August 29, 200610:59 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Some Childhood Cancer Survivors Face Suicide Risk As Adults

There have been many studies on the relatedness of depression and suicidality during treatment of cancer. However, there have been very few studies on the effects of treatment on childhood cancer survivors in the years subsequent to treatment. A recent study suggested that, “the pain, depression, and other aspects of diagnosis and treatment can turn thoughts in adulthood to suicide…” The study focused on 100 men and 126 women with an average age of 28. 29 of the participants were reported to have suicidal ideation according to the Beck Depression Inventory and Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Out of the group, 4% had actually attempted suicide. This is higher than normal population reports. The following is an excerpt of the article:

Of 226 adult survivors of childhood cancer, 29 (13%), reported suicidal symptoms nearly two decades after diagnosis and successful treatment , said Christopher J. Recklitis, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here, and colleagues reported in the Aug. 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

“Despite the substantial literature describing suicidality in patients undergoing cancer therapy, few studies have examined suicidal symptoms in the years after treatment,” Dr. Recklitis and colleagues wrote.

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10:56 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

After Years of Sobriety, Alcoholics’ Brains Near Normal Function

A recent study conducted by George Fein, Ph.D. and colleagues found that early rehab for alcoholics can result in a nearly full mental recovery. The study was conducted among 48 alcoholics studied after 7-13yrs of sobriety. According to Dr. Fein, “We found pretty much full recovery… we weren’t expecting that.” This is with some exception, particularly regarding spatial processing, a function that affects one’s mapping and orientation skills. Below is an excerpt:

A group of 48 alcoholics who had remained sober for an average of nearly seven years (and some as long as 13 years), performed essentially the same on an extensive battery of neurocognitive tests as a group of healthy controls, George Fein, Ph.D., and colleagues reported in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Previous studies have shown that the brain bounces back substantially over the first month to year of sobriety, but few studies have assessed mental function after years of abstinence, said Dr. Fein, formerly of the University of California San Francisco, is now with the company Neurobehavioral Research.

Click Here to Read “After Years of Sobriety, Alcoholics’ Brains Near Normal Function”

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August 21, 20064:48 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Centenarians say faith is source of longevity

A recent survey performed by Evercare, a provider of health care plans for the disabled and chronically ill, offered some fascinating findings. The study, focusing on 100 people between the ages of 100 and 104, found that 23% of centenarians attributed faith in God to their longevity. Among faith, “work, diet… and a clean life” were also credited with longevity.

In addition to polling the group about the cause of longevity, Evercare asked the people surveys what they found most fulfilling in life. The most popular answer was raising a family at 30% with career coming in a close second at 20%. Below is an excerpt of the article:

In a survey of 100 people between the ages of 100 and 104, 23 percent said faith rather than genes and good medical care were responsible for their long life. Other factors given included hard work, a healthy diet and “living a good, clean life.” Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said there was nothing they would have done more of in their lives and 78 percent said there is nothing they would have done less.

This is a fascinating survey and I would have to agree with the resulting popular opinions of those surveyed. However, I wonder if Boomers and Xers, with increasingly sedentary lifestyles and changing societal dynamics in general, will enjoy the same longevity.

Click here to read “Centenarians say faith is source of longevity”

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August 11, 20062:52 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Poor Body Image Begets Unhealthy Activity in Teens

Many parents have used the strategy of essentially imposing guilt on overweight teens, feeling that they need “a wake up call.” This strategy may backfire causing even more unhealthy habits. A recent study among twenty five hundred teens reported findings that would indicate body image has a direct impact on lifestyle choices. More specifically, negative body image causes less of a desire to make healthy choices. The study found that “poor body image actually leads to self-perpetuating unhealthy weight control behaviors… binge eating, and lessening of physical activity.” Taking a positive approach to weight issues may be a more productive strategy. Discussing the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise for instance could cause a much greater response to parental promptings to improve lifestyle choices. Below is an excerpt of the article:

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 10 — Teens with a poor body image tend to behave in ways that are self-perpetuating, researchers here said, and may react better to positive encouragement rather than to criticism.

These youths tend to fall into unhealthy and ineffective weight-loss patterns such as fasting, taking diet pills, and inducing vomiting, said Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., of the University of Minnesota here.

So it’s important for parents, teachers, and clinicians not to make teens feel bad about their bodies in hopes of spurring change, Dr. Neumark-Sztainer and colleagues said in the August issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. That strategy is likely to backfire.

Click here to read “Poor Body Image Begets Unhealthy Activity in Teens”

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2:51 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Make Peace with Your Body

WWBD? “What would Barbie do” is the question that many women subconsciously associate body improvements with. “There are those that believe playing with Barbie actually… leads to body dissatisfaction and the desire for breast implants.” Sounds silly, but the media is full of “Barbies,” whether they be actresses, supermodels, etc. Practically unattainable expectations are engrained in the minds of girls through the media. The following is an excerpt of an article that discusses unhealthy body comparisons:

Now I know some of you are thinking, Oh come on, she’s only a harmless doll, an icon from the twentieth century. It’s not like she’s Chucky! Let her play in peace! Put on her yoga outfit and let’s all calm down!

Well, we probably could if we weren’t bombarded daily with images of perfect looking women who look more like dolls than reality. It’s the repeated exposure to all these images that causes a problem. Barbie is only one of many images a young girl sees these days. So if Barbie could react to all the unrealistic images of women she sees, here’s what I think she would do.

Click here to read “Make Peace with Your Body”

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