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The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental burden and quality of life in physicians: Results of an online survey

In previous pan-/epidemics such as the SARS epidemic of 2002/2003, negative effects on the wellbeing and an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety were observed in doctors due to social isolation and the threat they experienced. Therefore, it is feared that the COVID-19 pandemic will also have a negative impact on the mental health

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[Correspondence] A fundamental change is needed for appraising placebo responses in psychiatry

In the Alpha-Stim Anxiety Insomnia and Depression cranial electrotherapy stimulation trial, Richard Morriss and colleagues reported no significant difference in their primary depression outcome between active and sham groups.1 Although not the headline of the article, 41% of recruited patients who received sham stimulation had remission of their depression. This remarkable result adds to the growing list of neurotechnology trials in psychiatry demonstrating very large responses in their placebo arms.

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Take it from the experts, a pet can change your life

Some people should not have pets. They’re expensive and can make you sneeze. They require time, attention, and stability. If you have allergies, don’t make yourself suffer. If you travel frequently, think twice. If you simply can’t warm to the idea of an animal companion, then by all means, forget the pet. Otherwise, there are

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