June 21, 2020

Mom's Depression Can Lead to Behavior Problems in Kids

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020 -- Children of mothers with long-term depression have an increased risk of behavioral problems and poor development, researchers say.

The new study included nearly 900 Australian mothers and 978 of their children. Levels of depression were examined in the mothers before, during and after pregnancy. The investigators also analyzed their children's development and behavior.

June 15, 2020

Can Talk Therapy Heal the Body, Too?

THURSDAY, June 11, 2020 -- Therapy designed to address mental health issues may also tamp down chronic inflammation, a new review suggests.

In so doing, interventions like behavioral therapy may help to rein in not only anxiety, depression and stress, but also the risk of developing heart disease or cancer, researchers say.

June 4, 2020

Coronavirus Pandemic Spurring Mental Health Crisis, Especially in the Young

TUESDAY, June 2, 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on Americans' mental health, with more than 88,000 people developing anxiety or depression as a result, according to Mental Health America (MHA), a U.S. community-based nonprofit organization.

Also, more than 21,000 Americans who completed MHA's free online mental health screening last month said they thought about suicide or self-harm on more than half of the days in May.

May 21, 2020

Heavy Pot Use Linked to Mental Problems, Even After Quitting

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 -- Marijuana dependence goes hand in hand with poor mental health, and problems may persist long after stopping the drug, according to Canadian researchers.

Nearly half of people who have been or are now dependent on pot have some form of mental illness or dependence on another substance, according to a report this month in the journal Advances in Preventative Medicine. That compares with 8% of people with no history of pot dependence have mental illness or another drug or alcohol addiction.

May 5, 2020

Isolation During Coronavirus Pandemic a Trigger for Depression

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 -- The isolation of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic could trigger depression, British researchers say.

"When we are down we tend to choose to do things that cheer us up, and when we are up we may take on activities that will tend to bring us down. However, in our current situation with COVID-19, lockdowns and social isolation, our choice of activity is very limited," said study co-author Guy Goodwin, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Oxford.

May 5, 2020

Loving Family May Lower Future Depression Risk in Kids

MONDAY, May 4, 2020 -- Having a supportive family can significantly reduce a child's future risk of major depression, according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed data on more than 3,200 pairs of siblings in Sweden -- including more than 600 pairs of full siblings and nearly 2,600 pairs of half-siblings -- who had at least one biological parent with depression.