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About 14 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Statistics show that over 15 percent of U.S. adults will experience severe anxiety or "panic attacks" in their lifetime. Anxiety can occur in response to severe stress or an underlying medical illness. Now research reports that nearly one in five adults may have untreated anxiety disorders. The study authors have developed a brief survey that can help doctors identify and treat patients with anxiety disorders. The... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 10, 2007 03:58 PM
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Depression is a common condition and a top public health issue worldwide. The symptoms of depression include sadness that interferes with daily life, low energy, irritability, loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, and constant blue mood. Depression can also cause physical symptoms including headaches, back pain, chronic aches and pains, chest pain, digestive problems, exhaustion, sleep problems, change in appetite and/or weight, and dizziness. Now research reports that chronic depression may run in families... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on January 27, 2007 03:33 PM
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Depression affects millions of Americans, some of whom have difficulty finding a treatment option that works. In the last five years several studies on complementary and alternative treatments have concluded that omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils may be effective treatment options for certain classifications of depression. But a recent review published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did not find significant efficacy when pooling the results of all... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on January 22, 2007 04:05 PM
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Previous studies on the connection between personality and intelligence have been conducted on young adults. Now for the first time, a study compared what personality traits predict intelligence in both young and older adults. Research reports that openness and friendliness is linked with higher intelligence in young adults. However, grumpiness was found to be associated with higher intelligence in older adults. The study, presented at the August 10-13, 2006 annual meeting of the American Psychological... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on January 10, 2007 03:51 PM
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Believe it or not, a new study found psychological treatments can ease low back pain. The results are set to be published in the January issue of Health Psychology. The report summarized a review of more than 22 clinical trials that researched the effect of various psychological treatments on aspects of chronic low back pain. Low back pain, especially when chronic, can severly reduce a person's quality of life. Often chronic low back pain is... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 28, 2006 05:03 PM
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Millions of Americans take antidepressant medications on a daily basis, some for short periods of time, others for long periods. This last year a change was made to the labels for antidepressant medications in terms of their use in children and teens. The label warns of a possible increase in suicidal thoughts and tendencies in youth who are on these types of medications. Now, the most recent Food and Drug Administration panel discussed placing a... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 13, 2006 05:07 PM
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According to a new study published in the journal Chest individuals who suffer from a chronic cough may also be suffering from depression. Researchers at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York enrolled one hundred person who were being treated for chronic cough. Each participant underwent standardized testing for depression using the CES-D scale. The CES-D scale rates a person's mood based on a series of questions. It awards a point value according to answers... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 13, 2006 04:35 PM
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A study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that persons with a more positive mood were less likely to become sick compared to those with a less positive outlook. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University subjected healthy volunteers to personality testing that determined primary personality traits, percieved health, and emotional wellbeing. Then each person was inoculated with a cold or flu virus. Over the next week volunteers were asked to report their symptoms, if any.... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 12, 2006 03:32 PM
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Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment-resistant depression. The surgically implanted VNS device delivers regular electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, which connects to the brain areas involved in mood. Now research reports that VNS therapy can help relieve the symptoms of depression, when other antidepressant treatments haven't worked. Depression is a common and serious condition and is projected to be the second leading... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 24, 2006 03:14 PM
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According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), infidelity accounts for about 50 percent of marriage counseling. The AAMFT also reports that 15 percent of wives and 25 percent of husbands have had extramarital affairs with intercourse. The statistics increase by 20 percent when emotional affairs or sex without intercourse are included. Although infidelity can be devastating, marriages can become stronger after couples therapy. Recognizing the warning signs of infidelity can help... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 24, 2006 03:03 PM
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Experts estimate that about 40 million American adults have pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) and 16 to 18 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, about 10 to 15 percent of American adults are taking antidepressant drugs. Now research reports that antidepressant drugs may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in those who have pre-diabetes. The study, presented at the June 10-11, 2006 meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Washington, DC, investigated whether... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 12, 2006 02:42 PM
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Omega-3 essential fatty acids are found in various plants and fish. Some sources of omega 3s include flax seeds, canola oil, green leafy vegetables, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega 3s found in fish consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are a precursor to beneficial prostaglandins. Omega 3s found in plants consist of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which requires conversion into EPA and DHA. Omega... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 12, 2006 02:31 PM
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According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five American adults have a mental health problem. Furthermore, approximately 60 percent of those with a mental illness also have a substance abuse problem. Rep. Patrick Kennedy's recent drug rehabilitation is a well-publicized example of this combination of health problems. Rep. Kennedy announced that he's been diagnosed with addiction and bipolar disorder. Experts believe that one problem can make the patient more vulnerable... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 31, 2006 03:18 PM
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According to a new study in the journal Neurology, being overweight or obese may cause more rapid cognitive decline and possibly lead to dementia. The study from France looked at cognitive function in 2,223 healthy adults at two separate occasions five years apart. To assess cognitive function each participant was given a battery of standard tests which assessed memory, attention, and learning ability. The same tests were given five years later. The researchers also took... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 30, 2006 01:46 PM
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Botox (botulinum toxin A) is known for helping smooth facial frown lines. Now research reports that botox shots given into frown muscles also helps relieve depression. Depression is a common and serious condition and is projected to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide in 2020. The small pilot study, published in Dermatologic Surgery, investigated the effect of botox treatment on patients with major depression. Researchers at the Saint Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Associates... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 28, 2006 01:47 PM
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Every year, more than 25 million Americans visit their doctor for treatment of depression. Antidepressant medications are prescribed for most cases of depression. However, antidepressants commonly cause side effects that can impact quality of life. These side effects often cause patients to stop taking antidepressants. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following guidelines to help cope with common side effects of antidepressants. 1. Nausea- Nausea is a common side effect that often resolves within several weeks... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 12, 2006 03:23 PM
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Glucocorticoids (including corticosterone, cortisone, and cortisol) are stress hormones released in the brain in response to stress, fear and anxiety. These stress hormones help response to immediate threat. However, research reports that chronic stress and long-term exposure to stress hormones can increase anxiety and other mood disorders. The study, published in Behavioral Neuroscience, investigated the effects of corticosterone on mice behavior. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, administered corticosterone to the drinking water of... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 12, 2006 03:12 PM
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Alcohol abuse, or "problem drinking", is characterized by excessive or unhealthy drinking habits that result in destructive health and social consequences. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism, or alcohol dependence. Heavy episodic drinking is defined as more than five drinks for men or four drinks for women at least once in the previous two weeks. Now research reports that more than two of every five college students are at increased risk for an alcohol... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 4, 2006 02:31 PM
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The proposition seems far fetched, but a private dermatologist conducted his own small, uncontrolled study and concluded that Botox may be a potential treatment for depression. The article was published in Dermatologic Surgery in May, 2006. Eric Finzi, MD, PhD conducted the study with 10 women he recruited from his private practice. Using the self-reported depression survey, Beck Depression Inventory-II, all women met the criteria for ongoing major depression. Women were injected along the glabellar... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on October 1, 2006 02:47 PM
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Sleep is vital for life. Getting adequate, restorative sleep is necessary for your body to function. In fact, recent evidence suggests that the amount of sleep people get can influence their weight. According to the results of the Nurses Health Study (which originally started in 1976), women getting five hours of sleep per night gained more than 33 pounds over the 16 years they were reporting their weight. The findings of the study were presented... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on October 1, 2006 02:20 PM
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Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, compulsive eating and other clinical illnesses are becoming more prevalent among college-aged young adults. Negative eating behaviors such as anorexia can be deadly. The death rate for anorexia is 12 times higher than the other causes of death for young women. Now research reports that perfectionist fathers can negatively reinforce eating disorder tendencies of their college-age children. The study, published in Health Communication, examined the association between self-perfectionism,... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 20, 2006 02:07 PM
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Many women do not realize that changes in mood can be a symptom of approaching menopause. While having depression at this time in life is more common, it is not considered normal. Women who experience depressed mood during perimenopause are more likely to have suffered from depression earlier in life, or had postpartum depression or depression associated with menstrual cycles. Women do not commonly experience depression for the first time once they reach menopause. There... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 17, 2006 07:47 PM
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The divorce rate in the United States is startlingly high, with approximately 40% of marriages ending in divorce. Marriage or life partnership is the vector for personal growth and a defunct relationship can be injurious to health. Divorce itself is a significant stressor and has been associated with poor health outcomes. For those individuals stuck in a rut, not feeling happy in their marriage, feeling complacent or even considering divorce, you may want to pick... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 15, 2006 02:21 PM
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The incidence of Type 2 diabetes has been dramatically increasing over the last decade. Once a person is diagnosed with Type 2 or adult onset diabetes, blood sugar must be monitored and kept under control. A new study published in the journal Diabetes Care linked poor blood sugar control in elderly Type 2 diabetics to advanced cognitive decline. Good blood sugar control is defined as fasting blood sugars below 100 and two hour post-prandial blood... More»

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 12, 2006 03:49 PM
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About 14 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Statistics show that over 15 percent of U.S. adults will experience severe anxiety or "panic attacks" in their lifetime. Anxiety can occur in response to severe stress or an underlying medical illness. Now research reports that anxiety disorders may occur in patients with endocrine diseases such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid problems, adrenal disorders and testosterone deficiency. The study, published in Primary Psychiatry, reviewed psychiatric symptoms and... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 9, 2006 02:53 PM
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Research suggests that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly red wine, may have some health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as less than or equal to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men. However, excessive consumption of alcohol is considered toxic to the human system and can cause physical dependency. Alcohol abuse is linked to many social and domestic problems including homicides, traffic accidents, and spousal and child abuse. About 14... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 6, 2006 02:51 PM
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Experts agree that nagging can result in significant problems in a relationship, often driving a wedge in the partnership and even interfering with intimacy. Unfortunately, most naggers don't know they are nagging unless their spouse or partner remarks on it. Another way to recognize that you are a nagger is to watch for telltale signs, like thinking of different ways to phrase the same complaint, or saying things like "I've told you over and over... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 3, 2006 04:10 PM
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With antidepressant medications on the top selling list of prescription medications in the United States, the results of a study published in 2005 may not be welcomed with open arms. An article published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that for the treatment of moderate to severe depression, cognitive therapy is just as effective as prescription medications. In fact, the effects of this type of psychotherapy extend beyond that of medication. Researchers at... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 30, 2006 12:10 PM
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Verbal abuse includes insulting comments and behavior, threats of physical abuse, and negative statements like 'you're worthless' or 'you're stupid'. Parents who verbally abuse their children often have a psychiatric or personality disorder or may have learned this way of parenting from their own parents. Children who are verbally abused by their parents often believe the negative statements, creating a pattern of self-criticism. Now research reports that verbally abused children are more likely to grow... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 26, 2006 12:39 PM
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Mental illness in the United States is primarily treated using pharmaceuticals, often without even recommendations for psychotherapy or counseling. In fact, a report published earlier in 2006 in Forbes magazine listed Zoloft, an antidepressant, as the 7th best selling drug in the United States with sales totaling $3.1 billion in 2005. Effexor XR (another antidepressant) came in 14th with sales totaling $2.6 billlion. Drugs for treatment of schizophrenia came in 13th, 15th and 18th on... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 20, 2006 05:50 PM
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For most people, shopping is an enjoyable pastime or a necessary chore. However, for some individuals shopping can become a self-destructive addiction that can destroy their finances, family and life. Although the origins of addictions are not completely understood, experts believe that compulsive shopping is a growing problem, especially among teens. Now research reports that over 30 percent of teens engage in compulsive buying and other risky behaviors. The study, published in Psychology Reports, questioned... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 20, 2006 02:56 PM
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The rate of suicide in Japan one of the highest among all industrialized nations. In 2005, more than 32,000 Japanese citizens committed suicide. To put this number into perspective, this rate is more than five times the number of people dying in traffic accidents. This has prompted officials to pass a law requiring employers to provide mental health counseling for their staff and to pursue more research related to suicide, so providers can better understand... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 13, 2006 06:38 AM
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For the more than 2 million Amercians seeking treatment for alcohol dependence, news of a new drug is welcomed. An old treatment for alcoholism has been made new by changing the drug, naltrexone, (which was originally administered orally to), to an injectible form. The once monthly form of naltrexone, made by Alkermes Inc, will be called Vivitrol. In early April of 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved Vivitrol for use in alcoholics to be... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 12, 2006 01:58 PM
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Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) is a stress hormone released in the brain in response to stress, fear and anxiety. CRF may also be released in the nucleus accumbens brain area, in response to incentive motivation and a pursuit of rewards. Now research reports that following stressful situations, CRF release may elicit binge behavior such as binge eating and drug addiction relapse. The study, published in BMC Biology, examined the effect of CRF injections on reward-seeking behavior... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 7, 2006 01:21 PM
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Anger levels have been rising with increasing societal stress such as economic pressures, gas prices, the Iraq war, terrorism threats, and the incessant stream of bad news in the media. Anger management techniques can help minimize the build-up of frustrations and diffuse short tempers. According to anger management experts, the longstanding advice to 'count to 10' when angry is still an effective way to control an initial angry response. Thomas Jefferson recommended counting to a... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 7, 2006 01:15 PM
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Depression can cause emotional symptoms as well as physical symptoms. The physical symptoms of depression can include headaches, back pain, chronic aches and pains, chest pain, digestive problems, exhaustion, sleep problems, change in appetite and/or weight, and dizziness. Patients complaining of pain are nearly three times more likely to report symptoms of depression. Now research reports that depressed patients with pain may be more likely to have a poor response to antidepressant therapy. The study,... More»

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 1, 2006 02:03 PM
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Some reports suggest insomnia symptoms plague more than 60% of Americans, leading many to resort to sleeping medications like Ambien (Sanofi-Aventis) and Lunesta (Sepracor). The "butterfly commercials" we are all so familiar with will soon have some stiff competition, as Pfizer plans to launch their own sleeping pill, Indiplon, this summer. Unlike Ambien which is only recommended for use no more than 7-10 days, the other two drugs have been approved for longer term use.... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 30, 2006 05:25 PM
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Many Americans have a chronic health problem of poor sleeping habits. Sleep is restorative to the body and required for proper function. Many people have difficulty falling asleep and resort to prescription sleeping medications, while others wake frequently throughout the night. Many patients also complain of not feeling refreshed upon waking. Recently, authorities have listed sleep problems as an associated factor in obesity. Ideally, eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and going to bed earlier than... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 29, 2006 01:50 PM
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Certainly stress can affect many aspects of health, so it really comes as no surprise that fear of losing one's job can make a peson ill. The results of the 16-year Americans' Changing Lives Survey showed that the threat of lay offs or being fired exerts a serious impact on health. Researchers from the University of Michigan asked 3600 people questions regarding health behaviors and workplace issues, repeatedly, from 1986 to 2002. They found that... More»

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 29, 2006 01:29 PM
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