By focusing on well-known examples, Goodall, through his compelling writing style, points to easily identifiable signposts that trapped “great” men. The profiles in Why Great Men Fall give pause to others in similar environments: corporate execs, mini
A single protein in the brain influences arousal of despair, according to new study in mice. Brain biopsies revealed that mice trying hardest to escape shocks had highest levels of delta-FosB - which may also help humans avoid hopelessness & helplessness.
Weak willpower & procrastination caused by dopamine hypofunction is one of those neurological deficiencies which effort alone can't overcome. Happily, in our transhuman paradise, even the most lethargic spirit can move mountains.
Modafinil induces wakefulness, but its dopamine-releasing action in the nucleus accumbens is weak and dose-dependent; no likelihood of euphoric response ('abuse potential').
Authorities report that more than half the population experiences trauma, which makes people more likely to develop PTSD, depression, anxiety and physical illness later in life. Now, a new study finds that among ‘healthy’ individuals, those who displa
The social avoidance that normally develops when a mouse repeatedly experiences defeat by a dominant animal disappears when it lacks a gene for a memory molecule in a brain circuit for social learning, scientists funded by the National Institutes of Healt
This cross-sectional study aims to systematically assess and compare parenting stress in families of children with various types of disabilities. Open access article - no login required
The primary goal of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating habit training into an app-based meditation intervention to maintain reductions in depressive symptoms among autistic adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The study reinforces findings from the existing literature that, in the context of comorbid anxiety and depression, anxiety seems to have an earlier age of onset. Early identification and intervention for anxiety disorders may therefore help to prevent the developmental of other comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as depression or additional anxiety disorders.
By investigating parents’ depression and how it can be associated with children’s emotional difficulties, this study showed that if untreated, mental ill-health can have significant long-lasting effects on the mother, father and children.
As this study points out, the activating and associating depressive symptoms between family members can be targeted for more rapid recovery, and may be key to identifying who might be more at risk of developing depression in young children, and later unintentionally influencing the transmission of depression.
Overall, this research brings to light many ways in which access can be improved. However, as the authors mention, it is important to keep in mind that the process of improving access is not a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, programs that aim to improve access should carefully consider their target audience and combine a variety of complementary strategies. In conclusion, the authors talk about practice guidelines. They suggest that each category of healthcare providers would benefit from specific guidelines on improving access to CBT through their specific roles.
Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) is a risk factor for the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. However, it is not clear whether CEM is more strongly related to specific symptoms of depression and whether specific traits or cognitive states may mediate the association between CEM and depressive symptoms. In our cross-sectional study, including 72 patients with a current depressive episode, we investigated if CEM is specifically related to cognitive symptoms of depression.
Previously improving UK mortality trends stalled around 2012, with evidence implicating economic policy as the cause. This paper examines whether trends in psychological distress across three population surveys show similar trends. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Despite limitations, the findings from this study have important clinical and research implications for treating adolescent depression.
For clinicians, it may be beneficial at the beginning of a case of treatment for adolescent depression to develop a set of personalised outcome goals with the patient, with recognition that this is likely to vary greatly between individuals. Treatment could then be jointly chosen by the patient and clinician to ensure these priorities are addressed. This approach could also take into account what the patient thinks their key problem areas are, and what they consider to be valuable improvements. This would also provide a good framework when reviewing clinical decisions of whether to continue or change treatments.
Mother and father depression symptoms often co-occur, and together can have a substantial impact on child emotional well-being. Little is understood about symptom-level mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of depression symptoms within families. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Personality traits underlying both anxiety disorders and depression are more malleable than previously presumed. This study examined associations between changes in personality traits (i.e. negative affectivity and detachment) and alleviation of anxiety and depression symptoms following cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
This paper highlights the need for more research, as there was little empirical evidence establishing the specific intervention mechanisms. With further investigation, this could support clinicians to refine existing interventions for depression and anxiety to ensure the most effective underlying mechanisms are incorporated into treatment plans.
The qualitative findings imply the importance of co-design and co-evaluation with young people using therapeutic services. It suggests that service-user forums are necessary to help clinicians identify treatment barriers, and therefore should be encouraged to ensure the best outcomes for service-user and service by designing the most effective interventions.
Psychological interventions for depression/anxiety should target more and more diverse intrapersonal emotion regulation skills. More specifically, therapies focusing on improving engagement emotion regulation skills and reducing disengagement emotion regulation skills and emotion dysregulation seem particularly impactful. Additionally, long treatments with six or more sessions, cognitive behavioural therapies and group interventions should be favoured.
The evidence for the effect of therapeutic alliance in group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders is unclear. Identifying whether the alliance–outcome relationship depends on (1) which components are assessed, (2) who is measuring the alliance and (3) when the alliance is measured will help to clarify the role of the client–therapist relationship in therapy. The present study explored the effects of alliance component (agreement vs. bond), rater perspective (client vs. therapist) and timing (early vs. late therapy) on the alliance–outcome relationship.. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
There are increased prescribing rates of antidepressants associated with an increase in the diagnosis of depression. However, antidepressants are not effective for many people. There is a gap in the existing literature for a synthesis of the experiences of those with lived experience of antidepressant use to better understand their use and impact given their ubiquitous use in mental health, primary care and other secondary and tertiary care settings. Mental health nurses play direct or indirect roles in both advocating for antidepressant use and monitoring adherence.
Most studies on the health impact of occupational stress use single-point measures of stress at work. This study analyses the associations of properties of entire employment trajectories over an extended time period with a composite score of allostatic load (AL). To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
This descriptive study aimed to present the characteristics and needs of refugee women who attended a psychosocial walk-in clinic addressing pregnant refugees’ and new mothers’ maternity mental healthcare needs in a state registration and reception centre in Germany. To read the full article, choose “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is common and debilitating. The standard of care includes light therapy provided by a light box; however, this treatment is restrictive and only moderately effective. Advances in LED technology enable lighting solutions that emit vastly more light than traditional light boxes. Here, we assess the feasibility of BROAD (Bright, whole-ROom, All-Day) light therapy and get a first estimate for its potential effectiveness.
This meta-analysis showed that school-based depression and anxiety prevention programmes have small but positive effects. However, these effects dissipate in the long term, at 12 months follow-up. Additionally, targeted programmes seem to be more efficient compared to universal ones, and programmes delivered by external professionals show better outcomes compared to programmes delivered by school staff.