durable. However, no studies have looked at the use of these treatments in younger patients. The safety and efficacy of psychedelic- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapies should be investigated in adolescents, especially considering the burden of untreated and undertreated psychiatric illness in youth, and the benefits of a potentially earlier, more effective, and more tolerable recovery process. Research and implementation should be tailored to the needs of this population, and equity and access should be considered at every stage. In this novel and rapidly evolving landscape, the psychiatric community is encouraged to advocate for safe, appropriate, and inclusive inquiry into, and application and scaling of these treatment models in adolescent patients.