Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mental Health Update Highland fling
Memory, sleep and genes
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624153146.htm
Look into my brain, deep into my brain ...
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624153102.htm
U.S. older adults stay sharper longer
You can read more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624193504.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624193504.htm
Alzheimer's, risk and race
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE55M6TE20090623?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Can an afternoon nap make you nicer?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091343.htm
The neurology of truth and falsehood
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617123427.htm
What did I come online to do ...?
You can find Amber's tips at
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2009/06/50-ways-to-make-your-memory-more-like-an-elephants/
New diagnosis tool for Alzheimer's
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618093240.htm
Schizophrenia and cancer
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622064815.htm
White matter and schizophrenia
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622130748.htm
Binge drinking down in the U.S. - apart from students
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622163033.htm
Monday, June 22, 2009
PET scans boost Alzheimer's diagnosis
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144333.htm
Wards face uphill struggle to stub out smoking
You can find out more about this study at
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/22/111898/psychiatric-units-unable-to-implement-smoking-ban.html
XBD173 and anxiety
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE55H57N20090618?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
One for the road at college
Pedersen, Eric R., LaBrie, Joseph W. and Kilmer, Jason R. - Before you slip into the night, you'll want something to drink: exploring the reasons for prepartying behavior among college student drinkers Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2009, 30(6), 354-363
Friday, June 19, 2009
Attention, depression and brain structure
Leung, K.-K. ... [et al] - Neural correlates of attention biases of people with major depressive disorder: a voxel-based morphometric study Psychological Medicine July 2009, 39(7), 1097-1106
Movement problems and psychosis - why it's not always the drugs
Pappa, S. and Dazzan, P. - Spontaneous movement disorders in antipsychotic-naive patients with first-episode psychoses: a systematic review Psychological Medicine July 2009, 39(7), 1065-1076
Schizophrenia, infection and executive function
Brown, Alan S. ... [et al] - Prenatal exposure to maternal infection and executive dysfunction in adult schizophrenia American Journal of Psychiatry June 2009, 166(6), 683-690
Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
Davidson, Michael - Cognitive effects of antipsychotic drugs in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder: a randomized, open-label clinical trial (EUFEST) American Journal of Psychiatry June 2009, 166(6), 675-682
Self-regulation and sex offenders
Ford, Hannah J., Rose, John and Thrift, Sue - An evaluation of the applicability of the self-regulation model to sexual offenders with intellectual disabilities Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology June 2009, 20(3), 440-457
Prison staff and self harm
Short, Vicky ... [et al] - Custody vs care: attitudes of prison staff to self-harm in women prisoners - a qualitative study Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology June 2009, 20(3), 408-426
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Moving house and suicide
Qin, Ping, Mortensen, Prehen Bo and Pedersen, Carsten Becker - Frequent change of residence and risk of attempted and completed suicide among children and adolescents Archives of General Psychiatry June 2009, 66(6), 628-632
Citalopram and autism
King, Bryan H. ... [et al] - Lack of efficacy of citalopram in children with autism spectrum disorders and high levels of repetitive behaviour Archives of General Psychiatry June 2009, 66(6), 583-590
Tanner, Melissa A. ... [et al] - The effects of the transcendental meditation program on mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology June 2009, 65(6), 574-589
Unravelling the marvels of mindfulness
Sears, Sharon and Kraus, Sue - I think therefore I om: cognitive distortions and coping style as mediators for the effects of mindfulness meditation on anxiety, positive and negative affect, and hope Journal of Clinical Psychology June 2009, 65(6), 561-573
*see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_distortions for an explanation of cognitive distortions
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
CBT for insomnia
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609072709.htm
Finding the strengths of people with autism
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616121339.htm
Better to buy than to receive - at least in Montreal
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171632.htm
New blood test for Alzheimer's
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122113.htm
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
New theory on neuroscience of Alzheimer's
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144209.htm
Campus drinking on the rise
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615093919.htm
Afternoon naps and happy tots
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE55B5LW20090612?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Long-term effects of methadone use
Fareed, Ayman ... [et al] - Benefits of retention in methadone maintenance and chronic medical conditions as risk factors for premature death among older heroin addicts Journal of Psychiatric Practice May 2009, 15(3), 227-234
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Borderline Personality Disorder
Yen, Shirley ... [et al] - A 5-day dialectical behavior therapy partial hospital program for women with borderline personality disorder: predictors of outcome from a 3-month follow-up study Journal of Psychiatric Practice May 2009, 15(3), 173-182
Foster care and risk-taking
Gramkowski, Bridget ... [et al] - Health risk behavior of youth in foster care Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing May 2009, 22(2), 77-85
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Caffeine, risk-taking and sleep deprivation
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091234.htm
Night owls not so wise after all
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609072813.htm
Sedatives, sleeping pills and suicide
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5527HU20090604?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Ritalin and movement in ADHD
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE55359P20090604?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
Paxil, cognition and people with cancer
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5536L220090604?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
U.K. cocaine use shoots up
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE55968520090610?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
Antipsychotics approved by FDA panel
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5597IC20090611?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
The Mental Costs of Not Getting Enough Sleep - guest post by Meredith Walker
Most of us are aware of the physical ramifications that lack of sleep causes. Extended periods of sleeplessness can even contribute to making you sick, increasing your risk of illness, causing you to put on weight and making you a generally miserable person. There is a hefty mental toll to be paid for not getting enough sleep as well, however.
Depression: While depression can actually cause sleeplessness, sleeplessness can be a contributor to depression as well. After all, even those who are not depressed are well aware of the effects of a sleepless night on their mood in the morning.
Memory Loss: Harvard researchers found that getting a good night’s rest helps protect memories from interference, allowing you to recall them more easily the next day. The sooner you go to bed and rest well after learning something new, the better off you’ll be. Additionally, lack of sleep has been shown to take an especially big toll on spatial memory, making it hard for you to learn new tasks.
Cognitive Impairment: Not getting enough sleep can take a big toll on your IQ. Researchers at the University of Virginia found that a lack of sleep impaired both cognitive development and IQ in children.
Difficulty Concentrating: Most people are aware of how hard it is to study or focus at work when all they really want to do is head back to bed. Sleeping even a few hours fewer than you need can impact your mental abilities as studies have shown that in school age children this lack causes them to perform significantly worse on tests of memory and attention.
Slowed Reaction Times: Slowed reaction times not only make it more difficult to do your job or do well in school but also make you a potential danger to yourself and those around you if you operate machinery or engage in potentially hazardous activities. With over 100,00 sleep-related accidents every year this is a very significant risk and can at times be akin to driving while intoxicated.
While few are deprived of sleep completely for a significant length of time, the effects can be startling as after even a few days individuals can develop mania and hallucinations. Even if you’re just slightly tired, consider this as an indictor of how much your brain truly needs sleep, even if you think you’re doing fine without it.
When thinking about sleep it’s important to remember that both quantity and quality count, so work on keeping your sleep space quiet, dark and cool so you can get a solid, uninterrupted block of sleep every night.
This post was contributed by Meredith Walker, who writes about the online masters in healthcare. She welcomes your feedback at MeredithWalker1983 at gmail.com
There is a link to Meredith's website in the Links section on the right-hand side of the blog.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
How many children have Tourette's
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5537CN20090604?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Early drinking increases accident risk
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5545BY20090605?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
Diabetes and depression
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5574T120090608?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Over a third of nurses could be depressed
Welsh, Darlene - Predictors of depressive symptoms in female medical-surgical hospital nurses Issues in Mental Health Nursing 30(5), 320-326
Life review for older women
- Someone was there to listen to my story
- It was a special time
- A valued interaction with the home-care worker developed
- Remembering was meaningful and pleasurable
- Integration with one's lived experiences was healing
Binder, Brenda K. ... [et al] - Community-dwelling, older women's perspectives on therapeutic life review: a qualitative analysis Issues in Mental Health Nursing 30(5), 288-294
Friday, June 05, 2009
Anxiety, insomnia and sleeping tablets
Fava, Maurizio ... [et al] - Zolpidem extended-release improves sleep and next-day symptoms in comorbid insomnia and generalized anxiety disorder Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology June 2009, 29(3), 222-230
PTSD raises risk for diabetes and heart disease
Jin, Hua ... [et al] - Association of posttraumatic stress disorder with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology June 2009, 29(3), 210-215
Bradley Report calls for major overhaul
You can download a copy of the Bradley Report at
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_098694
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Therapists' therapy and the therapetic alliance
Gold, Stephanie H. and Hilsenroth, Mark J. - Effects of graduate clinicians' personal therapy on therapeutic alliance Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy May-June 2009, 16(3), 159-171
Social anxiety in students
Russell, Graham and Shaw, Steve - A study to investigate the prevalence of social anxiety in a sample of higher education students in the United Kingdom Journal of Mental Health June 2009, 18(3), 198-206
Boys, girls and comfort eating
Nguyen-Rodriguez, Selena T., Unger, Jennifer B. and Spruijt-Metz, Donna - Psychological determinants of emotional eating in adolescence Eating Disorders May-June 2009, 17(3), 211-224
Bodybuilders, body dissatisfaction and bulimia
Goldfield, Gary S. - Body image, disordered eating and anabolic steroid use in female bodybuilders Eating Disorders May-June 2009, 17(3), 200-210
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Captivity, torture and PTSD
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602101258.htm
Computerized CBT helps with insomnia
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601091916.htm
Alcohol, glucose and violent crime
You can find out more about this research at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601092149.htm
Vitamin D and cognition
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE54S67820090529?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
Too much coffee and texting leaves teenagers needing forty winks
You can find more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE54S4SO20090531?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10482&sp=true
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Stigma still a barrier for depressed teenagers
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5505LV20090601?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
SSRI warnings affect depression care in U.S.
You can find out more about this research at
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5507CO20090601?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&sp=true
Long-acting naltrexone shows promising results for heroin addicts
Kunoe, Nikolaj ... [et al] - Naltrexone implants after in-patient treatment for opioid dependence: randomised controlled trial British Journal of Psychiatry June 2009, 194(6), 541-546
Antidepressants and the amygdala: effects take hours not weeks
Murphy, Susannah E. ... [et al] - Effect of a single dose of citalopram on amygdala response to emotional faces British Journal of Psychiatry June 2009, 194(6), 535-540
Unwanted pregnancy and mental illness
McNeil, T.F. ... [et al] - Unwanted pregnancy as a risk factor for offspring schizophrenia-spectrum and affective disorders in adulthood: a prospective high-risk study Psychological Medicine June 2009, 39(6), 957-965
Cannabis and psychosis
Mason, O. ... [et al] - Acute cannabis use causes increased psychotomimetic experiences in individuals prone to psychosis Psychological Medicine June 2009, 39(6), 951-956