Mental Health
Anxiety Disorders
Mouse Genes Aid Search for Human Anxiety Disorder Genes - [10/25/08]
Summary: Researchers tested 13 human homologs of genes that have been shown in mice strains that differ in anxiety levels. They found an association between 6 of these genes and human anxiety disorders. The strongest associations found were in variations in ALAD with a higher rate of social phobia, DYNLL2 that raises risk of general anxiety disorders, and PSAP which is associated with panic disorders.
Comment: This research proves an association between animal genes and human genes, and provides insight into some of the genes that can cause anxiety disorders. Identifying the genes allow for the development of new treatments that can help those with anxiety disorders experience less symptoms.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 25, 2008
Aiding Teens with Depression and Anxiety - [10/25/08]
Summary: Many teens experience depression and anxiety in their lives without realizing that their feelings could be mental disorders. Teens are prompted to answer questions about trouble concentrating, being overly tired, constantly feeling stressed, feeling constant worry, experience of anxiety symptoms, and serious thoughts of suicide. These questions can show the possibility of depression or an anxiety disorder.
Comment: Often teens feel like they have no where to turn with their problems. By diagnosing these feelings as depression or an anxiety disorder these teens can be treated for their condition. Many resources exist to help teens deal with depression and anxiety in their lives, and using these resources can protect many people from pain.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com October 25, 2008
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of anxiety disorders.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with anxiety disorders can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Learning to Not Be Anxious - [10/09/08]
Summary: New research shows that being calm can be a learned trait. Researchers conducted an experiment teaching mice to be calm and feel safe in stressful situations. They were able to demonstrate that the mice could "learn" to feel less anxious and stressed. This "learned safety" was able to fight anxiety and depression as effectively as antidepressants.
Comment: This research shows that behavioral intervention can be effective in preventing anxiety and depression. This information could lead to new drugs that treat anxiety and depression. This research can help doctors treat the pathological fears that can lead to anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, and depression.
Read article - Science Daily October 9, 2008
Medicare Eliminates Coverage for 10 "Reasonably Preventable" Errors - [10/02/08]
Summary: New regulations, which will take effect next Wednesday, have Medicare halting payment for 10 errors which they have deemed "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." Expected to affect hundreds of thousands, the new rules will mostly likely not result in a major reduction in expenses.
Comment: This new decision comes on the heels of announcements by four state Medicaid organizations last year in which they eliminated 28 "never events", preventable errors, from coverage. The trend seems to be growing and could have negative ramifications for millions of Americans. Among others, healthcare professionals have begun expressing concern about the decision.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Teenagers with Depression and Anxiety Disorders - [09/30/08]
Summary: About 25 percent of the population of America has experienced depression or an anxiety disorder over their lifetime. Michell Craske, a psychology professor at UCLA, has conducted studies on the early predicting of who may get these conditions and why. She and her colleagues have found that the tendency to feel negative emotions in a given situation is a strong predictor of both depression and anxiety disorders.
Comment: Children with anxious parents are 3.5 times more likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder later in their youth. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome, are conditions that tend to continue to affect a patients health if untreated.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 16, 2008
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including anxiety disorders. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with anxiety.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
Mental Health Services for Those in the Military Will Be Increased - [09/27/08]
Summary: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps and Department of Defense (DoD) have created a partnership to help provide better mental health services to members of the military. This partnership aims to better aid returning service members, their families, and military retirees in their battles with many mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, insomnia, anxiety, flashbacks and depression.
Comment: The increased efforts will include greater recruitment of mental health service providers to help raise the government's capacity to provide for mental health needs. Admiral Joxel Garcia, HHS assistant secretary of health and head of PHS stated, "The healing of our injured soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines is of top priority and the U.S. Public Health Service is honored to be a part of this program."
Read article - Health News Digest. September 27, 2008.