Individuals who are victimized -- especially in childhood -- likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs

December 17, 2010

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study finds strong associations between victims' experiences -- such as unwanted sexual activity, neglect and physical violence -- and substance use disorders.

Substance use disorders and victimization experiences were more prevalent for gays, lesbians an...

Alcoholics can curb drinking with use of a pill

December 15, 2010 By Katherine Kahn

A little-used medication can help treat alcoholism, an updated review of studies confirms.

At any given time, about 5 percent of the population suffers from an addiction to alcohol, often with devastating consequences to work, family, friends and health. Twelve-step programs have been the mainstay for helping alcoholics to quit drinking, but a significant ...

Risks of ECT outweigh benefits, review finds

CARL OBRIEN

The Irish Times - Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A COMPREHENSIVE review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has concluded that the risk of damage caused by the procedure cannot justify its continued use in medicine.

The review of more than 100 previous studies and reports into ECT was carried out by two psychologists, Dr John Read of the University of Auckland and Prof Richard Bentall of the University of Bangor in Wal...

NIHSeniorHealth.gov offers info on anxiety disorders in older adults

December 8, 2010

Anxiety caused by stressful events like moving or losing a job is a normal part of life. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, are characterized by persistent, excessive and disabling fear and worry and get progressively worse if left untreated. It is estimated that anxiety disorders affect between 3 and 14 percent of older adults in a g...

Study reveals 'secret ingredient' in religion that makes people happier

December 7, 2010

While the positive correlation between religiosity and life satisfaction has long been known, a new study in the December issue of the American Sociological Review reveals religion's "secret ingredient" that makes people happier.

Our study offers compelling evidence that it is the social aspects of religion rather than theology or spirituality that leads to life satisfaction," said Chae...

Scientists develop drug that can stop post-traumatic stress disorder before it starts

By Claire Bates

Last updated at 7:00 PM on 7th December 2010

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1336421/Scientists-develop-drug-stop-PTSD-starts.html#ixzz1ewYylSEP

Scientists have discovered a way to stop post-traumatic stress syndrome in its tracks - by injecting a calming drug into the brain.

Around 30 per cent of people who experience a traumatic event will ...

Mindfulness meditation found to be as effective as antidepressants to prevent depression relapse

December 6, 2010

A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy--using meditation—provides equivalent protection against depressive relapse as traditional antidepressant medication.

The study published in the current issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry compar...

People with severe mental illness 12 times more likely to commit suicide

December 6, 2010

People with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are 12 times more likely to commit suicide than average, according to research released today by King's Health Partners.

The research found that the rate of suicide was highest in the first year following diagnosis (12 times national average) and that high risk persisted ...

Depression treatment rates increase over past decade, but psychotherapy declines

December 6, 2010

The rate of depression treatment increased between 1998 and 2007 but at a slower rate than during the previous decade, and the percentage of patients treated with psychotherapy continued to decline, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

"Depression is a leading cause of disability, lost productivity a...

Mental health patients should be spared jail, say public

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/08/19/115101/mental-health-patients-should-be-spared-jail-say-public.htm

Mithran Samuel

Thursday 19 August 2010 08:29

From The Times

March 2, 2010

Post traumatic stress disorder: a new eye movement therapy (??? new???)

As a 20-year-old, a writer was beaten and left for dead in his home. After years of flashbacks, he found a therapy, based on eye movement, that made his memories bearable

Patrick Strudwick

Researchers demonstrate link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia

March 10th, 2010 in Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

In one of the first such studies involving human patients with schizophrenia, researchers at UC Davis have provided evidence that deficits in a brain chemical may be responsible for some of the debilitating cognitive deficits — poor attention, memory and problem-solving abilities &...

Quitting smoking especially difficult for select groups

February 12th, 2010 in Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

With the national trend toward quitting smoking flat, psychologists are finding some success with treatments aimed at helping smokers from underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and those with psychiatric disorders.

In a special section of this month's issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical...

Prince's Trust fears jobless youth face mental scars

Unemployment has risen steadily this year.

Unemployed young people could suffer from "permanent psychological scars" due to being out of work, according to a survey by the Prince's Trust.

Depression takes many different forms, for the latest treatments via the National Health Service, just follow the link below.

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG90 ...

To find out more about The  follow this link:-

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/cg009niceguidance.pdf

http://www.ellenafries.com/

Pain and deliberate self-harm

Michaela Swales

Copied from http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/en/pain/microsite/culture4.html

Deliberate self-harm is a troubling aspect of adolescence (and possi...

Asperger syndrome / Autistic spectrum disorders

UK national autism research study results published

September 22nd, 2009 in Medicine & Health / Diseases

The first ever major study into adults living with autism was published today by the NHS Information Centre. The report, entitled 'Autism Spectrum Disorders in adults living in households throughout England 2007' was ...

Using Brain Waves to Help Treat Depression

September 22nd, 2009 in Medicine & Health / Research

Brainwave Monitoring Device

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers conducted a study at 9 sites in the U.S. with 375 people suffering from major depression. The testing takes about 15 minutes and could help people suffering from depression find fast relief.

In the study resear...