Harvard Mental Health Letter: February 2009

A study of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder, who were assessed periodically over several years, found that manic episodes persisted into adulthood for 44% of the participants, and that about one third had developed substance abuse problems.

In a series of driving simulation experiments conducted by psychologists, drivers were more likely to be distracted by a cell phone conversation, even while using a hands-free device, than by talking to a passenger in the vehicle.

Young people with an opioid addiction who received a more prolonged treatment regimen during a study were less likely to relapse, but after the study's end they were almost as likely to use again as the group receiving less intensive treatment.

Two studies from abroad demonstrate that mental health treatment can produce significant and lasting results at a reasonable cost.

Studies of medications and supplements aiming to treat or reverse Alzheimer's disease have been unsuccessful. Drug therapy combining the available Alzheimer's medications, and maintaining physical and mental fitness, appears to be the best option for now.

Some people metabolize certain psychiatric medications too quickly, while others do so too slowly. Factors that can affect this include ethnicity, medical history, other medications being taken, diet, and lifestyle.