Items filtered by date: August 2014

The link between Depression and Physical Symptoms

Madhukar H. Trivedi, M.D.

Physical symptoms are common in depression, and, in fact, vague aches and pain are often the presenting
symptoms of depression. These symptoms include chronic joint pain, limb pain, back pain,

A Great Short Article by Mark Creamer

Professor Creamer is currently a Chief Investigator on a NHMRC Program Grant studying mental health following trauma.

While human beings have always known about the mental health effects of trauma, it was only in 1980 that the term post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was coined. This acceptance spawned an explosion of research on the causes, vulnerabilities, and optimum treatments for PTSD.

We have since learnt a great deal about how to help people with this disabling and often chronic condition. Evidence-based treatment guidelines in Australia and the United Kingdom are consistent in their recommendation of “trauma-focused psychological treatment” as the first line approach for PTSD. Of these approaches, the strongest body of evidence supports an intervention known as “prolonged exposure”.

As ageing progresses, a diet full of balanced meals becomes even more important as a foundation for wellbeing. By Ngaire Hobbins

Food is comfort, food is joy, food is medicine.

New research has bolstered evidence suggesting that one part of the human brain is better protected from ageing and cognitive deterioration than others. By Andrew Bracey

New research has bolstered evidence suggesting that one part of the human brain is better protected from ageing and cognitive deterioration than others. By Andrew Bracey

Combat Stress Among Veterans

Is Found to Persist Since Vietnam

By BENEDICT CAREY: AUG. 7, 2014

A veteran visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in November.

A study funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs tracked post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans of the era.

Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Most veterans who had persistent post-traumatic stress a decade or more after serving in the Vietnam War have shown surprisingly little improvement since then, and a large percentage have died, a new study finds, updating landmark research that began a generation ago.

The Current Status of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression

May 07, 2014 | Neuropsychiatry, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation By William K. Silverstein, BMSc, Zafiris J. Daskalakis, MD, PhD, and Psychiatric Times

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 120 million people; the lifelong prevalence is 10% to 15%.1,2 Depression leads to severe morbidity and is the leading cause of suicide. An emerging problem in the treatment of depression is the development of treatment resistance. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs in 15% to 35% of depressed patients.3 In addition, TRD is associated with serious economic burden: the cost of treating TRD is 6 times higher than that of treating nonresistant depression.

Restful sleep is good for you at any age. But as we get older, our sleep patterns change. Here's what usually happens: less sleep with more interruptions and less time in deep sleep or dream sleep.

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Every person's sleep needs are different. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7 to 9 hours a night.

If you're getting less sleep than when you were younger but still feel rested and energetic during the day, it might just be that you now need less sleep than you used to.

But if your lack of sleep affects you during the day, then it's time to take action.  

Restful sleep is good for you at any age. But as we get older, our sleep patterns change. Here's what usually happens: less sleep with more interruptions and less time in deep sleep or dream sleep.

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Every person's sleep needs are different. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7 to 9 hours a night.

If you're getting less sleep than when you were younger but still feel rested and energetic during the day, it might just be that you now need less sleep than you used to.

But if your lack of sleep affects you during the day, then it's time to take action.