Focus on Faith and Healing: The Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery Blog

Alcohol exposure can harm the development of white matter

2008-12-23T10:17:00.001-06:00

According to findings from a recent study, prenatal alcohol exposure can harm the development of white matter. The damaging of white matter could help to explain visual processing deficits and executive dysfunction. According to Susanna L. Fryer, M.S. of the University of California San Diego, "Optimal white matter integrity is thought to support efficient cognition… So the finding that prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered white-matter integrity may help explain aspects of the cognitive and behavioral problems that individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders commonly face." This study confirms findings from previous studies that indicate white matter is a target of alcohol teratogenesis. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that discusses the study more:

The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess the microstructure of white matter in the brains of 27 patients ages eight to 18. DTI like other MRI techniques can depict biological tissues at the microstructural level, providing an improved view of subtle damage in the brain.

Of all the patients, 15 had heavy prenatal alcohol exposure, and 12 didn't.

DTI images revealed that both groups had similar total brain size, but those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders showed evidence of altered nerve fiber integrity at a microstructural level, the researchers said.

Within the fetal alcohol spectrum group, white matter microstructure didn't differ whether patients had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, one of the most serious spectrum disorders.

"In other words, similar brain alterations and behavioral problems can occur because of prenatal alcohol exposure, with or without the facial features and physical growth insufficiency required to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome," Fryer said.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Surviving bipolar disorder: A medical and spiritual journey

2008-12-15T09:00:00.002-06:00

Bipolar disorder, if not identified or properly diagnosed, can be devastating to the individual as well as to those they love. The good news is that there is hope. For numerous individuals, the inspiration of a loving heavenly Father and guidance from caring professionals has led to, not only management of the illness, but also an abundant and successful life. Thursday, December 11th 2008, Pastors, Chaplains, and other church professionals joined us as Tim Reside, Executive Director of Brighter Tomorrows, shared his unique and inspiring experience of surviving bipolar disorder. The seminar proved to be a great success as attendance was robust and area ministers stayed up to thirty minutes after the presentation asking questions and requesting more information about bipolar disorder.

Brookhaven’s Renewal Christian Care program hosts educational seminars geared toward faith professionals on a quarterly basis. We invite you to attend any of our upcoming free ministerial luncheons. Click here to browse upcoming topics and dates

Link between lower childhood IQ and adult psychiatric disorders

2008-12-15T08:47:00.000-06:00

A recent study, which was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, has discovered a link between lower childhood IQ and adult psychiatric disorders. According to the study mental health disorders including depression and schizophrenia may be predicted by lower childhood IQ. The researchers found that each standard deviation lowering IQ resulted in increased odds of depression (23%) and schizophrenia (42%). The study also found that lower childhood IQ was associated with more severe psychiatric illness. According to Karestan C. Koenen, Ph.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues, "Patients with lower cognitive ability could have difficulty accessing services or difficulty understanding and complying with treatment protocols... These individuals may benefit from interventions aimed at improving mental health literacy." The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that discusses the findings more:

Childhood IQ averaged across assessments at ages seven, nine, and 11 years predicted a spectrum of psychiatric disorders at age 32.

With every 15 point increase -- one standard deviation -- above the mean in childhood IQ, the findings were:

* 42% lower odds of lifetime schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis (95% confidence interval 16% to 59%).
* 23% lower odds of an adult depression diagnosis (95% CI 6% to 37%).
* 26% reduced odds of an adult anxiety disorder diagnosis (95% CI 12% to 38%).
* No difference in alcohol, marijuana, or other drug dependence.

These results generally remained significant after adjustment for potentially confounding factors including childhood socioeconomic status, perinatal problems, low birth weight, and childhood maltreatment, although the association for schizophrenia became nonsignificant (P=0.07).

Higher IQ also appeared to reduce the risk of specific anxiety disorders, including 29% lower likelihood of generalized anxiety disorder (95% CI 8% to 45%) and 40% reduced odds of social phobia (95% CI 23% to 53%).

Although post-traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia had similar effect sizes as seen for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, the associations were not significant, likely because of the small number of cases, the researchers said.

Childhood IQ was likewise a significant factor associated with more severe adult psychiatric illness.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Genetic mutation may contribute to overeating

2008-12-12T13:31:00.000-06:00

According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a genetic mutation may contribute to overeating. The study focused on a group of children who carried a variant of rs9939609, a fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene; in their tests, the researchers found that children who carried the variant gene ate more at meal times than controls. According to Colin N.A. Palmer, Ph.D., of the University of Dundee's Biomedical Research Institute at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, and colleagues, there are “indications that there is no defect in metabolic adaptation to obesity... In the total study group, the A allele of rs9939609 was associated with significantly increased weight (P =0.003) and BMI (P=0.003)." The following is an excerpt of an article by Medpage Today that discusses the findings more:

On the basis of the skinfold measurements, "children who carried the A allele had an estimated fat mass that was 1.78 kg greater than that of non-carriers (P=0.01) and an estimated lean mass that was less than 400 g greater than that of non-carriers ( P=0.46).

The authors said that their data "suggest that the [fat mass and obesity-associated] gene influences the 'input' side of the energy-balance equation," a finding already reported in animal studies.

Thus the key to preventing obesity in people with this genotype, which occurred in 0.385% of the population studied, would be "moderate and controlled restriction of energy intake."

In an editorial, Rudolph L. Leibel, M.D., of Columbia University in New York, wrote that the frequency of the rs9939609 A allele has been estimated as "0.45 in Europeans, 0.52 in West Africans, and 0.14 in Chinese."

And even though the "locus accounts for only a small proportion of differences in BMI in the entire population, it plays a substantial role -- in these people, in these environments -- in conveying the risk of actually becoming overweight or obese."

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Panic attacks may increase the risk for heart attack and coronary disease

2008-12-11T17:08:00.001-06:00

Panic attacks may increase the risk for heart attack and coronary disease, according to recent findings published in the European Heart Journal. According to the findings, panic attacks, or disorder, before the age of 50 were associated with a 44% higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 38% higher risk of MI. According to the researchers the link may be due to misdiagnosis of heart problems as panic in the first place; however, "clinicians should be vigilant for this possibility when diagnosing and treating people presenting with symptoms of panic," they wrote. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the study:

After adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic factors, traditional risk factors for heart disease, and psychiatric co-morbidity, a diagnosis of panic disorder or attacks was associated with a significantly increased risk of MI in younger individuals (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.79), but not those 50 or older (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.03).

Young women 16 to 39 at study entry were particularly at risk, with a 3.34 times higher incidence of coronary heart disease compared with controls (95% CI 1.59 to 7.02).

A trend also appeared for greater MI risk the more panic attacks a patient had recorded in the database before age 50, but the researchers cautioned that this was based on low event numbers and wide confidence intervals.

Panic sufferers under age 50 were also at greater risk for broader coronary heart disease diagnoses, including cardiac ischemia, angina, acute coronary syndromes, MI, and coronary revascularization.

But the coronary risk associated with panic disorder and attacks was significant at all ages (HR 1.44 under 50, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.65, and HR 1.11 for 50 and over, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.20).

Again, women under 40 were most at risk, with 3.03-fold higher coronary heart disease risk than those without panic disorder or attacks (95% CI 2.15 to 4.27) and the more panic attacks over the years the more the risk tended to increase.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Mechanism linking binge drinking and atherosclerosis

2008-12-10T12:46:00.001-06:00

Researchers believe they have found a mechanism linking binge drinking and atherosclerosis. According to John Cullen, Ph.D., of the University of Rochester, and colleagues, heavy drinking, binge drinking, causes an abundance of acetaldehyde which increases the adhesion of monocytes to cultured endothelial cells. This connection, between binge drinking and atherosclerosis, has been shown in previous studies but without specifying a mechanism. Researchers commenting stated, "These in vitro findings support novel effects of acetaldehyde on processes involved in the initiation of atherosclerosis... yet further studies are warranted to investigate whether these effects are relevant in vivo, and whether these actions of acetaldehyde may underlie, in part, the detrimental effects of binge drinking on cardiovascular disease."

Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks within a two hour period for men, four or more for women. It is important to note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption has been shown by various studies to be associated with lower cardiovascular risk. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that discusses the study more:

Because monocyte recruitment plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, the researchers set out to evaluate how acetaldehyde affects this process.

They cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells, primary blood monocytes, and THP-1 monocytes and treated them with acetaldehyde at concentrations ranging from 0.1 µM to 25 µM for six hours, which approximates the amount of time the chemical would remain in the blood after a bout of binge drinking.

The concentrations of acetaldehyde "are physiologically relevant and cover a range of concentrations that are found in the blood following the consumption of moderate and binge amounts of alcohol," the researchers said.

Acetaldehyde increased the number of THP-1 monocytes expressing CCR2, a receptor involved in attracting the immune cells to damaged endothelial cells (P<0.05). The most significant effect -- a 50.6% increase -- was seen with 10 µM of acetaldehyde.

There was also a significant increase in the number of endothelial cells expressing P-selectin -- which is involved in initially tethering monocytes to endothelial cells and rolling them down the line of cells -- and in P-selectin receptor density when the cells were exposed to acetaldehyde (P<0.05 for both comparisons).

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

A happy friend or family member living in close proximity can increase one's own happiness significantly

2008-12-09T20:25:00.000-06:00

According to the Framingham Heart study, published online in BMJ, a happy friend or family member living in close proximity can increase one's own happiness significantly. Conversely, however, associations with person's who were sad had much less of an impact. According to the study, having a happy friend or family member less than one mile away increases the likelihood of happiness by 25%. Additionally, a happy next door neighbor increases the likelihood of happiness by 34%. Lastly, having a happy spouse increased the likelihood of happiness by 8%. The study found that happiness extended not only to a happy person's friend or family member, but also to the happy friend's friend. The Framingham study included data from 4,739 participants from 1983 to 2003. According to Nicholas A. Christakis, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of Harvard, and James H. Fowler, Ph.D., of the University of California San Diego, the clusters of people who were happy or unhappy reflected in the Framingham network were "significantly larger than expected by chance." The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that discusses the study more:

Happy people had a perfect score (12) on all four measures -- a 3 awarded for those who answered positively most or all of the time, down to a score of zero for those who said they rarely or never experienced the "happy" characteristics.

Not only does happiness seem catching, those with acne in adolescence also keep close company with others who have the skin condition, according to another study of the effects of social networks, also published online in BMJ. So do those who have headaches or have similar heights.

This second social network study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to "detect implausible social network effects in acne, height, and headaches."

Ethan Cohen-Cole, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, teamed with Jason M. Fletcher, Ph.D., M.S., of the Yale School of Public Health, to analyze the teen data and found on first blush a correlation with acne, headaches, and height.

The authors analyzed data from 4,300 to 5,400 male and female participants in the health survey. All had at least one friend who was also a survey participant and both were longitudinally surveyed. They used data collected in the 1994-95, 1995-96, and 2000-1 surveys.

But when the adolescent data were adjusted for environmental confounders they became uniformly smaller.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Sheer anxiety during the holidays

2008-12-04T12:46:00.000-06:00

The holidays are a great time for faith, family, fun, and great food... for most. For those that suffer from eating disorders the holidays can be a time of stress, or even worse, terror. According to Cynthia Bulik, director of the University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program, "For some people, the holiday season is filled with joyous occasions and wonderful food but for other people, it can actually be quite a nightmare ... especially if you have eating disorders." Kris Shock, 36, of Kennesaw Georgia, recalls that before her recovery from bulimia the holidays were “emotionally and physically exhausting… come the New Year I would have no memories to show for it other than sheer anxiety." Shock went on to say that a support system during the holidays is extremely important. For Shock, the realization that relapses are a real potential keeps her therapist and nutritionist on speed dial. The following is an excerpt of an article from CNN.com that discusses the subject more:

"It can be incredibly overwhelming to be surrounded by so many different types of food," Bulik noted. "We often suggest that people with anorexia go to a party with a wingman. ... Take someone with you who is safe, to whom you can say, 'This is really tough for me. I need to take a break.' "

She shared similar advice for those who suffer from bulimia, a condition in which people binge and purge.

"We tell people to never go to a party hungry. ... That's the worst thing to do. It's really best to have a decent meal before you get there so you're not tempted to binge when you're at the party," Bulik recommended.

One of Shock's biggest challenges while recovering from bulimia was coping with probing family members.

"It was very anxiety-filled," Shock recalled, "I had to eat dinner with all these people where, many times, there were unspoken things I wanted to say."

Last Christmas, Shock tried a new strategy: eating dinner with her husband and children first and then attending a party. Shock called it a safer situation.

"I can take care of my physical body and then handle the process, the emotional anxiety that comes with typical social situations," she said.

Bulik advises well-meaning family members to try to help people with eating disorders feel as comfortable as possible.

"There is no play book," she said. "The best thing to do is not to push. ... Don't focus on their appearance, don't focus on what they're eating."

Click here to read the rest of this article from CNN.com

College Students Undertreated for Psychiatric Conditions

2008-12-03T16:52:00.002-06:00

According to a recent study published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, college students with psychiatric conditions are less likely to seek help than those in the same age group who are not in college. The study, which was a large national interview of more than 5,000 people, found that 45.8% of student enrolled and 47.7% of non-students in the same age group had some form of mental illness. However, only 18.5% of students 19 to 25 sought treatment as apposed to 21.5% of the non-student group. Even more alarming was the fact that students were only half as likely to seek help for drug and alcohol problems as their non-student counterparts. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the findings:

The two groups differed significantly when it came to treatment of alcoholism and substance use disorders.

The researchers found that college students were only half as likely to seek treatment for these conditions, compared to their non-student peers (adjusted OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.87).

Barely 5% of students with alcohol or drug problems sought treatment, compared with about 10% of non-students.

"The prevalence of psychiatric disorders is high in this population at a particularly vulnerable time of development," wrote Dr. Olfson and colleagues.

"As these young people represent our nation's future, urgent action is needed to increase detection and treatment of psychiatric disorders among college students and their non-college-attending peers."

The findings emerged from the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions, conducted in 2001 and 2002 with 43,093 people. Included in the sample were 2,188 college students and 2,904 others ages 19 to 25.

Structured interviews conducted as part of the survey were detailed enough to allow diagnoses of psychiatric conditions by DSM-IV criteria.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Depression associated with poor outcomes in coronary heart disease patients

2008-12-02T17:28:00.004-06:00

According to a recent study published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, depression may be associated with worse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease. According to the study, the correlation between worse outcomes and depression in coronary heart disease patients may be due to the fact that depression lessens healthy behaviors. For instance, a depressed patient may not take their medications or may not get enough exercise. Mary A. Whooley, M.D., of the University of California San Francisco, and colleagues, reported that cardiac patients with depressive symptoms had a 31% higher rate of cardiovascular events. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the study:

Earlier studies had suggested biological factors like norepinephrine, inflammation, and cortisol could be responsible, but these captured surprisingly little of the effect in their prospective cohort study, Dr. Whooley said.

Rather, adjustment for health behaviors such as physical inactivity and medication adherence eliminated the link (P=0.75).

This is good news for physicians and patients Dr. Whooley said.

"Exercise training can improve both depressive symptoms and markers of cardiovascular risk," they wrote.

The downside, though, is that lasting changes in behavior, particularly with regard to exercise, are difficult, Dr. Wholley added.

But even for patients who are able to achieve improvements, it's not been proven that the cardiovascular risk associated with depression would disappear, Dr. Whooley said.

Given the benefits of physical activity across the board, though, she said physicians should still find ways to motivate their patients to make these changes.

Dr. Whooley and her colleagues conducted the prospective Heart and Soul Study among 1,017 patients seen for stable coronary disease at 12 outpatient clinics in the San Francisco area.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

A week off work and increased mortality?

2008-12-01T17:01:00.000-06:00

Taking at least a week off from work for a mental health problem could be a sign of increased risk for premature death. According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, both women and men who took more than seven days off for a mental disorder had significantly increased risk for premature death (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4 and HR 1.35, 95% CI to 1.3 to 1.5). According to Jane E. Ferrie, Ph.D., of University College London, and colleagues, "Sickness absence for mental disorders may be a useful early indicator of groups at increased risk of fatal disease." The study examined a sample of 19,235 French public utility workers, data being collected from the GAZEL study. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today discusses the study in more depth:

They looked at medically certified absences of greater than seven days over a three-year window from Jan. 1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1992. Outcomes of all-cause mortality were measured between Jan. 1, 1993 and Feb. 25, 2007.

In total, there were 12,498 absence spells because of sickness, occurring in 41% of the study population. About half of the 902 deaths occurred among these 7,875 participants.

The most common diagnoses in women were mental disorders (13.8%), musculoskeletal diseases (12.3%), respiratory diseases (10.7%), genitourinary diseases (7.9%), and external causes (6.8%).

Among men, they were musculoskeletal disease (17.4%), external causes (16.1%), respiratory diseases (10.3%), mental disorders (7.5%), digestive diseases (7.5%) and circulatory diseases (6.8%).

There was a strong association with mortality among women who were absent because of a diagnosis of neoplasm or endocrine disease and mental disorders.

In men, most diagnoses were associated with mortality, with the exception of genitourinary problems, the researchers said.

However, in an analysis adjusted for absences in all other diagnostic categories, risks of mortality were substantially reduced for both sexes -- likely because of the effects of comorbidity, the researchers said.

Click here to read the rest of this article

Religious feelings have an association with greater likelihood of survival

2008-11-21T12:17:00.000-06:00

According to findings from a large study (92,000 female participants), religious feelings have an association with greater likelihood of survival. The study, which was published in Psychology and Health online, found that women who reported certain types of religious feelings had hazard ratios of 0.80 to 0.89 (P<0.05) for all causes of mortality. According to Eliezer Schnall, Ph.D., of Yeshiva University, and colleagues, "In an effort to assess which pathways may be relevant to the decreased mortality found for those with religious affiliation and more frequent religious service attendance, causes of death were compared across groups… however, no significant differences were found." The group concluded that while the association between religious feelings and lengthier survival seems real the reasons for it are still unknown. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that discusses the study more:

At baseline in the study, women were asked whether they had a religious affiliation; how frequently they attended worship services; and whether religion provided a great deal of strength and comfort, a little, or none.

The hazard ratios for all-cause death during follow-up associated with these variables, relative to participants expressing the lowest level of religious attachment, were:

* Having a religious affiliation: HR 0.84 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.93)
* Attending services less than weekly: HR 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.92)
* Attending services weekly: HR 0.80 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.86)
* Attending services more often than weekly: HR 0.80 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.87)
* Religion provides a little comfort: HR 0.95 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.05)
* Religion provides a great deal of comfort: HR 0.89 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.98)

These hazard ratios reflected adjustments for age, ethnicity, income, education, body mass index, and current morbidities.

The apparent benefits of deriving substantial strength and comfort from religion disappeared when the researchers also controlled for smoking and alcohol consumption.

And having a religious affiliation was no longer a protective factor when these health behaviors and psychosocial variables, such as self-reported social support and life satisfaction, were included in the analysis.

But the protective effect of attendance at religious services at least weekly remained significant in these enhanced models, with hazard ratios of 0.87 to 0.90 (P<0.05).

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Second suicide attempts are more likely to be successful in individuals where psychiatric disorders are present

2008-11-20T12:14:00.000-06:00

According to findings from a recent study, second suicide attempts are more likely to be successful in individuals where psychiatric disorders are present. Individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or unipolar depression who had previously attempted suicide had the highest risk of completing suicide the second time. The risk was highest during the first year following hospitalization for a suicide attempt. In bipolar and unipolar disorder, 63.8% of men and 42.3% of women committed suicide the first year following an unsuccessful attempt. Researchers conducting the study, commenting, stated, "The present results suggest that attempted suicide in those with schizophrenia or bipolar and unipolar disorder is particularly worrying and underlines the need for more focused care during at least the first two years after a suicide attempt." The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that takes a closer look at the study's results:

So the investigators took a cohort of 39,685 patients ages 10 and older (53% female; mean age 38.4 for men and 37.0 for women) who were hospitalized for a suicide attempt in Sweden from 1973 through 1982 and followed them until 2003.

Most (68%) were not diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder at hospital discharge.

The rest were diagnosed with one of the following disorders: bipolar and unipolar disorder (1,043), other depressive disorder (5,082), schizophrenia (713), anxiety disorder (1,328), adjustment disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder (764), alcohol abuse or dependence (2,702), drug abuse or dependence (385), or personality disorder (664).

In all diagnostic categories, a high percentage of the suicides during follow-up (13.5% to 63.8% in men and 14.3% to 53.9% in women) occurred during the first year.

The proportion of suicides occurring in the first year was high in the group free from psychiatric disorders as well (45.1% for men and 39.6% in women), although the completed suicide rate was low (5.1% in men and 2.8% in women).

Over the entire follow-up period, patients with bipolar and unipolar disorder (HR for men 3.5, 95% CI 3.0 to 4.2; HR for women 2.5, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.0) and schizophrenia (HR for men 4.1, 95% CI 3.5 to 4.8; HR for women 3.5, 95% CI 2.8 to 4.4) had the highest risk of successfully committing suicide.

Among patients with schizophrenia, 4.6% of the suicides in men and 2.8% in women were attributed to the disorder.

For those with unipolar and bipolar disorder, the corresponding percentages were 4% and 4.1%, respectively.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Click here to learn more about depression and suicide

A few tips on how to keep your holiday glee as well as your wallet

2008-11-18T17:02:00.000-06:00

It’s that time of the year again, time for the holidays. Respectively, this year will be more monetarily challenging for many families due to the current state of financial affairs in our country than any in many decades past. The stock market is on a continuous roller coaster ride; gas prices, until recently, have been astronomical; real estate prices have plummeted and many mortgages have been called in on unprepared, ill equipped families. No doubt, these are tumultuous times but that does not mean that financial stress has to overwhelm you this season, snuffing out the joy of family and the holiday spirit. Here are a few tips on how to keep your holiday glee as well as your wallet this year:

Buy in bulk: Stocking stuffers and greeting cards can be bought in bulk and save you time and cash. Holiday greeting cards can be purchased in assortment packages so that it doesn’t appear as though you are buying everyone the same greeting card. Stocking stuffers for children and or grandchildren are filled quickly and inexpensively when buying multi-packs of gum, combs, tic-tacs, candy, chapstick, disposable shaving razors, pens, pencils, erasers, toy cars, and so on.

Brake out the board games: Board games are great fun and they reinforce interaction. Why pay for the entire extended family to go watch the latest Tim Allen Christmas movie when there is plenty of fun and savings waiting for you at home?

Mail your gifts early: Don’t wait until the last minute to send out gifts to family that you won’t see in person this year. First class and priority mail is expensive and can add up fast. Watch the calendar and mail out gifts early enough so that you can utilize ground shipping.

Utilize the dollar store: There are many things that can be bought at the dollar store, items that really don’t necessitate quality, annual throw away items. Most dollar stores have an abundance of Christmas decorations, cards, signs, batteries (big one), balloons, ribbons, plastic table clothes, candy cans / tins, etc. For those of you that are feeling lucky, you can even purchase a variety of nuts at the dollar store for your finger food assortments.

Black Friday Sales: You can purchase some big ticket items at a considerable discount at Black Friday sales (the day after Thanksgiving). Granted, insane crowds and primal human behavior may not be your cup of tea. However, if you’re the type of person that likes the thrill of the hunt, Black Friday sales can help you to obtain those excessively priced Christmas wish list items.

Get a used artificial tree: Browse Craigslist for a plastic tree and put the money you saved toward gifts.

Set a holiday spending limit and pay cash: Setting a limit and paying with cash will help you to keep track of your spending. It is very easy to slide that credit card through, not keeping a total of your spending. Additionally, setting a holiday spending limit helps one to evaluate items of the greatest importance and to cut out excess.

Redeem your points: You’ve been piling up those credit card points for awhile now… just in case you forgot. Redeem your credit card points for just about anything, anywhere. Many credit card company point programs are versatile; you may be surprised what you can put those American Airlines points toward, for instance. Give your credit card company a call and find out more.

Surf the web for better prices: You can always find products online cheaper than in department stores. Granted, shopping online requires shopping in advance but if you are willing to do so this is much advised. There are a variety of websites where consumers can find gifts at prices “far below” what you can find at bricks and mortar locations, especially the mall. Froogle.com (Google’s shopping search engine), Amazon.com, Buy.com, and Walmart.com (more selection and often lower prices than what you find in store with a no shipping-cost option for in-store delivery) are some reputable places to look where you can find most any brand and product. If you prefer to shop in person, go to your department store of choice and write down the item name, brand, and corresponding item number for products you would like to purchase; look up those products online and you will be amazed at the savings you can realize.

Big spending doesn’t equate to holiday happiness. Incorporate some holiday spending strategies and take a pass on undue financial burden and stress this year!

Nightmarish temptations and sensations of guilt

2008-11-17T17:11:00.002-06:00

Obviously, for many, if not most individuals, the holidays are a difficult time when dealing with the temptation of food. During the holidays it is socially accepted and expected that all will eat, drink, and be merry. However, it is a much more difficult time of the year for individuals who have an eating disorder. Individuals with eating disorders encounter nightmarish temptations and sensations of guilt if they "give in” to their disorder specific behaviors. The UNC School of Medicine eating disorders team has some good suggestions for individuals coping with eating disorders during the holidays:

-- Have a "wing man" someone you trust to help run interference at family get-togethers or office parties. This should be someone who knows your triggers and can help distract you from temptations (or someone pushing your buttons), change the subject or assist you while you handle the stress.

-- Make up a code signal or phrase with the wingman before going to the holiday party. If you start to feel overwhelmed give your friend the signal so that you can both step out of the room and they can offer you some support.

-- Keep your support team on speed dial and call them at any time during or after a party. Talking relieves the pressure. You're not overburdening them. They will undoubtedly have stories to share, too.

-- Potlucks are your friends. Don't hesitate to take a food you prepared that feels safe enough to you so that you will have at least one manageable entrée.

-- Lavish holiday spreads don't have to be the enemy. If faced with one, channel your inner Boy Scout or Girl Scout skills and be prepared! Before stepping in line, and before getting a plate, evaluate the options. Mindfully consider which foods you'll sample, portion sizes and whether you feel comfortable trying a "feared food." Make a decision and stick with it!

-- If your treatment team has given you a meal plan stay on track so you aren't starving when you get there.

-- Listen with your heart, not your head. Hear the happiness and caring in a person's tone when they tell you that you look "so much better." They are saying they care about you. Don't let the eating disorder lead you to misinterpret those words in a way that deprives you of hearing that people really care about you.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Survival odds lessened for individuals who develop PTSD after a major cardiac event

2008-11-14T08:35:00.000-06:00

Survival odds are lessened for individuals who develop PTSD after a major cardiac event. According to researchers at the Technical University of Munich, individuals who received a cardioverter-defibrillator implant after cardiac arrest possessed a mortality rate 3.45 times higher if they developed strong PTSD symptoms. "Symptoms of PTSD, particularly intrusive recollections of adverse aspects of the disease course, have a substantial effect on survival in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators," the researchers wrote. The findings, which were published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, indicate the need for "... routinely applied comprehensive and interdisciplinary psychosocial aftercare" among patients in this population. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the study:

The study involved 147 patients who were followed for a mean of 5.1 years (SD 2.2) after receiving the devices. Thirty-eight of these patients scored in the top quartile on a standard PTSD symptom scale.

Dr. Ladwig and colleagues calculated an event rate of 55 deaths per 1,000 person-years among those with low to moderate PTSD scores, compared with 80 deaths per 1,000 person-years among those with high PTSD scores.

The findings reflect adjustments for age, sex, diabetes status, scores on depression and anxiety scales, and several measures of cardiovascular disease severity.

The researchers said that, according to previous studies, some 27% to 38% of patients surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest develop PTSD. The rate of PTSD following heart attacks appears somewhat lower, but may still top 30%.

Because many patients receiving cardioverter-defibrillators are survivors of such events, they are likely at risk for PTSD, the researchers said.

"Treatment with [the device] may act as a constant reminder of the underlying disease condition," they noted.

All the patients in their sample had survived some type of life-threatening, sudden-onset cardiac condition. That met one of the main criteria for PTSD, but only the 38 scoring in the highest quartile on the revised Impact of Event Scale were categorized as PTSD index cases.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Domestic violence among veterans increasing

2008-11-12T17:49:00.000-06:00

Domestic violence has long been a problem associated with veterans due to the population’s high instance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); recently, and due to an increasing number of veterans from two wars, the problem has been widely recognized as worsening. "The increasing number of veterans with PSTD... raises the risk of domestic violence and its consequences on families and children in communities across the United States," says Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., an expert on veteran mental health.

One of the issues surrounding aid for veterans in this regard is that treatment for domestic violence is currently much different than treatment for PTSD. "Treatments for domestic violence are very different than those for PTSD. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has mental health services and treatments for PTSD, yet these services need to be combined with the specialized domestic violence intervention programs offered by community agencies for those veterans engaging in battering behavior against intimate partners and families," Dr. Matthieu explains. An integrated approach of therapies to address domestic violence and PTSD among veterans is desperately needed. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses this issue further:

Matthieu and Peter Hovmand, Ph.D., domestic violence expert and assistant professor of social work at Washington University, are merging their research interests and are working to design community prevention strategies to address this emerging public health problem.

"The increasing prevalence of traumatic brain injury and substance use disorders along with PTSD among veterans poses some unique challenges to existing community responses to domestic violence" says Hovmand.

"Community responses to domestic violence must be adapted to respond to the increasing number of veterans with PTSD. This includes veterans with young families and older veterans with chronic mental health issues."

Even as the demographic of the veteran population changes as World War II veterans reach their 80s and 90s and young veterans completing tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the numbers of living veterans who have served in the United States military is staggering. Current estimates indicate that there are 23,816,000 veterans.

Matthieu says there are evidence-based psychological treatment programs that can be a great resource for clinicians to learn how to identify and treat PTSD symptoms. However, identifying battering behaviors among veterans with active PTSD symptoms may be difficult and may require consultation and referral to domestic violence experts.

Research in the VA shows that male veterans with PTSD are two to three times more likely than veterans without PTSD to engage in intimate partner violence and more likely to be involved in the legal system.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Behavioral therapy significantly improves the quality of life for kidney disease patients with depression

2008-11-11T16:01:00.000-06:00

Depression is extremely common among kidney disease patients who frequently need dialysis. 20 to 30% of patients who are on dialysis because of kidney disease become depressed. However, the first study of its kind proves that there is hope for individuals suffering from depression in this population. According to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, behavioral therapy, a relatively cheap and accessible option, significantly improves the quality of life for kidney disease patients with depression. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses the details:

Researchers now report the results of the first clinical trial of a psychological intervention in hemodialysis patients who are depressed. Ricardo Sesso, MD and his colleagues at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil studied 85 patients with end-stage renal disease who were on chronic hemodialysis and had been diagnosed with depression. Half of the patients underwent three months of weekly 90-minute sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy led by a trained psychologist. Sessions focused on issues related to kidney disease treatment and its effects on daily life, depression and coping techniques, thinking and cognitive remodeling techniques, relaxation activities, social behavior abilities, etc.

The other half of patients in the study received usual treatment offered in the dialysis clinic, without behavioral interventions. All patients filled out quality-of-life questionnaires at the start of the study and again after three and nine months of follow up.

The investigators found that after three months of intervention, the group receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy had a significant improvement in depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and quality-of-life scores when compared to the control group. These differences also persisted after six months of intervention. During this period, patients received once a month maintenance sessions. The authors concluded that cognitive-behavioral therapy - a relatively cheap, harmless, and practical intervention - is an effective strategy to treat depression in patients with kidney disease. "No other randomized trial using psychological or medical intervention with drugs has shown to be effective or has been published in this regard," said Sesso.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Do depressed patients process pain abnormally?

2008-11-07T12:11:00.000-06:00

Over 75% of patients with depression experience chronic pain and 30% to 60% of those who experience chronic pain also have symptoms of depression; however, despite the major overlapping of these two conditions very little is know about the nerobiological basis of how the brain processes pain among patients with major depressive disorder. A study reported in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry has shed new light on the subject, however. According to the study, patients with depression had decreased activity in areas of the brain responsible for pain modulation during painful heat stimulus. Conversely, these same patients experienced increased activity in the right anterior insular region, dorsal anterior cingulate, and right amygdala (emotion-processing areas of the brain) while anticipating pain. According to the researchers, "The anticipatory brain response may indicate hypervigilance to impending threat, which may lead to increased helplessness and maladaptive modulation during the experience of heat pain... this mechanism could in part explain the high comorbidity of pain and depression when these conditions become chronic." The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews this fascinating study:

So they recruited 15 patients with major depressive disorder (12 females; mean age 24.5) and 15 healthy controls with no history of psychiatric disorders (10 females; mean age 24.3) to undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging before and during painful stimulation.

The depressed patients completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, which assesses magnification, rumination, and helplessness related to pain.

Both painful and non-painful levels of heat were applied to the participants' forearms as they viewed images that signaled the intensity of heat to come.

The temperatures did not differ significantly between the groups; the painful stimulus was 115.5° F in the depressed patients and 116.4° F for the controls (P=0.08), and the non-painful stimulus was 102.2° F for both groups (P=0.59).

Both groups reported similar subjective ratings of the unpleasantness and intensity of the painful heat.

The depressed patients rated the non-painful heat as significantly more unpleasant (P=0.04), "a finding that is consistent with our previous observations of the increased affective bias in major depressive disorder at non-painful temperatures," the researchers said.

During the anticipation of pain, the depressed patients had increased activation in the right anterior insular region, left anterior insular/inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, several clusters in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, clusters in the temporal and occipital lobes, and right amygdala.

The increased activity in the amygdala during anticipation was associated with greater levels of perceived helplessness toward pain (P=0.01) and rumination (P=0.02) in the depressed patients only.

During painful stimulation, the depressed patients had increased activity in the left parahippocampal gyrus and occipital cortex and the right amygdala, and decreased activity in the periaqueductal gray matter and the rostral anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices.

The increased activity in the amygdala during painful stimulation was associated with perceived levels of helplessness (P=0.02) and rumination (P=0.03).

"These findings suggest that increased emotional reactivity during the anticipation of heat pain may lead to an impaired ability to modulate pain experience in major depressive disorder," the researchers said.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

Click here for general information on depression

Careless eating habits and couch potato pastimes

2008-11-06T16:43:00.002-06:00

The holiday season is upon us and so is the temptation to adopt careless eating habits and couch potato pastimes. During the holiday's parents can be an example of healthy eating and an active lifestyle. It is easy for children to snack around, skip meals, and stay inside this time of year. "Focus on being with family, friends and loved ones, rather than 'what's to eat,'" suggests Richard E. Kreipe, M.D., professor of pediatrics in the Adolescent Medicine Division of Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. The following are a few tips for parents who desire to model an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits this winter:

Model Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is a lifestyle. "Kids who are taught from a young age to eat well and note their hunger level are much more prepared to make healthy choices later in life," said Stephen R. Cook, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor for the Department of Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Bring the kids into the kitchen while preparing healthy holiday meals. By watching adults prepare foods, kids can get some tips on healthy eating and engage in a family activity.

At the dinner table, adults should encourage small portions of a variety of foods and lots of fruits and vegetables. "Encourage water as the beverage of choice between meals," said Kreipe. Milk is another nutrient-rich beverage.

Express Excitement

It is important not to overemphasize healthy habits. Pressuring kids to eat things they do not like and prohibiting certain foods can be frustrating and stressful to kids. "Talk with children ahead of time about taking small portions, eating single-servings and sharing desserts," advised Cook.

"The single most important thing that parents can do is lead by example," stressed Kreipe. "Listen twice as much as you talk and don't talk about food in the same breath as calories, guilt, or 'paying the price.'" Turn healthy eating into a positive experience by showing excitement about trying a variety of healthy foods in small portions.

Be Active

Cold weather doesn't have to limit activity during holiday seasons. There is plenty that families can do to get off the couch and enjoy one another's company. "Going for a nice brisk walk, especially after eating a heavy meal, can be refreshing and relaxing," Kreipe said.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Alcohol advisement should be included in talks surrounding sex education

2008-11-05T15:44:00.001-06:00

According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield, UK, alcohol advisement should be included in talks surrounding sex education. According to the study, which divided groups of boys and groups of girls in to various focus groups, girls are more likely to be aware of the social complexities surrounding sex whereas boys are not, to be expected; surprisingly, however, some boys that participated in the focus groups found aggressive attitudes, the use of alcohol, and even physical persuasion to be appropriate in order to gain the opportunity to engage in sexual relations. Some boys in the focus groups described alcohol as a useful tactic to persuade a girl to have sex.

Traditional talks surrounding sexual education do not include the subject of alcohol. However, considering these findings, it would appear that not including advice about alcohol during sexual education talks could hold serious consequences. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses the study more:

Alcohol and attitudes are two of the key factors that health professionals need to be aware of when they are dealing with sexually active teenagers.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield, UK, found considerable differences between the way that boys and girls aged 14 to 16 viewed a series of sexual scenarios.

"The girls who took part in our focus groups were more likely to see their partner's point of view and were more aware of the complex nature of relationships than the boys" says nurse researcher Dr Mark Hayter.

Ten focus groups were held with 35 teenagers who had accessed nurse-led sexual health outreach clinics for contraception. These clinics are often held in conjunction with youth clubs in areas where teenage pregnancy rates are high.

The participants were presented with a series of scenarios - a girl and a boy both reluctant to have sex, a girl who had had a numbers of partners and a girl who felt pressured to have sex because her friends had paired off with two boys leaving her with a third.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Connection between high blood pressure and depression in elderly

2008-11-03T11:54:00.000-06:00

A study conducted in Spain, which was recently published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, found a relationship between high blood pressure and depression in elderly subjects. The study, which included participants ages 55 and over, examined 2,523 individuals with hypertension (61.0%; 41.7% were stage 1 and 19.3% were stage 2 hypertensive) and found that 12.4% (314) suffered from depression. Patients with stage 2 hypertension were found to have a greater likelihood of depressive symptoms. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses the study more:

A large, stratified random sample of individuals from the census list aged 55 and over was selected. An epidemiological screening design was implemented, and standardized Spanish versions of assessment instruments were used, including the Geriatric Mental State (GMS), its computerized diagnostic program, AGECAT, and the History and Aetiology Schedule. The history of medical diseases was documented by means of the Risk Factor Questionnaire designed by the EURODEM Workgroup. The assessment of blood pressure followed World Health Organization standards, modified by the European Society of Hypertension, and Joint National Committee Seventh Report criteria were used for the diagnosis of hypertension. The specific hypothesis of the association of hypertension with depression was tested by means of logistic regression (LR) analysis.

At the end of the investigation, hypertension was documented in 2,523 individuals (61.0%; 41.7% were stage 1 and 19.3% were stage 2 hypertensives), and 314 of them (12.4%) were depressed. Results of LR analysis show, in the unadjusted model, that OR for depression was significantly higher in stage 2 hypertension (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.12 - 1.90).

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Persistence of childhood bipolar I disorder into adulthood

2008-10-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

Findings from a study recently reviewed by Journal Watch (jwatch.org), a physician edited source focused on research and news, reported a significant rate of persistence of childhood bipolar I disorder into adulthood. The study, which examined 115 children with a mean age of 11 years, ultimately concluded that bipolar I disorder persisted into adulthood in 44% of participants. One weakness of the study, however, is that it did not report findings about participants beyond the age of 19. Additionally, the study is not reflective of subsyndromal and bipolar II disorder persistence into adulthood. Nonetheless, the study sheds light on the widely discussed topic of age at the time of mental illness onset. The following is an excerpt of the Journal Watch article:

The researchers used a stringent definition of childhood bipolar I disorder: Diagnosis of mania required elation, grandiosity, or both. Most subjects (94%) completed all assessments during the 8-year follow-up (every 6 months for 2 years, yearly for 4 years, and a final assessment 2 years later). About half of the participants were 18 or older at the final assessment.

Of the group, 88% recovered from the index manic episode (mean time to recovery, 55.6 weeks); 73% of these subjects relapsed to mania, on average 99 weeks later. Although significantly shorter than the index episode, later manic episodes were lengthy (mean duration: second episode, 55 weeks; third episode, 40 weeks) and were marked by psychosis and ultradian cycling. Participants younger than 18 years were ill 66% of the time; the percentage dropped to 49% among patients 18 or older. Low maternal warmth and earlier age at onset predicted longer time ill with manic episodes. At age 18 or older, 44% of participants had manic episodes, and 35% developed a substance-use disorder.

Click here to read the entire "free" article from jwatch.org

Youths in thier late teens from poor neighborhoods are four times more likely to commit suicide

2008-10-27T08:27:00.001-05:00

According to a study conducted at Canada's Université de Montréal and Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, youths in their late teens from poor neighborhoods are four times more likely to commit suicide than those who are from more affluent neighborhoods. According to the study, in addition to higher risk for suicide, late teens from poor neighborhoods are also twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts and had higher levels of depressive symptoms. The researchers were not sure what the contributing factors were for increased suicide risk in this population. However, Véronique Dupéré, lead author and a post-doctoral fellow at Tufts University who completed the research at the Université de Montréal, surmised that, "They were more vulnerable because difficult events, such as personally knowing someone who has committed suicide or experiencing a painful breakup with a romantic partner, apparently led to increased suicidal thoughts or attempts... In other words, difficult events seemed to have a more dramatic impact on these teenagers." The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses the study more:

For this study, 2779 teens were surveyed as part of Canada's National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Poverty levels in the neighbourhood were measured in early and mid adolescence based on Census data. Suicidal thoughts and attempts were assessed later, when participants were 18 or 19 years old. Participants were asked, "During the past 12 months, did you seriously consider attempting suicide?" Those who responded yes were then asked, "During the past 12 months how many times did you attempt suicide?"

Among teenagers from across all socioeconomic backgrounds, the research team found that hyperactivity and impulsivity, depression, substance use, low social support, exposure to suicide and negative life events increased vulnerability to suicide thoughts and attempts. "But among youth in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, hyperactivity and impulsivity was even more strongly associated with suicidal behaviours," says Éric Lacourse, senior author of the study and a Université de Montréal sociology professor. "We observed that community adversity could amplify a young person's vulnerability to consider suicide."

Dr. Lacourse, who is also a scientist at the Research at the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, says bolstering access to health or community services in disadvantaged neighbourhoods may help reduce suicidal behaviour among Youths. "This is the first study to examine the independent role of neighbourhood disadvantage as a risk factor in adolescent suicidal behaviours," added Dr. Dupéré. "Our study suggests that to be effective, intervention and prevention efforts must reach vulnerable adolescents living in disadvantaged communities."

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Rates Of Depression Vary By Occupational Industry and Gender

2008-10-24T08:19:00.001-05:00

According to a study recently conducted by Gordian Health Solutions, Inc., a national personal health company, varying occupations and gender can contribute to differing instances of depression. The group examined 13 different occupational industries and found that the arts-entertainment-recreation, retail trade and utilities industries had the highest prevalence of depressed workers, citing depression for periods of up to two weeks at a time. Among women the percentage of depressed workers was on average 10% higher. The study also examined the lifetime prevalence of depression among the workers and found similar results. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that reviews the study:

- Arts-entertainment-recreation: 29% of female employees self-reported depressive symptoms occurring for two weeks or more over the past year, compared to 18% of male employees
- Retail trade: 29% of females, 19% of males
- Utilities: 27% of females, 16% of males

The Gordian study found similar industry and gender patterns for self-reported lifetime prevalence of depressive symptoms, with the highest percentage of employees reporting feeling depressed for two years or more in their lifetime in the retail trade, public administration, arts-entertainment-recreation, finance-insurance and utilities industries. The lowest rates of lifetime prevalence of depressive symptoms were noted in the management consulting, educational services and food manufacturing industries.

"Depression among employees is extremely costly to employers, given its well-documented links to other health problems, increased medical expenditures, absenteeism, presenteeism and job turnover," said Adam Long, Ph.D., vice president of research and informatics at Gordian. "Employers, particularly those in sectors showing the higher rates of employee depression, have a huge stake in helping their employees deal with depression and should consider devoting resources to address this issue."

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today