The Dangers of Copycat SuicideNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 27, 2009When a high-profile or celebrity commits suicide, it’s predictably all over the news. In fact, you can’t escape the mass media coverage. Not only do the headlines scream out from the front pages of newspapers, but the television coverage is blatantly exploitative, prying into every nook and cranny of the celebrity’s life – before, during…
Women at Greater Risk of Depression after StrokeMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 26, 2009Depression is a common side effect for a person who has suffered a stroke. In fact, it happens in as many as one-third of patients. According to a large new review of studies in the field, post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death.
Researchers Identify Gene Deletion that Leads to Learning and Behavior IssuesNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 25, 2009When an individual has challenges in their learning and behavior, parents and doctors usually want to know why. Now, a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine in a report said that the loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and…
Series Examines Treatment Gap for Disorders in Low and Middle Income CountriesNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 24, 2009Treating mental and neurological disorders and substance abuse is imperative if an individual hopes to lead a productive life. For those living in low and middle income countries, as many as 90 percent of these disorders go untreated, creating a “treatment gap.” Science Daily recently posted a release highlighting a new series by PLoS Medicine…
Ethnic Pride Good for Mental HealthNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 23, 2009Can your ethnicity play into your mental health? According to a new study, it can. This study, carried out by researchers at Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and Walden University, and featured in a Science Daily release, found that most adolescents who belong to an ethnic minority group wrestle with self-esteem and identity issues unique…
An Interview with Kimberly Mitchell: Residential Manager at PromisesFeaturedBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 22, 2009“This is the first time in my life that I actually enjoy going to work every day,” said Kimberly Mitchell, Residential Manager of Promises in West Los Angeles. “I get to move around and help people, and every day I’m inspired by the staff and the clients,” she added. Nearly four years ago, Kimberly was…
Early Intervention for Behavioral Problems in Autistic Children Could Negate MedicationNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 22, 2009While it is often said that children do not come with training manuals, one type of child just might. The Science Daily recently posted a release that examined a study evaluating the serious behavior problems associated with children suffering from autism and related conditions. This Yale University study found that serious behavior problems can be…
Adolescents’ Perception of Risk & Drug UseAdolescent IssuesBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 21, 2009Adolescents are under a constant barrage of information, between school, extracurricular activities and parental instruction. As they gain more freedom with friends and time, however, one area of instruction is critical: the risks of substance abuse. Adolescents’ perceptions of risk associated with a behavior are closely related to their choices, with an inverse association between…
Depressed Individuals Tend to Exaggerate SymptomsNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 20, 2009Do you remember when you had a sore finger as a child and mom would make it feel better by simply applying a band aid and a kiss? It is quite likely that the finger did not hurt as much as we would like to believe and when we received the attention and comfort desired,…
Climate Change Adversely Affects Mentally IllNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 20, 2009Climate change receives a lot of press, but most of this coverage is on the dangers we face in light of a threatened environment. One element that tends to be overlooked is the health consequences of climate change – most notably mental health. A recent post in the Science Daily notes that leading mental health…
