Psychiatric News (8/20) reports, “Mitral valve prolapse…is significantly more common in patients with panic disorder/agoraphobia,” researchers concluded in a 14-study meta-analysis that included some 1,146 patients. The findings were published in the July/August issue of Psychosomatics.

Related Links:

— “Mitral Valve Prolapse More Prevalent in Patients With Panic Disorder, Study Finds, Psychiatric News, August 20, 2019

Patients taking very high doses of loperamide, an antidiarrheal medication, in an attempt to self-manage opioid withdrawal or to achieve a euphoric high may be at risk of severe or fatal cardiac events. Loperamide will not appear in a standard toxicology screen, and there is no urine test to screen for it. Learn the signs of loperamide misuse at: Understanding Loperamide Abuse

MedPage Today (8/20, Swift) reports, “Childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was associated with several psychiatric morbidities, including an increased risk of attempted suicide,” research indicated. What’s more, “the highest risk of anxiety and mood disorders occurred in the first year after an IBD diagnosis, suggesting the need for psychological support for young patients, according to” the study authors.

MD Magazine (8/20, Walter) reports that in the study, “investigators examined the data of 6,464 individuals with a childhood-onset IBD diagnosis from the Swedish national health care and population registers for all children under the age of 18 between 1973-2013.” The findings were published online Aug. 19 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Childhood-Onset IBD Tied to Psychiatric Disorders, “Diana Swift, MedPage Today , August 20, 2019

CNN International (8/19, Wolf) reports that “after the shootings earlier this month in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, the American Psychiatric Association issued a statement calling the gun violence a public health crisis that needs attention.” The APA, which has “called for additional funding for mental health programs,” said in that statement, “It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent and far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of violence. Rhetoric that argues otherwise will further stigmatize and interfere with people accessing needed treatment.”

Related Links:

— “Mental health advocates say reopening institutions won’t stop mass shootings, “Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, August 19, 2019

Psychiatric News (8/19) reports, “Adults who experienced significant abuse or neglect during childhood may exhibit a preference for more ‘personal space’ and discomfort with some types of social touching,” researchers concluded. The findings of the 92-adult study were published online Aug. 16 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a publication of the American Psychiatric Association.

Related Links:

— “Childhood Abuse May Impact Development of Close Social Bonds as Adults, Psychiatric News, August 19, 2019