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NIMH | Recent Updates
Mental Health Services Research (MHSR) 2009: Improving the Efficiency of Research and Mental Health Services Delivery

National Institute of Mental Health

MHSR 2009 is the 20th NIMH conference on mental health services research, a series of scientific meetings that brings together leading minds in research and practice to address key scientific challenges in improving access, quality, and outcomes of mental health services and improving the uptake of effective treatment, preventive, and services interventions.
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots

National Institute of Mental Health

A trio of genome-wide studies – collectively the largest to date – has pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods.
NCDEU 2009: Translating Mental Health Research into Practice: Accelerating the Pace

National Institute of Mental Health

Co-sponsored by NIMH and the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP), NCDEU is a scientific meeting that brings together academic researchers involved in clinical trials, research pharmacists, clinicians and clinical staff, and investigators with the pharmaceutical industry. The NCDEU program includes presentations and information from the National Institute of Mental Health, ASCP, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Brief, Clinic-Based, Peer-led Intervention Helps Reduce Subsequent STDs in African American Men

National Institute of Mental Health

A brief, one-time intervention delivered by a trained peer health advisor was an effective and low-cost method for reducing new infections among young, heterosexual, African American men diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to an NIMH-funded study. Such programs may help reduce STD-related health disparities, which currently affect a disproportionate number of African American men in the United States. The study was published in the April 2009 supplemental issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Much Touted “Depression Risk Gene” May Not Add to Risk After All

National Institute of Mental Health

Stressful life events are strongly associated with a person’s risk for major depression, but a certain gene variation long thought to increase risk in conjunction with stressful life events actually may have no effect, according to researchers funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study, published in the June 17, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, challenges a widely accepted approach to studying risk factors for depression.

Google News: Mental Health
Some seeking mental health checks for spouses of multiple-deployed ... - Stars and Stripes

4 Jul 2009 | 1:36 pm

Some seeking mental health checks for spouses of multiple-deployed Stars and StripesGRAFENWÖHR, Germany — While the Army has been working to gauge the mental health toll of multiple deployments on soldiers, and more »
Mental Health Problems Linked To Chantix, Zyban - eMaxHealth

4 Jul 2009 | 9:37 am

TopNews United StatesMental Health Problems Linked To Chantix, ZybaneMaxHealthSimilar information on mental health events will be required forbupropion marketed as the antidepressant Wellbutrin and for generic versions of bupropion. Smoking Cessation Drugs To Get Boxed WarningeMaxHealthall 4 news articles »
Mental health program facing budget cuts - CharlotteObserver.com

4 Jul 2009 | 3:51 am

Mental health program facing budget cutsCharlotteObserver.com“It's not the same program,” said Jennifer Mahan, a lobbyist for the Mental Health Association in North Carolina. The program is known as “community support and more »
St. Clair Co. mental-health court ramps up work - MLive.com

4 Jul 2009 | 1:38 am

St. Clair Co. mental-health court ramps up workMLive.comThe 24-year-old Marine City resident said going through St. Clair County's new mental health court has helped him get back on his feet and back with his and more »
UR professor helps train mental-health workers in Iraq - Richmond Times Dispatch

3 Jul 2009 | 9:04 pm

UR professor helps train mental-health workers in IraqRichmond Times DispatchLindgren, an assistant professor of psychology at UR for the past year, recently spent eight intensive days training mental-health workers in the Kurdish and more »

MedicalNewsToday: Mental Health
What Is Psychotherapy? What Are The Benefits Of Psychotherapy?

4 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

Psychotherapy consists of a series of techniques for treating mental health, emotional and some psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy helps the patient understand what helps them feel positive or anxious, as well as accepting their strong and weak points. If people can identify their feelings and ways of thinking they become better at coping with difficult situations. According to Medilexicon's
FDA Adds Strong Warnings To Anti-Smoking Drug Labels

3 Jul 2009 | 4:00 am

"The Food and Drug Administration announced (Wednesday) that it is requiring the smoking-cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban to carry the strongest type of safety warning possible to alert patients that the medications can cause serious mental health problems, including depression and suicide," the Washington Post reports (Stein, 7/1).
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? What Is PTSD? What Causes PTSD?

3 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is triggered by a traumatic event - it is a kind of anxiety. The sufferer of PTSD may have experienced or seen an event that caused extreme fear, shock and/or a feeling of helplessness. Most of us experience a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping with traumatic events. However, we gradually get better with time and healthy coping methods.
Mental Health America Establishes Regional Policy Council To Strengthen State Advocacy Work

2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 am

Mental Health America announced the establishment of a Regional Policy Council made up of 10 affiliate policy leaders from around the country to strengthen its state advocacy work.
When Husbands Work In US, Mexican Wives' Mental Health Dives

2 Jul 2009 | 4:00 am

Selected highlights from a new study on immigration, health and gender roles: Mexican wives who stay home when their husbands immigrate to the United States for work have poorer mental health than a comparison group. Shifting gender roles seem to be equally as stressful as the husbands' absence. "Popular American psychology would suggest that their newfound independence might ease the stress of single-handedly managing the household.

8 ways to use Twitter for your business

2 Jul 2009 | 4:57 pm
Are salon shampoos really better?

2 Jul 2009 | 4:57 pm
9 tasty appetizers in 30 minutes or less

2 Jul 2009 | 4:57 pm

Guiltless guacamole (© Good Housekeeping)
Why no summer camp may be a good thing

2 Jul 2009 | 4:57 pm
Match.com: Tired of being single? Get online

2 Jul 2009 | 4:57 pm

ScienceDaily: Mental Health News
Rush Of Blood To The Head: Anger Increases Blood Flow

4 Jul 2009 | 2:00 pm

Mental stress causes carotid artery dilation and increases brain blood flow. A series of ultrasound experiments also found that this dilatory reflex was absent in people with high blood pressure.
Police Work Undermines Cardiovascular Health, Comparison To General Population Shows

3 Jul 2009 | 8:00 pm

It is well documented that police officers have a higher risk of developing heart disease: The question is why. In the most recent results coming out of one of the few long-term studies being conducted within this tightly knit society, researchers have determined that underlying the higher incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis -- arterial thickening that precedes a heart attack or stroke -- may be the stress of police work.
Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression In Postpartum Women

2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 pm

Postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression.
Many Genetic Contributions To Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder Discovered

2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 am

Scientists have discovered that many common genetic variants contribute to a person's risk of schizophrenia, providing the first molecular evidence that this form of genetic variation is involved in schizophrenia. The researchers also found that many of these DNA variations also are involved in bipolar disorder but not in several nonpsychiatric diseases.
Immune System Linked To Schizophrenia

30 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pm

Researchers have, for the first time, identified additional genes that confirm what scientists have long suspected -- that the immune system may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Further, they have also identified genetic anomalies that disrupt the cellular pathways involved in brain development, memory and cognition, all markers of schizophrenia.

New Scientist - Mental Health
US grandparents 'smarter' than UK counterparts

25 Jun 2009 | 4:16 am

Americans seem to retain better cognitive abilities into old age than their British counterparts – lifestyle and self-esteem may make the difference
Like a hole in the head: The return of trepanation

17 Jun 2009 | 5:15 am

Our ancestors used to drill holes in the skull to expel demons – now the technique is making a comeback as a cure for dementia
Oxidative stress may be to blame for Down's symptoms

8 Jun 2009 | 2:00 pm

Extreme differences in the way genes are expressed by fetuses with Down's syndrome could lead to ways to treat the condition in the womb
Tangled proteins may spread Alzheimer's through brain

7 Jun 2009 | 10:00 am

The discovery of the likely agent for the disease's spread raises hopes for drugs to halt damage to the brain
How to unleash your brain's inner genius

3 Jun 2009 | 10:00 am

Savants have phenomenal talents in music, art and mathematics, but their brains are not fundamentally different from the rest of society – can we all develop similar abilities?

MentalHealthNotes
Parents: H1N1 Parties Not A Good Idea

Marijke Durning, RN

4 Jul 2009 | 2:30 pm

Years ago, there were mothers who would throw chicken pox parties. If they found that one of their friends had chicken pox in the house, they’d deliberately expose them to the virus so they could control (so to speak) when their children would get sick. I think the idea seemed to make sense to some people, but the idea of deliberately exposing children to illness that could develop into something quite serious, seems a bit misguided. Now that the chicken pox has a vaccine, the chicken pox parties seem to be on the wain. But now, there’s a new type of party that’s making its…
Be Cautious With Swine Flu This Holiday

Cherie Burbach

4 Jul 2009 | 11:49 am

As people head out to family parties with BBQs, sparkler, food, and fireworks, health officials are reminding folks to keep the threat of swine flu in the back of their minds. Any time people are gathered, the spread of the H1N1 disease can take place. Here are a few tips health officials would like us to know: People who are sick with fever and a cough should stay home, away from public events, crowded places and family members in nursing homes or other similar settings. Pregnant women, children under age 5, senior citizens over age 65 and residents with chronic health conditions, including…
Mississippi Fattest State

Cherie Burbach

4 Jul 2009 | 11:11 am

Mississippi once again ranks as the heaviest state for the fifth straight year in a row. Over thirty percent of its population is considered obese. Adults aren’t the only ones gaining weight, either. Forty-four percent of children, ages 10-17, are considered obese as well. The state is well aware of its problem with obese residents, especially children, and is taking steps to correct the problem. School children are being exposed to lower fat foods and more exercise each day. Experts feel that with the struggling economy, healthy foods might be harder to come by for some families,…
Health Risks of Speed Eating

Cherie Burbach

3 Jul 2009 | 10:27 am

You may think it’s fun to watch speed eaters cobble down hotdogs this weekend, but the “sport” of competitive eating has some considerable health risks. While the percent of the speed eating population is not large enough to warrant a scientific study, several former speed eaters are dealing with obesity, clogged arteries, and other gastrointestinal problems. One competitive eater even found that after a while, his stomach would not register being “full” when he ate normally. This condition, called peristalsis, means that the stomach is not contracting. Despite…
Bringing Patients Back to Life

Cherie Burbach

2 Jul 2009 | 5:25 pm

When Michael Jackson was taken to the UCLA Medical Center last week, he had the best chance around for being revived. The center is known for literally bringing patients that have died back to life. Apparently one doctor at the center “has pioneered a way to revive people that most doctors would have long written off, including a woman whose heart had stopped for 2 1/2 hours.” They tested their technique on cardiac patients who, with any other hospital, would most likely die. The results were amazing, with an 80% survival rate. However, patients needed very quick treatment in…

Google Blog Search: Mental Health
Some seek mental health checks for spouses of multiple-deployed ...

unknown

4 Jul 2009 | 3:44 pm

While the Army has been working to gauge the mental health toll of multiple deployments on soldiers, some Army leaders and spouses say the service is moving too slowly to address similar effects on military family members.
PWC Mental Health Survey « tony serve blogs

tony serve

4 Jul 2009 | 11:14 am

PWC Mental Health Survey. July 5, 2009 — tony serve. The two further workshops are as follows. CAMHS Consumers and Carers on Monday 20/7/09 Citywest Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St West Perth. 10-12.00. CALD Consumers and Carers Tuesday ...
Mental Health Problems Linked To Chantix, Zyban, Prescription Drugs

ruzik_tuzik

4 Jul 2009 | 9:34 am

The FDA notified the public that the use of two prescription medicines used to help smoking cessation, Chantix (varenicline) manufactured by Pfizer Inc or Zyban(bupropionhydrochloride) manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, ...
Mental health program facing budget cuts - CharlotteObserver.com

unknown

4 Jul 2009 | 3:37 am

State legislators intend to phase out a program that had become a symbol of waste and inefficiency in North Carolina's troubled system of mental health care.
Major mental health survey in Perth, join us on 6PR.com.au « tony ...

tony serve

4 Jul 2009 | 2:56 am

Top Posts. This weekend on 6pr.com.au overnight July 4,5 2009 noon New York time, midnight in Perth. 6 hrs of live talk · HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN WA * DEADLINE * 10 July 2009. ...

World of Psychology
Happy Independence Day

John M Grohol PsyD

4 Jul 2009 | 3:19 am

We’re celebrating our Independence Day here in the U.S. today, so I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and safe day of celebration. We’re celebrating our 233rd birthday today, but please don’t call us old (even though we’re technically older than many modern European countries). We’re just “mature.” It’s a great day to sit outside (weather permitting here in New England, where summer has gotten off to a decidedly soggy start), fire up the barbecue, and share good times with family and friends. On behalf of everyone here…
6 Quick Sanity Tricks

Therese J. Borchard

3 Jul 2009 | 3:02 am

Awhile back I asked you for your sanity tricks, techniques that help you fight the forces of the dark side. Here are some of the gems. 1. Learn the alphabet. Do you know why the vowel “I” comes well before the vowel “U”? Because a person must take care of herself before trying to help someone else or the world. It’s the same logic that flight attendants use when they swear to you that your plane isn’t going to crash, but in the event that it does, you’d be smart to fasten your own oxygen mask before helping the kiddies. Do it in reverse, and…
Breakthrough for Schizophrenia and Bipolar

John M Grohol PsyD

2 Jul 2009 | 12:00 pm

Earlier today, we reported that NIMH-funded researchers at three different genetic research institutes from around the world collaborated and published three new studies yesterday in the journal, Nature, that suggested a true breakthrough in our understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. And to think that just earlier this week, I was dismissing the largely inconclusive findings of genetics research in mental illness. One of the researchers commented on the findings: “There was substantial overlap in the genetic risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that was specific to…
Declaring Independence from Fear

John M Grohol PsyD

2 Jul 2009 | 8:42 am

Independence Day in the U.S. is the day that America declared its independence from a tyrannical government, but real independence took many longer, hard years of war. The sacrifice of tens of thousands of people was needed first, before our declaration of independence had any real effect. And so it is with any change in our lives. We can make the declaration, “Today, I’m going to start losing weight,” or “Today, I’m going to try and reply to every cognitive distortion by examining the evidence and answering it back.” But declarations are only starting…
Why Do Kids Behave the Way They Do? Listen to Doctor Radio this July 4th

John M Grohol PsyD

1 Jul 2009 | 12:04 pm

Ever wonder why kids behave the way they do? Satellite radio Sirius XM and a team of medical experts from NYU Langone Medical Center have the answer with a special on the Doctor Radio channel on July 4th. Doctor Radio is heard on SIRIUS channel 114 and XM channel 119. 24 Hours About Our Kids is a July 4th weekend marathon of Doctor Radio’s weekly child psychiatry and psychology show, exploring important topics that all parents and kids face today including ADHD, mood disorders, the effects of online social networking, issues related to coming out of the closet, Autism, depression and…

Mental Health Blog
Alcohol Kills 1 in 25 Worldwide

meg

2 Jul 2009 | 7:39 pm

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada has recently put forth staggering research results revealing that 1 in 25 deaths worldwide are directly linked to alcohol consumption. Furthermore, in Europe, 1 in 10 deaths are directly related to alcohol consumption. Europeans drink on average 13 drinks per week, North Americans tend to drink about 11 drinks per week, and Canadians drink roughly 9 drinks on any given week. The national average stands at about 7 drinks per week. In the study, 1 drink is equivalent to the alcohol content of 1 beer, 1 glass of wine, or 1 shot of…
GUEST POST: 5 Ways Having Friends is Good for Your Health

meg

10 Jun 2009 | 6:24 pm

With all of the check-ups, pills, exercise and dieting that we do in the name of protecting our health, it might seem confusing that something as easy and enjoyable as hanging out with friends and family is also good for us. But researchers believe that for teens, adults and senior citizens, regular social interaction is crucial for preserving mental health. Here's why:1. Reduces stress: It sounds simple, but getting face time with friends and family reduces stress, which is good for your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you're ranting about work, getting perspective on a personal…
Fighting Addiction With Prescription Heroin

meg

2 Jun 2009 | 6:01 pm

Former MP John Reynolds believes that Canada should start medicating addicts with prescription heroin; in the same manner it would any other health condition that is controlled with medication. Clearly, convincing Canadians of this presumption will not be an easy feat as addiction is hardly comparable to conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.“Mr. Reynolds, a member of the InnerChange Foundation in Vancouver, applauded the research arm of Health Canada for financing the Study to Assess Longer-term Opioid Medication Effectiveness (SALOME), which will offer heroin and a legal…
New Blue Light Goggles Help Elderly Get A Better Night's Sleep

meg

31 May 2009 | 5:23 pm

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) has designed a pair of goggles that deliver blue light directly into the eyes. This new device is said to improve the quality of sleep for older adults. Many elderly suffer from serious sleep disturbances often times as a result of changes to their circadian rhythm. In brief, the circadian rhythm refers to the body’s 24 hour sleep/wake cycle, which relates to one’s exposure to light and shifts in hormone levels.Many recent studies over the past few years have demonstrated the effectiveness of blue light in stimulating the circadian system. All types of…
Kaspar Gets Fitted for Roboskin to Help Teach Autistic Children

meg

10 May 2009 | 6:25 pm

Kaspar is a child-sized humanoid robot, developed by the Adaptive Systems research group at the University of Hertfordshire, that assists in cognitive development research. KASPAR stands for Kinesics And Synchronisation in Personal Assistant Robotics. Currently Kaspar’s purpose is to encourage and instil appropriate social interaction skills in children with autism. In due time, Kaspar will be covered with a high tech roboskin developed by Dr Daniel Polani. This artificial skin will be embedded with tactile sensors that can provide feedback to autistic children as they interact with the…

MedicalNewsToday: Depression
Loneliness Among Older People, Study

4 Jul 2009 | 2:00 am

Professor Bo Malmberg and Professor Gerdt SundstrÃ¶m at the School of Health Sciences in JÃ¶nkÃ¶ping, Sweden have studied loneliness among older people. A common stereotype about older people is that loneliness is typical for older women, rather than for older men. One problem with this stereotype is that feelings of loneliness are not particularly common among either men or women in the Nordic countries.
Work With Tiny Worm Could Point To New Treatments For Human Brain Disorders

4 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

Although the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has only 302 neurons in its entire nervous system, studies of this simple animal have significantly advanced our understanding of human brain function because it shares many genes and neurochemical signaling molecules with humans. Now MIT researchers have found novel C. elegans neurochemical receptors, the discovery of which could lead to new therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders if similar receptors are found in humans.
What Is Psychotherapy? What Are The Benefits Of Psychotherapy?

4 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

Psychotherapy consists of a series of techniques for treating mental health, emotional and some psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy helps the patient understand what helps them feel positive or anxious, as well as accepting their strong and weak points. If people can identify their feelings and ways of thinking they become better at coping with difficult situations. According to Medilexicon's
FDA Adds Strong Warnings To Anti-Smoking Drug Labels

3 Jul 2009 | 4:00 am

"The Food and Drug Administration announced (Wednesday) that it is requiring the smoking-cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban to carry the strongest type of safety warning possible to alert patients that the medications can cause serious mental health problems, including depression and suicide," the Washington Post reports (Stein, 7/1).
In Postpartum Women, Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression

3 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression.

ScienceDaily: Depression News
Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression In Postpartum Women

2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 pm

Postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression.
Mouse Model Of Parkinson's Reproduces Nonmotor Symptoms

30 Jun 2009 | 8:00 pm

Nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's include digestive and sleep problems, loss of sense of smell and depression. A mouse with a mutation in a gene responsible for packaging neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine reproduces the major non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms. The finding sheds light on nonmotor symptoms' causes and their relationship with the neurodegeneration seen in Parkinson's.
Deep Brain Stimulation To Treat Psychiatric Diseases Reviewed

29 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Pioneering therapeutic trials to investigate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation in hard-to-treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome are underway at multiple medical centers around the world, according to a new article.
Partner Relationship As A Buffer Against Stress

28 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pm

A good partner relationship can act as a buffer for those exposed to work-related stress. The relationship reduces the negative effects of this kind of stress on our health. But poor relationships will amplify the negative effects, says a young researcher.
Cognitive Therapy Is Of No Value In Schizophrenia, Analysis Of Studies Suggests

26 Jun 2009 | 8:00 am

New research concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is of no value in schizophrenia and has limited effect on depression.

MayoClinic: Depression
Blog: When depression treatment isn't working

23 Jun 2009 | 10:00 pm

Depression treatment not working? Ask yourself these questions. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com
Blog: When to seek help for teen depression

17 Jun 2009 | 10:00 pm

Teen depression is often overlooked. Find out more about the warning signs. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com
Blog: Depression and massage

18 May 2009 | 10:00 pm

Massage might be a good depression treatment. Find out more. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com
Blog: Using meditation for depression

12 May 2009 | 10:00 pm

Meditation for depression treatment: Find out how this technique can be helpful. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com
Blog: Watch for alternative medicine side effects during depression treatment

1 May 2009 | 10:00 pm

Alternative medicine therapies are often tried as depression treatments. Be aware of potential side effects. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

HealthCentral: Depression News
July 4th: Playing it safe with fireworks

2 Jul 2009 | 5:10 pm

Officials say 70 percent of fireworks-related accidents happen between June 20th and July 20th every year, with the largest number of people injured by the devices falling into the 14- to 17-year-old age group.
Hospitals close to agreeing to accept Medicare cuts

2 Jul 2009 | 1:16 pm

According to Kaiser Health News, the hospital industry is about to agree to accept federal funding cuts of $150 billion to $170 billion over the next decade to help pay for efforts to reform the national healthcare system.
Hormone may affect neurological disease risk in women

1 Jul 2009 | 10:16 am

Fluctuating hormone levels make women more vulnerable to ADHD, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia at certain times of life.
Wal-Mart supports employer health insurance mandate

30 Jun 2009 | 12:40 pm

The Associated Press is reporting that the nation's largest private employer, Wal-Mart, has announced that it supports an employer health insurance mandate.
Depression, anxiety harm the heart

30 Jun 2009 | 7:44 am

Depression and anxiety appear to boost the risk of angina and death due to heart-related problems, two new studies suggest.

Google News: Depression
Change Your Life Around With Depression Treatment - TransWorldNews (press release)

4 Jul 2009 | 3:24 pm

Change Your Life Around With Depression TreatmentTransWorldNews (press release)Depression treatment will change your life. If you're here, reading this, you shouldn't need a lecture on what's at stake. You know that addiction is an and more »
With More Prisoners Comes a Tide of Troubled Children - New York Times

4 Jul 2009 | 1:47 pm

New York TimesWith More Prisoners Comes a Tide of Troubled ChildrenNew York Times“I had low self-esteem and depression,” Mr. Scott said of his teenage years. Now, his ex-girlfriend was pregnant, and he pondered his child's prospects. and more »
Overweight Kids Suffer Depression, Loneliness - eMaxHealth

4 Jul 2009 | 11:51 am

Overweight Kids Suffer Depression, LonelinesseMaxHealthA new study shows that children who are overweight can suffer from depression and loneliness. A new study from University of Missouri shows that girls 2009/07/03 - Overweight kids risk social difficultiesKiddicareObese kids 'experience' more anxietyHinduScience is failing overweight kidsExaminer.comall 11 news articles »
Police: Arizona woman led sons on crime spree - The Associated Press

4 Jul 2009 | 3:41 am

Police: Arizona woman led sons on crime spreeThe Associated Press"In the days of the Depression, Ma Barker took her sons and they robbed banks and did this and did that for a living until they got caught," Phoenix police and more »
New book recalls the Great Depression in Winnebago County - Wrightstown Post Gazette

4 Jul 2009 | 2:27 am

New book recalls the Great Depression in Winnebago CountyWrightstown Post Gazette"Decade of Despair, Winnebago County during the Great Depression, 1929 to 1939," a book by local authors Werner E. Braatz, professor emeritus of the and more »

USNews: Depression
Health Buzz: Complex Genetics Behind Mental Disorders and Other Health News

Mental Illnesses Too Complex to Predict With Gene Tests, Researchers Say A genetic test to predict schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is far off, say researchers who have just found that 30,000 gene variations are involved in the development of those psychiatric disorders, Reuters reports. Intriguingly, the research, published in the journal Nature suggests that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have common genetic causes. "If some of the same genetic risks underlie schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, perhaps these disorders originate from some common vulnerability in brain…
Anti-Smoking Drugs Get FDA 'Black-Box' Warning

By Steven ReinbergHealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Two drugs prescribed to help people quit smoking, Chantix and Zyban, will now carry "black-box" warnings on the potential risks of psychiatric problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
Mark George: Treating Depression With an Electromagnet

Unlike some, Mark George didn't believe that electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression amounted to torture, but he did think the seizures at the heart of the treatment were unnecessary. When he said so at a national psychiatric conference in 1994, his colleagues kicked him to the curb to join the anti-ECT protesters. Justice was served last fall, when the Food and Drug Administration approved George's far gentler alternative—transcranial magnetic stimulation. In an international trial, depressed patients who hadn't been helped by drugs improved markedly after four weeks of daily,…
Sad Dads May Lead to Crying Infants

By Steven ReinbergHealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- Don't automatically blame mom: A crying, colicky baby can be just as much the result of dad's state of mind, Dutch researchers report.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Might Curb Depression in Heart Patients

THURSDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests a relationship between low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and an increased risk of depression in heart patients.The study, reported online in the Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, looked at 987 adults with coronary heart disease. Among those with the lowest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, 23 percent suffered from depression. But among those with the highest levels of the fatty acid in their blood, only 13 percent were diagnosed with depressive symptoms.

MedicalNewsToday: Anxiety
More Loneliness, Anxiety Experienced By Overweight Kids, MU Study Finds

4 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed about the implications of being overweight as a step toward reversing current trends. Now, a new University of Missouri study has found that overweight children, especially girls, show signs of the negative consequences of being overweight as early as kindergarten.
What Is Psychotherapy? What Are The Benefits Of Psychotherapy?

4 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

Psychotherapy consists of a series of techniques for treating mental health, emotional and some psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy helps the patient understand what helps them feel positive or anxious, as well as accepting their strong and weak points. If people can identify their feelings and ways of thinking they become better at coping with difficult situations. According to Medilexicon's
A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Anger Increases Blood Flow

3 Jul 2009 | 2:00 am

Mental stress causes carotid artery dilation and increases brain blood flow. A series of ultrasound experiments, described in BioMed Central's open access journal Cardiovascular Ultrasound, also found that this dilatory reflex was absent in people with high blood pressure.
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? What Is PTSD? What Causes PTSD?

3 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is triggered by a traumatic event - it is a kind of anxiety. The sufferer of PTSD may have experienced or seen an event that caused extreme fear, shock and/or a feeling of helplessness. Most of us experience a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping with traumatic events. However, we gradually get better with time and healthy coping methods.
Post-Surgery Distress In Children Eased By Hormone Treatment

2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 am

A scary unknown for many children, the prospect of surgery can cause intense preoperative anxiety. While some amount of stress is normal, what many parents do not know is that extreme anxiety before surgery can contribute to the occurrence of emergence delirium, a distressing incidence of acute behavioral changes experienced when "waking up" from anesthesia.

ScienceDaily: Anxiety News
Hormone Treatment Eases Post-surgery Distress In Children

4 Jul 2009 | 8:00 am

Physicians focused on reducing anxiety in children and their families report that oral treatment with melatonin before surgery can significantly reduce the occurrence of emergence delirium in children.
Partner Relationship As A Buffer Against Stress

28 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pm

A good partner relationship can act as a buffer for those exposed to work-related stress. The relationship reduces the negative effects of this kind of stress on our health. But poor relationships will amplify the negative effects, says a young researcher.
Anxiety’s Hidden Cost In Academic Performance

26 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

The effect of anxiety on academic performance is not always obvious. But new research suggests that there may be hidden costs. The study found that anxious individuals find it harder to avoid distractions and take more time to turn their attention from one task to the next than their less anxious peers.
Cognitive Therapy Is Of No Value In Schizophrenia, Analysis Of Studies Suggests

26 Jun 2009 | 8:00 am

New research concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is of no value in schizophrenia and has limited effect on depression.
Latino Teens Happier, Healthier If Families Embrace Biculturalism

24 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pm

Over the years, research has shown that Latino youth face numerous risk factors when integrating into American culture, including increased rates of alcohol and substance use and higher rates of dropping out of school. But a new study shows adolescents who actively embrace their native culture - and whose parents become more involved in U.S. culture - stand a greater chance of avoiding these risks and developing healthier behaviors overall.

Topix: Anxiety News
Pill Culture Pops

4 Jul 2009 | 1:46 pm

S ound the alarm. there's a new drug epidemic in town. And most of the city wants in on it.
Anxiety a real emergency for some

4 Jul 2009 | 12:38 am

The situation seemed serious when a woman entered the emergency room last week at St.
Drug Curbs Severe Facial Pain: Study

3 Jul 2009 | 4:24 pm

Results of a small study suggest that the drug pregabalin can reduce stabbing facial pain and other symptoms stemming from a condition called trigeminal neuralgia.
Is It Depression or Anxiety?

3 Jul 2009 | 8:11 am

We all experience anxiety or depression from time to time as emotional states. Common anxieties include worry about finances or health concerns; depression may occur after a breakup or during times of grief.
[Book Forum] The Age of Anxiety: A History of America's Turbulent Affair With Tranquilizers

2 Jul 2009 | 9:52 pm

New York, Basic Books, 2009, 298 pp., $26.95. RICHARD BALON, M.D. Detroit, Mich.

USNews: Anxiety
Anti-Smoking Drugs Get FDA 'Black-Box' Warning

By Steven ReinbergHealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Two drugs prescribed to help people quit smoking, Chantix and Zyban, will now carry "black-box" warnings on the potential risks of psychiatric problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
Fear of Crowds? When You Need Help for Anxiety

While taking a little holiday in Manhattan over the weekend, I breathed in all the sights, sounds, and smells of Fifth Avenue and Central Park. Though I lived in the city 15 years ago, I'd forgotten about the crowds: swarms of people strolling along the sidewalks or clustering around street dancers who were doing flips and moonwalks in tribute to Michael Jackson. While I certainly enjoyed watching all the buff performers—especially those roller-dancing in the park—I found myself yearning for a bit of solitude. Even while wandering through 38 acres of Central Park…
Anxiety-Prone People Find Distractions Hard to Ignore

MONDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Anxious people have more difficulty tuning out distractions and require more time to shift their attention from one task to another, a new study from British researchers has found.
Health Tip: Soothing Separation Anxiety

(HealthDay News) -- Many young children have difficulty leaving their parents when it's time for school, work or a parental date night.Rotary International offers this advice on how to make separating from your child less stressful for you both:
Postpartum Anxiety May Delay Puberty in Kids

THURSDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- Postpartum anxiety may delay puberty in biological and adopted daughters, research on mice has found. The study found that mice with low levels of the hormone prolactin in early pregnancy had substantial anxiety after giving birth and that their female offspring had delayed onset of puberty.

Google News: Anxiety
Investigators focus on five Jackson doctors - Los Angeles Times

4 Jul 2009 | 6:41 pm

Telegraph.co.ukInvestigators focus on five Jackson doctorsLos Angeles TimesIt totally takes away all anxiety, all fear," he said. "It's incredibly relieving of pain anxiety and stress. People do it to escape. Investigation into Michael Jackson's death focusing on five doctorsExaminer.comINSIDE STORY: Will Jackson's Kids Inherit a Fortune or a Pile of Debt?People MagazineMichael Jackson: Accident, Murder or Suicide?Bollywood PremiereIndian Express -Times Online -TheImproper.comall 12,500 news articles »
Teens in an age of anxiety - The Times

4 Jul 2009 | 1:30 pm

Teens in an age of anxietyThe TimesAbdurahman wants to study biochemistry and, like many grade 12 pupils, is worried about “achieving the marks I need to get into university”. and more »
Tailoring nutrition for post-partum agoraphobia or chronic anxiety ... - Examiner.com

4 Jul 2009 | 12:02 pm

Examiner.comTailoring nutrition for post-partum agoraphobia or chronic anxiety Examiner.comWhat's the 5-HTT gene got to do with agoraphobia or anxiety? How limited are future career plans when you are trapped at home for many years with and more »
Attack in Pakistani Garrison City Raises Anxiety About Safety of ... - New York Times

4 Jul 2009 | 10:04 am

Attack in Pakistani Garrison City Raises Anxiety About Safety of New York TimesISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A suicide attack Thursday on a bus in Rawalpindi was the first that singled out workers of Pakistan's prized nuclear and more »
Obese kids 'experience' more anxiety - Hindu

4 Jul 2009 | 2:45 am

Obese kids 'experience' more anxietyHindu"We found that both boys and girls who were overweight from kindergarten through third grade displayed more anxiety, depression and loneliness than kids who Science is failing overweight kidsExaminer.com2009/07/03 - Overweight kids risk social difficultiesKiddicareall 11 news articles »

Psych Central News
Sexist Jokes May Be Linked to Domestic Violence

Rick Nauert PhD

3 Jul 2009 | 6:04 am

New research suggests sexist jokes and accompanying humor are associated with mental mechanisms that could predispose violence and battering against women. Men with strong macho attitudes appear to demonstrate the risky behavior. The theory will be present at a seminar about humor and its scientific applications (’International Summer School and Symposium on Humor and Laughter: Theory, Research and Applications’) that will be held in Granada. In order to carry out this research work, the scientists applied several questionnaires to a group of 109 university male students aged…
Mental Stress Induces Brain Rush

Rick Nauert PhD

3 Jul 2009 | 5:55 am

New research discovers mental stress causes carotid artery dilation and increases brain blood flow. A series of ultrasound experiments, described in BioMed Central’s open access journal Cardiovascular Ultrasound, also found that this dilatory reflex was absent in people with high blood pressure. University of Southern California and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center researchers evaluated carotid artery reactivity and brain blood flow in response to mental stress in 10 healthy young volunteers (aged between 19 and 27 years), 20 older healthy volunteers (aged 38 to 60 years) and in 28 patients…
Early Health Ed Reduces Risky Adult Behaviors

Rick Nauert PhD

3 Jul 2009 | 5:55 am

A new study explores the link between early education programs and adult health, and how early educational interventions affect health outcomes. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health researchers found that early education reduces health behavioral risk factors by enhancing educational attainment, health insurance coverage, income, and family environments. However, since the follow-up survey was conducted at age 40, the cohort may still be too young for these reductions in behavioral risk factors to translate into improvements in overall physical health outcomes. The study,…
Loneliness and Anxiety Accompany Child Obesity

Rick Nauert PhD

3 Jul 2009 | 5:53 am

As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed about the implications of being overweight. Researchers believe this knowledge may represent a step toward reversing the current obesity trends. A new study has found that overweight children, especially girls, show signs of the negative consequences of being overweight as early as kindergarten. “We found that both boys and girls who were overweight from kindergarten through third grade displayed more depression, anxiety and loneliness than kids who were never overweight, and those negative…
Postpartum Depression Compounds Poor Sleep Cycle

Rick Nauert PhD

2 Jul 2009 | 6:56 am

Depression after childbirth has always been a chick and egg conundrum. That is, does sleep quality influence development of depression, or is poor sleep a characteristic of post-partum depression. A new study suggests that postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality. The findings, published in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP note that experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression. Twenty-one percent of depressed postpartum women included in the study reported having also been depressed during pregnancy and 46 percent reported at least one…

MedicalNewsToday: Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots

4 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

A trio of genome-wide studies - collectively the largest to date - has pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods. "These new results recommend a fresh look at our diagnostic categories," said Thomas R. Insel, M.D.
A Combination Of Common Genetic Variations Can Lead To Schizophrenia

2 Jul 2009 | 2:00 am

A multi-national group of investigators, including a scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has discovered that nearly a third of the genetic basis of schizophrenia may be attributed to the cumulative actions of thousands of common genetic variants. The effects of each of these genetic changes, innocuous on its own, add up to a significant risk for developing both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder Share Many Common Genetic Variants Says International Research Consortium

2 Jul 2009 | 2:00 am

A new study by a large international consortium found that many common genetic variants contribute up to a third of a person's risk of inheriting schizophrenia and many of the same DNA variations are also involved in bipolar disorder. While the study helps to explain the complexity of the genetic make up of these diseases it also suggests that developing a test to predict these diseases will take some time.
Doctors Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children Should Consider Irritability A Symptom, Study

30 Jun 2009 | 3:00 am

New research from the US adds to mounting evidence that when diagnosing bipolar disorder in children doctors and clinicians should consider irritability as a possible symptom. The study, by researchers at the Bradley Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, both in Rhode Island, and colleagues from other centers, is published online in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Parents And Researchers To Receive Top Honors At International Conference On Bipolar Disorder

26 Jun 2009 | 2:00 am

At the 8th International Conference on Bipolar Disorder this week in Pittsburgh, four distinguished individuals will be honored for their contributions to bipolar disorder research, education and service.

ScienceDaily: Bipolar Disorder News
Irritability Should Be Considered When Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children

25 Jun 2009 | 2:00 am

Diagnosing children with bipolar disorder is challenging and controversial. Some children with bipolar disorder are diagnosed based on irritable mood alone. Findings support current diagnostic criteria.
Skin Cells Provide New Knowledge About Brain Functions

4 Jun 2009 | 5:00 am

Until now diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been difficult to study biologically, since this would entail taking samples from the patient’s brain. But new research findings show that it is just as good to study a certain type of skin cells, since they function in a way that is similar to a type of brain cells that are suspected of playing a major role in both disorders.
Specialty Care Costs For Patients With Bipolar Disorder Are Higher Than Diabetes And Other Chronic Diseases

20 May 2009 | 9:00 pm

Researchers have found that bipolar disorder is more costly than other chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, asthma or coronary artery disease.
Schizophrenia And Manic-depressive Disorder: Genetic Variant Impairs Communication Within Brain

1 May 2009 | 2:00 pm

For some time now it has been known that certain hereditary factors enhance the risk of schizophrenia or a manic-depressive disorder. However, just how this occurs had remained obscure. Researchers are now able to answer this question, at least for one common genetic variant: this impairs the interoperation of certain regions of the brain.
Lithium And The Brain: New Light On Bipolar Treatment Drugs

26 Apr 2009 | 11:00 pm

New research suggests a possible pathway for the operation of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It offers potential for new perspectives on the genetics of bipolar disorder and the development of new treatments for this disorder and other conditions.

Topix: Bipolar Disorder
GlobalNational.com has a quick look at some atypical antipsychotics prescribed for young people

2 Jul 2009 | 7:21 pm

Here's a quick look at some atypical antipsychotics prescribed for young people: Risperidone Risperidone, sold under the trade name Risperdal in the United States and Canada, changes the effects of chemicals in the brain, and is used to treat schizophrenia as well as symptoms of bipolar disorder.
A Multiattribute Decision Model for Bipolar Disorder: Identification...

1 Jul 2009 | 6:30 pm

Published Online: July 1, 2009 - 12:00:36 AM PDF Objective: To develop a multiattribute decision model to aid in the selection of preferred medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Study: Bipolar meds work best combined

1 Jul 2009 | 3:50 am

A long-running study in the United Kingdom has shown for the first time that combined therapy with two of the main drugs for bipolar disorder is better than using either drug alone.
Expert: New psychiatric drugs have no 'track record'

28 Jun 2009 | 6:02 am

Exclusive savings on ADHD products and much, much more! Start saving today! Expert: New psychiatric drugs have no 'track record' UPDATED 2009-05-18 Dr.
Parents And Researchers To Receive Top Honors At International Conference On Bipolar Disorder

26 Jun 2009 | 5:50 am

At the 8th International Conference on Bipolar Disorder this week in Pittsburgh, four distinguished individuals will be honored for their contributions to bipolar disorder research, education and service.

MedWire News - Bipolar Disorder
High spring peak in suicide rates among mood disorder patients

25 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

The seasonal spring peak in suicide rates is particularly high among patients with a history of mood disorders, research shows.
Hippocampal protein levels reduced in MDD and bipolar disorder

24 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Reduced hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor precursor expression is common to both major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, UK investigators have discovered.
Lithium serum levels and mood state affect ADRs in bipolar disorder

22 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Patient reporting and severity of adverse drug reactions during long-term lithium treatment for bipolar disorder are affected by both serum lithium concentration and mood state, say Dutch researchers
ECT response quicker in bipolar versus unipolar depression

22 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

There are no outcome differences from ultra-brief pulse electroconvulsive therapy between bipolar disorder and unipolar depression patients, but the former have a faster response, Belgian study findings suggest.
Longer hospital admission points to bipolar executive function impairment

18 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

For bipolar disorder patients, longer admission to hospital is associated with more severe executive functioning deficits at discharge, the results of a US study indicate.

HealthCentral: Bipolar Disorder
Hospitals close to agreeing to accept Medicare cuts

2 Jul 2009 | 1:16 pm

According to Kaiser Health News, the hospital industry is about to agree to accept federal funding cuts of $150 billion to $170 billion over the next decade to help pay for efforts to reform the national healthcare system.
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder may have common genetic roots

2 Jul 2009 | 6:46 am

Researchers in three studies have found a common genetic cause behind schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, two mental health conditions that were previously thought to be unrelated.
Hormone may affect neurological disease risk in women

1 Jul 2009 | 10:16 am

Fluctuating hormone levels make women more vulnerable to ADHD, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia at certain times of life.
Wal-Mart supports employer health insurance mandate

30 Jun 2009 | 12:40 pm

The Associated Press is reporting that the nation's largest private employer, Wal-Mart, has announced that it supports an employer health insurance mandate.
Depression, anxiety harm the heart

30 Jun 2009 | 7:44 am

Depression and anxiety appear to boost the risk of angina and death due to heart-related problems, two new studies suggest.

MedicalNewsToday: Schizophrenia
Work With Tiny Worm Could Point To New Treatments For Human Brain Disorders

4 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

Although the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has only 302 neurons in its entire nervous system, studies of this simple animal have significantly advanced our understanding of human brain function because it shares many genes and neurochemical signaling molecules with humans. Now MIT researchers have found novel C. elegans neurochemical receptors, the discovery of which could lead to new therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders if similar receptors are found in humans.
Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots

4 Jul 2009 | 12:00 am

A trio of genome-wide studies - collectively the largest to date - has pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods. "These new results recommend a fresh look at our diagnostic categories," said Thomas R. Insel, M.D.
Study Led By Stanford Scientists Links Schizophrenia To Chromosome Region For The First Time

3 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have played a major role in an international effort that has shown, for the first time, that modern genetic technologies can solve the riddle of how gene variations lead to schizophrenia. Researchers at Stanford and 14 other institutions carried out a study of common DNA variations throughout the genome, and then combined forces with two independent studies to complete a pooled analysis of 27,000 individuals.
Immune System Link To Schizophrenia Identified By UCLA Collaboration

2 Jul 2009 | 6:00 am

Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disease, thought to be caused by the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. Because there is no biochemical test that can identify the disorder, physicians rely upon the recognition of its symptoms - which can include auditory hallucinations and paranoia - in order to make their diagnosis.
Schizophrenia Linked For First Time To Chromosome Region In Study Led By Stanford Scientists

2 Jul 2009 | 6:00 am

Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have played a major role in an international effort that has shown, for the first time, that modern genetic technologies can solve the riddle of how gene variations lead to schizophrenia. Researchers at Stanford and 14 other institutions carried out a study of common DNA variations throughout the genome, and then combined forces with two independent studies to complete a pooled analysis of 27,000 individuals.

ScienceDaily: Schizophrenia News
Many Genetic Contributions To Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder Discovered

2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 am

Scientists have discovered that many common genetic variants contribute to a person's risk of schizophrenia, providing the first molecular evidence that this form of genetic variation is involved in schizophrenia. The researchers also found that many of these DNA variations also are involved in bipolar disorder but not in several nonpsychiatric diseases.
Schizophrenia Linked For First Time To Specific Chromosome Region

2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 am

Scientists have shown, for the first time, that modern genetic technologies can solve the riddle of how gene variations lead to schizophrenia.
Immune System Linked To Schizophrenia

30 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pm

Researchers have, for the first time, identified additional genes that confirm what scientists have long suspected -- that the immune system may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Further, they have also identified genetic anomalies that disrupt the cellular pathways involved in brain development, memory and cognition, all markers of schizophrenia.
Cognitive Therapy Is Of No Value In Schizophrenia, Analysis Of Studies Suggests

26 Jun 2009 | 8:00 am

New research concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is of no value in schizophrenia and has limited effect on depression.
Schizophrenic's 'Automatic Pilot' Still Works, But Processing New Information Causes Problems

24 Jun 2009 | 2:00 pm

Answering a phone call while cooking dinner ... walking to work while texting ... driving while listening to the radio -- all without having to think about it. After plenty of practice, people can do a lot of things on automatic pilot and simultaneously. However, for people with schizophrenia that is a different story. Researchers investigated whether a disruption to the automation process, learning by repetition to do something on automatic pilot, explains why people with schizophrenia can process less information.

Topix: Schizophrenia News
Why Do Schizophrenics Smoke Cigarettes?

3 Jul 2009 | 7:45 am

Name: Dirk Hanson Site: http://addiction-dirkh.blogspot.com/ See All Articles by Author About: Dirk Hanson is a freelance science writer and the author of "The Chemical Carousel: What Science Tells Us About Beating Addiction." He is also the author of ''The New Alchemists: Silicon Valley and the Microelectronics Revolution.'' He has worked as a ...
GlobalNational.com has a quick look at some atypical antipsychotics prescribed for young people

2 Jul 2009 | 9:01 pm

Here's a quick look at some atypical antipsychotics prescribed for young people: Risperidone Risperidone, sold under the trade name Risperdal in the United States and Canada, changes the effects of chemicals in the brain, and is used to treat schizophrenia as well as symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Immune System Link To Schizophrenia Identified By UCLA Collaboration

2 Jul 2009 | 12:59 pm

Main Category: Schizophrenia Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines ; Genetics Article Date: 02 Jul 2009 - 6:00 PDT Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disease, thought to be caused by the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors.
Schizophrenia sufferers grab slim hope

2 Jul 2009 | 4:55 am

Imagine piling on a shocking 70kg in eight months and being told by your doctor you were helpless to stop it.
Schizophrenia May Be Linked To Immune System

1 Jul 2009 | 8:42 pm

New research published in Nature suggests that genes affecting the immune system may be linked to schizophrenia.

MedWire News - Schizophrenia
Cancer is major cause of death in schizophrenia patients

25 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in schizophrenia patients after suicide, say researchers who call for greater efforts to improve cancer prevention and early detection in patients with the mental health disorder.
Jumping to conclusions in delusional patients ‘can be improved’

24 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

The tendency to jump to conclusions during reasoning tasks among individuals with delusions can be improved, although better training is required for more severe cases, argue UK researchers.
Impaired configural face processing found in schizophrenia

23 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Configural processing to integrate visual features into a perceptual whole is impaired in schizophrenia, with patients over-reliant on featural processing, the results of an Australian study indicate.
Respiratory and heart rate coupling reduced in schizophrenia

23 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

In schizophrenia patients, respiratory and heart rate coupling is reduced, with regularity of breathing linked to disease severity, potentially due to a lack of inhibitory brainstem control, say researchers.
UK mental health in-patients benefit from smoke-free law

17 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pm

Most mental health units in England have faced challenges introducing smoke-free policies, but such policies have provided some positive changes for patients, survey results show.

HealthCentral: Schizophrenia
Hospitals close to agreeing to accept Medicare cuts

2 Jul 2009 | 1:16 pm

According to Kaiser Health News, the hospital industry is about to agree to accept federal funding cuts of $150 billion to $170 billion over the next decade to help pay for efforts to reform the national healthcare system.
Parents cope with child's severe schizophrenia

2 Jul 2009 | 6:55 am

The parents of 6-year-old schizophrenia sufferer January Schofield discuss the difficulties in coping with the symptoms of their daughter's child-onset schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder may have common genetic roots

2 Jul 2009 | 6:46 am

Researchers in three studies have found a common genetic cause behind schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, two mental health conditions that were previously thought to be unrelated.
Schizophrenia linked to immune system

2 Jul 2009 | 6:38 am

Scientists have found that people who have schizophrenia have genetic variations on a chromosome that is also partly responsible for immune system function.
Hormone may affect neurological disease risk in women

1 Jul 2009 | 10:16 am

Fluctuating hormone levels make women more vulnerable to ADHD, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia at certain times of life.

Google News: Schizophrenia
Science Briefing - Los Angeles Times

3 Jul 2009 | 7:05 pm

Science BriefingLos Angeles TimesCommon variations in genes may underlie schizophrenia, the mental illness known for more than 100 years to run in families, with no one single variation and more »
Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA) is still heavily undervalued 0 comments - Seeking Alpha

2 Jul 2009 | 10:41 pm

Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA) is still heavily undervalued 0 commentsSeeking AlphaVanda Pharmaceuticals is making a stunning come back this year as FDA finally approved their schizophrenia drug Fanapt. But the story is far from over, Biotech: The next generationWashington Business Journalall 2 news articles »
New research dealing with schizophrenia - NECN

2 Jul 2009 | 7:25 am

NECNNew research dealing with schizophreniaNECN(NECN) - In the science of schizophrenia, there is some exciting new research that could eventually help those who suffer from the disorder. and more »
Hoopla, and Disappointment, in Schizophrenia Research - New York Times

1 Jul 2009 | 2:39 pm

Telegraph.co.ukHoopla, and Disappointment, in Schizophrenia ResearchNew York TimesIt seems to me the reports represent more of a historic defeat, a Pearl Harbor of schizophrenia research. The defeat points solely to the daunting nature of Scientists find schizophrenia genesPRESS TVGene Variants Prove Complexity of Schizophrenia and Bipolar DisordersHealthNewsCommon Gene Variations Linked to Schizophrenia, Scientists SayBloombergThe Associated Press -TopNews United Statesall 267 news articles »
Keeping Jani Alive: The Perils Of Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia - ABC News

1 Jul 2009 | 10:23 am

ABC NewsKeeping Jani Alive: The Perils Of Childhood-Onset SchizophreniaABC NewsJanuary Schofield, 6, suffers from schizophrenia, a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder most strongly characterized by sensory hallucinations. and more »

Dr. Deb
LEGO-ize Yourself

22 Jun 2009 | 10:14 am

Go make yourself a LEGO and have some fun.I am totally Jedi-fied, ready for the force to be with me while I take a vacay from the old blogerino.Play is good for your well-being. So is taking a time out.See you in July.
Your Worry Factor Quiz

17 Jun 2009 | 6:59 am

Your Worry Factor is 31%You worry a little, but you usually don't go overboard.You know it's good to recognize your fears, as long as you let go of them.So whenever you start to worry too much, just take a deep breath and relax.You're not the worrying kind - and there's no reason to start.Do You Worry Too Much?
Chastity Bono Brings Awareness To Transgender Issues

12 Jun 2009 | 4:09 pm

Longtime American activist for LGBT rights, Chastity Chaz Bono, born to Sonny & Cher, is beginning the process of transitioning from female to male. Bono says he will avoid being in the lens of the public eye as surgery and reassignment proceed, but hopes that his journey will educate others.Having a healthy gender identity means that a person experiences harmony with their sense of self and their own physical sex. However, Transgender people find their sense of self differs from their physical sex. There is anguish about being in the wrong body. Research over many years has shown that…
Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry

8 Jun 2009 | 9:15 am

I just heard an expression the other day. Emotional Vampires - Psychological slang for the kind of person who sucks the life out of you because they demand so much.Click here to learn more and to find tips to help ward off these behaviors if you have vampire tendencies. There's also compassionate suggestions to deal with those who drain you dry. No garlic needed.
Funny Words

2 Jun 2009 | 11:38 am

I love words.Especially funny ones.Studies on humor tell us there are a variety of reasons why things are funny. For words, having an abundance of similar sounds within it (assonance) or the drumming sound of repetitive hard letters that roll through the word (consonance) can render the word funny. Then again, maybe the word just tickles you for your own personal reasons.My favorite funny word is Kerfuffle - which, defined, is a fuss or disturbance. What's your favorite funny word? Bell, N. (2007). Humor comprehension: Lessons learned from cross-cultural communication Humor -…

Mental Health Blog
Post-birth Weight Loss and its Psychological Impact

28 Jun 2009 | 8:56 pm

I read an interesting article recently about new mothers and their struggle to regain their figures after childbirth. Actually, it was more sad than interesting.
Reassuring a Suicidal Person

21 Jun 2009 | 9:38 pm

In our continuing series on suicide, we look today at how to give reassurance, information, and hope to a person at risk of suicide. Suicide claims the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year, and victims are of both genders, and come from a multitude of backgrounds.
Suicide: Why Do the Neighbors Talk but do Nothing?

18 Jun 2009 | 10:49 pm

This weekend I happened across a woman who needs help. She had a For Sale sign out front of her block of units and I stopped to ask her which one was for sale. She told me but it became obvious that she was distracted, depressed and anxious.
Denying the Father's Role when Mother is a Narcissist

8 Jun 2009 | 4:53 pm

One of the more painful aspects of detaching from a narcissist mother is acknowledging the role that the father plays in the family dynamic.
Sexting: Harmful or Harmless?

8 Jun 2009 | 4:44 pm

Teens and pre-teens are increasing sending explicit images of themselves via texting using cell phones, a phenomenon known as "sexting".

Anxiety Insights
Overweight kids more lonely, anxious

Anxiety Insights

3 Jul 2009 | 1:00 am

Emily Smith As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed about the implications of being overweight as a step toward reversing current trends. Now, a new University of Missouri study, published in the journal Applied Developmental Science, has found that overweight children, especially girls, show signs of the negative consequences of being overweight as early as kindergarten. "We found that both boys and girls who were overweight from kindergarten through third grade displayed more depression, anxiety and loneliness than kids who were never…
Abstract: Long-term use of antidepressants for depressive disorders and the risk of diabetes mellitus

Anxiety Insights

3 Jul 2009 | 12:42 am

Am J Psychiatry 2009; 166:591-598 Long-Term Use of Antidepressants for Depressive Disorders and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus Andersohn F, Schade R, Suissa S, Garbe E. OBJECTIVE: Use of antidepressants has been reported to cause considerable weight gain. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of diabetes mellitus associated with antidepressant treatment and to examine whether the risk is influenced by treatment duration or daily dose. METHOD: This was a nested case-control study in a cohort of 165,958 patients with depression who received at least one new prescription for an…
Abstract: Impact of antidepressants on the risk of suicide in patients with depression in real-life conditions

Anxiety Insights

3 Jul 2009 | 12:38 am

Psychol Med. 2009 Aug;39(8):1307-1315 Impact of antidepressants on the risk of suicide in patients with depression in real-life conditions: a decision analysis model Cougnard A, Verdoux H, Grolleau A, Moride Y, Begaud B, Tournier M. University Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, INSERM U657, IFR of Public Health, Bordeaux, France; Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada Background The impact of antidepressant drug treatment (ADT) on the risk of suicide is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine in a real-life setting whether ADT is associated with…
Poor sleep after childbirth may be postpartum depression sign

Anxiety Insights

2 Jul 2009 | 12:45 am

Sleep may act as a moderator between risk factors for depression and the onset of depression in women vulnerable to sleep changes during the postpartum period Kelly Wagner - AASM A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression. Twenty-one percent of depressed postpartum women included in the study reported having also been depressed during pregnancy and 46 percent reported at least one previous depressive episode prior to conception,…
Melatonin eases children's post-surgery distress

Anxiety Insights

2 Jul 2009 | 12:14 am

Study finds hormone reduces emergence delirium rates Tom Vasich A scary unknown for many children, the prospect of surgery can cause intense preoperative anxiety. While some amount of stress is normal, what many parents do not know is that extreme anxiety before surgery can contribute to the occurrence of emergence delirium, a distressing incidence of acute behavioral changes experienced when "waking up" from anesthesia. Now in a study published in the July issue of Anesthesiology, physicians focused on reducing anxiety in children and their families report that oral treatment with melatonin…

Beyond Meds
Some self-help approaches make people feel worse

giannakali

4 Jul 2009 | 2:02 pm

I’ve always thought the positive thinking crap and most CBT was detrimental to my mental well-being. I know it helps some people but I’ve carefully avoided it for years, while every now and then revisiting it just in case I might be missing something. At this point though I know it’s not for me. Now [...]
4th of July weekend in my backyard

giannakali

4 Jul 2009 | 2:23 am

and my doggy peaking out at me: Posted in just for fun
Quote of the day — distraction

giannakali

3 Jul 2009 | 9:34 pm

The world of distraction spins around and around, while moving continuously to keep itself amused and entertained. It transports us to a world of fantasy, or a world of controversy, or competition, or of just about anything other than the one true existence that is right before us. Distraction keeps our heads turned in the [...]
ADHD drugs have placebo effect on CAREGIVERS!

giannakali

3 Jul 2009 | 12:02 pm

Why am I not surprised by this?? Once kids are given drugs parents, teachers and other adults in the life of the child feel better…even if there isn’t really any change at all! From Science Daily: Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are the accepted treatment to stem hyperactivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD) [...]
Antipsychotic use up 1,000 percent in Canadian kids

giannakali

3 Jul 2009 | 7:22 am

I lifted that straight off of Furious Seasons. Go read there. This is the article from CBC in Canada. Posted in abilify, anti-psychotics, geodon, neuroleptic, neuroleptics, Risperdal, Seroquel, seroquel XR, Zyprexa

caught in my bipolar burble
thinking

1 Jul 2009 | 12:03 pm

Thinking of you, thinking of rope burn, thinking of thrusts. Thinking of you, thinking of screaming thinking of blood. Thinking of you, thinking of terror, thinking of shock. Thinking of you thinking of hunger, thinking of need. Thinking of you, thinking of slippery, thinking of hard.Thinking of you thinking of shackles, thinking of me.
Description of Deadly Rash Caused by Medications Like Lamictal

1 Jul 2009 | 7:16 am

In a small number of cases people who take Lamictal or some other anticonvulsance can develop a deadly rash named Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (a more severe version). Again this is rare. However, if you develop a rash, here is a description of SJS leisions.If you this there is even a small rash is related to this syndrom see a doctor immediately and tell
TMS for depression and...

30 Jun 2009 | 8:06 pm

Cool ideas on other things to do with TMS:TMS, George came to realize, could be more than a tool for studying the brain. He wondered whether TMS could re-energize the brain's left prefrontal cortex, where in depression the nerve cells turn sluggish, consuming less oxygen and glucose and firing unenthusiastically. His London colleagues didn't jump on board. "Why would you ever want to do that?"
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation May Cause Improvements in Memory

26 Jun 2009 | 8:09 am

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation May Cause Improvements in Memory - Psychiatric TimesNow, understand that depression impinges on memory function and the correlation below may not be the rTMS improving memory per se but the releif of depression actually causing memory to function like it did when the brain was not depressed.Still good news though. Memory loss is one of the awful things about
There's No There, There

21 Jun 2009 | 4:37 pm

Today’s writing didn’t go according to plan, and I’m feeling like a five-year-old about it. Like a child whose balloon pops and throws a fit. I’ve tried explaining to her that it’s no big deal, it’s just a balloon, and that there are other balloons in the world. But she’s kicking and screaming. And crying. A bratty fit in a coffee shop. It’s times like these when I hate being a parent.It never

The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive
So, I’m no longer a Bulimic By Deed. Where’s the sodding pay off?

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

2 Jul 2009 | 8:28 pm

Please file this post under, “Too Much Information”. Yep, bodily functions and what not. Just imagine me as you read. Go on. Imagine it. Kerist, it is too inhumane to sleep. Thank you then, little donated Macbook, that you keep me company at this time of exhaustion yet sporadic, “Oh for fuck’s sake” and getting up [...]
A Plea for Assistance

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

30 Jun 2009 | 7:32 am

Previous post is back up! Sorry, accidentally saved it privately when I edited it. I’m thinking about setting up a website to collect my writings over the years; One in Four, BBC, interviews and etc I’ve done. Partly for me to keep stuff in one place because I’m terrible at doing so, partly for interesting reading [...]
Paralysis and an Update

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

29 Jun 2009 | 2:13 pm

Wello there (I was meant to type, “Well, hello there”, but “wello” seems to convey both the meaning and tone). I’m typing this on a second hand Macbook kindly donated by a reader and online friend, Nicola. I’m only sitting on the other side of the room, near the optimistically opened window in a bid [...]
Identity

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

22 Jun 2009 | 8:02 am

A rambling entry for you! More on the invalidity of psychiatry from the Times. In the madosphere, I am one of the more pro-psychiatry voices. It leads to an inbox I sometimes can’t bear to check, in which I am assailed from all corners berating me for promoting a myth and for allowing myself to be a [...]
Apologies

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

19 Jun 2009 | 9:05 am

So sorry for the lack of updates and real posts; am doing the “life” thing, and also exhausted and blank and haven’t got much to say. So please excuse me. PS: Where is There and Back? http://thereandbacktoseehowfaritis.blogspot.com/ Posted in Bipolar Disorder

The Trouble With Spikol
Superb Advice

Liz

2 Jul 2009 | 8:55 am

Thanks to advocate Fran Hazam for forwarding Dr. Lloyd I. Sederer’s article “Can You Trust Your Psychiatrist” from HuffPost. Citing influence from Big Pharma — and basically explaining the way the influence filters down to you — Sederer breaks down what you need to do to ensure the best care: First, be an informed consumer. Just [...]
Remembering Steven Wells, 1960-2009

Liz

1 Jul 2009 | 8:24 am

Today is PW’s tribute issue, and also the memorial service for our colleague. I won’t be blogging today, but go here for some incredible memories and tributes.
People First Language

Liz

30 Jun 2009 | 12:45 pm

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been writing on the subject of mental illness is the evolving use of language around disabilities. Sometimes I’ve been relieved by change; other times I’ve been frustrated. I recently had the opportunity to start thinking about this again because I accidentally let a [...]
“Tweenorexia”

Liz

30 Jun 2009 | 9:35 am

How the media delights in coining new terms — the latest being “tweenorexia.” You can imagine them sitting around in a meeting getting all hopped up on coffee and donuts, and patting each other on the back for thinking of it. Ooh, nice one. Perhaps I’ve been in journalism too long. The trend, as represented by [...]
As I’m a Nostalgia Whore, I Love This Piece

Liz

29 Jun 2009 | 3:36 pm

BBC News Magazine asked a 13-year-old to give up his beloved iPod and use a Walkman for a week instead, in honor of the Walkman’s 30-year anniversary. Since that was my first portable music player, purchased in 1983 and lovingly cradled across continents, I smiled as I read this. My dad had told me it was [...]

depression introspection
Quote of the Week

Marissa Miller

28 Jun 2009 | 8:26 am

"Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them." — Russell H. Conwell
Song of the Week: Smile

Marissa Miller

27 Jun 2009 | 12:03 pm

On Michael Jackson's album, HIStory, he did a remake of Charlie Chaplin's song "Smile." I think it's absolutely beautiful and when I was depressed as a teenager, I would listen to this song, hoping it would give me strength. I smiled for as long as the song was on. When it was over, I was empty again. Thank you, Mike, for making me smile many times in my life. "I will never let you part, for you are always in my heart."
R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Marissa Miller

25 Jun 2009 | 6:47 pm

My childhood pop star has died. I am grieving for his family. May God have mercy on his soul.
Quote of the Week

Marissa Miller

21 Jun 2009 | 8:15 am

"We cannot go back and make a new start, but we can start now to make a new ending." — Author Unknown
Quote of the Week

Marissa Miller

14 Jun 2009 | 8:15 am

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." — Casey

Finding Optimism
On the Psychology of Fat

james

3 Jul 2009 | 12:24 am

by Atlantic Free Press “Some people eat when they are not physically hungry. I know; I’m one of them. All the studies in the world about hunger and satiety triggers will not do a thing for me. Where are the studies about the psychological need to eat? We seem to have studies on the psychological need to not eat, or to purge what you’ve eaten. But overeating seems to be a matter of ruthless genetics or lack of self-control to the doctors and scientists dealing with fat people. ” …click to read more Mental Health Best of the Web
All of the Voices in My Head (getting organized)

james

26 Jun 2009 | 6:33 am

by I Trust When Dark My Road “The whole process…has really gotten me thinking about the process of managing information, and what that means for mental health. If you’re like me, there are a thousand things going through your brain at any given time. I run around putting out fires, trying to stay one step ahead of disaster in all of the spheres or realms that I operate. Church, home, school, opera, DOXOLOGY, Higher Things, and who knows what else.” …click to read more Mental Health Best of the Web
The Myths and Science of Comfort Food

james

24 Jun 2009 | 11:48 pm

by The McGill Tribune From the executive director of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion: “People tend to use food to maintain a good mood, or to regain a good mood if they’re in a bad mood. They use different foods to do this…Now what we’ve found is if they’re in a positive mood, they’ll tend to eat things that are more meal-related, and there’s generally more nutrient depth…but in negative moods, they tend to be more caloric and convenient snack foods.” …click to read more Mental Health Best of the Web
Online Mental Health Journalism Awards: 2009

james

17 Jun 2009 | 7:38 pm

from Psych Central “We thought we’d acknowledge some examples of outstanding online mental health and psychiatry journalism in 2008. You might argue with our broad interpretation of “journalism,” but we believe that writers or producers who can bring new insight, analysis or understanding about mental health concerns or significant issues in the fields of psychology and psychiatry are worthy of inclusion.” …click to read more Mental Health Best of the Web
Benefits of Pet Ownership

james

12 Jun 2009 | 12:13 am

No sooner did I link to the New Scientist article yesterday than Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, posted his own hypothesis on the benefits of pet ownership. Scott Adams is my favorite “thinker”, even though I rarely agree with his viewpoint. But this article is an interesting, probably valid, partly tongue in cheek, take on the relative benefits of cats and dogs and the relevance of age. From Scott Adams: “One of my mental hobbies is concocting hypotheses that I hope someone else will test. Today’s hypothesis involves the health benefits of pet ownership. It is common…

Postpartum Progress
Poem from a Mom with Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Katherine Stone/Postpartum Progress

1 Jul 2009 | 9:06 pm

Arriving on Christmas day with those beautiful pink chubby cheeks and eyes of curiosity…. So tiny, so beautiful, this life filled baby squirming, watching, anticipating. A new life… what mother could ask for more. Ten little fingers, ten little toes, a beautiful healthy baby girl. Home from the hospital it all feels surreal, this baby to treasure. We celebrate she’s here! What happened next, I wish I understood. Oh if I could. Darkness and fear have settled in. It’s all too much where do I begin? Postpartum they call it and promise it won’t last. It’s been twelve weeks. I just…
Pundits Ponder Whether Palin Had Postpartum Depression

Katherine Stone/Postpartum Progress

1 Jul 2009 | 2:27 pm

I just LOVE it when pundits and politicians talk about postpartum depression. In the latest issue of the magazine Vanity Fair, Todd Purdum writes this in his article on former Vice Presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin and the 2008 Presidential campaign: "Some top aides worried about her mental state: was it possible that she was experiencing postpartum depression? (Palin's youngest son was less than six months old.)" Purdum doesn't go into why Palin's aides would have thought that. In the paragraph in which he refers to postpartum depression, his only explanation is that…
Editor Seeking First-Person Account of PPD for Book

Katherine Stone/Postpartum Progress

1 Jul 2009 | 3:50 am

Professor Craig LeCroy at the Arizona State University School of Social Work is editing a book on first-person accounts of mental illness. He is looking for a first-person account of postpartum depression. It should be about 6-15 pages in length. If you'd like to submit one, you can reach him at craig.lecroy@asu.edu.
How Spirituality Can Impact Recovery from Postpartum Depression

Katherine Stone/Postpartum Progress

30 Jun 2009 | 7:17 am

I noticed a flurry of blog posts on religion and depression in the last couple of weeks, and decided I'd share them all with you in a single post, as I know for many of you spirituality is an important part of your recovery. Last week, Lauren Hale at Sharing the Journey hosted a discussion about religion and spirituality and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. If you scroll down and read the comments, you'll see a brief but very nice discussion of this topic from some of Lauren's readers, including one woman who is an atheist and who blogs about her PPD experience. I LOVE to see these…
Dads Needed for Online Research on Experience of New Fatherhood

Katherine Stone/Postpartum Progress

29 Jun 2009 | 10:12 pm

Dr. Will Courtenay is seeking participants for research to better understand the experiences of dads with their babies. He is conducting the study in collaboration with the Center for Men and Young Men at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Participants will complete an online survey about their experiences as a father and their attitudes on a variety of topics. The survey is completely anonymous and takes 20-25 minutes to complete. It is open to men over 18 years of age who have had a baby or babies within the last 12 months. All fathers of babies are invited to participate, including…

The Pursuit of Happiness
Pretentious?

28 Jun 2009 | 8:40 am

Why is it pretentious to use the right word? I got called out for saying that my uvula is vestigial.
Darkness envelopes

27 Jun 2009 | 1:27 pm

There’s a part of me – a big part of me – that wants to burn all of this. I once had passion; I once had a grasp on what there is and what there isn’t. Or at least I think I did. And I think that I will get there again. But for now, there’s just what I have in front of me. And that’s not much. It never has been.
Back on the SJW

22 May 2009 | 8:05 am

Black days engulfed me right after that last post. There was no real trigger - is there ever? - I just suddenly found myself back at the bottom. If this is mild depression I can't imagine what those with right proper depression go through.Money is part of it and it might have been what started down the slide but I really can't blame my middle-class poverty. I think it was probably more of where I put my focus rather than the actual cause. Money's been tight now for, well, over a year but I've been up and down plenty in that time. But it's always good to have an excuse for the negative…
An Herbal Week

4 May 2009 | 8:47 am

For the third or fourth time since launching The Pursuit of Happiness I'm going to try to take this blog in a new direction. On a more or less weekly basis I'm going to pick a ______ and Depression theme and produce four or five entries about it. Why? I'll get into that at the bottom of this post.This week I'm going to get into herbs and depression. Obviously the big herb in depression therapy is St. John's Wort. I have discussed SJW, especially my experiences with it, ad nauseam in the past. Tomorrow I'll cover it a bit more thoughtfully. Then later in the week I'll get into other herbs that…
That Space Between a Good Time and Bad Memory

28 Feb 2009 | 7:45 am

I attended an industry event last night. It was great fun. I got to spend time talking to people who actually DO what I spend my professional time just writing about. I met members of the industry that I hadn't yet and spent time with people whom I truly admire for their craft.The drive home was very happy as I reflected on the night. I'd had a great time, made new friends, and learned a little more about my industry. I thought about the different articles I could write, the magazines I could sell them to, what I could blog about, etc.Then this morning I woke up and started to work on a blog…

A Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey
It's Only a Matter of Time

26 Jun 2009 | 5:25 am

This article was originally published at dadomatic.com.Have you read that book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell?You haven’t? You must not want your kids to succeed. In it Gladwell provides evidence that the only difference between so-so violin players and master violin players is the amount of hours they practiced. The masters put in about 10,000 hours of practice before hitting twenty years old. The so-so players? Only 8000. That’s only 1.466 hours of practice a day, seven days a week for fifteen years. What slackers! If only their parents had driven them from age five on to practice a…
Borderline Personality Disorder - An Emotional Hair Trigger, Often Misread

19 Jun 2009 | 11:03 am

Personal Health - An Emotional Hair Trigger, Often Misread - NYTimes.comThis is an interesting article on Borderline Personality Disorder, something I was diagnosed with when I qualified for Social Security Disability in 1995. I have come to believe that the diagnosis was in error since I don't manifest any of the symptoms. I suspect my Depression, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and Chronic Motor Tic Disorder provided a cornucopia of symptoms that perhaps confused my psychologist at the time. Also, I'm sure the fact that I was experiencing suicidal ideation contributed as well. What was most…
Where Do You Go to Find Peace from the Stress of the World?

6 Jun 2009 | 4:30 pm

A different treatment of my new favorite place - using CameraBag Originally uploaded by Darkstream. Such busy weeks these last few have been. I've been busy wrangling contract details with a magazine, rewriting the first three chapters of my novel, saving my marriage, saving the world, dealing with drama, ticking, forgetting stuff, and being thoroughly distracted that I haven't blogged much. Twitter has taken up the full brunt of my creative output. That's a bit sad, isn't it?As I finish reviewing some manuscripts for a writer's conference ( WIFYR) I'm attending all next week, I thought I'd…
The Quiet Riot

4 Jun 2009 | 9:21 pm

My Woeful Tale about ADHD and Background Noise.One aspect of AD/HD that drives me bonkers is my inability to close out background noise. In fact, a better way to describe it would be to say that foreground and background noise switch within the addled confines of my mind. This is one reason I despised taking exams at the testing center during my time at BYU. After passing through metal detectors and receiving a deep body cavity search, my pockets would be emptied out by use of gravity waves. These waves would be generated by very tall athletes lifting me heavenward by the ankles while shaking…
Please share in my joy. I'm FREE!

4 Jun 2009 | 2:21 pm

Big news. We crossed a milestone yesterday.Mobile post sent by TheLaughingImp using Utterli. Replies. mp3

walkingtheblackdog.com
When a black dog dies.

Cosmo - the black dog!

3 Jul 2009 | 2:40 pm

We had our 18 year old dog Marley put to sleep today. We’d originally planned on doing it last week but put it off because he had a youthful moment where he ate like he did when he was 3 and he seemed to walk with a little more energy. After a few days he was worse, crying and whining in the early morning hours, unable to find a comfortable position. I imagine that he was wincing at arthritis as he pawed at his blanket. Then he started to loose control of his bladder and bowels and finally he stopped eating even his favorite can of lamb and rice. It was his way of telling us it’s…
Monday Links

Cosmo - the black dog!

29 Jun 2009 | 6:53 pm

Dad’s depression could be linked to baby’s colic Depression, anxiety bad for the heart Prevent depression in teens with cognitive behavioral therapy Deep Brain Stimulation To Treat Psychiatric Diseases Reviewed
Don’t Buy Into the Craziness

Cosmo - the black dog!

25 Jun 2009 | 10:53 am

At the end of my first counseling session with a new counselor, he told me that we wouldn’t have enough time to finish the intake interview because of the extensive nature of everything that’s happened in my life over the years. He said, “It’s no wonder you have trouble with depression.” In a strange way it gave some validity to me, that I wasn’t somehow less of a person for experiencing the black dog but that it was an understandable reaction to a lot of loss and stress. On the other hand I’m more than ready to move on - to put my baggage down. One…
Father’s Day and Depression

Cosmo - the black dog!

22 Jun 2009 | 3:42 pm

We had my father over for dinner last night. He’s 88 and I don’t know how many more Father’s days he’ll see. The nature of Alzheimers is that it takes the mind in bits & pieces and re-wires it or the wiring just shorts out. One day dad may be focused on mom and wonder where she is (shopping?) & why she didn’t say goodbye (she’s been dead 2 years now but he still sees her & has conversations with her). Another day he was determined to get a car so he could go back to work at the gypsum mine he worked at right after WWII. No amount of redirection…
Old Soldiers and Black Dogs.

Cosmo - the black dog!

15 Jun 2009 | 8:43 pm

A bitter-sweet weekend for me. My family celebrates several birthdays in June, two brothers, a brother & sister in-law, and my mom. Last Saturday we added an early father’s day to the list. While it was good to see everyone it was also a bit sad as mom’s absence was felt by all. My brother came up from St. Louis with his wife and daughter. While they were here he went to visit dad at the nursing home. In the course of the conversation dad asked him, “Where are you from?” When Steve told him, “St. Louis.” dad responded, “I have a son that lives…

Storied Mind
Poetry of Thomas Merton: In Silence

john

1 Jul 2009 | 1:34 pm

Some Rights Reserved by visulogik at Flickr In Silence Be still. Listen to the stones of the wall. Be silent, they try To speak your Name. Listen To the living walls. Who are you? Who Are you? Whose Silence are you? Who (be quiet) Are you (as these stones Are quiet). Do not Think of what you are Still less of What you may one day be. Rather Be what you are (but who?) be The unthinkable one You do not know. O be still, while You are still alive, And all things live around you Speaking (I do not hear) To your own being, Speaking by the Unknown That is in you and in themselves. “I will try,…
The Inner Peace of Garden Art

john

24 Jun 2009 | 1:07 am

All Rights Reserved by Wild Rubies at Flickr My partner in life is an artist who works in many media. She fills the space around us, inside and outside our home, with beautiful things. Her gardens crowd with daily works-in-progress as she adds one more spot of life to a year-round creation. It unfolds in time as the season and color for one group of living things peaks and then fades, in a cycle that never ends and that never repeats in quite the same way. Cabbage and Calendula Her natural works of art speak for themselves. I’ve put a few images here, and many more are going up on…
Talking to Depression – 1

john

18 Jun 2009 | 1:21 pm

Some Rights Reserved by Daquella_manera at Flickr Talking to the depression of a spouse or partner is usually a no-win trap. I speak from the experience of having angrily fought off so many attempts my wife made over the years simply to let me know that something was deeply wrong. Depression is the intruder in any intimate relationship. It creates a replica of the person you know and love, like the pod people of the Body Snatchers films – identical bodies taking the life away from the man or woman living with you and substituting a terrifying, unknown being. People enduring the pain of…
Distraction, Time Management & Self-Esteem

john

13 Jun 2009 | 6:55 pm

Some Rights Reserved by david.nikonvscanon at Flickr Therese Borchard at Beyond Blue recently did a couple of posts on managing time. She described the Stephen Covey method of separating the urgent from the important, and a guest she interviewed emphasized a related idea of focusing on significant goals rather than isolated tasks. This is excellent advice if you find yourself getting distracted from the big things in favor of reading the latest email, following the interesting links they contain all over the internet, or delaying the important tasks because something inside is reluctant to…

Dr. Neill Neill's Practical Psychology for Capable People
Looking Younger or Accepting Life Experiences that come with Age?

Dr. Neill Neill

26 Jun 2009 | 6:57 am

Every year each one of us grows older. Is it more important to look younger or accept the wisdom that comes with age?
Planning for Retirement Can Help Avoid Emotional Issues

Dr. Neill Neill

24 May 2009 | 2:39 pm

There is more to retirement planning than the financial issues. As a psychologist, I see people with avoidable emotional issues. If you incorporate mental health and life legacy goals into your planning as you approach retirement, you can create a happier retirement and a more peaceful marriage.
Are You Entitled to Happiness?

Dr. Neill Neill

8 May 2009 | 8:08 am

Today I write about happiness, entitlement, achievement and meaning. How do they all connect?
Elder Care: Institutional or Home Care?

Dr. Neill Neill

30 Mar 2009 | 7:18 am

There has been much in the news about bed closures in care facilities, new nursing homes opening, and the stress for the elderly of being moved. Many issues should be taken into consideration when deciding if an elder care facility is the right choice. Sometimes it is not.
What To Do When Your Marriage Lacks Communication

Dr. Neill Neill

23 Mar 2009 | 8:33 am

Developing communication skills in marriage is a very important step toward maintaining a happy marriage. When you as a couple have taken on a pattern over time of not talking an issue through to some sort of resolution, and you want to change that pattern to save your marriage, what can you do?

Fighting the Darkness: My Secret Battle with Depression
Don't know why

30 Jun 2009 | 4:33 pm

I'm feeling so blue and so down lately. I would give anything to just sleep every day away, but that's never going to happen.What's really frustrating is not knowing why. Why do I want to just cry? Why do I feel overwhelmed by nothing? Why does life seem so much more difficult for me than other people? Why have I had to resign myself to the fact that life will always be difficult and filled with
Just Breathe

16 Jun 2009 | 8:45 am

Last night I was out at a running clinic doing hill training. As I sprinted up a long hill, with legs burning and lungs gasping for air, I straightened up and shifted my focus away from the pain. Instead I concentrated on just my breathing. I blocked out the pain and the negative thinking and just focused on breathing in and out as deeply as possible.Then I did that six more times!I realized that
Putting things in perspective

3 Jun 2009 | 9:54 am

I recently found a very inspirational web site that I'd like to share with you. Check out Death is not Dying.
Recognizing Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens

22 May 2009 | 9:41 am

EverydayHealth.com has posted an article about recognizing bipolar disorder in children and teens that is very interesting. Click here to check out the article!I believe my depression started as a child, probably around the age of 12. Just as the article mentions, I had many physical symptoms, such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches and exhaustion. At the time, the doctors merely looked at
Feelin' Fine!

17 May 2009 | 7:24 pm

After being sick for two and a half weeks, I'm finally on the mend. It was the sinus infection that would not get better!After the first week, I started to feel down emotionally. I kept thinking that I would never get better and would live the rest of my life in a constant state of sickness. Silly, I know, but I started to spiral down a little bit.To top it off, my husband was out of town for

Anxiety and OCD Exposed
Dogs, Fireworks, Fear and the 4th of July

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D.

3 Jul 2009 | 4:04 pm

Happy 4th of July. Tonight, we’ll sit outside and watch the fireworks from our backyard. Our dogs will likely be close by; not terribly frightened, but a bit upset by the explosions. We’ll keep an eye on them-watching for signs of fear. Dogs often react strongly to the noise of fireworks. There have been frequent reports of dogs running away, digging out of yards, and even jumping through glass windows in response to fireworks. If your dog (or cat) becomes frightened, what should you do; how should you respond? Well, try acting happy or for that matter, even bored or…
A Recent Interview of Us by David DiSalvo, Part 2

Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.

30 Jun 2009 | 2:50 pm

Part II (see previous blog entry for Part I of this interview, conducted by David DiSalvo) Tell us what “anxiety” really is in a clinical sense, and how it’s different than “a case of nerves” that everyone occasionally feels. You’re correct that everyone feels stress and gets a case of nerves from time to time. You couldn’t live a meaningful life without them. Normal anxiety occurs when you’re faced with real challenges and hassles. Normal anxiety can even prepare you to deal with such challenges more effectively. Some experts call this type of…
A Recent Interview of Us by David DiSalvo

Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.

26 Jun 2009 | 12:44 pm

We thought you might find a recent interview conducted by David DiSalvo of interest. We have broken it into two parts for easy reading. We’ll publish Part II next week. Also, sorry we haven’t blogged in a while; we were busy traveling in the Mediterranean. Part I Depression For Dummies, Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder For Dummies, Borderline Personality Disorder For Dummies–these are just a few of the titles penned by Dr. Laura Smith and Dr. Charles Elliott, a writing duo with a library of psychology and self-help books between them. Tackling…
Handling Emotional Baggage

Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.

14 Jun 2009 | 6:28 am

Today we spent the afternoon in Split, Croatia. Our moods were positive and we enjoyed lunch at a quaint local restaurant. The last few days presented a much greater challenge to our moods. In a series of weather related incidents from fog in Denver, storms in Philadelphia, and overworked airline agents unable to keep track of our luggage, we left for Venice dubious as to whether we would ever meet up with our baggage again. Luckily we had listened to our savvy travel agent at Diane.Presnar@AmericasVacationCenter.com and had packed at least a few essentials and a change of clothes in our…
OCD: Fact or Fiction?

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D.

6 Jun 2009 | 12:35 pm

A good work of fiction captures your attention and takes you into a different world. The plots and details of science fiction, mysteries, or horror can, in the light of day, seem totally illogical and implausible. However, a good author can make the unlikely seem possible and the irrational rational. The reader turns off the part of the brain that focuses on what is real versus what is not. The thoughts and beliefs of the OCD mind can be much like the writings of a good author. But in this case, the mind’s writings focus on themes of horror. Most obsessions and compulsions don’t…

The Official Mommy-Muse.com Blog
Short Blog Pause ’til July 6th

mmuse

30 Jun 2009 | 7:41 pm

Hello Beautiful Moms and Dads, I am in the middle of a major household move, and will have an ever-so-brief pause on posts until July 6th. Mommy-Muse co-founder Linda Semrau is still here for you, ready and available to help. She will continue to handle counseling and coaching requests within 24 hours, so feel free to write in! Warmly, Christy [...]
Mommy-Muse.com Favorites: This Week’s PPD Blog Posts

mmuse

28 Jun 2009 | 10:10 pm

Here are this week’s picks for great PPD posts on sister blogs. These first two are straight from the heart, and I highly recommend them! Discoveries About My Postpartum Depression Years Later | Family … – Today I came across an article by Susan Dowd Stone, reproductive mental health expert. The article was about the [...]
Easing Household Moves with Children

mmuse

27 Jun 2009 | 10:19 pm

My seven year old is having a hard time with our move. She is more pensive than usual, with the tiniest furrow in her brow. Actively seeking resources to help, I’m sharing some of my finds to ease the moving transition for families of all ages. I’m trying them out, and will compile a list [...]
Moving with Children: Dreadful or Delightful?

mmuse

26 Jun 2009 | 5:26 pm

Do you find moving with children to be a dreadful or delightful experience?(survey) Related Posts Harmonizing Science and Mystical Phenomena with Martha Beck On last week's interview with Martha Beck on The Mommy-Muse Is In: Empowering Your Journey into Motherhood, I asked an important question: How can somebody who has been extremely [...]
Mommy-Muse.com Postpartum Therapy: A Powerful Choice

mmuse

25 Jun 2009 | 8:32 pm

What makes Mommy-Muse therapy a powerful choice? Studies have shown that the personality and character of the therapist is as important as her training or the methods of therapy she uses. At Mommy-Muse we offer you unconditional acceptance, interest in what you have to say, empathy, highly developed intuition, and a great deal of knowledge and [...]

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