Healio (12/14, Gramigna) reports, “Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders or autism spectrum disorders [ASD] may have similar levels of social cognitive impairment,” investigators concluded in “qualitative and quantitative analyses” that “included 36 and 33 studies, respectively.” The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis were published online Dec. 8 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders have similar social cognitive impairment levels “Joe Gramigna, Healio, December 14, 2020

HealthDay (12/14, Norton) reports, “Young adults who spend hours a day on social media are at heightened risk of developing depression in the near future,” investigators concluded in a study that “included nearly 1,000 adults aged 18 to 30 who were depression-free at the outset, based on a standard questionnaire.” Participants “all reported on their usual social media time and were assessed for depression again six months later.” The study revealed that “depression risk rose in tandem with time spent on social media.” The findings were published online Dec. 10 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Too Much Social Media Time Could Raise Risk of Depression “Amy Norton, HealthDay, December 14, 2020

Psychiatric News (12/11) reported, “Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may experience an acute exacerbation of their illness if they have depression and/or anxiety,” investigators concluded in a study involving “504 adults with COPD” who visited a hospital’s pulmonary clinic. The study revealed that “the risk of acute exacerbation was 60% higher in patients with anxiety and/or depression.” The findings were published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Related Links:

— “Anxiety, Depression May Increase Risk of Acute Exacerbation in COPD, Psychiatric News, December 11, 2020

Healio (12/11, Burba) reported, “Sequential integration of psychotherapy following response to acute-phase pharmacotherapy was associated with a reduced risk for relapse in patients with major depressive disorder [MDD],” investigators concluded in a 17-study, 2,283-participant systematic review and meta-analysis. The findings were published online Nov. 25 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Psychotherapy sequential integration may reduce risk for MDD relapse “Kate Burba, Healio, December 11, 2020

Healio (12/10, Weller) reports, “Adults aged 50 years or older reported lower levels of social isolation and loneliness after six months of participation in a community-based exercise program,” investigators concluded. The findings of the 382-participant study were published online Oct. 15 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Community exercise classes reduce loneliness, social isolation among older adults “Madison Weller, Healio, December 10, 2020