Harvard Mental Health Letter: June 2007

In the mental health community, there is debate about whether treatment that leads to higher self-esteem should be a goal in itself, or whether improving self-esteem should come as a result of achieving other goals in one's life.

Treatment of patients with schizophrenia often falters because patients are unwilling or unable to maintain doctor's appointments and medication schedules. Transitional services such as assertive community treatment can improve the chances of success.

A study that asked mental health professionals to evaluate a hypothetical case history found biases based on the way the circumstances of the case were presented, and also due to professional orientation and training.

A survey of women who had recently been diagnosed with depression found that at least half of them had opted for an alternative form of treatment, such as massage or yoga, in addition to conventional forms of treatment such as medication and therapy.

How well does the new drug varenicline work for people who want to stop smoking?

Hypotheses explaining how depression manifests itself.