Individuals who experience both childhood adversity and traumatic events in adulthood appear more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than those exposed to only one of these types of incidents, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, the risk was further increased in individuals with a certain genetic mutation.
Although 40 percent to 70 percent of Americans have experienced traumatic events, only about 8 percent develop PTSD during their lifetimes, according to background information in the article. PTSD is a complex anxiety disorder that involves re-experiencing, avoidance and increased arousal following exposure to a life-threatening event. "In addition to the obvious effect of environmental factors, PTSD has a heritable component," the authors write. Recent studies estimate that genetic factors account for approximately 30 percent of the difference in PTSD symptoms.
READ MORE @ SCIENCE DAILY
Showing posts with label symptoms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symptoms. Show all posts
Friday, November 6, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Antidepressants, not sleep drugs, often prescribed for insomnia * Story Highlights * Doctors prescribed more antidepressants for insomnia
Insomnia, the inability to fall or stay asleep, can make the days feel fuzzy and the nights never-ending.
The disorder can increase the risk for depression and suicidal thoughts, lower work productivity and even raise blood pressure, studies have shown.
About 40 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders that prevent them from getting good rest. Singer Michael Jackson struggled with insomnia, a nutritionist who worked for him told CNN. Sources close to Jackson told CNN that during a world tour in the mid-'90s, the pop star traveled with an anesthesiologist who would "take him down" at night, then "bring him back up."
Stress or traumatic events can trigger the sleeping disorder. Insomnia drugs help the patient sleep, but they do not treat the underlying cause, which could be a result of another illness, life changes or shifting work schedules. And patients who seek relief for insomnia may not receive the most effective prescription.
Over the last two decades, doctors treating sleep disorders have prescribed more antidepressants than insomnia drugs, according to several published analyses. And there is insufficient evidence that most antidepressants are effective in treating insomnia, concluded a National Institutes of Health panel that convened on the topic in 2005.
Doctors may be factoring in cost considerations and their own familiarity with prescribing antidepressants relative to newer sleep medications, experts said.
READ MORE @ CNN
The disorder can increase the risk for depression and suicidal thoughts, lower work productivity and even raise blood pressure, studies have shown.
About 40 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders that prevent them from getting good rest. Singer Michael Jackson struggled with insomnia, a nutritionist who worked for him told CNN. Sources close to Jackson told CNN that during a world tour in the mid-'90s, the pop star traveled with an anesthesiologist who would "take him down" at night, then "bring him back up."
Stress or traumatic events can trigger the sleeping disorder. Insomnia drugs help the patient sleep, but they do not treat the underlying cause, which could be a result of another illness, life changes or shifting work schedules. And patients who seek relief for insomnia may not receive the most effective prescription.
Over the last two decades, doctors treating sleep disorders have prescribed more antidepressants than insomnia drugs, according to several published analyses. And there is insufficient evidence that most antidepressants are effective in treating insomnia, concluded a National Institutes of Health panel that convened on the topic in 2005.
Doctors may be factoring in cost considerations and their own familiarity with prescribing antidepressants relative to newer sleep medications, experts said.
READ MORE @ CNN
Friday, November 14, 2008
Watch for depression in the elderly - Know the signs, step in if necessary
Experts are quick to say that depression isn't a normal part of aging, nor is it a sign of weakness.
But older family members who suffer from the condition may need your help to overcome those misconceptions and get treatment.
"In the elderly community, there is a lot of stigma still about depression and anxiety," said Dr. Greg Jicha, a neurologist at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. "People are very hesitant to seek out any kind of help for these sorts of things."
Jicha believes it's important for relatives to be alert to signs of depression in older people to help restore joy in their lives and keep them from entering nursing homes too early. He recommends raising a red flag with primary care physicians, who may otherwise miss the signs.
READ MORE @ LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL
But older family members who suffer from the condition may need your help to overcome those misconceptions and get treatment.
"In the elderly community, there is a lot of stigma still about depression and anxiety," said Dr. Greg Jicha, a neurologist at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. "People are very hesitant to seek out any kind of help for these sorts of things."
Jicha believes it's important for relatives to be alert to signs of depression in older people to help restore joy in their lives and keep them from entering nursing homes too early. He recommends raising a red flag with primary care physicians, who may otherwise miss the signs.
READ MORE @ LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL
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