Beat Depression Forever » Depression

Harnessing Smartphones, Apps to Beat Depression

Janice Wood — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:05:45 +0000

Harnessing Smartphones, Apps to Beat Depression is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

A new smartphone that can determine when you are depressed and urge you to reach out to friends is in development at Northwestern University. Researchers at the school’s Feinberg School of Medicine are working on a variety of web-based, mobile and virtual technologies to treat depression and other mood disorders. Other projects include a virtual [...]

Rat Study Suggests How Stimulants May Reduce ADHD Symptoms

Rick Nauert PhD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:32:33 +0000

Rat Study Suggests How Stimulants May Reduce ADHD Symptoms is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

For more than seven decades, scientists have puzzled over the pharmacological mechanisms that somehow interact in children to reduce hyperactivity when they receive medications including methylphenidate — known by the trade names Ritalin, Concerta, and Methylin — and methamphetamine. Since the mid-1950s, millions of children and adults have been prescribed stimulant medications to control attention deficit hyperactivity [...]

Mixed Benefits from Comparing Health to Others

Rick Nauert PhD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:08:56 +0000

Mixed Benefits from Comparing Health to Others is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

Depending on your perspective, comparing yourself to others with the same health problem can affect your health in a positive or negative manner. In a new study, researchers conducted a qualitative synthesis of over 30 studies that focused on the relationship between social comparisons and health. “If you’ve ever looked at another person and thought, [...]

Complex Origin of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Rick Nauert PhD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:49:09 +0000

Complex Origin of Antisocial Personality Disorder is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

Making a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder is a difficult endeavor as clinicians cannot rely on a lab test to help with the decision. A new study suggests that the genetic contribution to the risk of being diagnosed with antisocial personal disorder comes not from a single gene or genetic risk factor, but from two [...]

Using Facebook Improves Mood

Rick Nauert PhD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:33:44 +0000

Using Facebook Improves Mood is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

Researchers believe they have unraveled the Holy Grail for why social network sites are so popular. The findings help to explain why one particular site has become a world-wide sensation with a targeted subset of its 845 million users and an estimated net worth of between $75 and $100 billion dollars. The key to popularity [...]

Abortion Doesn’t Up Risk of Inpatient Readmission

Psych Central News Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:15:39 +0000

Abortion Doesn’t Up Risk of Inpatient Readmission is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

Early abortion among first-time mothers who have a history of inpatient psychiatric stays doesn’t increase the risk of being readmitted for mental health concerns, according to a new study. Researchers became interested in the topic, because there is a surprising lack of research examining the mental health impact of undergoing an abortion. “Diverging results exist [...]

SWPBIS School Program Reduces Bullying

Psych Central News Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:14:47 +0000

SWPBIS School Program Reduces Bullying is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

A behavioral school program designed by psychologists appears to reduce bullying in schools where it’s been implemented, according to a new study. The program is called the School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS), and is widely used as an alternative to some schools zero-tolerance anti-bullying policies. Bullying has gained greater national attention in recent [...]

New Study Fails to Tie Antidepressant to Suicide in Kids

Janice Wood — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:49:02 +0000

New Study Fails to Tie Antidepressant to Suicide in Kids is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

A new analysis of clinical trial data has found that treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) did not affect the risk of suicide in children. The study comes after the FDA issued a rare “black box warning” in 2004 after concerns were raised about antidepressant drugs increasing suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young [...]

Online Dating Can Be Improved

Rick Nauert PhD — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:26:09 +0000

Online Dating Can Be Improved is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

The growth of the online dating industry has been nothing short of spectacular. But a new Northwestern University study suggests the current science behind the industry is weak as cyber matchmakers use ineffective algorithms and profiles for finding potential love interests. Researchers say improvements are on the horizon as mobile dating, the latest iteration in digital [...]

Different Brain Activity for Solitaire vs. Hearts

Rick Nauert PhD — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:59:22 +0000

Different Brain Activity for Solitaire vs. Hearts is a post from: Beat Depression FOREVER Follow us at Facebook/BeatDepressionForever

Brain imaging shows that an individual has different brain activity when they play a game against themselves, as compared to when they compete against others. The research on brain activity during competitive social interactions is described in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Experts say this is the first investigation [...]