Mental Health
Depression
Lifestyle Latest News
Preventing Falls - [10/22/08]
Summary: Falls are a serious health concern for millions of Americans. Some risk factors for falls include mobility difficulties, depression, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and hearing loss. Tips for avoiding falls include getting annual physical exams, consuming diets with adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D, not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, exercise, keeping homes safe from hazards, and wearing shoes with no-skid soles.
Comment: Every year more than 11 million Americans fall and injure themselves, resulting in 368,000 hip fractures last year. Seniors and those at risk for falls should follow the tips and guidelines issued to prevent falls. Making small changes in lifestyle can protect those with depression from falls and injuries.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com October 22, 2008
Stigmas Facing those with Mental Health Disorders - [07/21/08]
Summary: 9 out of 10 people with a mental health disorder report facing stigma and discrimination. Often the stigmas exist even in those that would be expected to accept a person's mental health disorder. This includes 36% of family, 35% of employers, 31% of neighbors, and 25% of friends. Those discriminating the least are children at 5%, teachers with 8%, and shopkeepers and public transport workers, both at 10%.
Comment: The stigmas faced by those with mental health disorders make it harder for them to enjoy their life and have the same opportunities as others. Discrimination and stigmas can affect people with mental health disorders by making it harder for them to get jobs, make new friends, and go out to public shops and restaurants. It is important to find friends and family members who are accepting of mental health disorders, and learn to cope with the stigmas.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 21, 2008
Exercise Can Combat Depression - [07/15/08]
Summary: Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular and brain heatlh, but it can also help improve depression. The endorphins released by exercise can make you feel good, and exercise also leads to a boost in your mood, self-esteem, and confidence.
Comment: You don't have to do 60 minutes of extreme exercise a day to reap the benefits of exercise on your mood. Even small amounts of exercise can help you self-manage your depression. Setting small goals and reaching them is a good first step to getting the benefits of exercise.
Read article - Mayo Clinic. July 15, 2008.
Ten Health Tips for a Healthier You - [07/13/08]
Summary: A healthy lifestyle is the key to treating, preventing, or lessening the effects of almost every disease and condition. These ten tips are designed to help build a healthier body and lifestyle.
Comment: Tips include: walking 20 to 30 minutes a day, for weight loss, eating "black" foods, such as black mushrooms or licorice, to prevent cancer, heart disease, and slow aging, and preventing dimensia by treating hypertension.
Read article - Health News Digest. July 13, 2008.
Working Overtime Tied to Depression - [06/19/08]
Summary: Working overtime could put you at risk for developing depression or other anxiety disorders. Men who worked under 40 hours a week were at a 9% possibility for depression, while men working over 40 hours a week were at 12.5%. For women under 40 hours the risk was 7% and for women over 40 hours it was 11%.
Comment: The reasons for these links were not explained, but for men working the most overtime, from 9-60 hours a week, had the greatest risk for depression. Those with lower skill levels and education doing manual labor were also at a higher risk. Even men working a moderate amount of overtime showed a higher risk for developing depression.
Read article - healthfinder.gov June 19, 2008
Poor Sleep Linked to Suicidal Behavior - [06/14/08]
Summary: Adolescents with bipolar or unipolar disorder, or who suffer from episodes of depression are also more likely to suffer from sleep disturbances. A strong association has been also been found between poor sleep and suicidal behavior.
Comment: Amount and quality of sleep can make a significant difference in an adolescent's behavioral, mental, and overall health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has made a few suggestions for teenagers to obtain a good nights sleep, they include: following a consistent bedtime routine, establishing a relaxing setting at bedtime, and getting a full night's sleep every night.
Read article - Medical News Today. June 14, 2008.
Exercise Can Help Release Negative Feelings - [05/31/08]
Summary: A new book has tips on how to use exercise to releave sadness, anger, hopelessness, and other emotions. The author suggests walking, running, tennis, and cycling as well as methods of thought to uncover causes of your feelings.
Comment: Exercise has long been known to help relax and calm the body and the mind. This article describes several scenarios through which a patients can use exercise to combat stress.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com. May 31, 2008.
Leisure Activities Can Boost Health and Well-Being - [05/10/08]
Summary: The American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine have established guidelines recommending 30 minutes of moderate daily activity for adults. Among older adults, experts have found that leisure activities that keep people engaged and physically active help to promote a healthier life and help prevent many diseases linked to aging. Ballroom dancing, for example, develops movement and balance, keeps the mind active, and requires participants to be emotionally engaged. Other suggested forms of movement are gardening, yoga, water aerobics, and tai chi.
Comment: The most beneficial leisure activities are those are intellectual, physical, spiritual, social, and purposeful. In fact, any purposeful movement, even as simple as playing the Nintendo Wii, provide significant benefits to elderly people over more sedentary activities.
Read article - Health News Digest. May 10, 2008.
Optimists Enjoy Better Health - [05/09/08]
Summary: According to a series of studies, optimists enjoy better health than pessimists. But people who are healthy are likely to have a brighter outlook than people who are ill. So scientists adjusted their analyses to account for pre-existing medical conditions and found that existing illnesses do not tarnish the benefits of optimism.
Comment: One explanation may be that optimists lead healthier lifestyles. Or it could be that optimism has biological benefits.
Read article - Harvard Health Publication. May 9. 2008.
Mental Illness Costs Billions in Lost Earnings - [05/07/08]
Summary: Major mental disorders, such as clinical depression, cost the nation at least $193 billion annually in lost earnings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), indirect costs include lost earning potential, treatment for coexisting conditions, Social Security payments, homelessness, and incarceration.
Comment: The huge indirect social costs of mental illness dwarf the direct costs of medication, clinic visits, and hospitalization. The findings from this study should help mental health advocates argue for more public funding to treat mental illness in an attempt to avoid the significant social costs.
Read article - National Institutes of Health. May 7, 2008.