Living with PTSD

'Mangia, Mangia!' -- Certain Foods Fight Depression

Research led by Associate Professor of Psychiatry William A. Carlezon Jr. confirmed the antidepressant-like effects of omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish like sardines, tuna, and Atlantic salmon, and some plant sources such as canola oil and walnuts.

Carlezon and colleagues also found that uridine, a compound found in sugar beets and molasses, has similar effects. When both compounds were used together, they were found to be effective in lower doses. The research was reported in a recent issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Read the entire story: 'Mangia, Mangia!' -- Certain Foods Fight Depression.

Depression May Up Risk of Dementia in Men

Men with a history of depression long before the onset of any memory or other cognitive problems have a substantially higher risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD), later in life, a study indicates. This risk is not observed in women.

Read the entire story: Depression May Up Risk of Dementia in Men.

Coping with anxiety

According to a recent UK government survey, more than 10% of the population suffer from neurotic anxiety disorders. Eighty million prescriptions for tranquillisers and antidepressants were dispensed in 1994 - and the number has risen rapidly since then. Some 60% of employees apparently suffer from feelings of insecurity and anxiety. What is the cause? And how can the Bible help us?

Link: Coping with anxiety by Sharon James. Article at www.evangelical-times.org

Trauma stress 'under-recognised'

Continued stress and anxiety after traumatic experiences is far more common than realised, say experts.

Five in 100 men and 10 in 100 women will get post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence says.

It says PTSD is under-recognised in the NHS and is urging better screening and treatment by issuing new guidelines.

Symptoms, including flashbacks, anger, anxiety and depression, can occur soon after a traumatic event or years later.

Link: BBC NEWS | Health | Trauma stress 'under-recognised'.

Experimental Therapy for Treating Depression Helping Some

The American medical community is hopeful that a new, experimental therapy will help more than 19 million Americans who suffer from depression. Doctors are using magnets to "re-wire" the brain to end the often debilitating affects of depression.

Read the article and watch the video report: Experimental Therapy for Treating Depression Helping Some.

Is Depression Contagious?

Like the flu, depression is a highly contagious disorder that can be transmitted socially. It is especially apt to take up residence in a household, jumping from one family member to others. And just as individuals can be depressed, so can whole families, often without their awareness.

Read the entire article, with some practical suggestions at Link: Psychology Today: Is Depression Contagious?.

Ecstasy may trigger gene-linked depression - News

IF YOU have a family history of depression, you should probably think twice about taking ecstasy. The drug appears to trigger depression in people with a genetic susceptibility to the condition.

Link: Ecstasy may trigger gene-linked depression

This is a little scary, since they are talking about using Ecstasy with people with PTSD.

Quality of Care for Primary Care Patients With Anxiety Disorders -- Stein et al. 161 (12): 2230 -- American Journal of Psychiatry

Approximately one-third of patients with anxiety disorders had received counseling from their primary care provider in the prior 3 months. Fewer than 10% had receiving counseling from a mental health professional that included multiple elements of cognitive behavior therapy. Approximately 40% had received appropriate antianxiety medications in the previous 3 months, although only 25% had received them at a minimally adequate dose and duration. Overall, fewer than one in three patients had received either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy that met a criterion for quality care. In multivariate analyses, patients with comorbid depression and/or medical illness were more likely—and patients from ethnic minorities were less likely—to receive appropriate antianxiety medications. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of quality care for anxiety disorders are moderate to low in university-affiliated primary care practices. Although an appropriate type of pharmacotherapy was frequently used, it was often of inadequate duration. Cognitive behavior therapy was markedly underused. These findings emphasize the need for practice guidelines and implementation of quality improvement programs for anxiety disorders in primary care.

Link: Quality of Care for Primary Care Patients With Anxiety Disorders.

Hippocampal Volume in Adult Burn Patients With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder -- Winter and Irle 161 (12): 2194 -- American Journal of Psychiatry

PTSD is not a necessary condition for small hippocampal size in trauma-exposed individuals. Rather, the results provide evidence that smaller hippocampal size in trauma-exposed individuals is a result of traumatic stress. The posttraumatic application of NMDA antagonists may protect against hippocampal damage induced by traumatic stressors but increases the patient’s risk of developing PTSD symptoms.

Link: Hippocampal Volume in Adult Burn Patients With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Comorbid With Major Depression: Factors Mediating the Association With Suicidal Behavior

"PTSD is frequently comorbid with major depressive episode, and their co-occurrence enhances the risk for suicidal behavior. A higher rate of comorbid cluster B personality disorder appears to be a salient factor contributing to greater risk for suicidal acts in patients with a history of major depressive episode who also have PTSD, compared to those with major depressive episode alone."

Link: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Comorbid With Major Depression: Factors Mediating the Association With Suicidal Behavior