Category Archives: Mental Health

Estrogen hormone fluctuation during menopause increases sensitivity to stress and depression. Estrogen is typically a female hormone – it is also found in small amounts in males – that is produced by the ovaries, the adrenal cortex and the fetoplacental unit. Estrogen’s main roles are development and growth in female secondary sexual characteristics, such as ...click here to read more

Pet therapy for seniors in assisted living can help with depression and mood disorders. Pet therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes animals to help individuals cope with health problems. Pet therapy can involve just about any animal – although cats and dogs are most common – and can be beneficial for recovery from ...click here to read more

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression have been found to share a genetic risk factor, according to a new study. Aside from the recent research, many previous studies also showed a genetic link between all three mental disorders. Below are synopses of the health studies that reveal the connection they all possess. Study on shared ...click here to read more

Aside from being a known diabetes risk, high glycemic index foods have additional side effects. The popular criticisms against sugar center on weight gain and diabetes. But there’s new research to indicate that sugar can have adverse effects on our mental health, too. Foods with high glycemic index scores linked with depression in postmenopausal women ...click here to read more

Loneliness is linked to brain inflammation and premature death. Unlike other illnesses where there are clear symptoms, loneliness can go undetected. It is estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from loneliness and seniors are at highest risk. Research has shown that loneliness is linked with negative health outcomes, such as increasing the risk for obesity. ...click here to read more

Boosting walking speed and intensity could improve mental health in aging. A recent study found that strong legs are associated with a strong mind, and to achieve strong legs faster, more intense walking can be utilized. The findings come from a 10-year British study, which revealed that strong legs are linked with a strong mind. ...click here to read more

Depression, anxiety and stress levels have been shown to increase the risk of death by liver disease. The findings come from the University of Edinburgh, and it’s the first study to identify a possible link between psychological distress and death resulting from various forms of liver disease. The researchers are still unsure as to the ...click here to read more

With 40 million Americans suffering from sleep disorders, research into sleep behavior is constant, and in recent years experts have been able to link parasomnia sleep disorders with sleep apnea. Parasomnia sleep disorder is a group of abnormal behaviors that can take place when a person in sleeping. Some sleep disorder parasomnias include sleep-related eating ...click here to read more

Major depressive disorder and winter depression (SAD) have been shown to be treatable with light therapy. Until now light therapy has only been effective in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a type of depression that occurs in the winter months. This is because one of the major causes of SAD is a ...click here to read more

Talk therapy has been found to be an effective form of treatment for mental health as well as treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia. A recent study revealed that over two million people in America have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and primary treatment involves the use of medications. The same study also revealed the benefits ...click here to read more

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mood disorder that can put a strain on relationships. BPD is divided into three groups known as cluster A, cluster B and cluster C. Cluster A is when individuals are odd or eccentric and involves symptoms like paranoia or schizotypal personality. Cluster B are those who are highly dramatic, ...click here to read more

The holiday season, although a joyous time, can be difficult for someone with a social anxiety disorder, which can worsen anxiety, stress and depression. With the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities right around the corner (November 26th, in case you forgot), some of us are rushing around to get things done, while others are dreading the whole ...click here to read more

A serotonin deficiency can cause depression and mood disorders. Serotonin is a chemical naturally found in the body that carries signals between nerves. It is produced in the brain and the intestines; in fact, about 80 to 90 percent of it can be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin has long been thought to be ...click here to read more

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that commonly affects people during the winter months. As the daylight decreases over the winter, people will feel a depression that goes away during the spring and summer. Women are more likely to experience seasonal affective disorder, along with individuals who live furthest from the equator ...click here to read more