Behavioral Health News
Victims of Domestic Violence Have Higher Health Costs Years After Abuse Ends
Victims of domestic violence endure significantly higher health costs than other women for three years after the abuse ends, a new study finds. Abuse victims had health care costs that averaged more than $1,200 above non-abused women for the first two years after the abuse ended and about $400 above others in the third year.
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Psychological Acupuncture Helps Reduce Food Cravings
Psychological acupuncture has been shown to be successful in reducing food cravings for up to six months in people who are overweight or obese. The technique combines gentle tapping on pressure points while focusing on particular emotions and thoughts. Psychologist Dr. Peta Stapleton of Griffith University’s School of Medicine said the technique was painless and easy to learn.
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Children Who Lose a Parent to Suicide More Likely to Commit Suicide Themselves
Losing a parent to suicide makes children more likely to die by suicide themselves and increases their risk of developing a range of major psychiatric disorders, according to a study led by Johns Hopkins Children’s Center that is believed to be the largest one to date on the subject. A report on the findings will appear in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
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Some Anti-Seizure Drugs Associated with Higher Risk of Suicide
Some anti-seizure drugs used to treat epilepsy as well as depression, chronic pain, migraine, bipolar disorder, and other conditions are associated with a higher risk of suicide and violent death than other drugs in the same class, according to a new study.
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Study Examines Connection of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in the Brain
Is there a biological link between stress, anxiety and depression? Researchers at the Robarts Research Institute and the University of Western Ontario think so, as presented in this recent Science Daily post. They believe that by identifying the connecting mechanism in the brain, the research demonstrates exactly how stress and anxiety can lead to depression.
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Doctor Warns Against Using “Natural” Anxiety Treatments
In a broad-based review of studies focused on drugs that treat anxiety, a Saint Louis University doctor found no evidence supporting the use of so-called “natural” treatments in combating the effects of anxiety.
St. John’s wort, kava extract, and valerian, herbal remedies touted on the Internet, have not been proven to be effective in treating anxiety, wrote Kimberly Zoberi, M.D., associate professor of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She also raised concerns about the safety of valerian, saying that there is a lack of any long-term studies of the herb.
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Mental Health Providers Should Promote Exercise for Those with Depression and Anxiety
Exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, according to researchers who analyzed the results of numerous published studies.
“Exercise has been shown to have tremendous benefits for mental health,” says Jasper Smits, director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. “The more therapists who are trained in exercise therapy, the better off patients will be.”
Stroke Patients Experience Better Depression Recovery When Given Psychosocial Therapy
Recovering from a stroke can be a tumultuous time for anyone, especially if recovery includes extensive therapy or even permanent damage. Now, a new study demonstrates the value delivered in psychological therapy combined with medication.
According to a Science Daily report, adding psychosocial therapy improved depression scores short term. In addition, these improvements were sustained long term. At the one year stage, depression scores dropped 47 percent in patients receiving eight weeks of psychological/behavioral therapy and antidepressants. At the same time, scores dropped 32 percent for those receiving the usual care, such as taking antidepressants.
Women and Domestic Violence
Domestic violence against women is a serious problem in America and one that is getting a great deal of attention, both at the federal and state levels. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a landmark piece of legislation, was passed in 1993, and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. It is scheduled for reauthorization again in 2010. Since passage o VAWA, women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and state and national laws are changing. In addition, rates of violence and reporting are changing, for the better.
States have passed more than 660 laws to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered more than 2 million calls since 1996. Businesses have joined the national fight against violence, including model programs at Aetna, Altria, Liz Claiborne, Polaroid, The Body Shop, and DuPont, which have created Employee Assistance Programs that help victims of domestic violence.
Psychological Barriers Could Prevent Reactions to Climate Change
Global warming is an issue receiving much attention as of late. Despite the overwhelming following of this concept, it still generates significant debate within the scientific field. At the same time, many Americans have jumped on the climate change bandwagon, but not everyone is buying into the requirement to “buy green.”
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