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Latest News Around the Web

WHO Releases Video Explaining Depression

For the October 2013 World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization released a video created in collaboration with writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone. The video visualizes depression as a big black dog and goes through the trials overcoming it. You can view the video on Youtube here:

From the video description:

“At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and don’t know where to turn for help. However, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical towards recovery.”

Further information and news about World Mental Health Day can be found here: http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/en/

Untreated Psychosis May Increase Risk Of Violent Re-Offenses.

Medwire (11/21, McDermid) reports that, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, “the risk for violence after the release of prisoners with sexual or violent offenses is increased if they have untreated psychosis.” The study of “742 former prisoners with no psychosis, 94 with schizophrenia, 102 with drug-induced psychosis, and 29 with delusional disorder” revealed that “prisoners with untreated schizophrenia were a significant 3.43 times more likely than those without psychosis to commit a violent re-offense.”

Related Links:

— “Treatment key to averting psychosis violence after prison release, “Eleanor McDermid, Medwire News, November 21, 2013.

Cognitive Function, Illness Course May Predict Employment Success In Patients With BD.

Medwire (11/20, Piper) reports that, according to a review published online Nov. 13 in the journal Bipolar Disorders, “patients with bipolar disorder [BD] are more likely to be successfully employed if they have good cognitive function and a more benign course of illness.” The review examined 22 studies involving 6,301 patients.

Related Links:

— “Cognition and illness course predict bipolar employment, “Lucy Piper, Medwire News, November 20, 2013.

Harvard Scientists Studying How Meditation May Help Alleviate Stress.

Bloomberg News (11/22, Kitamura) reports John Denninger, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, “is leading a five-year study on how the ancient practices affect genes and brain activity in the chronically stressed.” The article notes the significance of the study, saying that while “hundreds of studies have been” done about the mental health benefits of yoga and meditation, “they have tended to rely on blunt tools like participant questionnaires, as well as heart rate and blood pressure monitoring.” The piece says that “only recently have neuro-imaging and genomics technology used in Denninger’s latest studies” given scientists the ability to “measure physiological changes in greater detail.” The government-funded study may push more doctors to look for alternative solutions to stress-induced conditions, including hypertension and depression.

Related Links:

— “Harvard Yoga Scientists Find Proof of Meditation Benefit, “Makiko Kitamura, Bloomberg News, November 21, 2013.

One Woman’s Struggle With Factitious Disorder Chronicled.

On its website, Fox News (11/21, Grush) chronicled one woman’s “long struggle with factitious disorder – more commonly referred to as Munchausen syndrome.” Starting at age 13 and continuing for over 20 years, the woman went on “to feign more than 12 physical and mental illnesses – including extreme disorders like schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis and even epilepsy.” Eventually, the woman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The piece noted that the woman, who is now getting her life back together, “presented her tale to members of the American Psychiatric Association during their annual conference.”

Related Links:

— “Addicted to illness: How one woman recovered from a 20 year struggle with Munchausen syndrome, “Loren Grush, Fox News, November 21, 2013.

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