Living with PTSD

Incarcerated Male Adolescents Suffer Ill Effects from Abuse

Newswise — Sexually abused teenage boys in jail are just as likely as their female counterparts to suffer from depression, a University of Florida study finds.

The findings challenge the perception that depression among jailed juvenile delinquents is mostly a female problem and point to the need to address it before inmates are released and commit other crimes that land them in jail again, said Angela Gover, a UF criminology professor.

“Depression has been found to be the most common psychological symptom experienced by survivors of childhood sexual abuse, but as a society we’ve focused much more on childhood sexual abuse in females than in males,” she said.

Link: Newswise | Incarcerated Male Adolescents Suffer Ill Effects from Abuse.

Health 24 - Mind, Abuse

Women who were abused as children are more than twice as likely to get depressed as adults than women who reported no abuse, a new study shows.

Seeing or experiencing violence as a child may cause some kind of brain insult, which changes the brain's chemistry, the researchers suggest.

"We've seen numerous studies in that past that have shown a relationship between childhood violence, both sexual and physical, and adult depression in women," says study author Lauren Wise, who is studying for her doctoral degree at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Link: Health 24 - Mind, Abuse.

Feeling safe and secure? CUMC scientists find it's all in the caudoputamen

Discovery of brain's first known 'safety circuit' gives new perspective on anxiety disorders -

Scientists at Columbia University Medical Center have made a surprising finding about positive emotions that should change the way people think about anxiety disorders.

The researchers - Michael Rogan and Nobel laureate Eric Kandel - discovered that a previously unknown "safety circuit" exists deep within the brain and is responsible for the good feelings associated with safety and security. The findings appear in the April 21 issue of Neuron.

Link: Feeling safe and secure? CUMC scientists find it's all in the caudoputamen.

Free Help Available for Anxiety Sufferers on National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day May 4, 2005

NEW YORK, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- What do Barbara Streisand, Donny Osmond, Carly Simon, and 17 million Americans have in common? They have all suffered from an anxiety disorder, one of America's most common mental illnesses. Individuals who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience a variety of symptoms that can include spontaneous panic attacks, endlessly checking and rechecking their actions, persistent and uncontrollable worry, and anxiety in social situations. Anxiety disorders include: Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Phobia, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

With the increase of environmental disasters in the world such as hurricanes, earthquakes, the Iraq war, and September 11, psychiatric researchers have noted an increase in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after individuals experienced any severely distressing or traumatic event.

Untreated anxiety disorders often can lead to substance abuse, depression, and even suicide. To help individuals learn about anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and effective treatments, mental health professionals are available for this screening as part of a free national outreach program. The program includes viewing a video, completing a screening questionnaire, meeting a doctor or mental health professional to review the questionnaire, and receiving information about various anxiety disorders and mental illnesses.

"Anxiety disorders bring tremendous suffering and pain to millions of Americans each year," says Mary Guardino, founder of the National Anxiety Disorders Screening Project. "That's the sad news; the good news is these illnesses can quickly and effectively be treated. Participating in the screening day on May 4, 2005, is the first step in finding help."

For additional information, or to find a screening site in your area, please call toll free, 1-888-442-2022, or visit our Web site at http://www.freedomfromfear.org.

Depression: An Expert Interview With James C.-Y. Chou, MD

How do specific differences in Eastern and Western cultures lead to different perspectives on depression? And what are the practical clinical ramifications of these differences for the diagnosis and treatment of depression in Asians? On behalf of Medscape, Randall F. White, MD, interviewed James C.-Y. Chou, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine and Staff Psychiatrist, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, NY.

Link: Depression: An Expert Interview With James C.-Y. Chou, MD.

(You need a free membership in order to read this.)

Congress looks at consistency in veterans' disability claims

Randy Reese, national service director for Disabled American Veterans, said individual veterans can only guess whether they’ve been treated equitably by the claim adjudicators in comparison to peers. But DAV, with national service officers in every state, confirms that inconsistencies in VA decision-making exist between regions and sometimes within regions, between individual disability rating boards, Reese said.

The greatest inconsistencies occur with mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, said Randy Reese, national service director for Disabled American Veterans.

Link: Congress looks at consistency in veterans' disability claims.

NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America

Every journey begins with that first step. In 2005, thousands of concerned citizens in more than 50 communities across the nation will join the Campaign for the Mind of America and walk together to raise money and awareness about our country's need for a world-class treatment and recovery system for people with mental illness.

Find out when they'll be walking in your area: NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America.

'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