The largest genetic study of mental illness to date has found a common genetic risk in autism, ADHD, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Previously thought to be quite distinct from one another, this study shows a bridging of the boundaries between these conditions. After genetic screening of 61,000 people across 19 countries (some with one of […]
WhatWorks4U.org is a website developed by Professor Tony Jorm & the Population Mental Health research team at The University of Melbourne. The website lets young people share what treatments have worked for their mental health problems and learn what treatments other young people have reported as helpful. Whatworks4u.org hopes to increase awareness of treatment options […]
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Identifying Mental Illness in Children
What may surprise you is that one in five children suffers from mental illnesses interfering with their daily life. According to American Psychological Association this often this goes unrecognized by professionals and parents because they expect them to “grow out” of their problems. Psychologists have pointed out two symptoms that should be paid careful attention […]
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have identified a protein that appears to be the target of both antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy. These treatments are thought to relieve depression by activating stem cells in the brain to grow and mature into new neurons. The initial studies involved using electroconvulsive therapy in mice and observing consequent gene […]
A recent addition to the DSM-5 clarifies Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) as a disorder affecting five to seven percent of women of reproductive age. It shares several characteristics with different mood disorders and is most commonly misdiagnosed as Major Depression. In a study by Girdler and colleagues they found that PMDD has specific measures of […]
A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that American adults with mental illness have a smoking rate of about 70% higher than those without mental illness. Smoking-related illnesses are some of the leading causes of death in the […]
Suicide is a topic that is not openly discussed by many people; there can be a lot of stigma associated with suicide and mental illness. An important part of raising awareness is knowing the facts. Test your knowledge by taking a quiz from UBC Thrive. Once you finish our Myths and Facts quiz, you will […]
As you read this article take a moment to contemplate that every 40 seconds somebody in the world has committed suicide. On average the world suicide rate makes up 10.07 per 100,000 people (CASP Blueprint for a Canadian National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2004). JAMA psychiatry journal published a recent study linking suicidal behavior to complex […]
The Mental Health Awareness Club hosted a movie night on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 showcasing the five times Oscar winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It was an enjoyable movie with some very thought-provoking scenes which generated a thoughtful discussion afterwards. Although the movie did not clearly define what constituted a mental illness, it […]
New research shows that loneliness is associated with dysfunctional immune responses, suggesting that it may have a negative effect on overall health. Specifically, researchers found that people who described themselves as lonely showed signs of elevated herpes simplex virus reactivation and produced more inflammatory proteins in response to acute stress. Continuous inflammation may have problematic […]