American Psychiatric Association facts for kids
 |
|
| Abbreviation | APA |
|---|---|
| Formation | October 16, 1844 |
| Founders |
|
| Founded at | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Type | Professional association |
| Legal status | 501(c)(6) organization |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC, US |
|
Membership
|
37,400 |
|
President
|
Rebecca W. Brendel |
|
President-elect
|
Petros Levounis |
|
Chief executive officer
|
Saul Levin |
| Subsidiaries |
|
|
Revenue (2016)
|
$50,557,392 |
| Expenses (2016) | $48,736,684 |
|
Employees (2016)
|
236 |
|
Volunteers (2016)
|
850 |
|
Formerly called
|
|
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is the main group for psychiatrists and doctors training to be psychiatrists in the United States. It is the largest organization of its kind in the world. The APA has over 38,000 members. These members work in psychiatric care, research, and teaching. They help many different patients in over 100 countries. The association creates many helpful books and magazines. One important book is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM lists and describes mental health conditions. It is used mostly in the U.S. to help doctors understand and diagnose mental disorders.
The main office of the APA is in Washington, DC.
Contents
Understanding the APA's History
In 1844, a group of thirteen leaders from mental health hospitals met in Philadelphia. They formed a group called the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane (AMSAII). One of the founders was Thomas Story Kirkbride. He created a special hospital design used across the U.S. This first group focused on how hospitals were run. Their goal was to improve patient care. They were not focused on research or promoting the job itself.
In 1893, the group changed its name. It became the American Medico-Psychological Association. Then, in 1921, it changed its name again. This time, it became the American Psychiatric Association, which is its name today. The association officially became a corporation in 1927.
The group's official symbol, or seal, first appeared in 1894. It was on the cover of a publication for their 50th meeting. The seal has changed a few times since then.
The current seal is a round medal. It shows a picture of Benjamin Rush's face. There are 13 stars above his head. These stars stand for the 13 people who founded the organization. The words "American Psychiatric Association 1844" are around the edge. Rush's name and "MD" are below his picture.
The APA explains why Rush was chosen for the seal. He was the first American to study mental health problems in a careful way. Because of this, he is known as the "father of American Psychiatry."
In 2015, the APA got a new logo. This logo shows a snake wrapped around a staff. This staff is called the Rod of Asclepius. It is a symbol of medicine. Behind it are two parts of a human brain. The words "American Psychiatric Association" are next to the logo. The word "Psychiatric" is in bold letters. Below the logo, it says: "Medical leadership for mind, brain and body." The older seal with Rush's profile is still used for special events and some official papers.
How the APA Works and Its Members
The APA is led by its President of the American Psychiatric Association. A board of trustees and an executive committee also help guide the organization.
The APA says most of its members are medical specialists. They are either qualified psychiatrists or are training to become ones. To join, doctors must finish a psychiatry training program. These programs are approved by groups like the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Members also need a valid medical license. Medical students and residents are exceptions to this rule. They also need one reference from an APA member.
The APA holds a big meeting every year. Doctors and experts from the U.S. and other countries attend this conference.
The APA has about 76 smaller groups. These are called district associations. They are located all over the country.
The APA Foundation
The APA has a special non-profit group. It is called the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF). This foundation creates programs for communities. It also supports research. These efforts help people better understand mental health issues. They also provide support. The foundation works with groups like the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center. It also partners with the National Association of Counties (NACo).
Working with Companies
The APAF also works with different companies. This is through its Corporate Alliance. They work together on mental health research and development. Some companies that have been part of this alliance include:
- AbbVie
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals
- Alkermes
- Allergan
- Bausch Health
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Eisai
- Indivior
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals
- Lundbeck
- Myriad Genetics
- Neurocrine Biosciences
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical
- Pfizer
- Sunovion
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Many organizations also donate to the foundation. In 2019, donors included the Austen Riggs Center, BB&T, Cenveo, McLean Hospital, Menninger Foundation, NeuroStar, Newport Academy, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Sheppard Pratt, and Silver Hill Hospital.
Publications and Public Efforts
The APA shares its official statements and guidelines. It also publishes details about its main diagnostic book, the DSM.
The APA publishes several journals. These magazines focus on different parts of psychiatry. Some are for academic research. Others are for doctors in practice or for news.
Smart Choices for Medicine
The APA works with the American Board of Internal Medicine. Together, they suggest five important tips for doctors and patients. These tips help make sure medicines are used wisely. The APA especially focuses on antipsychotic medications. This is because sales of these medicines grew a lot from 2004 to 2011.
Here are five recommendations from the APA:
- Do not give antipsychotic medicines to patients without checking them first. Also, keep checking them regularly.
- Do not usually give two or more antipsychotic medicines at the same time.
- Do not use antipsychotic medicines as the first choice for behavior problems in people with dementia.
- Do not usually use antipsychotic medicines as the first choice for adults who have trouble sleeping.
- Do not usually use antipsychotic medicines as the first choice for children or teens. Only use them for certain mental health conditions, like psychotic disorders.
Notable Figures in the APA
Many important people have been part of the American Psychiatric Association.
- Donald Ewen Cameron was president of the APA from 1952 to 1953.
- Enoch Callaway was a psychiatrist who helped start the study of biological psychiatry.
- Adolf Meyer was a very important figure in psychiatry in the early 1900s. He was president of the APA from 1927 to 1928.
- Mark Ragins is an American psychiatrist known for helping people recover from mental illness. He won an award in 1995 for his work.
- Herb Pardes is a past president and well-known person in American psychiatry.
- Robert Spitzer led the team that created the third edition of the DSM.
Working with Drug Companies
Since the 1980s, the APA has worked closely with pharmaceutical companies. These companies make medicines. The APA has received money from drug companies. This money has helped fund training for doctors and hospital programs. Drug companies also helped pay for a group that talks to Congress. They also helped train psychiatrists to speak to the media.
In 2008, a senator asked the APA to share how much money it got from drug companies. The APA said that 28 percent of its budget came from the industry. This was about $14 million at the time. This money mainly came from ads in APA journals. It also came from funds for doctors' continuing education.
The APA also gets money from drug companies through its American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF). Some of these companies include Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.
See also
In Spanish: Asociación Estadounidense de Psiquiatría para niños
- Presidents of the American Psychiatric Association
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- American Group Psychotherapy Association
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- American Psychoanalytic Association
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
