Recurrent Depression

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Psychiatry of intellectual disability
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Psychotropic drugs are often prescribed for unlicensed indications in people with mental health problems and behavioural challenges arising from developmental delay or arrest. Common indications include the management of sleep disturbances, increased arousal and self-injurious behaviour, and problems related to behavioural changes resulting from epilepsy syndromes and dementing disorders. A cross-sectional survey of psychotropic drug prescribing in in-patients with intellectual disability found that 46.4% were receiving at least one psychotropic for an unlicensed indication, most typically in an attempt to manage behavioural problems or to stabilise mood (Haw & Stubbs, 2005b).
More About: Intellectual , Psychiatry , Disability , Chia , Sabi

Recurrent unipolar depression requires prolonged treatment
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Psychiatric disorder is now recognised as one of the greatest causes of human suffering. The burden to society of various diseases has been quantified recently using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a measure that expresses years of life lost to premature death and years lived with a disability of specified severity and duration. The burden of mental illness is second only to that of cardiovascular conditions in the developed world and when DALYs related to alcohol and drug misuse are included it is the largest single category (Murray & Lopez, 1997). Unipolar major depression currently imposes the second largest burden of any individual disorder in the developed world and, because of the decline in the incidence of ischaemic heart disease, may soon be the leading individual illness category (Murray & Lopez, 1997). Clearly, any improvements in the treatment of unipolar depression would produce great benefits in the health of the public.
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Treatment of Recurrent Unipolar Depression
1970-01-01 00:59:00
The trial by Hochstrasser et al (2001, this issue) provides a timely reminder of the need for such prolonged treatment of recurrent unipolar depression and reinforces the evidence base and conclusions regarding prolonged treatment of recurrent depression in the BAP guidelines (Anderson et al, 2000). In this study the authors examined the prophylactic effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram in unipolar recurrent depression. The aim of the study was to compare the prophylactic efficacy of citalopram and placebo and also to determine the long-term tolerability of citalopram. In- and out-patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years, all of whom had to satisfy standardised diagnostic and severity criteria and have had two or more episodes of depression with at least one of these occurring within the past 5 years, were included in the study.
More About: Depression , Treatment

Genetic aspects of schizophrenia and schizotypy
1970-01-01 00:59:00
It is well established that schizophrenia has a sizeable genetic component and that schizotypy may share common genetic vulnerability with schizophrenia. Meehl (1989) postulated the concept of schizotaxia, anunderlying genetic vulnerability to both schizophrenia and schizotypy. Schizo taxia is apparent in 20?50% of first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. It is thus clear that the underlying genetic vulnerability does not necessarily lead to either schizophrenia or schizotypy. Studies have shown that clinical symptoms in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia include negative symptoms which are similar in nature to (but less severe than) those seen in schizophrenia (e.g. Kendler et al, 1995). 
More About: Aspects , Schizophrenia

Recognising and managing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Antidepressant discontinuation symptoms occur with all classes of antidepressant. A well-described discontinuation syndrome occurs with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, common symptoms including dizziness, headache, nausea and lethargy. Rare antidepressant discontinuation syndromes include extrapyramidal syndromes and mania/hypomania. All these syndromes, even isolated discontinuation symptoms, share three common features that facilitate diagnosis; abrupt onset within days of stopping the antidepressant, a short duration when untreated and rapid resolution when the antidepressant is reinstated.
More About: Symptoms , Antidepressant , Conti

South Africans suffer high rate of substance-linked mental disorders
1970-01-01 00:59:00
The study is the country?s first nationally representative research into common mental disorders and was concluded as part of an international World Health Organisation (WHO) study. Of the 14 countries in the WHO study, South Africa had the second-highest substance-abuse linked disorders. Citizens also reported a high rate of exposure to psychological trauma.
More About: Mental , High , Disorders , Rate

Antidepressant success may vary by race
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Black and Hispanic adults with depression may not do as well on drug therapy as whites do, a study suggests. Researchers found that among nearly 2,700 U.S. adults receiving an antidepressant for major depression, African Americans and Latinos had lower success rates than their white counterparts. 
More About: Success , Race , Antidepressant

Depression linked to bone-thinning in premenopausal women
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Premenopausal women with even mild depression have less bone mass than do their nondepressed peers, a study funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shows. The level of bone loss is at least as high as that associated with recognized risk factors for osteoporosis, including smoking, low calcium intake, and lack of physical activity. Hip bones, the site of frequent fractures among older people, were among those showing the most thinning in depressed premenopausal women. The reduced bone mass puts them at higher risk of these costly, sometimes fatal fractures and others as they age, the researchers note in the November 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The report was submitted by Giovanni Cizza, MD, PhD, MHSc, of NIMH and the NIH National Institute of Digestive Disorders and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); Farideh Eskandari, MD, MHSc, of NIMH; and colleagues.
More About: Women , Depression , Bone , Ausa

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effective in Treating Major Depression
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and other study sites have found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) ? a non-invasive technique that excites neurons in the brain via magnetic pulses passed through the scalp ? is a safe and effective, non-drug treatment with minimal side effects for patients with major depression who have tried other treatment options without benefit. This study ? the largest to-date studying TMS as a standalone treatment for major depression ? appears in the December 1st issue of Biological PsychiatryVideo is available by contacting the source.
More About: Depression , Effective , Major , Tran , Rani

Heart Disease and Depression are Common Companions
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and heart disease is by far the leading cause of death in the United States (it?s currently estimated that one in three Americans will die of some form of heart disease). Research over the past two decades has shown that depression and heart disease are common companions. Findings from recent studies indicate that depression is a significantly important risk factor for heart disease that?s nearly equal to the risks presented by high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. While it?s estimated that one in six people will experience an episode of major depression at least once in their life, the number rises to one in two for people with heart disease. 
More About: Depression , Heart , Disease , Common , Heart Disease

Postpartum Depression is Widespread and Preventable
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Postpartum depression has gotten a lot of press recently, in part due to Brooke Shields?s book and Tom Cruise?s misinformed comments about it. A certain mystery seems to surround this illness. Women fear it, understandably. Just at the time when they most need their strength and sense of wellbeing, after the birth of a baby, a dark mood can move in and take over. Equally mysterious, because somehow they don?t get adequately discussed, are methods of treatment--and even methods of prevention. I will talk about these, but first, here?s what postpartum depression can look like.
More About: Depression , Preventable , Postpartum

Men and Depression
1970-01-01 00:59:00
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health, is launching a new effort in the Real Men Real Depression campaign ? Spanish-language materials to inform the Latino community about depression and to encourage men who are depressed to seek help. In the U.S., Latinos are the largest ethnic minority ? a population of over 40 million. Of this group, 40 percent reported that Spanish is their preferred language, according to a report by the Surgeon General. 

Economic Status Influences Efficacy of Antidepressants
1970-01-01 00:59:00
New research suggests African-Americans and Latinos may require an accentuated treatment regimen for depression than what is effective for whites. Drawing from data in the nation?s largest real-world study of treatment-resistant depression, scientists report the study reveals that the lower response rates may stem from differences in socioeconomic background ? rather than race or ethnicity per se. The study, by researchers at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) is reported in November?s Medical Care journal.
More About: Status , Economic , Antidepressants , Efficacy

What is mental illness?
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Mental illness is widespread and often undiagnosed, with the World Health Organisation estimating that 450-million people worldwide suffer from mental illness. So what is mental illness? It is ?any diagnosable mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder that interferes with, or limits a person?s ability to live, work, learn, and participate fully in his or her community,? according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 
More About: Mental , Mental Illness , Illness

Developmental aspects of schizophrenia and related disorders: possible impl
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Schizophrenia and other schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders which may share genetic susceptibility factors and represent differential expressions of an underlying vulnerability. Schizophrenia may have its onset in childhood and can be reliably diagnosed. However, developmental factors modulate disease expression in children. Although the prevalence of schizophrenia in childhood is low, children who develop schizophrenia in adult life may show subtle and non-specific developmental abnormalities, consistent with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis.
More About: Aspects , Related , Disorders , Schizo , Diso

Anxiety Can Undermine Breast Cancer Decisions
1970-01-01 00:59:00
A new study suggest elevated levels of anxiety may cause women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer, to overestimate their risk of recurrence or dying from breast cancer. ?Although DCIS typically is very treatable disease, many women diagnosed with DCIS develop inaccurate risk perceptions,? said Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, the study?s lead author and a breast oncologist at Dana-Farber. ?This exaggerated sense of risk needs to be addressed, as it may cause women to make poor treatment choices and adversely affect their emotional well-being and subsequent health behaviors.?
More About: Cancer , Breast Cancer , Breast , Anxiety , Decisions

Toxoplasma Infection Increases Risk of Schizophrenia
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Findings from what is believed to be the largest comparison of blood samples collected from healthy individuals and people with schizophrenia suggest that infection with the common Toxoplasma gondii parasite, carried by cats and farm animals, may increase the risk of schizophrenia. A report on the study, conducted among U.S. military personnel by researchers from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and Johns Hopkins Children?s Center appears in the January issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers found that of the 180 study subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia, 7 percent had been infected with toxoplasma prior to their diagnosis, compared to 5 percent among the 532 healthy recruits. Thus, people exposed to toxoplasma had a 24 percent higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The difference, while seemingly small, is important, researchers say, because the ability to explain even a small portion of the 2 million cases of schizophrenia in the United States may o...
More About: Infection , Risk , Schizophrenia

Alcohol Addiction
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia released these facts about alcohol abuse: More money is spent on alcohol advertising than on any other product.  (What most people forget is that alcohol is the most widely abused drug on the planet.) Alcohol addiction is one of the toughest to overcome, especially with televisions making alcohol look tasty, sensuous, sexy, or even smart.  (The irony here is that if you have a drunk person, they are none of these things.  How is a stumbling and slurring person who has had too much to drink sexy or smart?)
More About: Addiction

Heroin Growing More Popular
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Narconon Drug Rehab issued a warning today that heroin addiction is on the rise. Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab, Mary Rieser warns, ?We are seeing an alarming number of new students coming in addicted to heroin.  The drug has grown in popularity amongst today?s youth.  Heroin is the most common addiction we are now seeing among the addicts arriving at our rehab for treatment and rehabilitation.? The DEA says that heroin is the most abused of all the opiates.  Heroin is common in all metropolitan areas on the east coast.  Heroin can vary in color from a white to darkish brown powder.  The darker the color the more additives the heroin has, such as fentanyl, strychnine, or other poisons. 
More About: Popular , Growing

Keep children?s health in mind
1970-01-01 00:59:00
If there is any real purpose to the 2020 summit, it could be to establish a national program of research, clinical and community activity that would deliver a 21st century response to the real child and youth mental health problems that our society creates. Although most of us now live long lives, we are well aware that we face new health challenges in the 21st century. In-depth community studies report that we all realise that the big gaps are in child health, mental health and Indigenous health. Thankfully, we now have a Prime Minister who has set real goals for closing the gap in Indigenous health. He has followed this up with his most recent announcement supporting high quality child care and early health and education initiatives. Twenty-five per cent of all health-related disability under the age of 14 is due to mental health problems. This rises to 60 per cent for 15 to 34 year olds. Overall 75 per cent of all adult mental disorders commence before age 25. Eight out of te...
More About: Health , Children , Mind

300 000 soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have PTSD or major depre
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Nearly one in five, or about 300,000, soldiers who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan has post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression?illnesses that could cost the U.S. as much as $6.2 billion over two years in care, lost productivity and lost lives through suicide, according to a RAND report released on Thursday, the Washington Post reports (Scott Tyson, Washington Post, 4/18). The study was based on telephone interviews conducted from August 2007 to January with 1,965 soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, in some cases more than once. The soldiers interviewed live in 24 communities with high concentrations of service members, reservists and veterans. Researchers also conducted focus groups. About 1.6 million people have served in Iraq or Afghanistan in the past five years (Alvarez, New York Times, 4/18). In total, 31% of Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers have experienced a brain injury, stress disorder, or both, the report found. The study found that 19.5% of serv...
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Postpartum depression common among US women
1970-01-01 00:59:00
As many as one in five women in the United States suffers from postpartum depressive symptoms, according to results of a new survey. The findings, published in Thursday?s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also indicate that certain groups of women, such as those with lower educational levels, are more prone to postpartum depressive symptoms. 
More About: Women , Depression , Common , Postpartum

Dementia often a consequence of Parkinson?s
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Dementia is a part of Parkinson ?s disease for most patients and reduces survival, researchers from Norway report, and the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age. Of 233 Parkinson?s disease patients, 140 (60 percent) developed dementia by the end of a 12-year follow up period, Dr. Dag Aarsland, of Stavanger University Hospital, and colleagues report in the journal Neurology. 
More About: Dementia , Consequence

FDA looks at link between medications, depression
1970-01-01 00:59:00
As symptoms of depression go, there is none much clearer than having thoughts of suicide. But a spate of recent announcements from federal health officials suggests a surprising new interpretation of suicidal fantasies and the depression they are thought to signal: Sometimes, sadness, anxiety and self-destructive thoughts are not symptoms but side effects?of medicine. In this year alone, federal regulators have warned that a surprising array of drugs could play a role in spurring thoughts of self-destruction. Medicines that treat epilepsy, asthma and influenza are now under suspicion, as is one that helps smokers kick the tobacco habit.
More About: Depression , Link , Medications

Suicides increased after antidepressant warning: Manitoba researcher
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Youth suicides increased after Health Canada warned about the use of antidepressants, a University of Manitoba researcher has found. Health Canada issued a notice in 2004 that antidepressant drugs were linked to increased rates of suicidal thoughts in children and teens. It advised patients under the age of 18 who were being treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to consult their physicians. A similar warning was issued around the same time in the U.S.
More About: Warning , Antidepressant

Drug Rehab Programs Offer a Dual Diagnosis
1970-01-01 00:59:00
When you think about drug addiction, sometimes it is hard to see beyond the uncontrolled abuse of drugs.  For a lot of drug addicts that is only the surface of the problem.  For some, it is a much deeper rooted psychological and emotional issue.  There are factors in life that just make the feelings you get from drugs all the more desirable.  One such factor is a psychiatric or mood disorder.  We are talking disorders like depression, anxiety, and bi polar disorder.  These things can lead to drug addiction.  Drug rehab programs have learned to address such issues of disorder by offering services that treat these problems in addition to the addiction. Fact of the matter, such a mood or psychiatric problem can have a heavy hand in the development of an addiction.  The chemical imbalances of the central nervous system, when a disorder is present, can make the individual susceptible to the influences of drugs and alcohol.  If gone undiagnos...
More About: Rehab , Programs , Drug Rehab , Diagnosis

Management of Factitious Disorders: A Systematic Review
1970-01-01 00:59:00
Background: The literature regarding the management of factitious disorder (FD) is diverse and generally of case reports or case series. To date there has been no systematic review of the effectiveness of management techniques. Methods: Systematic review of all evidence reporting the management and subsequent outcome in FD. Data were extracted and outcomes were assessed using an adaptation of the Global Improvement Scale.
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The methadone fix
1970-01-01 00:59:00
There is no miracle solution to the addictive grip of opioid drugs such as heroin, writes Patralekha Chatterjee. New WHO guidelines confirm that, even after 40 years, substitution therapies such as methadone are still the most promising method of reducing drug dependence, but getting access to treatment is a global problem. In the global battle against illicit drugs, stemming the crisis of opioid dependence poses a grave challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) is issuing guidelines to help countries treat dependence on opioids and prevent the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections.
More About: Methadone

An overview of mental illness
1970-01-01 00:59:00
The Canadian Mental Health Association?s Mental Health Week was May 5 to 11 this month, so what better time to delve into the topic of mental health and mental illness. Mental health is something that affects all of us. When our mental health is good we have the foundation to handle the demands and challenges of daily life. However, when our mental health is not so good we may feel depressed and our ability to function effectively may be compromised. In the Government of Canada?s publication The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada, mental health is described as ?the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face.? This is different from mental illnesses that are defined as being ?characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour ? or some combination thereof ? associated with significant distress and impaired functioning.?
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Insomnia in patients with addictions: A safer way to break the cycle
1970-01-01 00:59:00
From alcohol to opioids, most addictive substances can induce sleep disturbances that persist despite abstinence and may increase the risk for relapse. Nearly all FDA-approved hypnotics are Schedule IV controlled substances that?although safe and effective for most populations?are prone to abuse by patients with substance use disorders. You?re not alone if you hesitate to prescribe hypnotics to these patients; a study of 311 addiction medicine physicians found that they prescribed sleep-promoting medication to only 30% of their alcohol-dependent patients with insomnia. This article presents evidence on how alcohol and other substances disturb sleep in patients with addictions. We discuss the usefulness of hypnotics, off-label sedatives, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Our goal is to help you reduce your patients? risk of relapse by addressing their sleep complaints.
More About: Cycle , Break , Patients , Addictions , Insomnia