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Facts About Bipolar Depression: More than 2 million Americans have manic-depressive illness. It is extremely distressing and disruptive to their lives. Like any serious illness, bipolar disorder also creates problems for spouses, family members, friends, and employers. Family members of people with bipolar disorder often have to cope with serious behavioral problems.

After School Programs Help At-Risk Kids

by Lorne Cansler on June 29, 2010
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A recent study published in Children and Youth Services Review validates previous research findings that suggest participation in youth development organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs makes children and adolescents less likely to engage in problem behaviors.  The authors, Dawn Anderson-Butcher and Scottye J. Cash, cite previous studies that conclude that participating in such programs deters and prevents “alcohol and drug use, juvenile delinquency, violent crime, school dropout and failure, and teenage pregnancy.”  The authors also cited research studies that specifically credit Boys & Girls Clubs and their programs …

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Depression

by Tasha Gerken on June 28, 2010
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If you’re one of the 14.8 million Americans who are affected by depression, new research gives more credibility to the idea that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish, fish oil supplements, flaxseeds and walnuts) may alleviate some of your depression-related symptoms. A Canadian study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry is the largest double-blind, randomized control trial ever conducted on depression and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Many studies have previously shown promising outcomes, but were not conclusive because they studied so few participants.  This study however, sampled over 400 …

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Music Therapy Helps Grieving Teens

by Judee Shipman on June 23, 2010
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Even under ideal circumstances, adolescence is a turbulent time. Furthermore, mourning the death of someone close is especially challenging during teen years. Recent research from the University of Melbourne’s School of Music suggests that music therapy can help adolescents cope with grief after experiencing the loss of a loved one. This is great news, since many mental health experts believe that bereavement during this critical time increases a teenager’s vulnerability to mental health problems.Music therapy is a clinical technique that involves participation in musical activities, such as listening to favorite songs, …

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Do Parents with Bipolar Disorder Breed Creativity?

by Kevin Mathews on June 17, 2010
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Tortured artists not only create great art, but also children who are prone to be similarly tormented artists.  Psychiatry experts at Stanford University determined that parents with bipolar disorder are likely to pass creativity along to their offspring.  Previously, researchers noticed that people with bipolar disorder tend to be highly creative, but by exploring familial connections, this study marks the first detection of a probable genetic link between creativity and bipolar disorder. The study followed 40 family units that included at least one parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder, as well …

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Empty Nest Syndrome: Are You At Risk?

by Irene McGee on June 11, 2010
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We’ve all heard of Empty Nest Syndrome, and yet it’s not actually a clinical “syndrome.” Empty Nest Syndrome is a term used to describe the sadness you may feel if your child is getting married, going away for college, or even leaving for sleep over camp. The spiral of sad emotions that get set off can lead some parents into a severe clinical depression. Though it was thought that Empty Nest Syndrome was felt harder by women, because fathers today are equally involved in their children’s lives they also suffer …

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PTSD’s Impact on Immune System

by Lorne Cansler on June 1, 2010

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder caused by a traumatic event, such as a car crash, combat, sexual assault, or house fire. Furthermore, according to Web MD PTSD can be developed after experiencing or witnessing “an event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror.” Signs and symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, feelings of reliving the traumatic event, avoidance of situations that trigger memories of the event, a loss of interest in activities, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and being easily startled. PTSD is also related with inflammatory-related …

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Depression Impacts College Drop Out Rate

by Lisa Watson on May 6, 2010
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According to statistics, 50% of students who attend college drop out or fail out. Though there are a variety of reasons this number is so high – including financial – scientists have learned that certain types of depression directly relate to lower grade point averages and higher dropout rates. University of Michigan’s Daniel Eisenberg led the study, which surveyed 2,800 students online. Students answered questions about a variety of mental health issues, and completed a follow-up survey two years later. Many students could function fine in school, depending on the …

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Why Tanning Won’t Cure Your Winter Blues

by Irene McGee on April 20, 2010
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My friend told me he beats the winter blues by heading to a tanning bed to get his sun. My friend was not diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but like most people the short winter days bum him out.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is the technical term for the sadness some people experience in relationship to the changing of the seasons. One of the most effective ways to treat S.A.D. is with light therapy

Could Surfing The Net Be Depressing You?

by Joe Gorman on April 13, 2010
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It may turn out that investing all that time on facebook and blogging might have adverse affects on your mental health.  In a recent study out of the UK published in the journal of Psycopathology, it was revealed that excessive internet usage may be linked to depression. This new form of “internet addiction” may be adversely affecting young people (ages 16 and up) for the escapism that the internet allows. In a survey of 1,319 people aged 16 to 51, about 220 were classified as “internet addicted”, which is considered …

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