Bipolar I and II disorder (BD I and II) together affect an estimated 2.5% of US adolescents (Merikangas KR et al, Arch Gen Psychiatry 2012; 68(3):241–251), and there is little argument that they result in significant morbidity.

A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation usually includes questions about a patient’s spirituality and religious beliefs, but there is little research to show whether or how spiritual or religious factors may contribute to mental health. A recent study demonstrates that belief in God is significantly associated with better treatment outcomes, although the reasons for this connection remain unknown.

The ability of primary care and other office-based physicians to prescribe buprenorphine has more than doubled the capacity of the US healthcare system to treat patients addicted to prescription opioids and heroin. One barrier to expanding access to this treatment is that some physicians cite a lack of available counseling services as reason not to offer buprenorphine treatment in their offices.

Much research over the past decade has demonstrated the benefits of physical exercise in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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In advance of the official release of DSM-5 this May, the field trial data has been reported in three papers in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

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Does marijuana affect cognitive function? There seems to be no shortage of opinions on this question, but no prospective, longitudinal study has ever been published. Until now, that is.

Could the presence of a stress hormone in an adolescent’s saliva predict a risk for psychosis? Recent research suggests that it can.