New Form Of ECT Is As Effective As Older Types But Without Cognitive Side Effects

In a study appearing in the new issue of 'Brain Stimulation', scientists report that a new form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is just as effective as older forms in treating depression but without any of the cognitive side effects found in the older forms.

Link Between Mothers' Depression And Young Children's Injuries Confirmed By Study

Infants and toddlers whose mothers are severely depressed are almost three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group, according to a new study. The study's findings, published in the Advanced Access edition of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, suggest that proper treatment for depression would improve not only the mothers' health, but the health of young children as well.

Depression And Anger Can Plague Recent University Graduates: Study

The post-university years can start out tough. The good news: it gets better.A new University of Alberta study of almost 600 of its graduates (ages 20-29 years old) tracked mental health symptoms in participants for seven years post-graduation and looked at how key events like leaving home and becoming a parent were related to depression and anger.

New Nationwide Report Estimates One In Every 12 Adolescents Experienced Major Depression In The Past Year

About 2.1 million teens aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, according to a new nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For almost half of the teens, depression drastically reduced their abilities to deal with aspects of their daily lives, the report said.

Osmotica Pharmaceutical Receives FDA Approval To Market Novel Forms Of Extended Release Venlafaxine HCl

Osmotica Pharmaceutical Corp. received notice of final approval for its Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended-release 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg and 225 mg tablets NDA from FDA for major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder. The Osmotica product provides a controlled release tablet form of venlafaxine HCl including a previously unavailable 225 mg dosage strength.

New Research Reveals 32 Of Those With Depression Experience Frequent Thoughts Of Death Or Suicide

Launched recently, Mind Yourself - The Lundbeck Mental Health Barometer report has revealed the most common symptoms amongst those with personal experience of depression are frequent thoughts of death or suicide (32%), low self esteem (29%) and sleep disturbance (28%).

Antidepressants And Immunity

"Antidepressants may help body fight HIV and cancer" was the headline in The Independent recently. The newspaper article was on research that suggests that antidepressant drugs may help the immune system to fight off serious infection. The newspaper says the drugs could increase the activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells, a part of the immune system that targets cancerous and infected cells and induces "apoptosis" or "cell suicide".

New Research Shows Returning To Work Can Aid People With Depression

The modern workplace is often blamed for increased rates of depression and stress. New research published in the journal Occupational Medicine, shows that resuming work can actually aid recovery and help depressed employees. However, the Society of Occupational Medicine warned that employers need to be sensitive and consider a range of interventions including changing an employees tasks and reducing hours to help people when they return to work.

Untreated Depressed People Have Fewer Serotonin Opioid Receptors, And Variation Is Linked To Symptoms And Treatment Response

Depressed people may have far fewer of the receptors for some of the brain's "feel good" stress-response chemicals than non-depressed people, new University of Michigan Depression Center research shows.And even among depressed people, the numbers of these receptors can vary greatly.

Mind: Return Of The Great Depression Causing Great Depression

Leading mental health charity Mind publishes a shocking new report that shows that debt is a significant factor in worsening our mental health. As the credit crunch hits and the cost of living soars, this worrying new evidence shows the extent of debt's impact, with over 50% of respondents going without food and heating.