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March 9, 2021
by Patricia Tomasi

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How Is The Pandemic Affecting The Well-Being Of Ethnic Minorities And Women?

March 9, 2021 08:00 by Patricia Tomasi  [About the Author]

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Understanding how the pandemic and the lockdown is affecting the mental well-being of people is crucial for researchers and scientists to understand as well as government and health care practitioners. A new study published in PLOS ONE Journal looked at COVID-19 and mental health deterioration by ethnicity and gender in the UK, specifically looking at how the mental health of UK women and ethnic minorities are being affected by the pandemic. [More]

March 2, 2021
by Patricia Tomasi

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New Study Looks At Rapid Antidepressant Effects And Depression Neurobiology

March 2, 2021 08:00 by Patricia Tomasi  [About the Author]

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Researchers of a new study published in the Journal of Molecular Neurobiology investigated the therapeutic potential of drugs that inhibit stress-induced epigenetic changes. “It is well described in the literature that stress triggers epigenetic modifications which result in changes in the expression of genes that code for proteins important for several functions in the brain, such as neurotransmitter signaling and neuroplasticity,” study author Sâmia Joca told us. “Impaired neuroplasticity and neurotransmitter signaling in limbic brain regions (responsible for emotion, affection, cognition and endocrine control) has been considered central mechanisms involved in depression neurobiology.” [More]

January 26, 2021
by Patricia Tomasi

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Does Alcoholism Change The Way A Person Responds To Alcohol Over Time?

January 26, 2021 08:00 by Patricia Tomasi  [About the Author]

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new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry looked at subjective responses to alcohol in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder. “There are heuristic scientific models as well as common folklore surrounding the issue of responses to alcohol in those who are at risk for, and who do become addicted,” study author Dr. Andrea King told us. [More]

January 22, 2021
by Tina Arnoldi

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Do We Overemphasize the Biological Causes of Mental Illness?

January 22, 2021 08:07 by Tina Arnoldi  [About the Author]

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
A study in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry reviewed language used in studies about biological causes of mental health disorders, noting that, “The message delivered to laypeople is that mental disorders are brain diseases cured by scientifically designed medications.” The implication is that the media is too quick to cover studies that lean toward reductionist theories. [More]

January 5, 2021
by Patricia Tomasi

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Understanding The Neurobiology Of Anxiety

January 5, 2021 08:00 by Patricia Tomasi  [About the Author]

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Anxiety is an emotion that is central to human experience which can also cause immense suffering for millions of children and adults when it goes awry. A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience looked at the biological roots of anxiety. “Anxiety disorders are the most common family of mental illnesses, and they impose a staggered burden on global public health and the economy,” study author Alexander J. Shackman told us. [More]

January 1, 2021
by Tina Arnoldi

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The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ Communities

January 1, 2021 08:57 by Tina Arnoldi  [About the Author]

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COVID-19 has affected all communities in some way, economically, physically,and mentally. New data released by the HRC and PSB research found that “LGBTQ people are more likely to have experienced a cut in work hours, are more likely to feel that their personal finances are in worse shape and are more likely to be taking steps to actively prepare for the virus.” [More]

December 11, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi

Photo by Miika Laaksonen on Unsplash

The Value of Comics in Mental Health Education

December 11, 2020 08:56 by Tina Arnoldi  [About the Author]

Photo by Miika Laaksonen on Unsplash
In an earlier post for Theravive, I examined how cartoons and comics might be a useful way to educate people on mental health concerns. This fall, I interviewed Cara Bean to learn about the process behind Vermont’s Center for Cartoon Studies released “Let’s Talk About It: A Graphic Guide To Mental Health” about its use for education. Recently, there was an article in the Open Library of Humanities about the perceived value in using comics to teach mental health professionals. [More]

December 4, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi

Photo by Third Serving on Unsplash

Mental Health Related Movies Receive Good Reviews

December 4, 2020 08:09 by Tina Arnoldi  [About the Author]

Photo by Third Serving on Unsplash
In a recent study, researchers surveyed 200 movies released between 1977 and 2019 with content about mental illness and found box office returns were higher than average. Those same movies received 15% of Oscar nominations during the time period. While the article still needs peer-review, the findings show that we, as a society, are doing a better job of talking about mental health. [More]