Many Asian immigrant families are less inclined to reach out for help until there is a crisis, experts say. “A lot of Asians avoid seeking treatment until the disease is advanced,” said MaJosé Carrasco of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. As director of the group’s multicultural action center, she seeks to raise awareness about mental health care for different communities.And even when Asian Americans do reach out, they often find both medication and psychotherapy a poor fit. What patients who seek care “are telling us is that they don’t think that psychotherapy, which is designed for white Americans, really works for them,” said Hyeouk Chris Hahm, an associate professor at the Boston University School of Social Work.Parents sometimes stand in the way
Tag: depression
Depression May Be Linked to Inflammation in the Brain
New research in Canada reveals that inflammation deep in the brain may be linked to depression. Specifically, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) studied the brain scans of patients with depression and those without. Results showed 30{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} more inflammation in the brains of patients with clinical depression. In addition, symptoms worsened with the degree of inflammation. Keeping in mind that researchers only studied the scans of 40 patients, concrete conclusions are a tad premature.Nevertheless, this research does offer new ideas for investigation, which could uncover other possible causes for the illness as well as potential new treatments for depression. In other words, perhaps reducing inflammation in the brain may alleviate or eliminate the symptoms. This is exciting news for the individuals that do not respond
Watching: "You Are Beautiful"
Two 13-year-old-girls make a powerful short film about eating disorders.
Just had a baby? You are not alone – here are some tips on how to cope with the change.
By Jennifer Sheridan Westdal Taking care of a baby is hard work, it is important to remember you are not alone. At the Coping with Change sessions currently running at the Birth Centre Monday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm, we talk about some of the changes that happen once a baby enters your life. These sessions are ongoing and you can start up at any time. In the N.U.R.S.E. session we talk about importance of self care. N.U.R.S.E. is broken down in the following points: N is for Nourishment – Eat regular meals. If you don’t feel hungry, set regular times for snacks and light meals. Make it healthy and easy. Stock up on nutritious, east to prepare foods
Choline Supplements During Pregnancy May Prevent Schizophrenia
Research shows that the use of choline supplements during pregnancy may prevent schizophrenia. Specifically, lower rates of physiological schizophrenic risk factors in infants 33 days old has been noted when the dietary supplement is given during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and early infancy.Robert Freedman, MD, professor and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine and one of the study’s authors states: “Basic research indicates that choline supplementation during pregnancy facilitates cognitive functioning in offspring. Our finding that it ameliorates some of the pathophysiology associated with risk for schizophrenia now requires longer-term follow-up to assess whether it decreases risk for the later development of illness as well.”Choline is a water-soluble essential nutrient, typically grouped within the
Chronic Alcohol Consumption Linked to Circadian Rhythm Defects
Results shall soon be published in the Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research journal indicating that the expression of our circadian clock genes can be altered by chronic alcohol consumption. In particular, lower levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) can be found in the circadian clock genes of individuals with alcohol dependence causing sleep problems and mood changes.The term circadian comes from two Latin terms, circa meaning around and diem or dies meaning day. Circadian rhythmicity is present in the sleeping and feeding patterns of animals and it regulates our core body temperature, brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other biological activities. “The appropriate expression or regulation of these genes is necessary for any organism to efficiently “program” physiological and behavioral activities in order to