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RENEWAL: Christian Treatment & Recovery is a Brookhaven Hospital program. For more information, contact us at:
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August 28, 20093:54 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
NICU trauma may have a lasting impact according to recent studies
PTSD is usually seen as a disorder associated with wartime, with assaults, with car accidents and things that are undoubtedly traumatic. However, what is not as obvious and that can be equally as traumatic is going through the ordeal of watching a child born prematurely struggle for his or her life. Kim Roscoe, recalling her son’s six-month hospitalization after being born three months early, stated, “The NICU was very much like a war zone, with the alarms, the noises, and death and sickness. You don’t know who’s going to die and who will go home healthy.”
A new study conducted by researchers at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, recently published in the journal Psychosomatics, followed the lives of 18 parents whose children were born prematurely. After four months, three of these parents were diagnosed with PTSD and another seven were considered at high risk for the disorder.
An article from the New York Times makes some interesting observations about the stresses of premature childbirth and its newly emerging recognition among the psychological community. Click here to read more.
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August 27, 200911:45 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Teen Abuse of ADHD drugs on the rise
It is common knowledge that teenagers and young adults abuse drugs intended to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Another study has now emerged to validate this increasingly disturbing trend, a trend that is long-standing enough to make one wonder, “what can be done about this?” In particular, abuse of stimulants such as amphetamines used to treat ADHD is on the rise. The number of calls to poison control centers regarding teens who have abused ADHD drugs increased 76% between 1998 and 2005, according to a recent study published in the online version of Pediatrics. Jennifer Setlik, MD, of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, and colleagues, commenting, stated, “The sharp increase, out of proportion to other poison center calls and general poison center use, suggests a rising problem with abuse, teen abuse, and particularly teen ADHD stimulant medication abuse… It may be that abuse is rising, or it may be that increased calls are a result of the escalating severity, perhaps reflecting the shift toward amphetamine use.” Click here to read an article from a Medpage Today that discusses this trend more.
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August 25, 20097:55 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Somatic disorders associated with sexual abuse
A review of almost 2 dozen studies concluded that sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of somatic disorders. Somatic disorders are typically identified by self-reports of physical symptoms from patients, however, with no evidence of underlying causality. According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, patients who experienced sexual abuse as either an adult or as a child were more likely to experience nonspecific chronic pain (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.54 to 3.15), psychogenic seizures (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.12 to 4.69), gastrointestinal disorders (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.36 to 4.31) and chronic pelvic pain (OR 2.73; 95% CI 1.73 to 4.30). Ali Zirakzadeh, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, and colleagues, authors of the study, commenting, wrote, “Building greater awareness of the association between sexual abuse and somatic disorders may lead to improved health care delivery and outcomes for sexual abuse survivors… as a group, survivors of abuse have higher medical care use and incur greater costs compared with the general patient population.” Click here to read an article from Medpage Today that discusses this study more.
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August 21, 20093:55 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Real-time chat therapy proves successful
According to a study recently published online in the Lancet, internet cognitive behavioral therapy could well be successful for treating depression. The randomized trial followed patients who participated in real-time online therapy via instant messaging. At a four month follow up 38% of participants in the study who had received online therapy had recovered from depressive symptoms; this is compared to 24% of those in a control group. At eight months, 42% of those that had received online cognitive behavioral therapy still reported remission of their depressive symptoms as opposed to 26% in a control group.
A variety of studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy must not of necessity be delivered in a face-to-face setting. For instance, some studies have shown the validity of cognitive behavioral therapy over the phone. However, many are concerned about the use of online therapy due to previous studies that showed self-help computer programs based on cognitive behavioral principles to be lacking in effectiveness. This, however, does not appear to be the case when a therapist is involved and the session is done in real-time.
Additionally, there has been growing anxiety about the increased use of antidepressants as well as a lack of availability of psychotherapy. Online therapy, while it is perhaps not ideal, could broaden access to treatment. This could be particularly advantageous for individuals who live in remote or rural areas.
The authors of the study commented on the findings, saying, “This approach could enhance metacognitive awareness, a term applied to changing the patient’s relationship with negative thoughts and feelings, rather than changing their belief in the content of negative thoughts… traditional therapists might be horrified by the prospect of an overseas cognitive-behavioral call center or live-chat center, available whenever patients choose. But the expectations of healthcare providers are not the same as evidence.” Click here to read a study from Medpage Today that discusses the study’s findings more.
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August 20, 20093:55 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
New Recommendations for Treating Depression During Pregnancy
Findings from a study reported recently online in General Hospital Psychiatry suggest that treatment of depression among pregnant women needs to be highly tailored both to the patient’s preferences as well as to their symptoms of depression. In general, the study concluded that pregnant women who would be appropriate candidates for the use of antidepressants should either have been individuals who have not responded adequately to monotherapy, individuals who have severe symptoms and relapse after abruptly after discontinuing medication, as well as individuals who have an ongoing history of severe psychiatric illness. However, with this said, the study underscores the importance of physicians considering the possibility of decreasing dosage of antidepressants to the point of discontinuation and increasing the use of psychotherapy in a closely monitored environment for the safety of the unborn child. “Respect for the patient’s preferences is paramount since she will likely have a sense of her ability to manage a pregnancy off medication,” Kimberly A. Yonkers, MD, of the Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues relayed. Click here to read an article from Web MD that discusses this study more.
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August 19, 20098:09 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Cognitive behavioral therapy results in reduced arthritis pain and insomnia
A large number of aging patients in the United States who suffer from osteoarthritis also experience difficulty sleeping. Additionally, 60% of individuals with osteoarthritis report feeling pain during the night. According to a study published in the August 15 issue of Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, older patients who suffer from osteoarthritis pain and sleeplessness experienced relief from symptoms after cognitive behavioral therapy. Specifically, patients with osteoarthritis reported sleeping an average of 21 minutes longer per night after receiving cognitive behavioral therapy. Additionally, those patients that received therapy for insomnia experienced significant reduction in arthritis pain compared to those in a control group. “These results further suggest that techniques to improve sleep, such as CBT-I, should be considered as additions to the various existing behavioral treatment programs for pain management in osteoarthritis, and possibly in other chronic pain conditions as well,” the authors wrote. Click here to read an article from DG News that discusses these findings more.
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August 18, 20092:56 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
A merry heart does good like a medicine
Proverbs 17:22 ¶A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (KJV)
According to findings recently published in the August Archives of Surgery, individuals with a Type D Personality, which is associated with a tendency to experience negative emotions and refrain from self-expression in social situations, are at a greater risk for all causes of mortality. According to Annelies E. Aquarius, PhD, of Tilburg University, and colleagues, after adjusting for factors such as renal disease and diabetes, patients with Type D Personality were found to have a threefold greater risk of death (P=0.04). Karl A. Illig, MD, of the University of Rochester, found the findings intriguing and said, “These findings are of interest and add a bit of objectivity to the concept that the personality of a patient can affect his or her health and well-being.”
Obviously, there are a host of theoretical views and supporting studies that suggest that there is a mind-body connection. This thinking is also prevalent in many Christian denominations, wherein the connection is more intricate, a mind-body-spirit connection. Studies like this are important in that they add to the body of evidence in favor of this connection. Click here to read an article from Medpage Today that reviews this study more.
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August 14, 20092:18 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Less sleep could mean increased risk for diabetes
Findings from a study reported online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that deprivation of sleep may actually increase risk for diabetes. According to Plamen Penev, MD, PhD, of the University of Chicago, and colleagues, healthy volunteers, after just two weeks of shortened sleep, became insolent resistance and developed impaired glucose tolerance. When the participants were restricted to 5.5 hours of sleep each night for two weeks they developed a mean of two-hour glucose tolerance test values of 144 mg/dL compared with a mean of 132 mg/dL when they were allowed to sleep for 8.5 hours per night. “These findings suggest that combining the adverse metabolic effects of Westernized lifestyles with chronically reduced sleep duration may increase the long-term risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Penev and colleagues wrote. Click here to read an article from the Examiner that reviews this study more.
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August 13, 20099:39 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
A Mediterranean diet may decrease risk for Alzheimer’s
Two studies published in the August 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that a Mediterranean diet, a diet full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, poultry and fish, may reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The diet, which is already known to have cardiovascular and cancer benefits, may also protect against cognitive decline.
The first study found that exercise and a proper diet each independently reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The second study found that the Mediterranean diet slows some elements of cognitive decline. However, the second study was not associated with a decrease in dementia.
I think it’s safe to say that there’s something to this (I say sarcastically); a balanced diet and exercise have repeatedly been found to effect cognitive and physical health.
Click here to read an article from Medpage Today that discusses these two studies more.
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August 12, 20097:33 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
20% of males over 50 binge drinking?
According to findings recently reported online in the American Journal of Psychiatry, binge drinking is not just a problem that is prevalent among college students; binge drinking is also an issue that is commonly seen in older patients. According to Dan G. Blazer, MD, PhD, and Li-Tzy Wu, ScD, of Duke University, approximately 20% of men and 6% of women over the age of 50 reported binge drinking within the last year. Aside from binge drinking, the study found that overall 66% of men and 55% of women used alcohol in the last year, according to self-reports. “The potential adverse consequences of at-risk and binge drinking among middle-aged and elderly individuals may often be overlooked by clinicians,” the researchers said. The data for the study came from the 2005 and 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which was composed of information from 10,953 patients ages 50 and over.
I believe that these findings are significant in that they give a reality check to primary care physicians who believe that binge drinking is isolated to young adults. In many cases, the effects of binge drinking are quite evident; however, we cannot assume that there will be external signs in older adults that binge drink. With these findings in mind, it may be prudent to, formally or informally, screen older adults for frequency of alcohol use in primary care settings. Click here to read an article from USA Today that reviews the study more.
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"I knew if I didn't get help, I was in for trouble. The Renewal program gave me the tools I needed to get my life back in order and also helped me restore my relationship with God."
--Lori H
Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.
Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.
Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.
Michael Mason- A versatile and prolific writer, Michael is the author of the book, "Head Cases: Stories of Brain Injury and Its Aftermath," and regularly delivers engaging talks and readings to audiences nationwide. Michael serves at Brookhaven Hospital as an advocate for individuals with brain injury.
Penny Rott, MS, is a brain injury case manager for the Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital..
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