Monthly Archives: September 2009
Depression’s Evolutionary Roots
depression seems to pose an evolutionary paradox. Research in the US and other countries estimates that between 30 to 50 percent of people have met current psychiatric diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder sometime in their lives. But the brain plays crucial roles in promoting survival and reproduction, so the pressures of evolution should have … Continue reading
The 2009 hurricane season heats up: Ana, Claudette and Bill
After a slow start, the 2009 hurricane season is kicking off in a big way. Currently, three named storms are swirling around the Atlantic, including the season’s first hurricane, Bill. Tropical depression Ana , which first appeared last week but never became a full-fledged storm, is now causing extremely wet weather in the Caribbean … Continue reading
MIND on Pain: The Psychology of Pain (preview)
Several years ago an elderly man came into the emergency room at Cook County Hospital in Chicago with a large, painful abscess (boil) on the back of his neck. When I told him he needed a minor procedure to lance the boil and drain it, he became ashen, asking, “Doc, is this going to hurt?” … Continue reading
Antidepressants linked to heart defects in newborns: study
Danish researchers say women who take Zoloft, Celexa, and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants during the first three months of pregnancy may have a slightly increased risk of having a baby with heart defects. Technorati Tags: Antidepressants, Celexa, Danish Researchers, First Three Months, First Three Months Of Pregnancy, Having A Baby, Heart Defects, Months … Continue reading
Angst may protect against skin cancer: study
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine say periods of short-term stress appear to boost the immune system and help protect against a type of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. Technorati Tags: Cancer Study, Carcinoma, Immune System, Medicine, Periods, School Of Medicine, Scientists, Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stanford University School, Stanford University … Continue reading
When grief won’t go away
A health reporter talks to experts about a disorder known as complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder, an extreme form of mourning that can send people into “a loop of suffering” that causes them to withdraw from humanity. Technorati Tags: Complicated Grief, Health Reporter, Suffering
I check out the index of books on teen suicide& puberty, Guess how many even have one page on homosexuality?
teen suicide: 43% do, even though they are 300% more likely to kill themselves then straight teens. Puberty: 16% (meaning if you buy 10 books only 2 would have even one page on homosexuality.) Why is this? Maybe homosexuality and suicide are not studied in correlation of eachother? (I know it is, just not nearly … Continue reading
Depression with celiac disease
Depression may be due to the mal-absorption of nutrients. Mal-absorption could interfere with the neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Researchers found a possible link between brain function, depression, and mal-absorption. Vitamin B12 deficiency will also contribute to depression as well as dementia. Celiac disease is one of the major causes of depression. In most of the … Continue reading