Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health Headlines

Patient Knows Best: Catching Early Cognitive Decline

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 16:44:32 EST

New digital screening tools and listening closer to patient concerns could help catch dementia early.

Does My Patient Have Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 10:37:57 EST

When does narcissistic behavior signal a personality disorder? Gregory Scott Brown, MD, explains how to recognize NPD, navigate the diagnosis, and approach treatment.

Problematic Social Media Use Tied to Teen Depression

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 09:04:27 EST

Problematic social media use is bidirectionally linked to depressive symptoms in adolescents, with stronger associations observed in girls than boys.

Family History Tied to ECT Use and Repeat ECT in Depression

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 07:00:00 EST

A family history of severe mental disorders is more common among patients with depression who receive ECT and is associated with a higher likelihood of initiating ECT again 2-5 years later.

The ‘Emotional Whiplash’ of Modern Primary Care

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 06:05:19 EST

To manage the ups and downs of primary care, clinicians are carving out small moments to reset throughout the day.

Canada’s MAID Debate: Can Mental Illness Be Incurable?

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 04:34:51 EST

Canada plans an indefinite ban on MAID for mental illness alone, while experts disagree on whether psychiatric illness can ever be considered incurable.

Herbal Root Extract Kudzu May Help Curb Binge Drinking

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 04:27:11 EST

Taking kudzu extract before anticipated heavy drinking may reduce binge drinking in adults with alcohol use disorder, but experts caution that it’s not ready for clinical use.

How Doctors’ Behavior Shapes Patient Trust

Fri, 6 Nov 2026 01:37:56 EST

Normal results may not calm worried patients when a clinician seems uncertain. New research highlights how perceived competence and warmth shape patients’ responses.

Risk for Dyslipidemia Spikes Early in Youth on Antipsychotics

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 12:16:04 EST

Metabolic abnormalities in children on antipsychotics spike within the first 3 months of treatment.

Cocaine Overtakes Heroin in Drug Deaths for First Time

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 10:09:55 EST

Drug-poisoning deaths in England and Wales fell to 5519 in 2025, the first drop in the mortality rate since 2012, official figures show.

Deprescribing Psychiatric Medicines: When, Why, and Why Not

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 09:20:11 EST

Stopping psychiatric medication is rarely simple. Dr Joseph Goldberg of Mount Sinai in New York examines when — and if — it's appropriate to deprescribe psychiatric medications.

Alcohol and Cannabis Acute Care Encounters Diverge by Age

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 08:08:30 EST

Acute care encounters for cannabis predominate among adolescents and young adults, while those for alcohol predominate among adults aged 55-64 years, a US study shows.

Can Europe Keep Up With the Next Wave of Synthetic Opioids?

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 05:46:35 EST

As increasingly potent synthetic opioids emerge across Europe, experts warn that surveillance systems and harm reduction efforts are struggling to keep pace.

Substance Use Is Rising Among a Surprising Group of Patients

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 05:22:49 EST

As more research shows drinking and drug use rising among mothers and pregnant people, experts say clinicians may be underestimating women’s vulnerability to substance use harms.

Nighttime Eating: Strategies to Help Patients Cut Back

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 04:10:52 EST

Nighttime eating is common, but it’s a hard habit to break. Experts recommend strategies that work.

Online Program Tied to Reduced Functional Seizure Frequency

Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:06:55 EST

An online program is tied to reduced seizure frequency compared with standard care in adults with functional seizures, with benefits sustained at 12 months, a trial shows.

Stopping Antidepressants in Pregnancy Tied to More ED Visits

Wed, 4 Nov 2026 08:42:57 EST

Pregnant patients with depression or anxiety who stop taking antidepressants are more likely to visit an emergency department for behavioral health concerns than those who continue taking them.

Sleepmaxxing: Is the Pursuit of Perfect Sleep Backfiring?

Wed, 4 Nov 2026 07:33:11 EST

From mouth taping to sleep scores, popular strategies raise questions about safety, evidence, and when efforts to improve rest warrant clinical attention.

Positive Opioid Urine Test Tied to Lower MOUD Adherence

Wed, 4 Nov 2026 05:56:16 EST

A positive opioid urine drug test was linked to higher odds of using medication for opioid use disorder but lower odds of treatment adherence, a study shows.

Sexual Choking: When Does It Become a Medical Emergency?

Wed, 4 Nov 2026 04:12:15 EST

Sexual neck compression may cause vascular, airway, and neurologic injuries, yet patients may not disclose the circumstances when they seek emergency care.