Mental Health
Anxiety Disorders
Treatments Latest News
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
Drug Improves Anxiety Symptoms by Day Four - [09/01/08]
Summary: Seroquel XR, an extended release quetiapine fumarate, has been shown, in recent clinical trials of patients with General Anxiety Disorder, to begin improving symptoms as soon as day 4, with significant improvement seen by week 8.
Comment: While antidepressants, specifically SSRIs (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), are often used successfully to treat bipolar disorder, almost 30 percent of patients treated with these drugs do not show adequate improvement. Seroquel XR may change this, as well as promising faster results.
Read article - Medical News Today. September 1, 2008.
Improving Behavioral Therapy Treatment for Anxiety Disorders - [07/17/08]
Summary: Instead of trying to use medication and behavioral therapy at the same time to treat anxiety, researchers have tried using a medication designed to target the mechanisms that make psychotherapy work. D-cycloserine has been long used as a tuberculosis medication, but it believed to enhance the learning process, which could help improve the effectiveness of behavioral therapy if they were used together.
Comment: Normally anxiety has either been treated with medications or with behavioral therapy. Howerver, in studies using the two together is not more effective. This lead scientists to look for a different medication to use. More tests will be done as a follow up to this research, but it could lead to a better treatment method for anxiety disorders.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 17, 2008
100,000 Americans Die Each Year from Medications - [06/11/08]
Summary: It is estimated that 100,000 Americans die each year from the drugs they take, often from side effects or overdose. There are also many hospitalizations each year from damaging drug side effects. Outlined are the main types of drugs that cause these problems, which include; sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, and sleeping pills, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications.
Comment: Antipsychotics can be prescribed for anxiety disorders, but they should not be prescribed to older people with dementia, because they may cause more frequent cardiac problems including sudden death. These drugs can also cause mental dullness, reduce emotions, and lessen problem solving abilities. Patients should consult their physicians to make sure that they are receiving the correct amount and type of medication, and that any other drugs they are taking will not produce a dangerous mixture.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com June 11, 2008
Exposure Therapy Has Patients Relive Trauma - [06/02/08]
Summary: Researchers say that people who relive a traumatic event as part of therapy are less liekly to get post-traumatic stress disorder than those getting another common form of therapy. Called prolonger exposure therapy, researchers say it can give patients a feeling of control over the traumatic event.
Comment: A growing number of U.S. troop are returning home with PTSD, creating an urgency for treatments to deal with the disorder. The findings of this study offer hope, since half as many (33%) of the participants who had prolonged exposure therapy developed PTSD, compare with 63% of those who received cognitive restructuring therapy.
Read article - msnbc.com. June 2, 2008.
Virtual Reality May Ease Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - [05/07/08]
Summary: People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from a combination of prescription medication and virtual reality psychotherapy. Early results of a study with Iraq war veterans suggest that the use of drugs along with exposure to interactive reenactments of the sights, sounds, smells, and movement of a highly traumatic experience can relieve anxiety.
Comment: The study findings are preliminary. But the study author is optimistic that the combination therapy can help soldiers and other patients to resolve their traumatic memories.
Read article - Healthfinder.gov. May 7, 2008.
Not All Samples Are "Free" - [04/24/08]
Summary: Anxiety disorders can be expensive to treat, especially over time. So it may seem as if your doctor is doing you a favor to offer you free samples of medicines. But samples are often for very expensive brand-name medicines. When the sample runs out, you get to pay for them--often at a higher co-pay.
Comment: This article outlines five questions you should ask your doctor before accepting samples, such as how long you'll be taking the drug, and whether a generic or cheaper alternative is available. The article also links to other articles with advice on cutting the cost of your prescription drugs, including two reports on how to enroll in drug assistance programs and how to find the best prices on prescription medications.
Read article - CNN.com. April 24, 2008.
Laughter Alleviates Stress - [04/07/08]
Summary: Anticipating a humorous situation reduces the release of hormones which can weaken your immune system. It also releases the beneficial hormones depression-alleviating beta-endorphins and immunity-boosting human growth hormone. The data from this new study exposes the multiple health benefits of laughter showing both mental and physical benefits.
Comment: This short article is based on a study in which one group of participants were asked to anticipate a humorous event, then experienced it. Throughout the study blood samples were taken, and stress increasing hormones were shown to decrease up to 70% in some cases. For more tips on dealing with stress patients can go to the US National Library of Medicine.
Read article - Healthfinder.com. April 7,2008.
Read article - US National Library of Medicine.
New Website Information Helps Consumers Compare Hospitals - [03/28/08]
Summary: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this month posted new survey information at the Hospital Compare website, offering consumers more insight about the hospitals in their communities. The website provides three critical types of information about healthcare providers: quality information, patient satisfaction survey information, and pricing information for specific procedures. This information can help consumers make effective decisions about the quality and value of the healthcare available to them through local hospitals.
Comment: Much of the information is based on the first nationwide survey of patients about their experience during a hospital stay. Although the pricing and volume information pertains specifically to Medicare payments, the quality and satisfaction results provide useful comparison data for any patients, regardless of who pays for the services. A link to the Hospital Compare website is provided below.
Read article - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. March 28, 2008.
Read article - Hospital Compare website.
Music Therapy Can Help Improve the Mood of Patients - [03/22/08]
Summary: Hospitals and other health care establishments are now using music to help calm patients, improve their mood, and help them express their feelings. Many employ professional music therapists, but less formal programs can also be helpful. The therapy has been seen to reduce anxiety, help depressed patients express their feelings, and even help infants to relax and sleep.
Comment: The article notes that, while self-help through music can often be effective in changing one's mood, it is not actually music therapy. Music therapy involves and interpersonal process where an expert uses their knowledge to specifically address a client’s needs. When this therapy is administered by a licensed therapist it can achieve positive outcomes in multiple areas of physical and mental wellbeing.
Read article - healthfinder.gov. March 22, 2008.