Genetic Testing Could Revolutionize Depression Treatment

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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 …

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

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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

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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

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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 …

Ketamine SQ Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Clinical Trial

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A clinical trial conducted by researchers from UNSW Sydney has discovered that ketamine given as a subcutaneous shot effectively treats treatment-resistant depression. The findings, published in the journal the British Journal of Psychiatry, demonstrate that ketamine surpassed placebo in significantly reducing depressive symptoms. The trial involved 200 patients who had not responded to at least two other types of antidepressant …

Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A 12-Month Follow-up Study

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A recent study published in the journal Psychopharmacology discovered that psilocybin-­assisted treatment (­PCT)­ effectively reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder (­MDD)­ even after 12 months.­ Johns Hopkins University researchers conducted this study,­ closely monitoring and evaluating 24 participants who underwent PCT for MDD.­ These participants were evaluated at multiple intervals including baseline,­ 4 weeks,­ 12 weeks,­ and finally at the …

Do Antidepressants Improve Quality of Life for People with Depression?

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Depression is a common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite. Depression can also have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. One way to treat depression is with medication. Antidepressants are a type of medication that can help to …

Suicide Prevention

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10 USEFUL* things you can do for suicide prevention *Spoiler: none of these things are about “fixing” a suicidal person. I’d like to apologize for missing the actual National Suicide Prevention Day, which was September 10, but, really, any day is a good day to talk about suicide prevention.  Suicide prevention is not a matter of telling your distressed friend …