Clipmarks | dmegivern's Mental Illness collection

Trying to Go Private Fails Mentally Ill

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:18:44 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Reform wastes millions, fails mentally ill

North Carolina's mental-health reform was supposed to improve treatment for the mentally ill and provide good value for taxpayers. It has done neither.

The state has wasted at least $400 million in an ill-conceived and poorly executed plan to treat more mentally ill people in their own communities and fewer in the state's four psychiatric hospitals, a News & Observer investigation shows.

Local governments, forced to stop offering treatment, were replaced by providers out to make a profit. Most of their workers were high school graduates, not licensed professionals, but the bill was stunning. In a few months, the cost of the community support program was $50 million a month, more than 10 times what the state had expected.

Meanwhile, some seriously ill people had to do without treatment. Services that were more likely to help them avoid hospitalization were in short supply.

Mental Illness May Develop in the Womb

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:05:13 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Early Term Stress May Up Risk of Offspring Psychosis

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

A research study finds that children of women who undergo an extremely stressful event–such as the death of a close relative–during the first trimester of pregnancy, appear more likely to develop schizophrenia. According to the authors, prior studies have found “severe life events during pregnancy are consistently associated with an elevated risk of low birth weight and prematurity.” However, the new finding runs counter to existing opinion that a mother’s psychological state does not influence her unborn baby’s mental health risk.

Schizophrenia, a disabling condition associated with abnormal brain structure and function, is increasingly believed to begin in early brain development. Environmental factors, including those occurring during pregnancy, and susceptibility genes may interact to influence risk.

risk

67 percent greater among the offspring of women who were exposed to the death of a relative during the first trimester.

Parasite Associated with Schizophrenia

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:02:53 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Individuals infected with certain parasite 24% more likely to develop schizophrenia

by Jennifer Bechdel
February 3, 2008

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

It has long been hypothesized that it’s unhealthy for pregnant women to change the cat litter, but now more then ever, pregnant women have a reason to hand over the pooper-scooper responsibilities. A recent study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry claims that individuals exposed to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which is carried by cats and farm animals, have a 24% greater risk of developing schizophrenia. The researchers that completed this study are planning further studies on whether treating the toxoplasma gondii infection can stop the progression of the schizophrenia.

This parasite can be found on undercooked meat and cat feces. It is thought that the parasite can live for up to a year in a damp shaded environment. If you are pregnant or you have children already, you may want to take the following precautions to avoid infection by the parasite

Risk Factors for Suicide Consistent Worldwide

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:59:10 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Only 17 countries out of the world were examined, but the trend looks similar worldwide

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Risk factors for suicide consistent across seventeen countries

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

A study by a Harvard University professor published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reports that risk factors for suicide are consistent across seventeen countries. According to the study, the risk factors for suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts are; being female, having a mental disorder, being unmarried and being younger and less educated. This study was based on surveys designed and distributed by the World Health Organization.

Of those surveyed 2.7% admitted having attempted suicide and 9.2% had thought about it at some point in their lives. The study also points out those suicidal tendencies are not just correlated with depression, but with those having impulse control problems, substance abuse and anxiety disorders. However, the study found that the type of disorder, as a risk factor, varied between countries having an on average higher income than those countries with an on average lower income;

Childhood Abuse Linked to Migraines and Depression

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:54:21 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Childhood Abuse Linked to Migraines and Depression

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Adult health problems among women may be traced to childhood abuse. According to a new study, a history of childhood abuse is more common in women with migraines who suffer depression than in women with migraines alone. The study is published in the journal Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The association between migraines and depression is well established, but the mechanism is uncertain. The study found women with migraines who had major depression were twice as likely as those with migraines alone to report being sexually abused as a child. If the abuse continued past age 12, the women with migraines were five times more likely to report depression.

“By questioning women about their abuse history we’ll be able to better identify those women with migraine at increased risk for depression.”

When Should You Go to Therapy?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:36:33 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: marinacounseling.com

When is it time to consider psychotherapy?

When is it time to consider psychotherapy?

When a life event is having a strong, prolonged negative emotional impact that doesn't improve over time.

When you notice yourself repeating negative patterns with work, family, friends or personal pursuits.

When your work and/or personal life is negatively impacted by your moods or feeling states.

When you suffer from poor self esteem.

When habits or substances negatively impact your life.

When you are moving through an important life transition.

When life has ceased feeling meaningful, joyous or purposeful.

When an important relationship is in trouble.

When others express concern for you.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a process of self-exploration and discovery that usually happens by way of dialogue between two people. The therapist and client come together to learn more about the client's presenting problems and to mobilize his or her abilities to respond to situations in constructive ways.

Head Trauma Sometimes Behind Mental Illness

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:23:04 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Your Mental Illness May Be Caused by Head Trauma

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Undiagnosed head trauma may be the underlying cause of many of the learning disabilities and other mental illnesses that are characterized by thinking problems (what professionals often refer to as “cognitive deficits”). So says a new study that the Wall Street Journal reported on today.

The researchers found that once such “hidden” brain injuries have been properly identified, they can often be readily treated by therapy that helps people with such cognitive deficits. The therapy can include many cognitive behavioral types of interventions, including “attention exercises, reading articles to explain the main idea, interpreting charts and graphs, taking classes on how to take apart a problem and reduce it to smaller steps, writing mock “advice columns” on how to handle life issues,” according to the WSJ article.

Your Genes Control if Anti Depressants Work

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:47:10 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Genes Influence Effectiveness of Antidepressant

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

A new study discovers subtle genetic variations can influence the efficacy of two widely used antidepressant medications. Researchers found variants in a gene that influences how drugs are absorbed in the brain can compromise the effectiveness of antidepressants citalopram (trade name Celexa) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

“Antidepressants are the first-line treatment for major depression, but their overall clinical efficacy is unsatisfactory, as remission … occurs in only one-third of the patients after a trial with an adequately dosed single drug, and remission rates further decline following successive treatment failures,” wrote the researchers.

“To our knowledge, our results provide for the first time evidence that genetic variants in the [gene for P-gp] account for differences in the clinical efficacy of antidepressants, most likely by influencing their access to the brain,” they wrote.

Psychiatric Patients Likely to Have Multiple Diagnoses

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:58:40 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Psychiatric Patients Often Have More Than One Diagnosis

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

A new study discovers a majority of psychiatry outpatients have more than one disorder, and more than one-third have at least three disorders. Researchers found major depression as the most common diagnosis followed by social phobia.

Scientists hope the finding demonstrates the complexity of mental health care and the need for researchers and clinicians to acknowledge that an isolated diagnosis or disorder is not the norm.

The study also examined which disorders were the most common reasons for seeking treatment. Major depressive disorder was most common, present in nearly half of the patients, and was usually the primary reason for seeking treatment.

In contrast, social phobia was the second most common diagnosis, present in approximately 25 percent of the patients. However, 95 percent of the patients diagnosed with social phobia came for treatment of another disorder.

PTSD triples in the Military

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:01:17 GMT

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Clip Source: psychcentral.com

PTSD Triples Among Military

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Self-reported post-traumatic stress disorder has elevated 3-fold among combat-exposed military personnel since 2001, according to a study reported in the British Medical Journal. In response to concerns on the health impact of military deployment, researchers in San Diego analyzed the effect of deployment on over 50,000 military personnel who were taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study (a large 22-year study of the health of US military personnel).

These data show overall new incidence rates of 10 to 13 cases per 1000 person years and suggest a threefold increase in new onset self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis among recently deployed military personnel with combat exposures, say the authors.

Identifying personnel with symptoms early may lead to a smaller burden of the disorder in the years to come if appropriate and timely treatments are provided.

Predicting Psychosis in Youth

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:07:45 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: When Virginia Tech occurred, I was so annoyed by people saying that you cannot predict psychosis. Of course, you can if you have solid mental health training. Maybe not perfectly, but enough to know when someone needs help.

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Predict Psychotic Illness in High-Risk Youth

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Tuesday, Jan. 8 (Psych Central) -- New research suggests youth who are going to develop psychosis can be identified before their illness becomes full-blown 35 percent of the time if they meet widely accepted criteria for risk, but that figure rises to 65 to 80 percent if they have certain combinations of risk factors. In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health state that an understanding of these combinations can help scientists predict who is likely to develop the illnesses within two to three years with the same accuracy that other kinds of risk factors can predict major medical diseases, such as diabetes.

The combinations of factors that predicted psychosis included:

deteriorating social functioning

a family history of psychosis combined with recent decline in ability to function

increase in unusual thoughts

increase in suspicion/paranoia

Bipolar Disorder in Children-Interesting Research

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:38:39 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.eurekalert.org

Facial expressions have greater impact on kids with bipolar disorder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. � Children with bipolar disorder respond differently to facial expressions than children without psychiatric disorders, according to a new study led by a Bradley Hospital researcher.

This study suggests a neural basis for mania in children, which typically involves unusually irritable or excessively happy moods, and raises questions about whether treatments, therapy or medication could address these brain changes,� Dickstein said.

The authors say further research is required to determine the impact of mood state, medication and the presence of an additional illness, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, on these findings.

Tags: children, bipolar

Genetic Clues to Schizophrenia

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:12:38 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.bio-medicine.org

Genes Yield More Clues to Schizophrenia

A U.S. team has spotted nine genetic markers that can increase a person's risk for schizophrenia.

They've also found evidence that the condition can be inherited in what geneticists call a "recessive" manner -- inherited from both parents.

The scientists tested genetic material from 178 people with schizophrenia and a control group of 144 people without the condition. They identified nine regions along the chromosomes that may play a major role in triggering schizophrenia when two identical variants are inherited from parents.

Four of these regions contain genes previously linked to schizophrenia. The five other regions are new. Many of the genes in these regions play a role in the structure and survival of neurons.

Chance to Improve Anti-Psychotic Meds

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:16:49 GMT

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Clip Source: medicalcenter.osu.edu

Some Antipsychotic Drugs May Be Missing Their Mark

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Drugs that treat depression, schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions and that target a particular protein on brain cells might not be triggering the most appropriate response in those cells, new research suggests.

The study by researchers at The Ohio State University Medical Center examined the serotonin 2A receptor, a protein on brain cells sensitive to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

This study examined the early chemical events that happen inside neurons when the 2A receptor is stimulated by serotonin and by a synthetic hallucinogenic agent that is thought to mimic serotonin.

“This new insight into how serotonin and a hallucinogenic drug affect this serotonin receptor could lead to changes in how new drugs are screened and developed for depression, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders,” says study leader Laura M. Bohn, an associate professor of pharmacology and psychiatry.

New Anti-Stigma Organization

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:02:25 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: This organization is just getting started, but I am excited about it.

Clip Source: www.nokiddingmetoo.org

BREAKING NEWS:
Watch No Kidding, Me Too founder Joe Pantoliano's in-depth interview on NBC News with Brian Williams. Click HERE to link to the NBC News video.

No Kidding, Me Too! is a nonprofit organization comprised of entertainment industry members united in an effort to educate Americans about the epidemic related to mental illness in all forms. Through this enlightenment we will teach those suffering from it, and their loved ones who are victims of it, to talk about it openly. The goal is to tear this stigma out of the closet and de-isolate it so that these people will be surprised to find millions of others like themselves and say, "No Kidding, Me Too!"

The organization is currently in the application process to obtain our federally-approved 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit public charity.

Tags: stigma, mental_illness