Top psych stories of October: Students and lockdown, sleep interventions for youth

Healio Psychiatry has compiled a list of its five most-viewed stories in October.

A survey on risk for mental health effects of the COVID-19 lockdown among university students, interventions for improving sleep among youth with mental health disorders and study results on co-prescribed benzodiazepines were just some of the most-read stories on Healio Psychiatry for the month.

University students at significant risk for mental health effects of COVID-19 lockdown

University students who experienced lockdowns due to COVID-19 exhibited a high prevalence of mental health issues, according to results of a survey study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.

Five interventions can improve sleep for youth with mental health disorders

Specific psychological and behavioral interventions can help improve sleep among children and adolescents with mental health disorders, according to a presenter at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference. Read more.

Co-prescribed benzodiazepines present risks among older adults with depression, anxiety

Co-prescribed benzodiazepines appeared to present treatment challenges among older adults with generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, according to study results published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Read more.

APA poll shows 62% of Americans more anxious now vs. this time last year

Americans are significantly more anxious now compared with this time last year, according to poll results released by the American Psychiatric Association.

This year, 62% of respondents reported increased anxiety vs. last year, which marks a significant increase over APA polls from the past 3 years. Prior poll results for anxiety ranged from 32% to 39%. Read more.

Any prenatal alcohol exposure may cause adverse effects among offspring

Any amount of prenatal alcohol use was associated with subtle but significant psychological and behavioral effects among offspring, according to study results published in American Journal of Psychiatry. Read more.