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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 …
Formerly Depressed Individuals Persist in Directing Their Attention Towards Negative Aspects
Individuals who have successfully overcome a significant episode of depression exhibit a tendency to allocate more attention and cognitive resources towards negative information processing, while dedicating less time to processing positive information. This disparity in information processing increases their vulnerability to a potential relapse when compared to those who have not experienced a major depressive episode. According to research published …
Mindfulness Courses Can Improve Mental Health for at Least Six Months, Study Finds
A recent study published in the journal Nature Mental Health by researchers at the University of Cambridge revealed that attending in-person mindfulness courses has a lasting positive impact on mental health, even up to six months after completing the program. The study analyzed data from 13 randomized controlled trials, encompassing 2,371 participants. The researchers discovered that individuals who participated in …