August 28, 20088:00 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

The long term effects of PTSD

A recent study has revealed information about the long term effects of PTSD. The study, an epidemiologic study of Vietnam-era veterans, found that a baseline diagnosis of PTSD resulted in higher levels of major depression, alcohol abuse and antisocial personality disorder. Additionally, individuals diagnosed with PTSD were found to have nearly double the risk for mortality related to atheroscierotic and ischemic heart disease compared to controls diagnosed with heart problems. The following is an excerpt of an article from Journal Watch that reviews the study:

Over follow-up, 52 deaths from ischemic heart disease were identified. A baseline diagnosis of PTSD more than doubled the risk for mortality related to ischemic or atherosclerotic heart disease before age 65. Even after adjustment for traditional risk factors (e.g., smoking, obesity, and depression), a PTSD diagnosis in individuals free of heart disease at baseline independently increased mortality risk, and the size of this risk correlated to PTSD severity. Risk further increased with combat exposure.

Comment: The risk for early death due to heart disease is relatively low overall in this study, but the increased risk that is independently associated with PTSD remains noteworthy. Inflammatory processes associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation have been postulated as potential mechanisms contributing to atherosclerosis in individuals with PTSD.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Journal Watch

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August 25, 20087:00 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Substance abuse and family history of psychiatric disorders greatly increase the risk for postpartum suicide attempts

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has found substance abuse and family history of psychiatric disorders to greatly increase the risk for postpartum suicide attempts. The researchers analyzed birth records from 1992 to 2001 from Washington State and identified 335 women who had been hospitalized for suicide attempts, while using another 1420 women who had not attempted suicide postpartum as controls. Women who had previously been hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder were 27 times more likely to attempt suicide postpartum. Women with a history of substance abuse problems were six times more likely to attempt suicide. Lastly, women with both a history of previous hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse were 11 times more likely to attempt suicide postpartum. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that discusses the study:

Writing in the article, Katherine A. Comtois, PhD, lead investigator from the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and the University of Washington School of Medicine, states, “In the current study, we focused on preexisting psychiatric risk factors for postpartum suicide attempts resulting in hospitalization. Most importantly, a prior psychiatric or substance use diagnosis among postpartum women significantly increased the risk of a serious postpartum suicide attempt. One implication of this study is that screening for past history of psychiatric and substance use diagnoses as part of routine prenatal care may be a means of identifying women at high risk of postpartum suicide attempt, although a recent review of prenatal screening for depression cited insufficient evidence to recommend screening as a way to improve outcomes.”

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

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August 22, 20087:29 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Good spiritual health and good mental health are interconnected

Increasingly, churches are becoming aware of the fact that good spiritual health and good mental health are interconnected. This is why many churches house support groups led by trained facilitators to create an environment of encouragement and ongoing strength for those who have struggled with issues like depression, substance abuse, and other life hang-ups. One church that has facilitated such a support group is Crossings Community Church of Oklahoma City. Crossing’s support group has a weekly attendance of approximately three hundred individuals who believe that one cannot “…separate mental health from faith.” The following is an interview excerpt composed of some of the staff of Crossing Community Church, Teresa Peden: pastoral associate, Deidre Franklin: pastor of spiritual formation, and Tara Hardy: director of athletics, facilitated by Bryan Painter, staff writer for The Oklahoman:

Q: Do we often underestimate the impact of good mental health? In other words is our definition of good mental health sometimes too narrow? Does it have a bearing on much more than we think?

A: Peden: Taking care of the mind, body, and spiritual health helps individuals and families live a better quality life. An estimated one in five families in America are affected by mental illness. It is very important for struggling individuals, couples or families to reach out for help. That’s why we believe in teaching children how to have good mental health early so they know it’s OK to get help. This helps remove the common stigma about counseling that keeps people from getting the help they need.

• The consequences of the lack of good mental health include unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, suicide, and wasted lives. Depression, for people ages 5 and older, is the leading cause of disability worldwide. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the cost of untreated mental illness is over $100 billion dollars in the United States yearly.

• Oklahoma has the highest rate of incarcerated women in the nation, many of whom are diagnosed with mental illness. Crossings members are working on a faith-based transitional living opportunity for women released from prison.

• 70 to 90 percent of individuals who receive treatment have a significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life, with a combination of psychosocial treatment, support, and pharmacological intervention. Research proves that therapy and support are very important in the healing process.

Click here to read the rest of the interview from The Oklahoman’s website NewsOK.com

Brookhaven’s Minister’s Lifeline Seminar Series invites you to attend:

The Church’s Role in Recovery
presented by Pastor Roger Nix, Believer’s Church, Tulsa, OK

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, church endorsed support group whose
goal is “freedom from hurts, hang-ups and habits.” Groups, like celebrate
recovery provide a much needed forum for individuals within the walls of the
church, as well as church guests, to open-up about life-issues and find ongoing
encouragement and resources for recovery. Join us as Roger Nix, Pastor of
Believer’s Church, Tulsa, OK, discusses the Celebrate Recovery 12-step model as
well as the power of the healing community and why it is a critical component
for emotional and spiritual restoration.

DATE August 28th 2008
TIME 1145- 100pm
PLACE 201 S. Garnett Road
RSVP 1 888 298 HOPE (4673)
COST Free! (lunch provided / Catered by Zio’s Italian Kitchen)

Click here to visit the minister’s corner and view information about our upcoming seminars

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August 21, 20087:50 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Higher than expected rate of suicidal thoughts among U.S. college students

A recent study presented at the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association reported a higher than expected rate of suicidal thoughts among U.S. college students. Out of the 26,000 students that were interviewed, more than half had considered suicide at least once during their lives. Additionally, 15 percent reported having seriously considered suicide and 5 percent had actually attempted suicide at least once. Dr. David J. Drum and colleagues of the University of Texas at Austin suggested that a continuum of help be offered to students, not just when there is a crisis, but at the onset of suicidal thoughts. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that reviews the study’s findings:

The results showed that:

* 6 per cent of undergraduates and 4 percent of graduates said they had seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months.

* Based on this proportion, an average college with 18,000 students has over 1,000 undergraduates seriously thinking about suicide at least once during any one year.

* About two thirds of those who think about suicide think about it more than once a year.

* Most students said their episode of suicidal thinking was intense and brief, with 50 per cent lasting no more than a day.

* 14 per cent of undergraduates and 8 per cent of graduate students who had seriously considered committing suicide in the last 12 months had attempted to do so.

* More than 50 per cent of students who had recently experienced a suicidal crisis had not, for several reasons, sought professional help or told anyone about it.

* 19 per cent of undergraduates and 28 per cent of graduates who had attempted suicide needed medical attention. Half of them had tried to kill themselves with a drug overdose.

* Both undergraduates and graduates gave reasons for suicidal thinking in the following order: (1) wanting relief from emotional or physical pain, (2) problems with relationships, (3) desire to end their lives, (4) academic and school problems.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

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August 20, 20087:16 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Link between high levels of athleticism and eating disorders

A recent study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that undergraduate females who are involved in sports and exercise activities are more likely to have attitudes that are similar to those one would find in individuals with an eating disorder. Additionally, the study found that those with higher levels of anxiety about the sport or exercise that they engage in are at greater risk of both experiencing body dissatisfaction and symptoms of an eating disorder. This is the first study to document a link between high levels of athleticism and risk for eating disorders. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that reviews the study’s findings:

The study was conducted with 274 female undergraduates from a large southeastern university. It examined whether differences in eating disorder symptoms exist between women who are varsity athletes (exercised an average of two hours per day), club athletes (practiced their sport an average of four times per week), independent exercisers (people who exercised on their own at least three times per week) and non-exercisers (people who exercise 0-2 times per week on average).

All participants completed the Eating Disorders Inventory, a self-report measuring eating related behaviors and attitudes; the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, a measurement tool used to evaluate self-esteem; and the Physical Activity and Sport Anxiety Scale, a questionnaire used to assess social fear and avoidance of physical activity or athletic situations.

Click here to read the rest of the article from Medical News Today

Click here for more information on eating disorders

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August 19, 20087:35 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Keep the Faith

Faith is an important ingredient in the recipe of renewal. Celeste lived for years with anxiety, panic attacks and depression that unfortunately went undiagnosed. Growing up she had been raised to believe that all people live with those kinds of problems, keeping her from the help she needed. In the end, it was faith that helped sustain Celeste throughout her many years of struggle. The following is an inspirational story about the importance of keeping faith:

Throughout my teen years I lived with undiagnosed anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. My mother and many in her family were also stricken with these sorts of problems, and she personally suffered from depression, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. She had been raised to believe that everyone experienced life this way, and that people simply learned to tolerate it in different ways.

My mother leaned heavily upon the Sisters of the Precious Blood, a cloistered monastery in New Hampshire. She often went to see them and wrote to them and continues to do so.

In 1973, nearing my high school graduation, I was working in a mill and still battling anxiety and depression. My mother requested prayers for me, and the sisters kindly sent me a letter with some prayer cards, which I had opened but not yet read.

On one particular day, while at work, I was in the midst of another dark period of deep depression, and, without fear of being seen or heard, cried out to God to please help me. I asked Him to please tell me what to do and how to stop the torturous pain.

Bending down to grab another spool from my cart, I noticed something had fallen out of my purse. It was a 3×5 card, sent by the sisters, with the word “Faith” peeking out. I stopped and read that card. Standing there on that factory floor, I was suddenly comforted with a sense of total peace.

Click here to read the rest of this story from the Seattle Post

Click here for information on anxiety disorders

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August 18, 20083:45 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Methadone is increasingly the cause of narcotic-related deaths in the U.S.

Methadone is increasingly the cause of narcotic-related deaths in the U.S.. Methadone, an alternative to oxycodone, has increased in use from 1998 to 2006 by 700%. The New York Times recently suggested that the increase in deaths associated with the drug may be the result of prescribing errors. According to the Times, physicians are additionally failing to warn patients of the dangers of mixing the prescription drug with alcohol or sedatives; additionally, physicians may be prescribing dose levels that are too much too soon. According to Dr. H. Westley Clark, of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “we know that a significant share of the methadone deaths involve doctors making well-intended prescriptions.” The following is an excerpt of an article from Journal Watch that discusses the phenomenon:

The number of methadone prescriptions increased 700% from 1998 to 2006, in part because of its use as an alternative to oxycodone (OxyContin). The Times says physicians treating patients for pain sometimes start them on doses that are too high or fail to warn of the hazards of mixing with alcohol or sedatives.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Journal Watch

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August 15, 20084:18 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

The mental health affects of war on child soldiers

A recent study set its focus on the mental health affects of war on child soldiers. The findings coincided with the obvious assumptions that one would be likely to have, that these children suffer severe problems with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and general psychological difficulties. The study’s findings, provided by researcher Brandon A. Kohrt of Emory University, Atlanta, and colleagues, were published in the August 13 issue of JAMA. Although one might expect child soldiers to suffer from mental health problems, the study brings timely attention to this international epidemic. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that reviews the study:

Kohrt and colleagues found that 75 of the child soldiers (52.3%) met the symptom cutoff score for depression, 65 (46.1%) met the score for anxiety, 78 (55.3%) met the criteria for PTSD, 55 (39%) met the criteria for general psychological difficulties, and 88 (62.4%) were functionally impaired. Statistically adjusting for traumatic exposures and other possibly confounding variables held that being a child soldier was significantly associated with depression and PTSD among girls (2.4 and 6.8 times higher odds, respectively) and PTSD among boys (3.8 times higher odds). However, there was no statistical association between being a child soldier and general psychological difficulties, anxiety, or function impairment.

Click here to read the rest of the story from Medical News Today

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August 13, 20086:32 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Greater levels of depression in Americanized Latina women seeking pregnancy and postpartum services

A study published in the most recent release of the Maternal and Child Health Journal has revealed greater levels of depression in Latina women seeking pregnancy and postpartum services among those that are more “Americanized.” Americanization, or acculturation, was most notably indicated by preferred language and place of birth. Elevated levels of depression were found in Latina’s who were born in the U.S. as well as those that asked to conduct their interview in English. The study was composed of 439 Latinas seeking postpartum and pregnancy services at public health clinics in San Antonio. Lead author, Marivel Davila, a quantitative research analyst at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, commenting said, “Screening for depression during pregnancy is important for this population group, given Latinas’ high rates of fertility and births to single women, particularly among more acculturated U.S.- born Latinas.” The following is an excerpt of an article from Medical News Today that reviews the study’s findings:

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, single motherhood among Latinas in Texas exceeds the national average. In Texas in 2005, 43 percent of all Latina births were to single women. Nationally, the overall average was 37 percent.

“The sample for this study was a low-income population,” Davila said. “Our conclusions may or may not be different for women in other socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Hence, more research needs to be conducted among Latinas from differing SES groups, including research focusing on the role of social support and cultural values/beliefs related to childbirth and pregnancy among Latinas.”

The women were interviewed in eight family planning clinics and six prenatal clinics of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) between May and August of 2003. Of the participants, 318 were born in Mexico and 121 in the United States. They were given the choice of conducting the interview in English or Spanish.

“The higher prevalence rate of depression in Americanized Latina women is of concern in our community as the population demographics clearly indicate a significant rate of growth of this group in their childbearing years,” said Fernando A. Guerra, M.D., director of health for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. “Thus, it is important to more clearly understand the circumstances that affect their physical and emotional well-being during pregnancy so that preventive measures can be initiated. This is critical for the overall health of both the mother and child.”

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medical News Today

Click here for more information on depression

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August 11, 20087:27 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Smoking may be more pleasurable to some than others

Smoking may be more pleasurable to some than others according to a recent study published in the August issue of Addiction. Findings from the study reported by Ovide Pomerleau, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan, and colleagues, suggest that the nicotine sensation that can lead to addiction is more pleasurable for some due to a genetic mutation. The mutation occurs in a subunit of the neuronal acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA5) which increases the risk of addiction by 50% and increases pleasurable sensation by 60%. According to the authors, “The findings suggest that phenotypes related to subjective experiences upon smoking experimentation may mediate the development of nicotine dependence.” The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the findings:

Many studies have underscored the genetic influence on smoking habits, including initiation, persistence, and addiction, and recently, several common variants have been shown to be associated with nicotine dependence in Caucasians, the authors said.

The variants, or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), had several effects with functional significance, including effects on nicotine metabolism, they continued. Additional research showed that an SNP in exon 4 of CHRNA5 altered the nicotine receptor.

Subsequently, a highly correlated CHRNA5/CHRNA3 haplotype was found to have a strong influence on smoking behavior, specifically the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the authors said.

In an attempt to expand on the previous work, Dr. Pomerleau and colleagues focused on phenotype associations for the top 25 SNPs associated with nicotine dependence. They began with the SNP previously shown to alter the nicotine receptor (rs16969968) and then examined the other 24.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Medpage Today

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