Publications on Mental Health Topics

Protecting Children From Toxic Stress, by David Bornstein, New York Times , Oct 30 2013.

“For more than a decade, researchers have understood that frequent or continual stress on young children who lack adequate protection and support from adults, is strongly associated with increases in the risks of lifelong health and social problems. ”

Social Media Is Redefining 'Depression', by Anne-Sophie Bine, The Atlantic, Oct 28 2013.

“This online cultivation of beautiful sadness is easy to join: anyone can take a picture, turn it black and white, pair it with a quote about misunderstood turmoil, and automatically be gratified with compassion and pity. And this readily accessible sea of dark poetry could easily drown out those whose suffering has reached the clinical level. During the vulnerable years during which adolescents seek out self-affirmation and recognition from others, this new, easy promise of being recognized as strong, beautiful, and mysterious by Tumblr followers can be very tempting, says Dr. Mark Reinecke, chief psychologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. ”

CBT, Psychdynamic Psychotherapy Found Effective for Anorexia, by Rick Nauert, Oct 22 2013.

“A large study has shown that outpatient psychotherapy is an effective treatment approach for adult women with anorexia. Investigators evaluated two new treatment strategies and compared the outcomes to a treatment as normal group. They found that even after the conclusion of therapy, the new approaches fostered continued weight gains. ”

First responders still in grip of Marathon’s horror, by David Abel, Boston Globe, Oct 15 2013.

“Public health officials and trauma therapists warn that first responders who took part in the rescue of the more than 260 people hit by the shrapnel or otherwise injured should remain vigilant about symptoms such as heightened anxiety, inability to relax, increased irritability, and feeling detached. Small fissures that, over time, could widen into deep, psychological cracks. First responders are especially vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health specialists say, because they often work in professions that value stoicism and they can be chided or castigated for revealing signs of distress. Ignoring their symptoms can compound their misery, allowing problems to fester, especially when added to the cumulative strain of responding to other tragedies. ”

Help for Seniors Who Are Drowning in Clutter, by Jim T. Miller, Huffington Post Blog, Oct 15 2013.

“This article provides some common reason as to why older adults/  the elderly engage in hoarding behaviors. Further, brief recommendations are given as to how to help older adults and the elderly  who are struggling with hoarding related behaviors. Lastly,  hoarding related resources are also provided. ”

Body Responses to Trauma Images Can Predict PTSD Risk, by Rick Nauert, Psych Central , Oct 10 2013.

“Researchers from several universities and health institutes have discovered a new biological method to help predict if an adult may be at risk for a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. ”

Inmates With Mental Illnesses Neglected Inside Toughest U.S. Prison, by Pete Earley, Oct 9 2013.

“More horror stories are surfacing about prisoners with mental illnesses allegedly being abused and neglected inside the federal government’s most secretive maximum security penitentiary. ”

Sexual violence common among teens. Feeling responsible isn't., by Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, Oct 7 2013.

“Nearly 1 in 10 young Americans between ages 14 and 21 acknowledges having perpetrated an act of sexual violence at least once, and 4% of a nationally representative sample of American kids reported attempting or completing rape, a new study finds. ”

How to talk to your children about school safety, by Elizabeth Gehrman, Oct 6 2013.

“More schools are beefing up security, adding metal detectors, surveillance cameras, and more. Parents need to be ready to help their children understand why. ”

Rep. Ellen Story calls Miriam Carey death 'wake up call' on postpartum depression, by Anne-Gerard Flynn, The Republican, Oct 5 2013.

“I am deeply distressed about, and sorry for the tragic death of Miriam Carey. It is a wake-up call for all of us to do everything we can to identify and treat postpartum depression, said Rep. Ellen Story D-Amherst, co-chairperson of the commission, and author of the 2010 Massachusetts Postpartum Depression legislation. ”

Deleted genes offer autism clues, by BBC News, BBC , Oct 3 2013.

“US researchers looked at the genetic profiles of more than 431 people with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and 379 without. They found those with an ASD were more likely to have just one copy of certain genes, when they should have had two. UK experts said genetic factors were one promising area of research into the causes of autism. About 1% of the population has an ASD. They can run in families - but scientists have not identified a cause. Gene deletions or additions happen in everyone - it is why people are different. It is which genes are affected that determines what the effect is. ”

Study finds 1 in 3 bipolar teens become substance abusers, by Rick Nauert, Psych Central , Oct 3 2013.

“As published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, researchers found that approximately one in three teens with bipolar disorder developed substance abuse. The new study also identified several risk factors that predicted who among these teens was most likely to develop substance abuse. ”

Bullying and Cyberbullying, by Englander, Elizabeth, Oct 1 2013.

Full Catastrophic Living, by John Kabat-Zin, Sep 24 2013.

7 Essential Steps Parents Can Take to Prevent Teen Suicide, by Nadine Kaslow, Polina Kitsis, et al., American Psychological Assosciation, Sep 23 2013.

“Every day, about 12 youth die by suicide. For every adolescent death by suicide you hear about, about 25 suicide attempts are made. These are staggering statistics. We know that families, schools, peer groups, and communities are dramatically impacted when young people engage in suicidal behavior. We want to help you prevent these tragedies. Parents Can Make a Difference Parents can help prevent suicide by recognizing warning signs, identifying risk factors (characteristics that may lead a young person to engage in suicidal behaviors), promoting protective factors (characteristics that help people deal with stress and reduce their chances of engaging in suicidal behaviors), and knowing how to talk to their children and seek mental health services. You can empower yourself and your teen by following these 7 steps. ”