Issue 2 2025 | The Nordic Psychiatrist

NEW!

Issue 2 2025

Main theme:
Pills, proof and polarization

Editorials

Education

World psychiatric association

Week in psychiatry

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry

Click on each theme to see a list of articles

Editorials

Editor word: Issue 1 2026

Ahead of each new issue of this journal, we select a theme that we believe will be of interest to colleagues in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and where similarities and differences can be highlighted. This time, we chose to focus on stigma—that is, negative attitudes toward people with psychiatric conditions. The concept is broad and encompasses prejudice and discrimination.

Hans-Peter Mofors

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry

May - November 2025

A milestone for mental health: Denmark’s 10–year plan as a model for international reform

In recent years, mental health has moved steadily upward on political agendas across Europe, yet few countries have succeeded in transforming ambition into sustained, long–term investment. Denmark has now taken a decisive step that marks a turning point–both nationally and potentially for other health systems. With the Parliament’s broad political agreement to finance a comprehensive 10–year plan for psychiatry, Denmark has established a durable framework designed to raise th

Merete Nordentoft

Main theme: Pills, proof and polarization

The Nordic Psychiatrist is published by the Nordic Psychiatric Associations (NPA). The NPA consists of the following national associations:

Pills, proof and polarization

The undeniable link between politics and clinical practice. The Norwegian story of medication free treatment units for psychoses

A political mandate was established in Norway in 2015 to allow medication free treatment for people with severe mental illness such as psychoses. I have conducted research on patients’ motivations- and experiences as well as health professionals’ experiences and reflections on the subject. In addition I was challenged to extend the field via the trial lecture I was given to address how treatment of psychoses is affected in a time of polarization and scepticism toward scienti

Elisabeth Klæbo Reitan

Do antipsychotic drugs work?

More than 400 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of antipsychotic efficacy have been conducted, finding generally moderate effect sizes of antipsychotic drugs compared to placebo. For comparison, RCTs of various general medicine drugs, used on their respective indications, demonstrate similar effect sizes. Nevertheless, claims about limited efficacy of antipsychotics have been put forward. Pertinent questions remain: are the effect sizes clinically meaningful and ge

Erik Johnsen

Is ADHD being over-diagnosed and over-treated in Iceland… Or is Iceland simply ahead of the rest?

Over the past decade, there has been a lively debate in Iceland regarding ADHD, concerns about over-diagnosis, and the widespread prescription of stimulant medication. Many health professionals and politicians assert that Iceland's statistics significantly exceed those of our Nordic neighbours and, indeed, the rest of Europe. Some even claim that Iceland has surpassed the USA in these areas.

Vilhjálmur Hjálmarsson

TMS as a last resort: Interview with Jonas Montvidas

Recently, we have been observing how transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-pharmacological treatment method, is challenging the traditional dominance of medication in psychiatry. Today, I am talking about the practical aspects of this treatment method with Jonas Montvidas, a psychiatrist and enthusiast of this method.

Goda Tikniūtė

The pendulum swings: views on psychedelics among professionals and the public

Historically psychedelics and related substances (PARS) played a part in rituals of healing in several indigenous Southern, Central and Northern American cultures. In the mid-20th century, when few approved psychopharmacologic agents existed, some psychiatrists and psychologists started to experiment with the use of psychedelics.

Engilbert Sigurdsson

The interaction of evidence, expert opinions and controversy in psychiatry

Methylphenidate has been the first-line treatment for children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for more than half a century. Yet, after numerous systematic reviews, three applications to get methylphenidate on the List of Essential Medicines and three rejections by the World Health Organization, the questions remain: does it work, and how do we know?

Johanne Pereira Ribeiro

Swedish psychiatry needs a restart

The clinical gaze and medical assessment have gradually been pushed aside in favor of manual-guided diagnostics - often performed by professional groups without medical training. When criterion-based questionnaires replace the physician’s diagnostic work, psychiatry loses its medical foundation. For psychiatry to provide quality healthcare, a restart is needed where medical competence, clinical judgment, and resource efficiency are the guiding principles, writes psychiatrist

Linda van Paaschen

Pharmacogenetics – what a psychiatrist should know

Interview with Elvira Bramon, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Marit Tveito

Off-label ketamine for treatment resistant depression

About 30% of people with depression do not respond to standard antidepressant trials, and there is a huge current need for more effective treatments. Depression remains a leading cause of global disability, and there have been few major advances for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Currently, there is no antidepressant nearly as effective as ECT, discovered around a century ago. One of the most important breakthroughs at the turn of the century was the demonstration of t

Lowan Stewart

Low-dose and off-label use of antipsychotics: current evidence and clinical considerations

Since the discovery of chlorpromazine in the 1950s, antipsychotics have been a cornerstone in the treatment of schizophrenia and paranoid psychosis. Beyond psychotic conditions, several antipsychotics are also approved for affective disorders (e.g., flupentixol or quetiapine for depression; aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone for treatment and prevention of mania), for delirium (haloperidol), and for persistent aggression associated with dementia

Gesche Jürgens

Risks of undertreating – consequences for adults

Undertreating ADHD can have significant and far-reaching effects on mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. While treatment (including medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications) is not a cure, it can significantly mitigate the symptoms and help individuals lead more productive, fulfilling lives. Addressing ADHD early and appropriately reduces the risk of developing many of these secondary issues, allowing adults with ADHD to be (...)

Lars Lien

ADHD: risks of over diagnosing and treating children

The ongoing ADHD debate is causing a lot of controversy and polarization, within the psychiatric field and in the public in general. Are we over diagnosing or underdiagnosing, or maybe both? And what are the consequences of doing so?

Henriette Kirkaune Sandven

From repetition to reflection: reviewing schizophrenia treatment practices with Professor Vesta Steiblienė

Throughout the history of psychiatry, the treatment of psychosis has undergone a series of transformations, with new concepts of this mental disorder and new treatment methods emerging. It seems that science is learning more every day about the effectiveness and safety of various treatment methods, but are treatment choices always determined by scientific evidence? Today, I am talking to Professor Vesta Steiblienė about the polarisation associated with the treatment of psycho

Goda Tikniūtė

Diagnoses, normality and systemic pressure: Niels Bilenberg on the evolution of ADHD diagnostics

Interview with Professor Niels Bilenberg about diagnostic trends and systemic pressures

Nicolai Uhrenholt

Competences versus fears and attitudes

Interview with addiction psychiatrist Darius Jokūbonis.

Goda Tikniūtė

Green paper on ADHD in Iceland, waiting lists and medication use

Among the Nordic countries Iceland has the highest use of ADHD medication while waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment are getting longer. The minister of Health therefore appointed a committee in December 2023 to write a green paper on the situation by meeting relevant stakeholders, going through data and the literature. The objective was to identify 5-10 key findings to guide authorities regarding next possible steps.

Bjarni Sigurðsson

When is there enough evidence?

How much evidence is enough to justify a treatment? The question sits at the fault line between science, ethics, and practice. Researchers seek methodological certainty; clinicians face patients whose needs seldom wait for consensus. Regulators demand proof before approval, while professional societies call for coherence before endorsement. Each perspective is valid, yet none alone determines when knowledge becomes action.

Nicolai Uhrenholt

The neuropsychiatric paradigm of ADHD is limping– time to lift the blinders?

This article is based on a short lecture originally given in the Swedish Psychiatric Associations yearly meeting in Stockholm in March 2024. I have since given a similar lecture on other occasions. The article below is a summary of the main points of the lecture. My intention with the lecture was to bring into awareness and discuss some current international research important for understanding ADHD, research that is not often discussed in Sweden. Because of space limitations

Tomas Ljungberg

Swedish%20psychiatric%20association_edited.jpg

The Nordic Psychiatric Associations is a member of:

Education

The Danish network for psychiatric education: building a national community for innovation in psychiatric training

The Danish Network for Psychiatric Education (DNPU) represents a new national initiative dedicated to strengthening psychiatric education across Denmark. Formed in response to growing clinical, societal, and structural changes in mental healthcare, DNPU unites clinicians, educators, and researchers in a shared effort to advance training, foster collaboration, and ensure excellence in psychiatric practice.

Ida Liebe Felsted

The Danish network for psychiatric education: building a national community for innovation in psychiatric training

World psychiatric association

WPA Congress and the Prague Agreement

In October of 2025, the annual World psychiatric association Congress was held. During it, not only were many scientific and practical symposia and lectures held, but the signing of the so-called Prague Agreement was also initiated. It emphasizes and argues for the need for increased funding for mental health. The presidential symposium, chaired by the President of the World psychiatric association, Prof. Danuta Wasserman, had to present the Northern European perspective. Goo

Ramunė Mazaliauskienė

Week in psychiatry

A week in psychiatry with Morta Juciūtė

This time, Morta Juciūtė gladly agreed to describe his work week.

Morta Juciūtė

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry

Highlights from the Nordic Journal of Psychiatry (May of 2025 - November of 2025)

The Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, formerly “Nordisk Psykiatrisk Tidsskrift”, is an international journal that publishes excellent psychiatric research with a broad scope. It is the official journal for the eight psychiatric associations in the Nordic and Baltic countries. It is a main source of information about current Nordic psychiatry and related fields, The journal is distributed to members of the Nordic and Baltic Psychiatric Associations as well as to members of Associa

René Ernst Nielsen

End of Issue 2 2025 Interactive Contents

Nordic Psychiatric Associations

Stockholm, Sweden

The Nordic Psychiatrist is published twice a year by the Nordic Psychiatric Associations. The journal is distributed to all members of the national Nordic psychiatry associations. The journal is available to all readers online from June 2021.

Contents of Issue 2 2025:

NEW! Issue 2 2025 Main theme: Pills, proof and polarization Editorials Education World psychiatric association Week in psychiatry Nordic Journal of Psychiatry Click on each theme to see a list of articles

Editor word: Issue 1 2026

A milestone for mental health: Denmark’s 10–year plan as a model for international reform

The Nordic Psychiatrist is published by the Nordic Psychiatric Associations (NPA). The NPA consists of the following national associations:

The undeniable link between politics and clinical practice. The Norwegian story of medication free treatment units for psychoses

Do antipsychotic drugs work?

Is ADHD being over-diagnosed and over-treated in Iceland… Or is Iceland simply ahead of the rest?

TMS as a last resort: Interview with Jonas Montvidas

The pendulum swings: views on psychedelics among professionals and the public

The interaction of evidence, expert opinions and controversy in psychiatry

Swedish psychiatry needs a restart

Pharmacogenetics – what a psychiatrist should know

Off-label ketamine for treatment resistant depression

Low-dose and off-label use of antipsychotics: current evidence and clinical considerations

Risks of undertreating – consequences for adults

ADHD: risks of over diagnosing and treating children

From repetition to reflection: reviewing schizophrenia treatment practices with Professor Vesta Steiblienė

Diagnoses, normality and systemic pressure: Niels Bilenberg on the evolution of ADHD diagnostics

Competences versus fears and attitudes

Green paper on ADHD in Iceland, waiting lists and medication use

When is there enough evidence?

The neuropsychiatric paradigm of ADHD is limping– time to lift the blinders?

The Nordic Psychiatric Associations is a member of:

The Danish network for psychiatric education: building a national community for innovation in psychiatric training

WPA Congress and the Prague Agreement

A week in psychiatry with Morta Juciūtė

Highlights from the Nordic Journal of Psychiatry (May of 2025 - November of 2025)

End of Issue 2 2025 Interactive Contents

NEW!

Issue 2 2025

Main theme:
Pills, proof and polarization

Editorials

Education

World psychiatric association

Week in psychiatry

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry

Click on each theme to see a list of articles