MedWire (6/28, Cowen) reports, “Results from a US study show that more than half of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a significant burden of comorbid medical illnesses.” The 264-patient study revealed that “medical comorbidity most commonly affected the musculoskeletal/integumentary (33%), the respiratory (27%), and the endocrinologic/metabolic (25%) systems, and the most common individual conditions were migraine (25%), history of head trauma with loss of consciousness (19%), and hypertension (16%).” In addition, investigators “found that 31% (n=87) of patients were overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, and 38% (n=105) were obese, with a BMI of more than 30.0 kg/m2.” The findings were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit in Phoenix, Arizona.

Related Links:

— “High medical illness rates in bipolar disorder, “Mark Cowen, MedWire News, June 28, 2012.

Reuters (6/28, Norton) reports that according to a study published online Jun3 13 in the journal Fertility and Sterility, women who undergo unsuccessful attempts to have a baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be at increased risk for depression or a clinical anxiety disorder in the months immediately following the failed procedure. A second study also appearing online June 13 in the same journal found that women who were anxious and depressed while trying to conceive through natural methods appeared to have about the same chances of becoming pregnant naturally as their less stressed and depressed peers.

Related Links:

— “Failed IVF attempt tied to depression, anxiety, “Amy Norton, Reuters, June 27, 2012.

ABC World News (6/26, story 8, 3:50, Stephanopoulos) reported on what it called a “hidden underworld of mothers” who abuse the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) medication Adderall [amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts], which some are calling “mother’s new little helper.” Correspondent Dan Harris reported that ABC News received “a wave of anonymous voicemails and e-mails” from women saying they’ve used the medication. “And these women don’t have AD/HD,” Harris added. The report featured interviews with several women who claim to have abused the medication, and showed Marvin Seppala, MD, of the Hazelden Clinic, saying, “We’re seeing an increase in the use of Adderall and other amphetamines by women. A really powerful stimulant, it can cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, even death.”

On its website, WUSA-TV Washington (6/27, Brikman) reports, “An event entitled ‘Visible Honor for Invisible Wounds’ will be taking place in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, June 27th. The idea is to recognize how post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, severe depression, and survivor’s guilt can wound our veterans as much as roadside bombs or a sniper’s fire.” During the event, there will be “an ‘open mike’ portion of the event in which any active duty service member or veteran can share his or her story, all in an effort to further chip away at the stigma of PTSD and to seek mental health help.”

Related Links:

— “Visible Honor For Invisible Wounds, “Anita Brikman, WUSA9, June 26, 2012.

The Washington Post (6/27, Vozzela) reports that in Virginia, “a shortage of group homes and other community-based housing for the mentally ill keeps many patients hospitalized far longer than needed — at significant state expense and possibly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to a report that will be presented to legislators Thursday.” Specifically, “it costs $214,000 a year, on average, to keep a patient in a state psychiatric hospital, compared with $44,000 a year for community-based housing, according to the report, prepared by the inspector general’s office for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.” Currently, “with at least 70 ‘discharge-ready’ patients stuck in state hospitals, the report says, Virginia is spending about $12 million a year on unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations.”

Related Links:

— “Space in Va. group homes scarce, some mentally ill languish in state care, “Laura Vozzella , The Washington Post, June 26, 2012.