Study Improves Recovery For Mothers With Depression
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a therapy programme to treat depression in women in developing countries. Although depression is a major health problem world-wide, experts say its impact is greatest in developing countries where 80% of the population live. Often there are no resources available to treat sufferers.

Prognosis After Attempted Suicide Impaired By Psychiatric Disorder
People who have attempted suicide at some point in their lives are more likely to actually succeed in committing suicide at a later date. The risk is particularly high for people with serious psychiatric disorder, according to a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. One in ten suicide attempters actually commit suicide later on in life.

Somerset Mental Health Trust Will Support Armed Services Personnel, England
NHS and MOD collaborate to provide mental health care closer to home. A Somerset mental health Trust is one of only seven organisations selected by the Ministry of Defence to support members of the armed services affected by mental ill health.

American College Of Physicians Finds No Substantial Differences Among "Second-Generation" Antidepressant Drugs
The American College of Physicians is publishing a new guideline for the treatment of depression in Annals of Internal Medicine. ACP found no substantial differences in efficacy or quality of life among "second-generation" antidepressants used to treat depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder.

15.6% Of Hawaii's Public High School Students Obese - 5,600 Students Attempted Suicide Within Past Year
The latest Department of Health (DOH) data report on youth shows that an estimated 7,300 of Hawai'i's public high school students are obese (15.6%). Additionally, an estimated 5,600 students reported attempting suicide within the past year, a statistic that shows Hawai'i's youth are at greater risk than the national average. However, the findings of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) showed Hawai'i youth's decline in risky health behaviors, such as tobacco, alcohol and other drug use.

News From Annals Of Internal Medicine, Nov. 18, 2008, Issue
1. New ACP Guideline Looks at Effectiveness of Drugs Used to Treat Depressive Disorders Second generation treatments for depression are all equally effective according to a new clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP). The guideline is published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, the ACP's flagship journal.

CNS Response Provides Poster Review Regarding The Use Of SSRIs In Children And Adolescents
CNS Response, Inc. (OTCBB: CNSO) reported today the results of a study presented at the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress by Daniel Hoffman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CNS Response.

Depression Screening May Not Benefit Heart Disease Patients
Results of a new study call into question recent clinical guidelines issued by leading cardiovascular groups, including the American Heart Association, which recommend patients with cardiovascular disease be screened for signs of depression and treated accordingly. The study, published in the November 12 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association and conducted by an international team of researchers including James Coyne, Ph.D.

New Data, New Directions In Management Of Mood And Anxiety Disorders - 8th International Forum For Mood And Anxiety Disorders Congress
Clinicians and researchers from around the world attended this week's 8th International Forum on Mood and Anxiety disorders in Vienna, Austria to discuss the latest advances in the treatment of mood disorders. A wide range of topics were included in this year's programme, highlighting the position of IFMAD in the congress calendar as a forum for breaking news, original thinking and debate.

Greater Risk Of Death For African-Americans With Depression And Heart Attack
African-American patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and previously treated depression that persists at their MI hospitalization have an increased risk of post-MI death, according to Emory researcher Susmita Parashar, MD, MPH. Parashar, a member of the cardiology division, Emory University School of Medicine, presented findings Nov. 12 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in New Orleans.

Doctors Must Look After Their Health Too - British Medical Journal
Short term counselling followed by a modest cut in work hours may help reduce emotional exhaustion (burnout) and sick leave in doctors, according to a study published on bmj.com today. It is well known that doctors have higher rates of depression and suicide than the general population and are less likely to seek help.

Light Triggers A New Code For Brain Cells
Brain cells can adopt a new chemical code in response to cues from the outside world, scientists working with tadpoles at the University of California, San Diego report in the journal Nature this week. The discovery opens the possibility that brain chemistry could be selectively altered by stimulating specific circuits to remedy low levels of neural chemicals that underlie some human ailments. Dark tadpoles don pale camouflage when exposed to bright light.

New Data Presented For SEROQUEL XRTM In Major Depressive Disorder And Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Two studies presented today at the 8th International Forum on Mood and Anxiety Disorders (IFMAD) in Vienna demonstrated that once-daily SEROQUEL XRTM (quetiapine fumarate extended release tablets) provided significant symptom relief for elderly patients (>65 years of age) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Heart Association Call For Routine Screening Of Heart Patients For Depression Is Premature, Johns Hopkins Expert Says
A Johns Hopkins cardiologist well known for his studies on the links between depression and heart attack says there is not nearly enough evidence yet to support a recent call by the American Heart Association (AHA) to begin routine screening of millions of Americans for depression. Roy Ziegelstein, M.D.

Chronic Pain Might Contribute To Suicidal Thoughts
New research suggests that patients with chronic pain are more prone than others are to consider suicide. The increased risk remained even when study authors took the possible influence of mental illness into account. "This is further evidence that we need to be aware of the heightened risk for suicide in those with chronic pain," said Mark Ilgen, lead study author.