Too Much Light at Night Can Lead to Symptoms of Depression in MiceMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 21, 2009Too much light at night can lead to symptoms of depression, according to a new study. Researchers found that mice housed in a lighted room 24 hours a day exhibited more depressive symptoms than did similar mice that had a normal light-dark cycle. However, mice that lived in constant light but could escape into a…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Death After SurgeryNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 20, 2009A new study suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with death after surgery. Researchers found that veterans with PTSD were more likely to die within a year after surgery than those without the disease, regardless of how many years had passed since their service.
Stages of Compulsive GamblingAddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 19, 2009Compulsive or pathological gambling is a progressive illness, a psychological disorder which is just as difficult to overcome as addiction to alcohol or drugs. The compulsive gambler experiences a series of stages, each with its own warning signs. While the number of stages varies from 3 to 5, depending on the source, all are similar…
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Better for Treating Seasonal Affective DisorderMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 19, 2009Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of severe depression that occurs annually in the fall and winter seasons. University of Vermont psychologist Kelly Rohan presented the first published research study of the long-term effects of different treatments for SAD in the September issue of the journal Behavior Therapy.
Anti-Depressant Associated with Increase in Suicidal Thoughts in MenMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 16, 2009The popular anti-depressant Nortriptyline has been found to cause a ten-fold increase in suicidal thoughts in men when compared to its competitor escitalopram. Nortriptyline is marketed under the brand names Sensoval, Aventyl, Pamelor, Norpress, Allegron, and Nortrilen. Escitalopram is marketed as Lexapro and Cipralex. Science Daily reports that the research was carried out by Dr.…
Mental Health Issues Affect Job PerformanceNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 15, 2009Mental health issues can impact the effectiveness of an individual at his or her job. When a person is wrapped up in their own thoughts—especially unhealthy thoughts—they can easily ignore the task at hand and focus only on what is going on mentally. According to a study announced by the American College of Occupational and…
Study Examines Preventing Anxiety in Children of Anxious ParentsNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 14, 2009In a new pilot study, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center attempted to prevent or mitigate anxiety disorders among children of anxious parents. In the investigation, researchers used a family-based program of cognitive behavioral therapy with generally positive results.
Are You a Workaholic?AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 14, 2009Are you spending more and more time at the office? Has this behavior increased over the past six months to a year? Do you think – or suspect – that you may be a workaholic? This is no joking matter, for a true workaholic is headed for some potentially serious physical and psychological problems. How…
Children with Mental Health Problems Have Greater Risk of ObesityNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 13, 2009It has long been known that there is a connection between mental health and physical health. As a result, there is also a connection between mental wellness and obesity. According to a new study, children with emotional difficulties are at a higher risk for developing obesity in adult life.
Pre-Natal Exposure to Antidepressants Can Influence Newborn’s HealthMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthOctober 13, 2009A new report shows that exposure to a certain class of antidepressant medications during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, a low five-minute Apgar score (a measure of overall health of the baby), and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The study, published in the October issue of Archives…