1. Three Most Common Misconceptions of ADHD

    June 3, 2013

    Girl with ADHD

    by TK Cooke

    Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (hereon ADHD) has come into public scrutiny as of late because of the media blitz reporting on its overdiagnosis. The increased scrutiny is not without cause—a report from Psychology Today stated that the diagnosis of ADHD has increased by more than 40% over the past decade. The increased scrutiny has also brought upon a lot of misconceptions about the disorder and what it entails. So to set the record straight, we are going to talk about some of the more common misconceptions of ADHD. The following are three of the most commonly-held misconceptions about the disorder:

    Adderall (Or any other ADHD medication) Makes You Study (Better)

    This is a common belief among those who do not have ADHD, especially those in college. Ritalin, Adderall, and other methylphenidate/amphetamine run rampant in colleges, with many students believing it to be the silver bullet to acing their finals. This is a myth. ADHD medication will not make you do anything you didn’t want to do in the first place. Although popularly labeled as a stimulant, The Last Psychiatrist thinks ADHD medication should be labeled as reinforcers instead. The medication reinforces your will—but if you do not have a will to study, then there is nothing to reinforce. Yes, Ritalin (and the like) will make you hyper-focused. But what you are going to focus on is entirely up to you. If you want to talk to your significant other, the medication will make you focus on that and no medication in the world is going to make you study if you don’t want to.

    If I Can’t Concentrate, I Must Have ADHD

    The lack of concentration is just one of the hosts of symptoms used to render a diagnosis of ADHD. If you find yourself unable to concentrate but do not display any other types of symptoms, it does not mean you have ADHD.  ADHD is broken into several subsets: inattentive, impulsive-hyperactive, or combined, and the disorder itself presents the following set of symptoms:

    • Difficulty paying attention to details
    • Easily distracted by trivial matters (such as a buzzing sound or crickets chirping)
    • Difficulty finishing work or participating in activities that requires some sort of prolonged attention
    • Frequently shifting from one thing to another without ever finishing
    • Procrastination
    • Disorganized
    • Forgetfulness
    • Tendency to make careless mistakes
    • Failure to complete tasks
    • Frequent shifts in conversation
    • Not listening to other people while they talk
    • Fidgeting, squirming when seated
    • Getting up frequently to walk or run around
    • Running or climbing excessively when it’s inappropriate (in teens this may appear as restlessness)
    • Difficulty in a quiet setting
    • Always needing to be ‘on the go’ and doing something
    • Excessive talking
    • Impatience
    • Difficulty delaying responses
    • Difficulty controlling impulse for immediate gratification
    • Frequently interrupting others in order to get your point in
    • Starting conversations at times that would seem inappropriate

    You do not have to have all the above symptoms for a diagnosis of ADHD; however you do need to display a more than just inattention. And remember, you cannot develop ADHD as an adult—the onset of the disorder is only from early childhood.

    ADHD is Not Real?

    On the other side of the spectrum are non-believers who do not believe that ADHD is a real disorder. This misconception stems from the same originating premise as the previous misconception—that the only symptom of ADHD is the lack of concentration. Although ADHD is a highly subjective diagnosis, advances in neuroscience have made it possible to diagnose the disorder via imaging studies. Brain scans have shown that those with ADHD have a variant dopamine receptor gene that has been linked to regulating behavior. In addition, studies using brain scans have also found that ADHD is related to lowered dopamine production.

    Image Credit: Mark Sebastian

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  2. Five Depression Self Help Strategies

    May 30, 2013

    depression self help

    by Dr. Ralph Bieg

    There are a number of effective depression self help strategies. These strategies can be especially beneficial when used in combination with psychotherapy.

    1) Monitor your self talk (and learn to talk back). No big surprise – depressed people think a lot of negative thoughts. They put themselves down, are critical of others, expect the worse, overgeneralize, and lack hope for a brighter future.  These self-defeating thoughts lead to self-defeating behaviour (Like not even applying for a job that you are qualified for, because you’ve convinced yourself they won’t hire you.)

    When you experience a negative emotion, that negative feeling was preceded and caused by a negative thought.  So if you’re feeling, depressed, anxious, hopeless, guilty, etc. – STOP – and examine your thoughts. You can train yourself to recognize negative thoughts, challenge them, reframe them, put them in perspective, replace them with something neutral (or better yet, positive), or just reject them. Read a good article on how to challenge negative talk by Ben Martin, PSY.D. here. Another useful therapeutic approach is to alleviate negative thoughts using repetition. This approach is described in the article “Handling Negative Thoughts by Repetition” by Tali Shenfield, PSY.D – read it here.

    You can also be affected by other’s negativity. Avoid, or at least limit contact with, the complainers and “Debbie Downers” who see the world as out to get them and their glass as half empty. As much as possible, hang out with happy, optimistic people who see the best in and encourage you.

    2) Keep a gratitude journal, a simple notebook in which you write down at least five things you are grateful for each day, even if it is as inconsequential as your first morning cup of hot coffee. As Christine Kane explained so well in her online article Gratitude Journals and Why They Work, “This is not about living in denial or being phony. What it is about is refining your focus. In other words, I encourage the sensitive and bright people in the world to refocus their sensitivity so that they are sensitive to the joy and the good things in their lives, and not just to how bad and painful things feel to them.”

    3) Take a natural remedy – Consult with a alternative health practitioner or natural health store about natural remedies such as 5-HTP, SAMe, and St. John’s wort:

    • 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. The body uses the amino acid tryptophan to make 5-HTP, which it then turns into the neurotransmitter serotonin. Unlike serotonin, 5-HTP can cross the blood/brain barrier, accessing the brain from the bloodstream.

    It is also a precursor of the “sleep hormone” melatonin. Serotonin plays a role in mood, appetite, and sleep, and 5-HTP is sold over the counter in many countries as a dietary supplement to treat depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, binge eating and fibromyalgia.

    5-HTP is sourced from the seeds of the West African shrub griffonia simplicifolia. Do NOT take 5-HTP if you are taking a prescription anti-depressant. Both 5-HTP and antidepressants increase the levels of serotonin in the body. Too much serotonin can result in a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.

    • SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) is another naturally occurring substance found throughout the body, and in high concentrations in the brain. It too can cross the blood/brain barrier, and affects the metabolism of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. It also influences hormones.

    While clinical studies have shown that SAMe is effective in alleviating depression, scientists aren’t sure why. It’s speculated that it facilitates synthesis of the same neurotransmitters that anti-depressants act on. It has long been used as a prescription depression medication in Europe.

    According to an editorial by Dr. J. Craig Nelson in the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Low levels of SAMe have been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of severely depressed patients. Oral and parenteral administration of SAMe result in a rise in CSF SAMe concentrations, indicating the compound crosses the blood-brain barrier. An increase in SAMe levels has been positively correlated with improvement in depression. SAMe concentrations also appear to rise in patients who respond to other antidepressants such as desipramine. SAMe is produced in the one-carbon cycle involving folate, homocysteine, and vitamin B12, and abnormalities of each of these compounds has been associated with depression. ”

    “In short, the hypothesis is that abnormalities in the one-carbon cycle may result in low concentrations of SAMe that in turn may limit the synthesis of brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This may directly contribute to depressive symptoms or interfere with or limit the action of other antidepressants. Administration of SAMe may ameliorate these deficiencies or augment antidepressants and facilitate neurotransmission.”

    Whatever the mechanism, SAMe works to alleviate depression faster than prescription drugs and other alternative therapies, sometimes within a week.

    • St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) was one of the earliest popular natural remedies for depression, and is the most studied. It has consistently been shown to work as well as, or better than, prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. The plant may prevent nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing some chemical messengers involved in mood, including dopamine and serotonin. St John’s Wort is a stimulant, and may not be the best choice of natural antidepressant for those who experience anxiety.

    Taking St. John’s wort can weaken many prescription medicines, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and some HIV, cancer and heart medications, so make sure your health care provider is aware of every natural remedy and prescription medication that you are taking.

     

    4) Light therapy – If your depression typically occurs in the late fall and winter, it may be seasonal effective disorder (SAD), linked to a lack of sunshine. SAD may respond to a light therapy box, also known as a light box, bright light therapy box or a phototherapy box. Light therapy boxes mimic outdoor light.

    According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers believe this type of light causes a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood, and eases other symptoms of SAD. Most people use light boxes for at least 30 minutes every morning.

    5) Emotional freedom techniques, or EFT, is described by founder Gary Craig as “an emotional version of acupuncture, except we don’t use needles. Instead, we use a simple two-pronged process wherein we (1) mentally ‘tune in’ to specific issues while (2) stimulating certain meridian points on the body by tapping on them with our fingertips. Properly done, EFT appears to balance disturbances in the meridian system and thus often reduces the conventional therapy procedures from months or years down to minutes or hours.”

    While the fastest results are likely achieved with a trained therapist, EFT can be learned and practiced on one’s own. Craig has released his work into the public domain, and free tutorials can be downloaded from his website, www.emofree.com.

    While serious and long lasting depression should always be reported to and evaluated by your doctor or a mental health professional, mild or moderate depression will likely respond to a combination of these depression self-help techniques. They can also be used along with therapy and/or prescription medication (but don’t take the natural remedies along with anti-depressants) for more serious and deep-seated depression.

    Consistent use of self help methods like positive self talk, a gratitude journal and Emotional Freedom Techniques will result in lasting change in how you think about and experience life, lessening your chances of experiencing future depression.

    Finally, But first, don’t ignore these obvious and often repeated basic self-help advice for depression, including:

    • Getting enough sleep.
    • Eating a healthy diet (lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains).
    • Meditating, or practicing relaxation.
    • Avoiding “self medicating” with alcohol, recreational drugs, and/or food.
    • Exercising – even if it’s just a couple of 10-minute walks a day.

    With this foundation, you will have much more success in your fight with depression.

    Image Credit: Daniel Horacio Agostini 

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  3. 5 Weird Therapy Techniques of the Past

    May 29, 2013

    weird therapy techniques

    by Tammy Fields

    Feeling depressed? Maybe you should have all of your teeth extracted. If that doesn’t work, you can try spinning in circles. While modern psychiatry has its critics, current treatment methods are certainly preferable to those of yore. Here are five weird therapy techniques that you’ll need a time machine to undergo.

    Coma Therapy

    Many scientific breakthroughs have been discovered by accident. In 1927, when Dr. Manfred Sakel administered too much insulin to one of his diabetic patients, he mistakenly sent her into a coma. Upon waking, the patient, who was also a morphine addict, felt no craving for her drug of choice. Of course, all experiments must be repeatable to produce valid results, and Dr. Sakel fortunately made the same mistake with another patient resulting in the same outcome. After that, Dr. Sakel began intentionally inducing comas to treat drug addiction. Dr. Sakel’s off-beat method purportedly had a 90 percent cure-rate, though no data are available for 2 percent of hispatients; they died during therapy.

    Hydrotherapy

    Most people agree that a warm bath can relax the mind and body after a long day, but hydrotherapy has more in common with water-boarding than bathing. Doctors once treated hyperactivity by restraining patients in scorching water for days on end. For lethargic patients, ice baths and high-pressure jets were the preferred treatment. These days, most doctors will probably just recommend a quick shower to achieve the same results.

    Surgical Bacteriology

    Until relatively recently, mental anguish was attributed to either demonic possession or undiagnosed bacterial maladies within the body. Dr. Henry Cotton bought into the latter theory, and he had a commonsense solution: remove parts of his patients’ bodies until they were cured. He’d start by extracting his clients’ teeth. Not one to give up, if patients still experienced symptoms after dental work, he’d remove tonsils, gall bladders, cervixes, testicles and even stomachs. Ironically, his practices were discontinued because many of his patients died from bacterial infections due to unsterile surgical procedures.

    Rotational Therapy

    Benjamin Rush’s contributions to the field of psychology are invaluable. He authored the first notable textbook on mental disorders in the United States and was a strong advocate for patients’ rights in a time that people with mental disorders were treated inhumanely. As an alternative to exorcisms and organ removal, Rush suggested strapping patients to a board and spinning them around. While the only side-effect of Rush’s procedure was dizziness, it failed to produce desirable results in psychiatric patients; however, rotational therapy is currently used to treat respiratory illnesses.

    Mesmerism

    Have you ever wondered where the word “mesmerize” comes from? Dr. Franz Mesmer believed that the moon’s gravity manipulated body fluids in the same way it affects the ocean’s tides. Naturally, he also believed that magnets could balance out the moon’s gravitational pull. Though most psychiatrists of the day attributed his success to the placebo effect, Dr. Mesmer had hundreds of satisfied patients. Mesmer eventually proved his colleagues right; he found that laying his hands on his patients and telling them that he was feeding them a magnetic charge made his patients feel just as good. It should be noted that most of Mesmer’s patients were young women. Despite his critics, Mesmer’s ideas were foundational to the field of hypnosis, hence the synonym “mesmerism”.

    Image Credit: Soren Martin & Mark Andersen 

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  4. Learn about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment

    May 27, 2013

    Obsessive compulsive disorder

    by Joanna Fishman

    Obsessive compulsive disorder, or simply “OCD”, is a condition that pairs obsessive thought patterns with compulsive behaviours. These thoughts and behaviours cause the sufferer depression and anxiety. Some typical examples of the behaviour you might see in someone with OCD is constantly cleaning (beyond reason) or counting items over and over again.

    There are two distinct elements to OCD: obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are not as easy to identify (to the outside world) as the compulsions. Someone may have obsessive thoughts about items being symmetrical, for example, but this behaviour manifests itself in compulsive organizing and rearranging of items.

    The causes of OCD are up for debate. There is strong evidence to suggest that the brain activity of the OCD sufferer is markedly different from that of those who do not suffer from OCD – suggesting a biological basis for the condition. Specific neurotransmitters may be key to understanding these biological anomalies. Neurotransmitters send messages between nerve cells within the brain. OCD sufferers are thought to have lower levels of serotonin than the general population.

    Unfortunately, having a parent with OCD may increase the likelihood of you being diagnosed with the same. While this seems to suggest a genetic link, studies have not been conclusive. The prevalence of OCD in families is likely a combination of both nature and nurture.

    Interestingly, some experts link certain infections with the onset of OCD symptoms. Some children are diagnosed with OCD within weeks after suffering from strep throat. This is due to the infection damaging the nerve cells within the brain that control OCD.

    Treatment for OCD usually comes in the form of medication and/or psychotherapy. Medication does not cure the disorder – it merely makes it tolerable. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, can provide a lasting and even permanent solution to OCD symptoms.

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a very popular treatment option for sufferers of OCD. CBT involves intervening negative or destructive thought patterns and replacing them with more rational thoughts. Some CBT therapists use exposure and response prevention, which teaches the sufferer how to cope with their anxiety toward a specific trigger by exposing them to the trigger gradually.

    While counselling is one of the most effective non-pharmaceutical treatments for OCD, there are other types of natural remedies that sufferers may try in conjunction with psychotherapy. Yoga can be used to treat a variety of medical ailments – but it is specifically beneficial for anxiety (which commonly accompanies OCD). Some patients also find St. John’s Wort (found in health food stores) effective in alleviating depression, which may be present in OCD sufferers.

    OCD can be crippling for sufferers, as it causes high levels of anxiety and depression. It can affect the sufferer’s ability to hold down a job, enjoy social situations or attend school. However, OCD need not be a life sentence. There are many effective treatments for OCD ease short-term and long term suffering. The first step is always to see a counsellor and get a proper diagnosis.

    Image Credit: Nwardez

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  5. On Progress in Dementia Research

    May 25, 2013

    Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

    by Gaj and Kathy Ragunathan

    Research scientists in Britain and worldwide  are striving to eliminate Dementia. There are teams of scientists striving to develop preventative treatment strategies, to find new ways to diagnose the disease and ultimately, cure it. Top scientists are pursuing groundbreaking, innovative research programs and their goal is to rid the world of Dementia.

    Dementia is a general term for decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, it causes loss of brain function that occurs and affects memory, thinking, language, judgement and behaviour. Patients with dementia are often confused, they sometimes suffer mood changes and have difficulty coping with everyday tasks. There are currently 820.000 people with mental health related dementia in the UK and as the population increases so do the numbers of people who have the disease. It cuts across society and devastates families. A world-wide trend, numbers of people with dementia are doubling every twenty years. Researchers are exploring ways to care for people who suffer from it and are striving to find the best environment for patients and family support.

    The British Government is tackling mental health head on.  This national crisis is being  funded through screening programs to identify the condition at an early stage. Britain is leading the world in Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research and plans have been made to increase scientific funding. Prime Minister David Cameron stated that awareness of dementia is poor and that the levels of recognizing the disease and treating it need to be more fully researched. He was surprised to discover the vast need to raise awareness of the disease.

    The Centre for Clinical Research in the UK, (the Dementia Research Centre) at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery specializes in drug trials. Drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease are tested there. The majority of dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease and the research team are currently working to identify the Alzheimer’s gene. Their concern is also with identifying causes that could trigger Alzheimer’s and with x-raying brain damage and studying its development and tracking its growth in Alzheimer’s. They research techniques to diagnose and track the progression of these debilitating diseases.

    Universities in Britain are producing research environments for investigating causes and treatment of dementia. Alzheimer’s Scotland funds clinical and scientific research into the development and maintenance of brain tissue and the charity finances a brain tissue bank. Alzheimer’s Research is a UK charity that funds some of these studies and tries to find new ways to eliminate dementia. Its aims are to improve our understanding of all causes of dementia and explore ways to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment. There is an urgent need to commit to the funding of resourcing and implementation of a national development strategy.

    Awareness of dementia needs to be raised and understood, not stigmatized  Radical shifts in attitude are needed to help transform lives. There is a great need for quality, dementia care homes to care professionally for people experiencing the many different stages of dementia, whether it be a private or on the national health service.  Staff training is paramount in providing a supportive environment for elderly people suffering from  mental health,  remaining sensitive to their individual needs and personalities and preserving their independence as much as possible. Good dementia care homes have a duty to offer facilities tailored to their residents’ individual needs.

    Image Credit: Nwardez

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  6. How To Deal With Depression Associated With Eating Disorders.

    May 23, 2013

    Eating disorder and depression

    by Jared Friedman

    Millions of men and women struggle with eating disorders everyday. When a person’s relationship with food and his or her body has gotten out of control, and the individual can no longer maintain a healthy body weight, depression can be a very real part of the equation.

    Lisa Lilenfeld, PhD, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Argosy University in Arlington, Virginia who specializes in eating disorders, states that, “Being severely underweight and malnourished, which is common in anorexia, can cause physiological changes that are known to negatively affect mood states.”

    Eating Disorder Emotional Trauma 

    Ira M. Sacker, MD, an eating disorders specialist at Langone Medical Center at New York University and author of the book, Regaining Your Self: Understanding and Conquering the Eating Disorder Identity, adds that, “People who develop eating disorders feel as people that they’re not good enough. They become obsessed with perfectionism. That perfectionism begins to focus on what they eat. But underlying it is depression and anxiety. Often, these patients have suffered a lot of emotional trauma.”

    Many professionals in the mental health field believe that symptoms of depression can lead a person to eating disorder behaviors, and eating disorder behaviors can cause someone to experience symptoms of depression. These aspects of the two disorders makes the combination difficult to treat. However, there are ways to deal with depression associated with eating disorders

    Depression And Eating Disorders

    Depression in people with eating disorders typically has its own unique features, and therefore needs to be treated individually, case by case, especially when depression is a part of the person’s story. Dual diagnosis treatment is available. Various mental health rehab facilities specialize in the concurrent treatment of the symptoms of two diagnosed disorders. While you, or your loved one, is receiving guided asssistance for an eating disorder, the symptoms of depression are also being treated.

    With a persoanlized treatment plan for each client, these dual diagnosis programs focus on the unique set of needs presented when one person suffers from an eating disorder and depression.

    Identify The Disorders 

    The first step is to identify the two co-occurring disorders. The following symptoms can help guide you toward what eating disorder you, or someone you love, is dealing with, and whether or not depression is also present.

    The three main categories of eating disorders are:

    Anorexia nervosa:

    • Identified by weight loss generally due to an excessive need to diet and exercise.
    • Starvation, marked by an extremely unhealthy body weight, is a sure sign of anorexia.
    • The inability to ever feel thin enough, and the continuation of seeing oneself as overweight even when at an unhealthily low body weight, signals anorexia.

    Bulimia nervosa:

    • Signaled by a person’s repeated cycle of binging, or extreme overeating, followed by purging, or self-induced vomiting to ride the system of everything just eaten.
    • Behaviors, such as over-exercising, are used to compensate for overeating.
    • Feelings of guilt and loss of control over eating also signal bulimia

    Binge eating disorder:

    • Characterized by regular episodes of binge overeating and feelings of loss of control about eating.
    • An inability to not eat large amounts of food, even when the person does not want to eat that much.

    Once you have determined which category of eating disorder is most appropriate for your behaviors, is depression also a part of your pain? 

    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most common symptoms of depression are:

    • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
    • Fatigue and decreased energy
    • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
    • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
    • Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
    • Irritability, restlessness
    • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
    • Overeating or appetite loss
    • Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
    • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
    • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts


    If you feel that both diagnoses apply to you, contact a local treatment center for an assessment. You don’t have to live like this any longer. Help yourself, or a loved one, start on the road to recovery from an eating disorder and depression.

    Image Credit: Eidur Kappler

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  7. The Physiology of Emotions

    May 22, 2013

    emotions

    by Kady Babs

    We often feel pressure in our bodies as a result of strong emotional experiences. When we are embarrassed we describe it as a “blush” and during intense anger we refer to a “pounding” in the temples. Most often people report a ‘knot” in the stomach when frightened, and when they nervous they experience “butterflies”. These are the simple extreme examples from the common man’s experiences. There are, of course, a number of physiological changes that take place during emotions.

    Emotions and the Autonomic Nervous System

    The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates the body’s internal environment and usually functioning without conscious control. It has two divisions, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. Both have broadly the opposite effects. The sympathetic division dominates during emergency or stress and promotes energy expenditure.

    The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) encourages the increase of blood sugar, heart heat and blood pressure required for sustained physical activity. But at the same time it inhibits the process of digestion. On the contrary the PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System) dominates during relaxation and promotes energy conservation, it brings down the heartbeat rate and blood flow to the skeletal muscles also promoting digestion. Most of the physiological changes associated with strong emotion such as intense fear and anger are caused by activation of the parasympathetic division.

    Brain Structure and Emotion

     

    The ANS mainly triggers the physiological changes in emotions. The ANS is coordinated by the brain. The hypothalamus, in particular, and some areas of the limbic system are involved in a number of emotional reactions, such as anger, fear and aggression.

    In cases of exaggerated emotional behaviour in human beings, damage to certain limbic areas was found. Such damage can take place before, during or just after birth. It can arise from a variety of causes including diseases affecting brain. Drug abuse, trauma due to auto accident, athletic injuries or gunshot wounds also cause such damages. Charles Whitman of University of Texas was the man who killed his wife and mother one night. Next morning he climbed to top of campus tower with a powerful rifle with telescopic sight. From there he proceeded to fire at every thing that moved. After one and half hour when he was finally shot down by the police he had killed 38 people. Although he had received psychiatric treatment for the last many months, an autopsy revealed a malignant tumor on the amygdala, part of the limbic system.

    Psychologists believed that brain’s control over emotions was largely through hypothalamus and amygdala but recently it has become clear that cerebral cortex is initially involved as well. The most interesting discovery is that the cortex’s role in emotion is asymmetrical. That is the left side contributes more to positive feelings while the right side contributes more to the negative ones. Those who suffer extensive damage to the right cerebral hemisphere are often quite acid and dare free in mood. That means that euphoric emotions are greatly influenced by left brain activity. Injury to right brain may serve to dis-inhibit or let free.

    Image Credit: Natalie Jordan

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  8. Six Tips for Depression Self Help

    May 21, 2013

    depression self-help

    We all get depressed at some point in our lives. We also know how difficult it is to do our tasks when we’re feeling down. Even simple things like cleaning the house, taking a shower, eating, or getting out of bed can be mentally and physically taxing even for strong-willed individuals. Most people deal with depression in a negative way, some will find ways to escape, some will blame other people for their woes, while others wouldn’t even acknowledge their woes. The easy way out of depression is to run to psychiatrist and ask for medication. Healthier option is to go to psychologist or therapist and sign up for psychotherapy e.g.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  But what about depression self help? Can you pull yourself out of depression without medication?

    Motivation is the key to get back to living your life and feeling better when you are feeling helpless. I know that this can be the last thing on your mind when you’re down, but there are some tricks you can do to get your groove back. Here are six ways to stay motivated during the bad times:

    Don’t be too hard on yourself

    It will take time before you feel like your old self again. You need to be patient before you can get things back under control. Changes don’t happen overnight, don’t feel bad if you commit mistakes or fall short of your goals. In many cases, you are your number one critic, so be more forgiving. Give yourself a pat on the back even for simple accomplishments.

    Write your plans on paper

    In order to get out of your funk, you need to remind yourself that everything will be alright. Get back on track by writing your plan down. When you put everything down on a piece of paper, you are indirectly reassuring your subconscious mind that you’ll do something about your situation, helping you overcome your depression. Be detailed about your plans and include a time table so you can track your progress easily.

    Be realistic

    Don’t go overboard when writing down your goals. Setting lofty goals is one way to set yourself up for failure, leading to more frustration and depression. Start with simple changes you know you can achieve and work your way up from there. Achieving your goals gives you a sense of accomplishment which you can build on. Being realistic is like taking baby steps towards achieving your goals.

    Get up and start moving

    When you’re feeling bad, it seems like staying in bed all day is all you can do. Being sedentary will only sink you further down into depression. Don’t make any excuses and just start an exercise routine. If you have been inactive for too long, you can start by walking around your neighborhood for thirty minutes each day. You’ll find that exercise builds on itself, so you can increase intensity over time. Staying active will not only help get you in shape, but is also an excellent way to make you feel good. It promotes the release of endorphins, a neurotransmitter that elevates mood and reduces anxiety.

    Find someone to talk to

    We naturally withdraw from the outside world when we’re depressed. Being alone isn’t the best or the easiest way to deal with your dilemma. Go out of your way and seek help from family and friends. There are lots of people who are always willing to lend a helping hand during your time of need. Finding inspiration in others can help get you back on your feet. If you are having problems with seeing other people face to face, you can always start with e-mails and phone calls; the important thing is you are talking to someone. You can also try calling help lines if you don’t know anyone to talk to about your problem.

    Start working on a project

    Working on something unrelated to your problems is a great way to get your mind of things that bother you the most. This could be your best therapy. Work on something that interests you to help keep your mind off of depression and give yourself a treat when you’re done. You can learn how to play an instrument, a new language, or anything that gets your creative juice flowing.  Try different things and practice whatever works as your personal depression self help.

    Getting out of depression may be challenging, but with a little planning and progress you can find that silver lining once again. Just hang in there and know that you are bigger than your problems; you’ll be back to your old self sooner than you think. The sun will be shining again.

    This article was prepared by Simon Bukai who owns and operates Vista Health Solutions, a health insurance marketplace. Vista Health Solutions provides helpful advice and valuable insight to consumers looking for the best health insurance solution.

     Image Credit: Julien

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  9. On Correlation between Asperger Syndrome and Violence

    May 13, 2013

    mulberrymint-5959142610

    by Derek Whitney

    Asperger syndrome, coined in 1944 and recognized by the DSM-IV in 1994, is a type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is similar to autism; however individuals with Asperger disorder typically have a higher level of functioning than those with autism. Asperger’s is typically diagnosed in young children and the disorder will carry on throughout an individual’s life, as there is no definitive cure or medication therapy to treat the disorder. Due to recent media coverage about the Sandy Hook shooting’s gunman allegedly suffering from Asperger syndrome, increasing concern has arisen from society about the link between the disorder and violence.

    It is important to note that, as with any neurodevelopmental disorders, not all individuals with Asperger’s experience the disorder the same way and some function better than others. The common traits for people with Asperger syndrome  are poor social skills and a limited range of interests. This, in turn, leads to these individuals feeling isolated and having higher likelihood of developing anxiety and depressive disorders. While many people respond to depression with feelings of sadness or emptiness, increasing irritability can take the place of these feelings, particularly in younger patients such as Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter. Combined with an inability to concentrate and suicidal ideation, in addition to feelings of withdrawal from the world, Asperger’s sufferers can become likely candidates for violence, both as victims and perpetrators. Those with co-occurring bipolar disorder can be especially concerning because of the high energy and impulsive behavior associated with bipolar mania and mixed states. However, patients with bipolar disorder can be violent regardless of whether they have Asperger’s or not.

    Another feature that correlates with violence is a deficit in, or complete lack of, empathy in individuals with Asperger’s. A 1985 study by Mawson et. al found that a man with Asperger syndrome repeatedly engaged in violent acts throughout his life knowing they were wrong, but without feeling any remorse. However, this trait is not exclusive to Asperger’s; individuals with antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders also share a lack of empathy.

    The key feature of interest in shootings like Sandy Hook is that individuals with Asperger’s tend to obsess over singular interests and have very well-defined talents. In the case of Adam Lanza, who allegedly had Asperger’s, investigations after the shooting found a large collection of weaponry inside his home and reported that his mother had taught him target shooting. To the public, the media portrayed that Lanza was a gun enthusiast and that firearms were his singular obsessive interest. An obsession with firearms combined with lack of empathy or the bullying associated with Asperger’s sufferers and their lack of social connection, which Lanza reportedly experienced, make violence probable. Adam Lanza, like many other children with Asperger’s, was a victim of bullying. In other major shootings such as Columbine and Virginia Tech, the shooters were also victims of bullying. However, bullying is what links these shootings together and not Asperger syndrome.

    Traits commonly shared by individuals with Asperger’s have a correlation with committing acts of violence, but not every child with the condition is violent. Being victims of bullying, having a lack of empathy, co-occurring disorders such as depression and an obsession with violence, crime or weaponry can all correlate with an increased risk for the individual with Asperger’s to engage in violent behaviors.

    Image Credit: Courtney Lynch

    Editor’s Commentary

    Correlation between Asperger’s syndrome and violence has become a hot topic after the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy. We asked an expert on Asperger’s syndrome to comment on this article.

    Editor’s Interview with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Tali Shenfield, PhD, CPsych

    Q: Dr. Shenfield, I understand that you have extensive experience treating patients with Asperger’s syndrome (AS). Do you feel that this group is particularly prone to violence?

    This topic is highly controversial and there is no consensus even among clinical psychologists working with Asperger’s syndrome patients. While there is extensive clinical research (see references section below) showing that people with Asperger’s syndrome are more likely to commit violent acts, there is little psychological research linking Asperger’s to planned acts of committed violence. It is important to keep in mind that:

    1. Most people with Asperger’s are not violent.

    2. Stigmatizing people with Asperger’s as potential criminals could cause further alienation and trigger violent behavior.

    3. People with Asperger’s are more likely to be the victims rather than the perpetrators of violence.

    4. A small subset of people with Asperger’s are violent, which can lead to criminal behavior, including murder.

    5. Most patients with Asperger’s who commit violent acts have a co-morbid mental health disorder.

    6. The chances of violent behavior can be greatly reduced if Asperger’s patients receive psychological help during their childhood and beyond.

     

    Q: Do you think that generalizing from individual cases to the group as a whole can create unwarranted prejudice and fear in the public?

    Like with all mental health disorders, there are many misperceptions about Asperger’s syndrome. It is important to understand that all individuals diagnosed with this syndrome are different. There are many who do experience feelings of empathy and compassion, but might have a different way of expressing these feelings. Most commonly, Asperger’s patients are quiet, soft-spoken and peaceful people. They like to follow rules and established patterns of behavior. It is concerning to me that individual cases of violence by persons allegedly suffering from Asperger’s  can paint the whole group as violent and dangerous.

    Q: Perhaps it would be helpful to understand what factors can lead to aggressive behavior in persons with AS?

    I believe that the main contributing factor is difficulty in interpreting other people’s emotions and intentions. They might perceive a harmless joke as a threat and react irrationally. They may also be prone to outbursts of pent-up frustration. They have a hard time expressing and understanding their own feelings, and they sometimes allow them to accumulate to the point of uncontrollable explosion.

    The best prevention is to teach AS children from early on about their own and other people’s emotions and facilitate processing and expression of their feelings. This usually leads to better social skills and reduces their frustration.

    Q: What are some other less known facts about people with AS?

    It is important to acknowledge the role of individuals with AS in the history of humankind. Remember that many famous scientists, writers, artists and innovators we admire  today (such as Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Alfred Hitchcock, Bobby Fischer and others) had traits of Asperger’s. The world would not be the same without them. I think we should focus on understanding and supporting these people rather than ostracizing and fearing them.

    References:

    1. Allen D, Evans C, Hider A, et al (2007) Offending behaviour in adults with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders; 38:748–58.

    2. Attwood T (2007) The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    3. Blair J, Mitchell D, Blair K (2005) The Psychopath: Emotion and the Brain. Blackwell Publishing.

    4. Crocombe J, Mills R, Wing L, et al (2006) Autism Spectrum Disorders in the High Security Hospitals of the United Kingdom. A Summary of Two Studies. The National Autistic Society.

    5. Farrington DP (2007) Childhood risk factors and risk-focused prevention. In The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (4th edn) (eds M Maguire, R Morgan, R Reiner): 602–40. Oxford University Press.

    6. Golan O, Baron-Cohen S (2006) Systemizing empathy: teaching adults with Asperger’s syndrome or high-functioning autism to recognize complex emotions using interactive multimedia. Development and Psychopathology;18: 591–617.

    7. Hare DJ, Gould J, Mills R, et al (1999) A preliminary study of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders in three special hospitals in England. National Autistic Society

    8. Hawes V (2003) Developmental disorders in prisoners volunteering for DSPD assessment. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on the Care and Treatment of Offenders with a Learning Disability (eds C Dale, L Storey): in Presentations on ‘Working with offenders’

    9. Lord C, Risi S, Lambrecht L, et al (2000) The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Generic: a standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders; 30: 205–23.

    10. Mouridsen SE, Rich B, Isager T, et al (2008) Pervasive developmental disorders and criminal behaviour: a case control study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ; 52: 196–205.

    11. Murphy D (2003) Admission and cognitive details of male patients diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome detained in a Special Hospital: comparison with a schizophrenia and personality disorder sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; 14: 506–24.

    12. Murphy D (2007) Hare Psychopathy Checklist Revised profiles of male patients with Asperger’s syndrome detained in high security psychiatric care. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; 18: 20–126.

    13. Myers F (2004) On the Borderline? People with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Secure, Forensic and Other Specialist Settings. Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health

    14. Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (2002) Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems. New England Journal of Medicine; 347: 314–21.

    15. Royal College of Psychiatrists (2006) Psychiatric Services for Adolescents and Adults with Asperger Syndrome and Other Autistic-Spectrum Disorders (Council Report CR136). Royal College of Psychiatrists

    16. Schwartz-Watts DM (2005) Asperger’s disorder and murder. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law; 33: 390–3.

    17. Scragg P, Shah A (1994) Prevalence of Asperger’s syndrome in a secure hospital. British Journal of Psychiatry; 165: 679–82.

    18. Siponmaa L, Kristiansson M, Jonsson C, et al (2001) Juvenile and young adult mentally disordered offenders: the role of child neuropsychiatric disorders. Journal of American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law; 29: 420–6.

    19. Soderstrom H, Nilsson T, Sjodin AK, et al (2005) The childhood-onset neuropsychiatric background to adult psychopathic traits and personality disorders. Comprehensive Psychiatry; 46: 111–6.

    20. Viding EM (2007) Re: The callous unemotional traits (e-Letter). British Journal of Psychiatry; 29 May

    21. Woodbury-Smith MR, Clare ICH, Holland AJ, et al (2005) A case–control study of offenders with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; 16: 747–63.

    22. Woodbury-Smith MR, Clare ICH, Holland AJ, et al (2006) High functioning autistic spectrum disorders, offending and other law-breaking: findings from a community sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; 17 :108–20.

    23. Woodbury-Smith MR, Clare ICH, Holland AJ, et al (2009) Circumscribed interests among offenders with autistic spectrum disorders: a case–control study. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; in press.

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  10. How Vitamin B12 Can Protect Your Mental Health

    May 10, 2013

    Protect Your Mental Health

    by Jessica Velasco

    When we are young, we don’t give a lot of thought to the possibility of our declining mental health.  We feel invincible; things like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease seem to be eons away.

    However, our actions today can drastically affect our future health.  We need to be aware of possible health conditions and how they will influence our later years.  Those who have already advanced to the midlife phase need to know hope is not lost; there are still ways to prevent mental health decline.

    Understanding The Role of Vitamin B12

    Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin found in animal products like meat, fish, eggs and milk.  It can also be found in nutritional supplements and vitamin fortified foods (like breakfast cereals and snack bars).

    This vitamin plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.  It is also responsible for the formation of blood.

    If we fail to consume or absorb enough vitamin B12, we could experience a deficiency.  If left untreated, a vitamin B12 deficiency could have severe and irreversible effects on our overall health – especially the brain and nervous system.

    Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency range in severity.  In the beginning, nutrient deficient patients could feel tired, dizzy, and have an upset stomach.  As the condition worsens, patients might experience tingling in their fingers and toes, excessive mood swings, memory loss, depression, mania and psychosis.

    If adequate levels are restored, the deficiency and undesirable conditions can be kept at bay.  Most doctors recommend vitamin B12 injections to treat a deficiency.  Other supplement methods – oral pills, sublingual drops or skin patches – aren’t as effective.  This is especially true for the older population who has trouble absorbing adequate amounts of the vitamin.

    The Impact Vitamin B12 Has on Mental Health

    Since vitamin B12 is directly responsible for maintaining optimal brain and nervous system health, it isn’t surprising to learn the vitamin can have long lasting health effects.

    If a deficiency is left untreated, our mental health will obviously suffer.  However, people who have even just a minimal deficiency – levels just slightly lower than normal – can receive numerous benefits from vitamin B12 injections too.

    Vitamin B12 plays an active role in the process that converts food to energy.  If this conversion isn’t happening properly, weight gain could occur.  Therefore, vitamin B12 is often used in conjunction with various weight loss methods.  If we are struggling with weight issues and failing to find the underlying cause, we can suffer severe mental distress.

    Maintaining adequate levels of the nutrient can also help reduce cardiovascular risk and decrease the chance of heart disease.  Knowing our heart is in good health is always reassuring!

    Additionally, regular vitamin B12 injections help people feel happier and think positively.  Higher levels of the nutrient are also responsible for improved memory and reaction time.

    The Correlation Between Vitamin B12 and Alzheimer’s Disease

    A recent study by Celeste de Jager, a neuropsychologist at Oxford University, revealed that large doses of vitamin B12 could slow the cognitive decline that is a precursor to dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.

    Two hundred seventy men and women participated in the study.  Every individual was over the age of 70 and had mild cognitive impairment (memory, language and other mental functions had been minimally compromised).

    Individuals with mild cognitive impairment were specially chosen for this study since the condition affects one in six of today’s elderly population.  Additionally, 50% of mild cognitive impairment patients develop Alzheimer’s within five years of onset.

    Dr. de Jager reported that participants who took a combination of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid showed surprising results.

    Over the course of two years, this nutrient combination was responsible for reducing the overall shrinkage of the participants’ brains by 30%.  Patients who joined the study with elevated levels of homocysteine in their blood experienced shrinkage reduction of 50%.

    The combination of these B vitamins and folic acid can help control the levels of homocysteine in our blood.  This amino acid, if left unchecked, can damage blood vessels by attacking the endothelial lining of blood cells.  It also binds to receptors in the brain which contributes to atrophy.

    By keeping homocysteine levels in check, we can reduce cognitive decline and possibly prevent dementia.

    No matter what your age or stage, it is never too late – or early – to starting thinking about the future.  Consider how simple things like vitamin supplements can improve your overall health.  Our mental health is one of the most valuable things we have; we need to do all we can to keep our brains functioning properly for as long as possible!

    Image Credit: Wagner Cesar Munhoz

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