The prevalence and economic burden of treatment-resistant depression in Thailand.

Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate the proportion of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) among patients with diagnosed major depressive disorder (MDD) and undergoing antidepressant treatment, to estimate the economic cost of MDD, TRD, and non-treatment-resistant depression (non-TRD), and to examine the differences between TRD and non-TRD MDD in a Thai public tertiary hospital.

Methods: This was a combined study between retrospective review of medical records and a cross-sectional survey. The sample size was 500 dyads of antidepressant-treated MDD patients and their unpaid caregivers.

Effect of behavioral activation on time and frequency domain heart rate variability in older adults with subthreshold depression: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Thailand.

Background: Increased prevalence of depression highlights the need for effective interventions. Behavioral activation (BA), which can easily be adapted for non-clinical populations, has been the recommended treatment for depression. It is based on a model of psychopathology explaining that losses or chronically low levels of positive reinforcement yield behavioral and emotional changes in depression and that encouraging individuals to increase their engagement in reinforcing activities can improve their mood and enhance their valuable life experiences.

Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation in Treating Thai Older Adults with Subthreshold Depression Residing in the Community.

Background: In recent years, behavioral activation (BA) has attracted increased interest as an effective depression treatment. However, empirical evidence supporting its effectiveness in non-Western countries is currently limited.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of BA in reducing depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety among Thai older adults with subthreshold depression.

Association of adolescent substance use: behavioral problems and family background among school students in Tsunami affected area in southern Thailand.

Objective: To study the prevalence of substance use and associated factors in school students in Tsunami affected areas in southern Thailand.

Material And Method: The study was a school-based, cross-sectional, anonymous survey that used a translated questionnaire, ESPAD-03, in 5 schools. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to evaluate factors associated with substance use.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents Exposed to Tsunami in Thailand.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and debilitating consequence of natural disaster in children and adolescents. Accumulating data show that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for PTSD. However, application of CBT in a large-scale disaster in a setting with limited resources, such as when the tsunami hit several Asian countries in 2004, poses a major problem.

Cinemeducation: A pilot student project using movies to help students learn medical professionalism.

Background: Using movies has been accepted worldwide as a tool to help students learn medical professionalism. In the second year, a group of medical students conducted the "Cinemeducation" project to promote professionalism in the "Medical Ethics and Critical Thinking" course.

Method: Five movies with professionalism issues were screened with 20-30 students attending each session.

Assessment of psychopathological consequences in children at 3 years after tsunami disaster.

Background: At 1 year after the Tsunami disaster, 30% of students in two high risk schools at Takuapa district of Phang Nga Province still suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The number ofpatients was sharply declined after 18 months. The psychological consequences in children who diagnosed PTSD after the event were reinvestigated again at 3 years, as there were reports of significant comorbidity and continuing of subsyndromal post traumatic stress symptoms in children suffered from other disasters.

Cognitive-behavioral intervention for young tsunami victims.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral intervention provided to children by volunteer professionals in a tsunami-hit area in Thailand. The intervention was aimed to prevent the severe development of post traumatic stress symptoms, and to help the children who might recover spontaneously to do so more quickly.

Material And Method: One hundred and sixty children in Ranong province voluntarily participated in 2-days group activities on the 57h day after the tsunami.

Advances in alternative pharmacotherapy of ADHD.

Several alternatives to psychostimulants have been developed and expanded the variability of the treatment of ADHD. Clonidine is a good option for managing core behavioral symptoms, especially hyperactivity and impulsivity. Bupropion and venlafaxine seem potentially promising.