Psychiatric News (12/13) reports, “Children diagnosed with major depressive disorder between the ages of 3 and 6 – known as preschool-onset MDD – are more likely than their peers to express suicidal thoughts and behaviors before the age of 13, a” study found. The research “found that 67.9% of 8-to 12-year-old children who had preschool-onset MDD expressed suicidal thoughts and behaviors by preadolescence, including 26.3% over the prior month.” The findings were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Study Highlights Need to Screen Young Children With Depression for Suicidal Behaviors,” APA Psychiatric News Alert, December 13, 2023

The AP (12/13, Johnson) reports “a large Swedish study has” found that people with hypochondriasis “tend to die earlier than people who aren’t hypervigilant about health concerns.” The study “found that people with the diagnosis have an increased risk of death from both natural and unnatural causes, particularly suicide.”

Chronic stress and its effect “on the body could explain some of the difference, the authors wrote.” Dr. Jonathan E. Alpert, “who leads the American Psychiatric Association’s council on research,” said, “It takes a great deal of respect and sensitivity conveyed to patients that this itself is a kind of condition, that it has a name. … And, fortunately, there are good treatments.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

MedPage Today (12/13, DePeau-Wilson) also reports on the study.

Related Links:

— “In hypochondria paradox, Swedish study finds a higher death rate in those who fear serious illness,” Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press, December 13, 2023

Reuters (12/12, Lapid) reports, “Children with obesity should receive intensive counseling to promote healthy diet and exercise habits starting at age 6, according to a draft recommendation” issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Wednesday. In 2017, the USPSTF “had recommended … that screening for obesity start at age 6.” However, “research since then has shown the effectiveness of intensive behavioral interventions … for achieving a healthy weight and improving the quality of life for children and adolescents, the panel said.”

CNN (12/12, Christensen) reports, “The task force’s draft recommendations do not include weight loss medications or surgery, although it has looked at some research on those interventions.”

Related Links:

— “US panel recommends children with obesity start counseling from age 6,” Nancy Lapid, Reuters, December 12, 2023

HealthDay (12/12, Thompson) reports “gun advocates often claim that mental illness is the driving force behind mass shootings in the United States,” but a new study “argues that gun violence is more likely driven by the massive numbers of firearms available throughout the country, providing easy access.” The findingswere published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Firearm Access Drives High Rate of U.S. Gun Deaths, International Study Finds,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, December 12, 2023

Healio (12/12, Capaldo) reports, “Isotretinoin is not associated with an increased risk for suicide or psychiatric conditions on a population level, according to a study.” The researchers found “isotretinoin use was associated with a lower risk of suicide attempt at 2 to 4 years following treatment.” The findings were published in JAMA Dermatology.

Related Links:

— “Isotretinoin not associated with increased risk for suicide, psychiatric conditions,” Gabrielle Capaldo, Healio, December 12, 2023