Genetic Testing Could Revolutionize Depression Treatment

adminCosts of Treatment, Depression, Diagnosis, Major Depression, Mental Health, Testing, Treatments of Depression Leave a Comment

Depression is a debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there are a variety of effective treatments available, many patients do not respond to the first antidepressant they are prescribed. This can lead to frustration, discouragement, and even worsening symptoms.  A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) suggests that genetic testing could …

Loneliness: A Silent Epidemic Plaguing the Nation

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In a groundbreaking move, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a Surgeon General Advisory declaring loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection a public health crisis in the United States. This alarming announcement highlights the pervasive nature of loneliness in American society and its detrimental impact on our mental, physical, and societal well-being. The Magnitude of the …

UCSF Psycho-Educational Zoom Group for Adults with Bipolar Disorder – January 2024

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The Adult Psychiatry Clinic at UCSF has released the schedules of their Group Psycho-Education for Bipolar Disorder for January 2024. This activity under the Bipolar Disorder Program of the Department of Psychiatry is aimed at providing a community resource for individuals with bipolar disorder, mental health professionals and psychiatrists. Headed by Dr. Descartes Li, the program director, it is designed …

Depression, Anxiety May Be Early Signs of MS

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Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease, targets myelin sheath. This protective layer covers nerve fibers. Its damage can result in several symptoms; these include vision problems, fatigue, weakness, and numbness. Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder of the brain and spinal cord that significantly influences mental health. Most folks with MS, around 70%, struggle­ with depression at some point. Anxiety is …

Simple Blood Test May Help Diagnose Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. It can be a difficult condition to diagnose, as the symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, etcetera. A new study from the University of Cambridge suggests that some day a blood test could help to diagnose bipolar …

Cannabis Use Psychosis

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Frequent cannabis use linked to increased risk of psychosis Studies in Europe and the USA have uncovered a clear association of frequent non-medical cannabis use, and use of high-potency (high THC) cannabis with psychotic disorders.  The American study found that: “Self-reported psychotic disorders were significantly more prevalent among participants with any nonmedical cannabis use than those without (2001–2002: 1.65% compared …

Resources for ADHD

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We want to highlight the work of Cara T Hoepner MS, RN, CS, PMHNP-BC, a Bay Area colleague of ours who has spent years investigating whole-body treatments for traditional and integrative psychiatry.  Recently, we reached out to her for consultation with a particular patient, and found out that she has a huge amount to offer all of us in terms …

Digestive Diseases Linked to Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults

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Loneliness and depression are prevalent mental health conditions that can greatly affect physical well-being. According to a recent study in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, older adults with digestive diseases are more prone to experiencing feelings of loneliness and depression compared to those without such conditions. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, analyzing …

A New Subtype of Depression Identified

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A recent study published in JAMA Network Open by scientists at Stanford Medicine has revealed a previously unrecognized form of depression. This subtype is distinguished by cognitive impairments and does not respond as well to commonly prescribed antidepressant medications. The findings contribute to ongoing research aiming to identify treatments tailored to specific biotypes of depression, each with unique biological characteristics. …

Brain Imaging-Based Biomarker of Depression Identified

adminDepression, Diagnosis, Major Depression, Mental Health, Psychobiology, Treatments of Depression Leave a Comment

Depre­ssion is a widespread and devastating me­ntal health disorder that impacts millions of individuals across the globe­. It is characterized by enduring fe­elings of sadness and despair, along with alte­rations in appetite, slee­p patterns, and energy le­vels. Despite the­ existence of effective treatme­nts for depression, numerous individuals do not e­xperience improve­ment with these inte­rventions. Additionally, accurately predicting tre­atment response re­mains …