Psychiatry Archives

Deep brain stimulation successful for depressive patient

Neurosurgeons in Heidelberg perform the world’s first operation on the ‘habenula’ to treat depression; cooperation with psychiatrists from the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim – A team of neurosurgeons at Heidelberg University Hospital and psychiatrists at the Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim have for the first time successfully treated a patient suffering from severe depression by stimulating the habenula, a tiny nerve structure in the brain.

Stressing the benefits of quitting smoking helps smokers

Quitline messages that stress benefits of quitting may improve smoking cessation – Smokers who received gain-framed messaging from quitline specialists (i.e., stressing the benefits of quitting) had slightly better cessation outcomes than those who received standard-care messaging (i.e., potential losses from smoking and benefits of quitting).

Few Americans receive adequate treatment for depression

Few Americans with major depression receive adequate treatment – Many U.S. adults with major depression do not receive treatment for depression or therapy based on treatment guidelines, and some racial and ethnic groups have even lower rates of adequate depression care.

Preparing for successful aging in the new year 2010

Preparing for successful aging — Successful Cognitive and Emotional Aging – It’s never too early or too late to start working toward the goal of improving brain health. So perhaps the New Year is the perfect time to consider how one achieves a long and satisfying life.

Cannabis in teens can cause depression and anxiety

Cannabis and adolescence — Cannabis in teens can cause depression and anxiety – Canadian teenagers are among the largest consumers of cannabis worldwide. The damaging effects of this illicit drug on young brains are worse than originally thought.

Antidepressants may raise stroke risk in postmenopausal women

Study finds increased risk of death, stroke in postmenopausal women taking antidepressants — Findings signal need for individual risk assessment, additional study – Women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative study who reported taking an antidepressant drug had a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of stroke and of death compared with participants not taking antidepressants.

Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms

Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms – Individuals taking a medication to treat depression may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of depressive symptoms, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Isolation and stress contribute to breast cancer risk

Isolation and stress identified as contributing to breast cancer risk – Social isolation and related stress could contribute to human breast cancer susceptibility, research from a rat model designed at the University of Chicago to identify environmental mechanisms contributing to cancer risk shows.

Plastics chemicals – phthalates linked to ADHD symptoms

Common plastics chemicals linked to ADHD symptoms — Are phthalates really safe for children? – There is a significant positive association between phthalate exposure and ADHD — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, revealed by researchers.

Nicotine Patch, Lozenge – best for smoking cessation

Nicotine Patch Plus Lozenge Appears Best for Smoking Cessation – In a comparison of five different smoking cessation medications, a nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge appears most effective at helping smokers quit.

Smoking in pregnancy causes psychotic symptoms in teenager

Smoking during pregnancy puts children at risk of psychotic symptoms – Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their children at greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms in their teenage years. New research published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry shows a link between maternal tobacco use and psychotic symptoms.

Learn to deal with inattentive, hyperactive & impulsive kids

ATTENTION PARENTS AND TEACHERS! LEARN TO DEAL WITH INATTENTIVE, HYPERACTIVE & IMPULSIVE KIDS – ADHD is a disorder of the brain and behavior. It affects about 3 to 5% of children. The symptoms start before seven years of age. Global prevalence for children is approximately 5%, with wide variability dependent on research methodologies utilized in studies.