Highlights From APA’s 2019 Annual Meeting Day One

Welcome to San Francisco!

APA’s 2019 Annual Meeting began in San Francisco Saturday. From now through May 22, Psychiatric News will deliver an evening digest of some of the day’s highlights. Whether you are here in San Francisco or at home, these reports will convey the excitement and outstanding scientific program being presented at this year’s meeting.

Stewart Brings a Robust and Eventful Presidential Year to a Close

During the Opening Session on Saturday, Altha Stewart, M.D., described how APA renewed its global reach while laying the groundwork for a more diverse and inclusive profession and responding to several national emergencies.
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Schwartz: APA Must Lead the Way to End Stigma, Improve Care

Incoming APA President Bruce Schwartz, M.D., vowed during his Opening Session address on Saturday to focus on three crucial areas: increasing access to care, improving quality of care, and continuing the fight against the stigma and discrimination attached to mental illness. Read More >

Levin Speaks to Future of a 'Noble' Profession

The 2019 APA Annual Meeting can offer a blueprint for the future, said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., during the Opening Session on Saturday. “For all the progress we’ve made, there are still some areas where we must improve as we work toward our next milestones—the 200th and 225th anniversaries,” he said.
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MindGames Playoffs Offer Double Treat to Meeting Attendees

MindGames has become one of the most popular Annual Meeting attractions, and this year, attendees got two versions—the traditional resident competition and a special history version in honor of APA's 175th Anniversary.
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The Lincolns: Retrospective Diagnosing Raises Questions Worth Pondering

Studying the putative psychiatric symptoms of historical figures raises important questions about the nature of psychiatric diagnosis, how those diagnoses are viewed through various cultural lenses, and how they may change over time. Read More >

Medications for Cannabis Use Disorder May Ease Withdrawal But Fail to Achieve Abstinence

Treatments to manage withdrawal or block the positive effects of cannabis offer limited benefit, but an over-the-counter supplement may reduce drug-seeking behavior in youth. Experts question whether treatment goals should focus on curbing consumption versus total cessation. Read More >

APA Raises $15,000 for Center Serving Disadvantaged Women

As part of the APA’s annual “APA Gives Back” program, APA President Altha Stewart, M.D., presented a donation today of $15,000 to this year’s recipient, the Young Women’s Freedom Center. For 25 years, this center has been providing support, advocacy, and opportunities for healing for women and girls of color who are impacted by poverty or who were formerly incarcerated. Read More >

Americans’ Anxiety on Rise, Postpartum Depression Findings, and More From APA’s 2018 Annual Meeting: Day Three

Day three of APA’s Annual Meeting included an address by the first assistant secretary for mental health and substance use in HHS; the release of a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, which found a family history of psychiatric disorders increases the risk of postpartum depression; and the results of an APA poll, which found Americans are concerned about gun violence and the opioid crisis.

From now through May 9, Psychiatric News will deliver an evening digest of some of the day’s highlights. Whether you are here in New York or at home, these reports will convey the excitement and outstanding scientific program being presented at this year’s meeting.

McCance-Katz Leads Effort to Focus SAMHSA on Serious Mental Illness, Substance Use

The federal government can work to serve patients and physicians, said Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., at the Convocation of Distinguished Fellows at APA’s 2018 Annual Meeting tonight. Read More >

Familial History of Psychiatric Disorders Key in Predicting Postpartum Risk

A family history of psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar disorder, is an important risk factor among pregnant women for postpartum psychiatric disorder, according to a population-based cohort study published in AJP in Advance and released today at APA’s Annual Meeting. Read More >

APA Poll Finds Americans’ Anxiety Is Increasing, Especially About Health, Safety, and Finances

Anxiety levels are up across all ages and demographic groups, according to a national survey of Americans aged 18 and older released today by APA. The results reflect a striking unity around the issue of gun violence (see story below) and a sadly intimate familiarity with the opioid crisis: nearly a third of people know someone addicted to opioids. Read More >

Most Americans Agree That Gun Violence Is Public Health Problem, Call for Action

Most Americans (87 percent) see gun violence as a public health threat, including 77 percent of Republicans and 96 percent of Democrats, according to the results of a national poll released by APA today. Read More >

2018 Bolivar Award Winner Uses Modern Spectroscopy to Answer Century-Old Questions

Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Juan Bustillo, M.D., and his group have found that the brains of people with schizophrenia contain more glutamate per volume than controls and that this glutamate concentration increases gradually with age. Read More >

Leaders Know Who They Are, Not Just What They Do, Says Hertling

In his address last night, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said the skills of leadership—which are taught in the military as a discrete discipline—can be incorporated into medicine. “Leadership is the art of understanding motivations, influencing people, building teams, and communicating purpose in order to accomplish stated goals while improving the profession,” he said.
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Black Psychiatrists, Patients Share History of Trauma

In accepting the 2018 Solomon Carter Fuller Award, Patricia Newton, M.D., M.A., M.P.H., noted that many of the same challenges that Fuller, recognized as the first African-American psychiatrist, faced a century ago are still present for African-American psychiatrists and patients. Read More >

APA Raises $20,00 for Victim Assistance Project

As part of APA’s annual APA Gives Back program, APA President Anita Everett, M.D., presented a donation of $20,000 to this year’s recipient, Safe Horizon: The Streetwork Project, at the Opening Session of APA’s 2018 Annual Meeting. Safe Horizon has been helping victims of violence and abuse in New York City since 1978. Read More >

Overcoming Addiction, Googling Patients, and More From APA’s 2017 Annual Meeting

Highlights of day four coverage from APA’s Annual Meeting include two tales of patient recovery, the ethical and clinical questions you should consider before Googling your patients, and debates over the value of genetic tests in psychiatric practice.

Through tomorrow, Psychiatric News is delivering an evening digest of some of the day’s highlights—from the lecture halls to the exhibit floor. Whether you are here in San Diego or at home, these reports will convey the excitement and outstanding scientific program being presented at this year’s meeting.

From Depths of Addiction to Triumph of Recovery: ABC Journalist Shares Story of Strength and Inspiration

During the 2017 William C. Menninger Memorial Award Lecture Monday, Elizabeth Vargas delivered a candid address, describing the evolution of her alcoholism and its roots in a gripping anxiety she experienced since childhood. Read More >

Author Cahalan Tells a Tale of the Art and Science of Clinical Care

“I know what it is like to lose your grip,” author Susannah Cahalan said during the Opening Session on Sunday. “I have come back intact, and I hope I can share with you the perspective of a patient. I want to offer you a view from the inside of psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions.” Read More >

Rep. Tim Murphy Wins Javits Award

Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), who spearheaded the effort for mental health reform in Congress, received APA’s 2017 Jacob K. Javits Award for Public Service. Read More >

To Google or Not to Google: How Much Do You Want to Know About Your Patient?

The practice of Googling a patient’s name may be too easy to resist and may seem innocuous. But a panel of experts said that Googling and other forms of collecting collateral information about a patient online raise a host of questions, ethical and clinical, about how that information may affect the physician-patient relationship and clinical care. Read More >

Pediatric Psychosomatic Physician Talks About Special Considerations for Young, Medically Ill

While most people think of psychosomatic medicine as a field that treats adult patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other serious illnesses, there is a vibrant and emerging community of pediatric psychosomatic doctors. Read More >

Expert Panel Debates Benefits, Harms of Pharmacogenetic Testing

Over the course of a Learning Lab session, experts fielded a range of questions on genetic testing—including scientific, ethical, judicial, and financial considerations. Read More >

Lessons Learned From Studying Mental Health Outcomes of U.S., U.K. Soldiers

The president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists describes the similarities and differences between the mental health outcomes of U.S. and U.K. military members. Read More >

APA Raises $16,000 for Free Clinic Project

The proceeds from the annual APA Gives Back program went to the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic Project. The project operates four clinics in the San Diego area, providing free medical and preventive care, health education, and access to social services. Read More >