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Peer support may lower depression, stress among cancer patients in low-resource settings

A new study suggests that a cancer peer support program called Stronger Together improved psychological outcomes, as well as overall quality of life, among patients with breast and gynecological cancers in Vietnam. The program showed promise for providing critical social support in low-resource settings.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJCO Global Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 25, 2024

New process shortens wait times for diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and other psychiatric conditions

A suburban clinic implemented an innovative approach to reduce behavioral health clinic wait times for adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment. The new process uses self-administered screening tools and diagnostic interviews to confirm diagnoses and offer treatment, resulting in improved care access and patient satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 24, 2024

Overthinking what you said? It’s your ‘lizard brain’ talking to newer, advanced parts of your brain

A new Northwestern Medicine study found the 'lizard brain' is connected to newly evolved social cognitive network regions, which are involved in thinking about other people. This link helps shape the function of the social cognitive network by giving it access to the amygdala's role in processing emotionally important content.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 22, 2024

People with migraine at high risk of depression during pandemic

A recent longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults with migraine are at a substantial increase in risk of depression during the pandemic. Increased family conflict, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and caregiving responsibilities were associated with higher risks of depression among this population.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Pain Research·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2024

Opening a new avenue in predicting mood episodes using wearable devices: A sleep and circadian rhythm data analysis model

Researchers developed a novel model predicting mood episodes using only sleep-wake pattern data from wearable devices. The study found daily changes in circadian rhythm are key predictors of mood episodes, offering new possibilities for tracking individual changes to prevent future episodes.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024

Depression rates in LGBTQIA+ students are three times higher than their peers, new research suggests

Research published in the Journal of American College Health reveals that LGBTQIA+ students experience alarmingly high rates of depression. The study, which analyzed data from 483,574 responses to the Healthy Minds Study, found that LGBTQIA+ students were three times more likely to report depression than their cisgender peers.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of American College Health·TypeSurvey·DateNov 13, 2024

More than 5 million Americans would be eligible for psychedelic therapy, study finds

A study from Emory University reveals that 56-62% of individuals treated for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression are eligible for psilocybin-assisted therapy, which could benefit around 5.1-5.6 million people in the US. The treatment has potential to reduce symptoms of depression with a single dose of 25 mg of ...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2024

Exercise programs help cut new mums’ ‘baby blues’ severity and major depression risk

A pooled data analysis of 35 studies found that exercise-only interventions reduced the severity of depression and anxiety after giving birth, with a significant reduction in postpartum depression risk. The minimum threshold for achieving effects was at least 80 weekly minutes of moderate intensity exercise.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 7, 2024

The couples who cope together, stay together

A new study reveals that couples living with rheumatoid arthritis who engage in joint problem-solving and emotional support experience lower depression and anxiety. The research highlights the importance of dyadic coping in improving relationship quality and patient well-being.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe Journal of Rheumatology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 29, 2024

Magnetic field applied to both sides of brain shows rapid improvement for depression

A magnetic field applied to both sides of the brain has been shown to rapidly treat depression in patients who have not responded to standard treatments. The therapy, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), targets two areas of the brain implicated in depression and corrects imbalances in key processes.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2024

Sociodemographic factors associated with depression among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy at a university teaching hospital in a Nigerian cosmopolitan city

A hospital-based study found depression highly prevalent among people living with HIV (44.9%) in a Nigerian university teaching hospital. Sociodemographic factors such as male gender, formal employment, and moderate income levels were associated with reduced odds of depression.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalExploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine·DateOct 25, 2024

Depression: Dysfunction of neurons in the amygdala may be behind negative perceptions of the environment

Depression alters neural circuits in the amygdala, leading to reduced activity in pleasant stimuli and increased activation in negative stimuli. This negativity bias contributes to depressive symptoms. Researchers found a potential treatment by reactivating neurons involved in positive encoding of environmental stimuli.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2024

Critical steps and more research needed to support physicians’ mental health, experts say

Researchers say implementing established strategies is critical to addressing the physician well-being crisis, including reducing workload and facilitating timely mental health treatment. The review also highlights the need for policies supporting diverse perspectives to improve well-being among underrepresented groups.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 23, 2024

At-home brain stimulation for depression is safe and effective, according to research from UTHealth Houston, King’s College London, and University of East London

A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and effective treatment for depression when administered at home. Researchers reported significant improvements in depression severity and remission rates compared to a placebo control group.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 21, 2024

New research identifies key mental health risk factors for children after trauma

A new study found that cognitive psychological factors, such as how children remember and perceive traumatic events, are the strongest predictors of poor mental health outcomes. The research team developed four predictive models of risk factors for PTSD, Complex PTSD, depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2024

Systematic review highlights decline in mental health care and increase in suicides following FDA youth antidepressant warnings

A systematic review found that FDA-issued warnings about antidepressant use among youth led to a decline in pediatric mental health care and an increase in suicides. The study suggests that these warnings, intended to encourage physician vigilance, had unintended consequences.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 7, 2024

New CAMH-led study highlights effective treatment for male postpartum depression

A new study from CAMH and Pakistan researchers demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial intervention in improving paternal mental health and child development outcomes. The intervention improved depressive symptoms, household dynamics, and child social and emotional development in a cohort of Pakistani fathers.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 2, 2024

Bright light therapy for non-seasonal depressive disorders

A systematic review and meta-analysis found bright light therapy to be an effective adjunctive treatment for non-seasonal depressive disorders. The study suggests that bright light therapy may improve the response time to the initial treatment, providing new hope for patients with these conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2024

When detecting depression, the eyes have it

Researchers developed two new AI-powered smartphone apps to spot depression warnings in pupils' dilation, unconscious facial expressions, and head movements. The systems showed 76% accuracy in detecting depressed states, outperforming existing smartphone-based detection platforms.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateSep 30, 2024

Remote video consultations linked to reduced depression and anxiety

A trial published in The BMJ found that remote video consultations between patients and mental health specialists showed a small but significant reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Compared to usual care, the PROVIDE model led to improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms at six months and sustained effects at 12 months.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 25, 2024

Digital biomarkers shedding light on seasonality in mood disorders

A new study published in PLOS Mental Health found a relationship between daily sunlight exposure, physical activity, and depressed state. The research used wrist-based activity sensors to collect data from individuals with depression and those without, revealing that more depressed states were associated with lower daytime activity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2024

Study shows psychedelic drug psilocybin gives comparable long-term antidepressant effects to standard antidepressants, but may offer additional benefits

A 6-month study found that psilocybin offered similar improvements to SSRI escitalopram in depressive symptoms, but with greater social functioning and psychological connectedness. Psilocybin may offer an alternative for those not responding to SSRIs, but its benefits are still being studied.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2024