Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
August 30, 2021
Karan S Kverno, Emma Mangano
121 citations
About 30% of people treated for a major depressive episode do not achieve remission after two or more trials of first-line antidepressants, a condition known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Because the chance of remission declines with each additional medication trial, clinicians need to understand the characteristics, risk factors, and subtypes of major depressive disorder that are less responsive to standard treatments. This article reviews approved treatments for TRD, including esketamine, and the evidence for psilocybin and pramipexole. Although guidelines to help identify person-centered treatments are available, they remain limited in specificity.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
June 30, 2016
Robert H Howland
22 citations
Antidepressant, atypical antipsychotic, and hallucinogen drugs act partly through the serotonin-2A (5HT2A) receptor. Hallucinogens like psilocybin bind as agonists at this receptor, altering perception, mood, and cognition. Some hallucinogens are being tested in small Phase 2 studies for depression, alcoholism, smoking cessation, anxiety, and PTSD. However, concurrent use of antidepressants or atypical antipsychotics may attenuate hallucinogens' therapeutic effects because those medications desensitize or down-regulate 5HT2A receptors. This finding has implications for optimizing hallucinogen therapy in psychiatry.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
August 1, 2023
Sathya Dev Unudurthi, Kathy D Wright, Jill M Klimpel et al.
4 citations
A small pilot study tested whether a breathing-based mind-body practice, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), could help people with opioid use disorder in a rural community. Seven of eight participants completed the SKY sessions added to their usual treatment. After the intervention, substance use cravings and depression scores were significantly lower than at the start, while physical functioning and emotional well-being improved. The authors suggest SKY may enhance physical, social, and mental health during long-term opioid treatment, but larger trials are needed to confirm these results.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
May 14, 2025
Jiaoling Du, Rumei Sha, Ying Wang
2 citations
A meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials involving 912 nurses found that mindfulness-based training (MBT) reduces stress and job burnout. MBT lowered stress levels and job burnout. The analysis found no evidence of publication bias. The results suggest MBT is a promising short-term strategy for alleviating stress and burnout among nursing professionals, but further research is needed to assess the durability of its effects.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
December 1, 2022
Deana Goldin, Deborah Salani
2 citations
Kava, a rising herbal remedy, shows promise as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia, with 63% of users reporting improved relaxation and mood. Despite its increasing popularity in the U.S., where it is marketed as a safe dietary supplement, concerns about product quality and variability persist. Healthcare professionals must understand kava's potential effects and interactions due to inconsistent findings in studies. Familiarity with its pharmacology is essential for effectively managing kava use in patients seeking natural alternatives for psychological relief.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
June 1, 2024
Patty R Wilson, Emma Jagasia, Jennifer Lee et al.
1 citation
Formerly incarcerated women often experience poly-victimization, leading to health problems that hinder daily functioning, employment, and housing. Passport to Freedom (P2F), a trauma-informed reentry program, was piloted in 2017 to address connections between trauma and health, coping, and self-management. In a mixed-methods study with 24 participants, depression symptoms and everyday stress concerns decreased after the intervention. Most participants (84%) reported practicing mindfulness, and 63% said mindfulness exercises helped with daily stress management. The program shows promise for supporting health self-management in this population.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
January 23, 2026
Havva Kaçan, Havva Enıse Oguz
A six-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increased mindfulness and improved stress-coping strategies. Parents who completed the program showed a large increase in mindfulness scores, from an average of 57.9 to 78.5, while a control group showed no change. Self-confident and optimistic coping approaches also improved, and helpless and submissive approaches decreased. The program appears effective for boosting mindfulness and coping in these parents, which may in turn reduce stress for their children.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
November 1, 2022
Karan S Kverno
Dextromethorphan (DXM) has been repurposed over seven decades: first as a cough suppressant, then combined with quinidine for pseudobulbar affect, and most recently formulated with bupropion for major depressive disorder. This article describes DXM's history and mechanisms of action for each use, highlighting the uniquely rapid action and safety profile of the oral dextromethorphan-bupropion antidepressant formulation.