mental illness Archives - Page 2 of 30 - Lawyers With Depression

5 Good Ways to Boost Your Mood

Depression makes everything harder: motivation is low, we get little pleasure from things we normally enjoy, we have no energy, and relationships tend to be strained. Small wonder it’s the leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization.

Several treatment options are effective in reducing depression. The majority of psychological treatments with strong research support are cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and focus on changing thoughts and behaviors to improve mood. Some forms of medication, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be as effective as CBT, at least for as long as a person takes them.

So, which treatment option should a person choose? Obviously, it’s an individual choice and one that should be made in consultation with one’s doctor. For those who prefer to start with a psychological treatment—either because they’ve not found medications to be helpful and/or the side effects weren’t tolerable—CBT is a good candidate given the strong research support.

A recent study, the largest of its kind—showed that a simple treatment requiring less

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Tackling Depression in the Workplace

I recently interviewed a friend and former co-worker who lost a career and a 13-year job due, in large part, to a bout of severe depression and anxiety that was not being managed well by her behavioral health specialist. This friend has depression in her family and had been through several depressive episodes in her life, but had come out of each of them with a combination of medication, support from friends, therapy, and self-exploration. In her 30+ years of working, she had never before lost a job because of her mental health issues.

Prior to this episode, she had been widely praised at her company for over a decade, and most of the time had received praise, bonuses, and regular raises. Her social security reports showed a steady upward trend in her compensation over the years that she had been in the workforce, the way it was supposed to. She felt she had done well professionally.

But then, things got hard. She had just left an abusive relationship, and the combination of trauma and her genetic predisposition to depression had sent her into a spiral of sometimes-suicidal depression, for which she sought professional help.

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The Mind Deconstructed

Great Podcast discussing issues related to mental illness conducted by Dr. Kaz, a medical professional at the University of Minnesota, with her brother George. The siblings serve as effective translators between the psychiatric and non-medical community as they discuss a broad array of topics. Listen here.

Trump Said Mental Illness Leads to Gun Violence. Here’s Why Doctors Disagree

Obviously part of a huge debate across the country right now, mental illness has been unfairly scapegoated as the chief reason for gun violence in America. In this article doctors point out that, while additional recognition and resources for treating mental illness are welcome, the health epidemic resulting from deaths and injuries inflicted by assault weapons is staggering and cannot be alleviated by “treating mental illness.” Read the article here.

No Longer Taboo: Americans Embrace Testing, Treatment for Mental Illnesses

Connecting Patients to the drug that best fits their genetic makeup-a discipline called pharmacogenetics-is gaining in popularity, including amongst those suffering from mental illness. Recent research suggests that 2 in 3 Americans suffering from mental illness are interested in taking a genetic test to determine their best treatment plan. Read more here.

New Toronto Research Hub to Focus on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness

New Research hub will focus on populations suffering from developmental disabilities and/or psychiatric disorders, becoming the first in Canada to do so. Experts say research conducted at the center will help doctors to stop conflating disability and mental illness, in so doing allowing for more effective diagnoses and treatment options. Read about it here.

Oversimplifying Beliefs About Causes of Mental Illness May Hinder Social Acceptance

Belief that mental illness is biological has increased among both health experts and the public in recent years. But campaigns to treat it as a disease and remove stigma may be lacking because other factors, such as bad character and upbringing, still are viewed as playing a role, a Baylor University study has found. Read more here.

Books Podcast: What Really Causes Depression?

Podcast about an interesting (and controversial) new book written by Johann Hari. Entitled Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression- and the Unexpected Solutions, Mr. Hari’s book offers a different, and sometimes critical, perspective when in reaction to more main stream opinions concerning mental illness. Read more here.

LivaNova Commences Global RESTORE-LIFE Study for Treatment Resistant Depression

Livanova PLC has announced the launch and enrollment of the first patient for its observational post-market study to assess the effectiveness of its Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy. The study will assess the short, medium and long term impact of ‘VNS Therapy’ on those suffering from treatment resistant depression. Read the article here.

Leveraging Smartphones in Patient Care

Interesting article published by two doctors considering the potential impact of smartphones to help monitor information relevant to mental illness. Smart phones have become ubiquitous in Western society and are increasingly penetrating developing spaces so there is a lot of potential to exploit the extensive reach of this technology. Read the article here.