A 21st century novel approach, called school-based mental health support, is found to benefit children according to a large British study involving more than 18,000 children. It is found that including mental health support in schools led to greater outcomes in behavioral problems among primary pupils. Mental health services are commonly catered in medical centers and clinics, and including them in schools is a relatively new idea.
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A study from Columbia University New York shows that persistent and new-onset anxiety disorders are common among young people suffering from bipolar disorder. It is long observed that anxiety disorders often affect people at a young age, but no studies examined its occurrence among individuals with bipolar disorders.
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The petition to allow use of Medical Marijuana for people with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is still being considered by officials in the State of Washington, United States. Medical use of cannabis has been legal in the state since 1998, were it is permitted to be used for terminal patients afflicted with cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and pain not responsive to narcotics. The petitions regarding permitting use of cannabis for depression have been denied.
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Filed under Drug Abuse, Mental Health, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by on Feb 9th, 2012. Comment. 
A recent report by U.S Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that prescription and use of antidepressants is rising among adolescents (above 12 years old) and adults. Popular antidepressant drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Serafem and Lexapro which are prescribed not only for depression, but also for myriad of ‘off-label’ conditions such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and even dysmenorrhea. The data were taken from 2005 to 2008.
Here are some notable data from the report:
• Caucasians still have the highest rates of antidepressant usage than any other race.
• Only three to four percent of Hispanics and Blacks, respectively, are using antidepressants.
• More men using antidepressant drugs have seen a mental health practitioner during past twelve months than women.
• But among those who are using two different antidepressant drugs, less than half of them have seen a mental health practitioner during past twelve months.
• Individuals aged 40 and above tend to be prescribed with drugs for depression in comparison to their younger age groups.
• There is little difference in antidepressant use among adolescent males and females aged 12 to 17.
• All in all, more than half of them have been taking antidepressants regularly for more than two years.
In a nation were more than half of its citizens have experienced some form of mental problem, the rates of antidepressant use are not surprising. The report stressed that not all people with depressive symptoms are taking antidepressants.
Experts say that the best way to combat depression is early detection, so appropriate antidepressant therapy can be implemented. Still, antidepressants are preferred for cases of moderate to severe depression.
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Filed under Anxiety Disorders, Major Depression, Mental Illness, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by on Oct 26th, 2011. Comment.
