A successful community approach to tackling increasing overweight in children
10th August 2008
The 8th August edition of the BMJ (Moynihan 2008) reports "The small town of Colac in rural Australia is attracting national and international attention for its approach to fighting childhood obesity, and reducing health inequalities." The news item goes on to say "Two hours west of Melbourne, with 11,000 inhabitants, …
Recent research: ACT, acceptance & values in chronic pain, mindfulness & CBT in rheumatoid arthritis
7th August 2008
McCracken, L. M. and K. E. Vowles (2008). "A prospective analysis of acceptance of pain and values-based action in patients with chronic pain." Health Psychol 27(2): 215-20. [PubMed] OBJECTIVE: Acceptance of pain and values-based action appear important in the emotional, physical, and social functioning of individuals with chronic pain. The …
Recent research: CBT, insomnia & depression, GP visits & health anxiety, desensitization & medication, agoraphobia & panic
31st July 2008
Manber, R., J. D. Edinger, et al. (2008). "Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia enhances depression outcome in patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and insomnia." Sleep 31(4): 489-95. [PubMed] STUDY OBJECTIVE: Insomnia impacts the course of major depressive disorder (MDD), hinders response to treatment, and increases risk for depressive relapse. …
Checking in with Larry - next morning
6th July 2008
This is a continuation of yesterday's blog about regular check-ins/life planning with my great friend Larry. And now it's Sunday morning around 7.00am. Yesterday we went out to the 'hut' at Carbeth knowing that there was a good chance that the owner, Gerry, might in fact be using it himself. …
Checking in with Larry - first evening
5th July 2008
On the train to Glasgow. It's a Saturday afternoon in early July and I'm heading over to meet up with my old friend Larry to spend 24 hours or so together looking at how our lives are going. We've been getting together to do this three or four times a …
Recent research: OCD, writing & rumination, trauma & eating disorder, internet depression treatment, and sleep & PTSD
3rd July 2008
Simpson, H. B., E. B. Foa, et al. (2008). "A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Augmenting Pharmacotherapy in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." Am J Psychiatry 165(5): 621-630. [Abstract/Full Text] Most OCD sufferers treated adequately with antidepressants will continue to have clinically significant symptoms. This study shows that adding exposure and …
Recent research: adolescent depression, overweight, antidepressants in pregnancy, and recovery from stroke
2nd July 2008
Norquist, G., T. G. McGuire, et al. (2008). "Cost-Effectiveness of Depression Treatment for Adolescents." Am J Psychiatry 165(5): 549-552. [Free Full Text] Thoughtful (and freely accessible full text) editorial discussing the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological and psychological treatments for adolescents suffering from depression. Unfortunately different research studies suggest different conclusions, and …
Recent research: borderline, separation anxiety, bipolar disorder, telemedicine, fish oil, depression memory & safety behaviours
1st July 2008
Kitcheman, J., C. E. Adams, et al. (2008). "Does an encouraging letter encourage attendance at psychiatric out-patient clinics? The Leeds PROMPTS randomized study." Psychol Med 38(5): 717-23. [PubMed] An 'orientation letter' delivered shortly before their scheduled first appointment considerably reduced failure to attend at UK psychiatric outpatient clinics. Levy, K. …
Recent research: eating disorders & PTSD, relationships & libido, and IBS
26th June 2008
Holzer, S. R., S. Uppala, et al. (2008). "Mediational significance of PTSD in the relationship of sexual trauma and eating disorders." Child Abuse Negl 32(5): 561-6. [PubMed] Mediational analysis suggests that sexual trauma often links to subsequent eating disorder via posttraumatic stress symptoms - particularly physiological arousal and avoidance. Therapeutically …
Recent research: exercise & mental function, mindfulness, smoking, fatigue, and lots on depression
23rd June 2008
Here are some articles - mostly published in May - that I found particularly interesting: Angevaren, M., G. Aufdemkampe, et al. (2008). "Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment." Cochrane Database Syst Rev(2): CD005381. [PubMed] Exercise seems to improve cognitive function …