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New psychological treatment for chronic depression trialled

Researchers from the University of Southampton are testing whether a version of dialectical behaviour therapy is effective in treating refractive, or treatment-resistant, depression. The approach is based on the idea that "depression is not the primary...

Published 10 Jan 2012 4:02 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, dialectic behavioural therapy, Mental Health

Music, black dogs and better mental health

Three things I've noticed: 1. Ruby Wax has launched Black Dog Tribe , a new site for people with depression - it's currently in beta and focuses on ways people can support each other. It features lots of interaction and multimedia stuff. 2. Social...

Published 6 Dec 2011 3:40 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, big society, depression, Mental Health, music

Massive scale of mental health problems in EU

More than a third of EU citizens suffer from mental health problems, new research suggests . While the figure has increased since the last survey in 2005, that is accounted for by the inclusion of a number of previously excluded conditions. The researchers...

Published 5 Sep 2011 1:41 PM by Mad World

Filed under: anxiety, depression, europe, Mental Health

Probiotics and positive psychology in practice

Two quick nuggets today: (can you have a "quick nugget"? Anyway...) Probiotic bacteria may help ease depression and anxiety, research suggests . And, here are some tips for incorporating positive psychology in your practice. Read More...

Published 30 Aug 2011 5:18 PM by Mad World

Filed under: anxiety, depression, Mental Health, positive psychology, probiotic

The benefits of distraction and learning to forget

We can train ourselves to repress memories, new research suggests . And that may turn out to be useful for people with depression or post traumatic stress disorder, who are troubled by repetitive thoughts. Meanwhile, choosing when to think over negative...

Published 6 Jul 2011 4:29 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, anxiety, depression, Human Brain, memory, Mental Health

Depression, public opinions on mental health and being careful on Twitter

There's a thought-provoking piece on Psychology Today about depression and why some people just don't feel like geting out of bed. The obvious response would be to suggest that they have a problem with motivation. But the author suggests that...

Published 8 Jun 2011 5:02 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health, stigma, twitter

Melancholia and World Social Work Day

Ok, these two topics aren't really connected, well, hopefully not anyway. Firstly Providentia has a fascinating look at an 1861 guide to melancholy. And of course don't forget that it's World Social Work Day tomorrow - surely an excuse for...

Published 14 Mar 2011 3:11 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health, social work

Peer support, group living and using non-specialists to deliver therapy

World of Psychology has an account of how living in a shared house helped improve one person's mental health. Shared living, the author says, helps tackle isolation and excessive rumination. Got to get the right flat mates of course - the Young Ones...

Published 16 Feb 2011 3:51 PM by Mad World

Filed under: behavioural activation therapy, depression, flatsharing, Mental Health, peer support, shared living

Mindfulness, dirt and depression

Researchers are looking into the immune system and how it is affected by our modern, cleanliness obsessed society and whether our reduced exposure to various bacteria might have some connection with depression. Interesting stuff. Meanwhile, more positive...

Published 9 Dec 2010 4:28 PM by Mad World

Filed under: autism, depression, Mental Health, mindfulness, stress, workforce

Herbal anxiety treatments and some top mental health blogs

It appears that research has found some benefit in a number of herbal supplements when it comes to treating anxiety. (The picture of herbs on the left doesn't relate to the research at all, it's just a rather nice picture by Photofarmer on flickr...

Published 8 Oct 2010 5:37 PM by Mad World

Filed under: blogs, depression, herbal supplements, Mental Health

Get dancing to improve your mental health

Psychology Today reports on research by the University of Derby which highlights the mental health benefits of dancing. Apparently it has a similar effect to mindfulness therapies - focusing the mind and diverting it away from negative thoughts. In fact...

Published 29 Sep 2010 4:35 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, anxiety, dancing, depression, Mental Health

Music on prescription, Alzheimers and community treatment

Could music be offered on prescription as a treatment for depression one day? Who knows - but a team at Glasgow Caledonian University are looking into the effect of music on mood. This could lead eventually to pieces of music designed to enhance mood...

Published 9 Sep 2010 6:06 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Alzheimer's, community treatment orders, dementia, depression, Mental Health, music therapy

Depression, pregnancy and violence

Things I have spotted today: Substance abuse not mental illness is the reason why some mental health patients commit violent crime, the Guardian reports . Men should be screened for post-natal depression, says the Medical Research Council. Psychological...

Published 7 Sep 2010 3:49 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, children, depression, drugs, Mental Health, mindfulness, pregnancy, substance abuse, violence

Social relationships, food supplements and changing the mind

Social workers have been saying it for years but now it seems the medical community is at last catching up. Commenting on recent research, which found that social relationships can have as big an impact on health and wellbeing as factors such as smoking...

Published 1 Sep 2010 4:36 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, food, Mental Health, relationships, SAMe, social work, well-being

The evolution of depression, a life in therapy and thought-controlled prosthetics

Scientists have come up with theories about the evolutionary purpose of depression, some suggesting it was useful as a means for some people to withdraw from society and ruminate on difficult problems. However, an article in the Psychiatric Times questions...

Published 6 Aug 2010 3:32 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, disability, evolution, Mental Health, psychotherapy

Why swimming is good and gum disease is bad

World of Psychology today considers how swimming reduces depression. As well as the endorphins created by the exercise, the breathing patters apparently have a yoga-like relaxation effect. If only they didn't put so much chlorine in the pool... Meanwhile...

Published 5 Aug 2010 5:19 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Alzheimer's, depression, Mental Health, swimming

Obsessive internet use, what you say about others and knitting

Four things I've noticed today: Obsessive internet use linked to depression , but is there a causal link? Researchers investigate. What you say about others is apparently a reflection of your mental health . Why it's getting more difficult to...

Published 3 Aug 2010 1:18 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, depression, internet, knitting, Mental Health

Forests and friends, two things that are good for you

The Guardian has two stories today about things which are good for your mental health. A strong circle of family and friends can boost your health more than exercise , losing weight or giving up smoking, according to psychologists. And, walking in the...

Published 28 Jul 2010 3:10 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, depression, friends, Mental Health, nature, stress

Blood test for depression, anxiety guidance and lying

Here are a few things I spotted today. Apparently scientists may soon be able to develop blood tests to identify major depressive disorder. How useful would this be? The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is consulting on new guidance...

Published 22 Jul 2010 5:55 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, anxiety, depression, Mental Health

Alastair Campbell takes on Janet Street Porter over "trendy" depression

Earlier this week Janet Street Porter attracted much criticism for suggesting that for many women depression is "the latest must-have accessory". Read More...

Published 21 May 2010 1:11 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, depression, Mental Health

Mindfulness therapy shows promising results for anxiety and depression

In what I believe is the first meta-analysis of the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapy it seems as if researchers have found it was "moderately effective in treating anxiety and mood disorders". Read More...

Published 22 Apr 2010 12:33 PM by Mad World

Filed under: anxiety, depression, Mental Health, mindfulness

Can sleepless nights be used to treat depression

There's a fascinating article in the New York Times about the link between sleepless nights and relief from depression. Read More...

Published 8 Apr 2010 4:00 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Human Brain, Mental Health, sleep, sleeplessness

Can psychiatry be a science?

There's an excellent and intelligent article in the New Yorke r examining depression, psychiatry and its critics. Read More...

Published 3 Mar 2010 4:42 PM by Mad World

Filed under: antidepressants, depression, Mental Health, new yorker, psychiatry

The social roots of depression and why it's contagious

There's a great article on Psychology Today looking at the origin of depression in early family relationships and how it exists as a social phenomenon, which needs a social response. Read More...

Published 15 Feb 2010 3:21 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health, psychology today

After Avatar: The disappointment of the real

It appears some young audience members are finding themselves left rather depressed with the real world after watching the science fiction film Avatar. Read More...

Published 13 Jan 2010 3:39 PM by Mad World

Filed under: avatar, depression, Mental Health

Processed food linked to depression

Furious Seasons reports on a new study linking consumption of a "Western" diet, including fried, refined and sugary foods and beer, and depression and anxiety in women. Read More...

Published 13 Jan 2010 3:25 PM by Mad World

Filed under: anxiety, depression, food, Mental Health

Margaret Drabble on women and depression

Margaret Drabble has written a piece in the Observer about middle-aged women and depression and how particular conditions appear to come in and out of fashion. Read More...

Published 11 Jan 2010 10:36 AM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health

Cultural pursuits may improve mental health

There's a story in the Telegraph about research which found an association between cultural activity and happiness. Read More...

Published 17 Dec 2009 11:55 AM by Mad World

Filed under: culture, depression, happiness, Mental Health

Break out the broccoli: junk food and depression

Lots of stuff in the papers today about an apparent link between eating junk food and an increased risk of depression. Read More...

Published 2 Nov 2009 2:08 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, food, Mental Health

Collectivist culture protects people from depression

There's a really fascinating study published today by the Royal Society , which finds that cultures which promote social harmony over individualism seem to protect people who are genetically disposed to depression from developing the condition. Read...

Published 29 Oct 2009 2:09 PM by Mad World

Filed under: collectivism, depression, individualism, social work

New Nice depression guidelines: counselling no longer first chioce

New NICE guidelines on the treatment of depression in the UK appear to have downgraded the use of counselling as a response, in favour of other treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy. Read More...

Published 28 Oct 2009 12:56 PM by Mad World

Filed under: counselling, depression, Mental Health, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

New antidepressants research

New research suggests antidepressants don't work for many people because they've been targeting the wrong thing. Read More...

Published 27 Oct 2009 1:47 PM by Mad World

Filed under: brain, depression, Mental Health, neurotransmitters

Does a Mediterranean diet lower risk of depression?

Recent research suggests an association between the two . Read More...

Published 12 Oct 2009 1:42 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, diet, food, Mental Health

Gordon Brown and the pill question taboo

I'm not sure what I think about the whole Gordon Brown - Andrew Marr pill question debate. You can check out the video below, in which Marr asks Brown whether he uses pills to help him "get through". Read More...

Published 29 Sep 2009 2:09 PM by Mad World

Filed under: andrew marr, antidepressants, depression, gordon brown, Mental Health

Gordon Brown on antidepressants? So what?

Progress reports on rumours that Gordon Brown is taking antidepressants and associated claims that this would somehow undermine his leadership. Read More...

Published 18 Sep 2009 4:05 PM by Mad World

Filed under: antidepressants, depression, gordon brown, Mental Health

Online CBT: promising results

The Lancet reports some promising results for the delivery of online CBT to patients with depression by a therapist in real time. Read More...

Published 21 Aug 2009 12:51 PM by Mad World

Filed under: cbt, depression, Mental Health

New magnetic stimulation treatment for depression goes live in US

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation , which was cleared for use in the US last year, is now being offered as a treatment for depression over there. Read More...

Published 27 Jul 2009 4:00 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health, repetitive transcrainal magnetic stimulation

Six steps to beat depression

Just worth pointing out this blog post about a new book. Read More...

Published 9 Jul 2009 5:53 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health

Online depression treatment and emotional intelligence

World of Psychology has some reflections on online depression treatments. It seems they can be effective for people who stick with them, but many people drop out. They have a place, I would suggest, alongside lots of other approaches. Read More...

Published 18 May 2009 12:23 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, emotional intelligence, happiness, layard, Mental Health, online therapy

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy shows promising results

A small scale Oxford University study has shown some promising results for the use of mindfulness based cognitive therapy in treating people with depression. Read More...

Published 27 Apr 2009 3:07 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Mental Health, mindfulness based cognitive therapy

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