“Psychiatric Diagnosis Is Difficult, and So Is Treatment” AND More on Best 5 Friday Reads

Hello and welcome to another edition of Best 5 Reads. Lets begin!

1) Psychiatric Diagnosis Is Difficult, and So Is Treatment

The genetics of psychiatric diagnosis is complex. That’s another reason why effective treatments are, too.

2) Mental health apps helpful but poor design, privacy concerns contribute to low engagement

A clinical review, published in Evidence Based Mental Health Month, suggests numerous issues, including poor app design and privacy concerns, have contributed to a low engagement rate for mental health apps. The article goes on to suggest that more patient engagement during the app design process and the creation of standards could help remedy these issues.

“The potential of smartphone apps to improve quality and increase access to mental health care is increasingly clear,” authors of the study wrote. “Yet even in the current global mental health crisis, real-world uptake of smartphone apps by clinics or consumers remains low.”

3) ‘Mental Health Czar’ Bullish on Prevention, Mental Health Issues

US ‘mental health czar’ Elinore McCance-Katz is pushing forward with her two-pronged platform of substance abuse prevention and severe mental illness, including overseeing a new APA grant.

4) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Reduced With Virtual Reality Therapy

Results from this study show that virtual reality exposure therapy improved posttraumatic stress disorders symptoms, had no adverse events, and maintained improvements for 6 months post treatment.

5) His Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward: An Interview on Love, Writing, and Mental Illness

In this podcast, author Mark Lukach shares his experiences as the loved one of someone with new onset symptoms of mania, depression, suicidality, and psychosis.

Thank you for your time and see you tomorrow for Weekend Quote.

Best Regards,

Vikram

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