Category Archives: Mental Health

Virtual reality and music may help treat anxiety in older people. Nearly 25 percent of older adults suffer from anxiety. The first course of treatment for anxiety in seniors is cognitive behavioral therapy, but this approach may have some limitations among aging adults. As of late, virtual reality therapy has emerged to be a promising ...click here to read more

Mixed dementia is a condition that combines the symptoms of more than one type of dementia. The most common mixed dementia combination is of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. There is a lot about mixed dementia that is still not fully understood, such as whether treating one of the types of dementia in the combination ...click here to read more

Schizophrenia treatment with cognitive therapy is considered safe for patients who are not taking antipsychotic drugs. Schizophrenia is commonly treated with antipsychotic drugs, but many patients refuse or discontinue this treatment option. Research has shown that cognitive therapy can be beneficial to patients who are not taking antipsychotic drugs. The researchers randomly selected 74 schizophrenia ...click here to read more

Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and mood (affective) disorder symptoms. Schizoaffective disorder isn’t well understood and is broadly defined. Because the symptoms and components of different psychiatric conditions may be present, there isn’t a univocal diagnostic route and experts disagree over classification of the disorder. Although there is no cure for schizoaffective ...click here to read more

In Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and cognitive function may be improved with regular moderate exercise. Exercise is effective in Alzheimer’s disease because it improves the efficiency of memory-related brain activity. The researchers uncovered the beneficial effects of exercise in seniors with mild cognitive impairment. Not only does exercise improve memory recall but it improves brain ...click here to read more

COPD patients are twice as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and memory loss. The researchers looked at nearly 2,000 people aged 70 to 89. Of the participants, 1,600 were cognitively normal and 317 had mild cognitive impairment. Overall, 288 had COPD. It turned out that COPD patients were almost twice as likely to develop ...click here to read more

Dementia is an umbrella term referring to cognitive decline. There isn’t just one type of dementia, and knowing which type a person has can help aid in treatment. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but it is definitely not the only one. Below you will find a quick reference guide to the ...click here to read more

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder associated with hallucinations, paranoia, lost touch with reality, and an inability to express emotions. The most common treatment for schizophrenia is with medications such as antipsychotic drugs, but natural remedies can also go a long way in treating schizophrenia. Often known as alternative or complementary therapy, natural remedies for ...click here to read more

Cognitive decline in older adults may be slowed with better oral hygiene and regular dental visits. The researchers reviewed data from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies conducted between 1993 and 2013. Some studies found that oral health measures like the number of teeth, the number of cavities, and the presence of periodontal disease were associated with ...click here to read more

Antidepressant therapy may vary among the elderly with late-life depression, as it becomes more difficult to treat the older the individual is. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined longitudinal patterns of changes in depressive symptoms in those who were prescribed antidepressant therapy. Lead author of the study Stephen F. Smagula said, “Elderly patients with ...click here to read more

There are different types of depression with varying severity of symptoms and longevity. Some may only appear in episodes, while others stay around for life. Types of depression include major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, situational depression, and atypical depression. Dysthymia (chronic depression) – although mild – lasts a ...click here to read more

In schizophrenia patients, a structured education program may help reduce weight. Schizophrenics face a higher risk of weight gain and obesity, and are more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, weight gain may be a reason why patients stop taking their medications, increasing the risk of relapse. On the other hand, reducing weight ...click here to read more

In Parkinson’s disease, exercise and brisk walking may help improve depression. The pilot study included 31 Parkinson’s patients who were randomly assigned to an “early start group” or a “delayed start group” for a vigorous form of exercise that met three times a week for one hour. The early start group exercised for 48 weeks, ...click here to read more

Schizophrenia is a disorder which affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Schizophrenics have a difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary. It is a common belief that schizophrenia causes multiple or split personalities – this is not true. Majority of schizophrenic patients are not violent, and schizophrenia is not a ...click here to read more