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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 (...)

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?

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

Interview with Professor Niels Bilenberg about diagnostic trends and systemic pressures

Interview with addiction psychiatrist Darius Jokūbonis.