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Psychodermatology: Addressing the Skin - Mental Health Connections
There are many complex connections between skin conditions and mental health conditions. Psychodermatology is the subspecialty that addresses these connections. A recent Special Section in Psychiatric News, authored by Mohammad Jafferany, M.D., professor of psychodermatology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, addressed it.
Group Music Therapy: A Promising Approach
Group music therapy, delivered in person or online, may be effective in helping address symptoms of mental health conditions, according to several recent studies. The studies looked at the use of group music therapy in women with depression, older adults with dementia, and college students experiencing stress. One consistent theme in this research is that participants have improved quality of life.
Updated Resource to Help Psychiatrists Plan for an Unexpected Practice Closure
- By APA Ethics Committee
At any stage of our careers, we psychiatrists are busy planning for the future. We all hope to practice as long as we want and to have retirements that proceed at our preferred pace. But as we make our plans, we need to acknowledge that the future doesn’t always go the way we expect. Life can intervene in unpredictable ways and make even the best laid plans go awry. Recognizing these possibilities is an important part of a psychiatrist’s responsibilities; doing so can greatly ease the turbulence when stormy conditions arise. To help in situations where a psychiatrist must unexpectedly close their practice, the APA Ethics Committee has recently updated a resource document that assists with planning in advance for such unanticipated and often difficult situations.
Myths and Facts About Mental Health
- By Sebastian Acevedo, M.P.H.
How are you feeling? Checking in with your emotions might feel strange, especially if you're not used to it. Can you name what you're feeling—happiness, stress, boredom, or something else entirely? Whether you're feeling happy, stressed, bored, or something else, all emotions—positive or negative—are a natural part of being human. However, many people question themselves when life feels overwhelming. The truth is that emotions are normal, and how we navigate them, especially during stressful times, defines our mental health. Despite this, there are myths around mental health that can stop people from seeking help. Let’s break them down
How Do We Cope with Loneliness?
With about 33% 0f people saying they report feeling lonely once a week or more, a new APA Healthy Minds survey looks at how people are coping. According to the poll, men and women and older and younger adults are using different strategies to deal with these feelings. Overall, younger adults are more likely to feel lonely than older adults. For example, 43% of young adults aged 18 to 34 feel lonely at least once a week compared to only 17% of adults 65 and older