December, 2009
Postpartum Depression Prediction Tools Identified in Study
Until recently, postpartum depression was something a new mother often suffered from in silence. Classic signs may have been present, but without proper education into the risk and what to look for, many cases went undetected.
Now, in a Health US News report, Spanish researchers announce they have developed ways to detect 80 percent of cases of postpartum depression. This mental illness is estimated to affect more than 10 percent of women who have given birth.
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Heavy Drinking at the Holidays Can Be Dangerous
‘Tis the season for drinking. Much like the free reign we give ourselves at the buffet table, too many of us consume too much champagne, eggnog or spiced wine at this time of year.
In a recent Chron article, Dr. Richard Pesikoff, a professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine, noted, “Holidays have a certain aura about them. They give us permission to do a lot of things that at other times of the year we tend not to do. It gives a lot of people permission to drink more than they might at other times.”
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Who’s to Blame for Anorexia?
Painfully thin, emaciated, starving – these words come to mind when looking at photographs of malnourished children in third-world countries. But they’re not the only ones suffering – and they’re not suffering by choice. Anorexia, or specifically, anorexia nervosa, a mental disorder manifesting itself as an eating disorder, involves deliberate choice to avoid food, an obsessive fear of weight gain and a constant pursuit of thinness. And it seems most prevalent in Western countries, specifically America. But where did this obsession start and, more important, who is to blame for anorexia?
Online Information on Spice Drugs Misleading
Spice drugs are not necessarily causing concern among parents or even law enforcement, but the availability of such drugs online should gain attention. Science Daily recently published a release that summarized the findings of a paper to be published this month by University of Hertfordshire researchers.
A spice drug is the brand name for an herbal mix that is widely sold as an ‘incense’ or legal substitute for cannabis. It is available in a variety of flavors, such as ‘Spice Diamond’, ‘Spice Gold’, ‘Spice Silver’, ’2Spicy’ and ‘Spice of Life’.
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How Exercise Affects Depressive Symptoms in Overweight Children
Exercise is often recommended for battling the blues, including fighting off depressive symptoms. Runners sometimes refer to a “runners’ high,” a euphoric feeling that makes them energized and enthusiastic after what would be expected to be a long, exhausting workout.
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The Dangers of Copycat Suicide
When a high-profile or celebrity commits suicide, it’s predictably all over the news. In fact, you can’t escape the mass media coverage. Not only do the headlines scream out from the front pages of newspapers, but the television coverage is blatantly exploitative, prying into every nook and cranny of the celebrity’s life – before, during and after the suicide. Then, there’s the Internet and satellite TV, which greatly expand the global reach of the news. The result is that all these factors contribute to social learning that magnifies the danger and increases the probability of widespread copycat suicide pandemics.
Women at Greater Risk of Depression after Stroke
Depression is a common side effect for a person who has suffered a stroke. In fact, it happens in as many as one-third of patients. According to a large new review of studies in the field, post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death.
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Researchers Identify Gene Deletion that Leads to Learning and Behavior Issues
When an individual has challenges in their learning and behavior, parents and doctors usually want to know why. Now, a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine in a report said that the loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and behavior.
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Series Examines Treatment Gap for Disorders in Low and Middle Income Countries
Treating mental and neurological disorders and substance abuse is imperative if an individual hopes to lead a productive life. For those living in low and middle income countries, as many as 90 percent of these disorders go untreated, creating a “treatment gap.”
Science Daily recently posted a release highlighting a new series by PLoS Medicine that aims to help close this gap. A six-part series, it explores the best ways to treat disorders in low- and middle-income countries. The series also examines how treatments should be scaled up and how they should be delivered.
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Ethnic Pride Good for Mental Health
Can your ethnicity play into your mental health? According to a new study, it can. This study, carried out by researchers at Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and Walden University, and featured in a Science Daily release, found that most adolescents who belong to an ethnic minority group wrestle with self-esteem and identity issues unique to their social group.
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