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Having a stroke is an event that’s likely to cause mental and emotional difficulties; whether it’s apprehension at being hospitalized, loss of memory or function, or any number of associated issues, stroke can greatly impact mental well-being. In some cases, stroke sufferers may develop thoughts and feelings of depression after the incident, and a research team from the University of Toronto has recently revealed review results suggesting that this occurs significantly more often in women than in men. The review focused on a total of fifty six studies and presents strong evidence for a need to provide better mental health services to female stroke sufferers to help prevent the onset of depression, which can make post-stroke living far more difficult.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Glendale Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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The National Alliance on Mental Illness has just released the results of a much-anticipated survey entitled, “Gaps and Guideposts” on its site. The survey involved scores of Americans in three distinct categories: those who did not know anybody affected by depression, those who identified as caretakers of adults with depression, and depressed adults themselves. Seeking to discover Americans’ familiarity with depression and treatment options, the survey also uncovered a rising rate of acceptance of depression’s ability to affect people of all profiles and lifestyles, and of psychotherapeutic treatment to help conquer symptoms.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Sarasota Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

An often overlooked age group, the 85 and up set face many challenges that are typically reserved for old age. Memory issues, difficulty finding energy, and the rapid or prolonged loss of friends and loved ones can all contribute to symptoms of depression, which is experienced at a high rate among those in this age group. Efforts to develop targeted therapy programs and other forms of treatment for such clients are on-going, with a recent development having been made through research at the University of Michigan and Kyungpook National University. The research found that involving the very old in family affairs and keeping them informed of events can greatly help to ward off symptoms of depression. A simple strategy, including the elderly in decisions and discussions may go a long way towards relieving some of the psychological burden often carried during old age.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist San Francisco Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Reasons for eating a healthy diet abound; from the purported feel-good benefits of chowing down on natural and nutritious foods to the potential to save money on groceries and of course, to lose weight when waist size is an issue, plenty of people are aware of the incentives for picking healthy foods. But it’s not just the case that certain items from the health food aisle can have a positive impact on overall health; picking foods that are over-processed and high in sugars and fats have a decidedly negative influence on health, and may particularly impact mental well-being. Searching for a way to underscore the importance of choosing good foods and straying from those that can be harmful, a research team from University College London in the UK has recently published work divulging the potential for fatty foods to lead to the development of depression.

The research worked with a respectable mass of participants; 3,486 people took part in the study, and had an average age of 55. The participants worked in London in various civil service capacities, and completed surveys in which they self-reported about their levels of depression and related symptoms, as well as their eating habits and food purchasing choices. The study found that those who reported eating high fat foods were more likely to also report thoughts and feelings of depression than those whose diets concentrated on a regular intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish. Read the rest of this entry

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There are many negative aspects of thoughts and feelings of depression that can interfere with an individual’s daily life, and the emergence of physical symptoms associated with the issue may play a major role in overall outlook and mood. A study conducted at the University of Iowa found that those with depression issues also report stronger common discomfort symptoms such as various aches and gastrointestinal problems when asked to reflect on how they had previously felt and recorded. The research asked a group of women to record their levels of discomfort daily, and to report them again at a later date; those with signs of depression exaggerated their symptoms on follow-up reports, suggesting that the mental health concern may have an impact on self-perception as to personal health.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Los Gatos Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

As might be imagined, a number of elderly people who struggle with various forms of cancer also experience thoughts and feelings of depression, an issue which has prompted those in several disciplines of medicine to seek new ways to help improve the quality of life of this specific group. While the administration of anti-depressant medications is an option taken by many general practice physicians, a strong push to supplement such treatments with more reliable, potentially beneficial counseling and other mental health services has gained momentum in recent years, one of the results of which is a study evaluating the efficacy of a new collaborative treatment program for seniors with cancer.

The program, dubbed IMPACT, or Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment, focused on providing elderly cancer patients in a study group with direction and support for any anti-depressant or other psychiatric drugs being taken, along with supportive counseling treatment in a structured environment on a consistent schedule, including participation in pleasant events and the introduction of problem resolution strategies. The researchers involved with the study found that those participants who took part in the IMPACT program had a significantly higher rate of recovery than those who received usual care, a difference of twenty one percent in favor of the collaborative approach. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Hollywood Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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The use of anti-depressant medications is steeply on the rise, with many mental health professionals concerned about the frequency with which people experiencing mental health difficulties rely entirely on pharmaceuticals to relieve symptoms. Part of this concern stems from the fact that for many clients, anti-depressants simply don’t work, a problem that a recent study conducted at Northwestern University has suggested can be explained in the preoccupation with treating symptoms of stress. The research provides evidence for clear genetic distinctions between stress and depression, noting that the latter is an entirely different phenomenon within the brain and suggesting that it should be treated differently, as a result. The study may help wean Americans and concerned clients worldwide from modern dependency on psychiatric medications.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Lafayette Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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In metropolitan as well as more rural environments, it can be difficult to experience a night of pure darkness. Light pouring in from street lamps, issuing forth from appliances and television screens, or accumulating from the advertisements and lit windows of buildings can seem like an invasive force –although many people are so accustomed to a constant state of light intrusion that they fail to notice any problem at all. This issue may be a concern for mental health, as the ability to align one’s sleeping and working cycles with the natural rhythm of the earth has often been cited as of the utmost importance for overall well-being. Supporting this theory, a study performed at the Ohio State University and recently presented in Chicago at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience has tested the effect of constant light exposure on mice.

The study involved two laboratory environments; one in which mice were exposed to artificial light without interruption throughout the day, and one in which an opaque tube, with dark conditions inside, was present, allowing mice to enter at any time. The researchers found that those mice housed in the constantly light environment exhibited stronger depressive symptoms than did the mice with the option to escape into darkness. Read the rest of this entry

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Many different physical health issues are associated with depression, and one of the newest to be added to the list is rhinosinusitis, a condition affecting the head and throat. Interestingly, a study examining the connection between these issues found just over nine percent of participants reported histories of depression, whereas a diagnostic tool administered through a questionnaire found that over twenty percent of the group was indicated for thoughts and feelings of depression. The study’s authors have suggested that general practice screening for both health concerns may be vital in identifying clients in need of professional assistance.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Sherman Oaks Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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The prevalence of online interactions and communications means that many young people are experiencing a greater portion of their social lives over the internet, a trend which researchers from the University of Victoria posit may be of use to suicide and violence prevention efforts. The researchers have developed a keyword-parsing model which identifies phrases and words associated with risky behaviors, and offers those social networking bloggers identified the option to respond to the question of how they’re doing. A response that they’re not doing well and need help leads them to a site containing appropriate information and resourceful links, in an effort to prevent harmful actions.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tucson Bureau - All Rights Reserved.