May 21, 2020

Heavy Pot Use Linked to Mental Problems, Even After Quitting

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 -- Marijuana dependence goes hand in hand with poor mental health, and problems may persist long after stopping the drug, according to Canadian researchers.

Nearly half of people who have been or are now dependent on pot have some form of mental illness or dependence on another substance, according to a report this month in the journal Advances in Preventative Medicine. That compares with 8% of people with no history of pot dependence have mental illness or another drug or alcohol addiction.

May 5, 2020

Isolation During Coronavirus Pandemic a Trigger for Depression

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 -- The isolation of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic could trigger depression, British researchers say.

"When we are down we tend to choose to do things that cheer us up, and when we are up we may take on activities that will tend to bring us down. However, in our current situation with COVID-19, lockdowns and social isolation, our choice of activity is very limited," said study co-author Guy Goodwin, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Oxford.

May 5, 2020

Loving Family May Lower Future Depression Risk in Kids

MONDAY, May 4, 2020 -- Having a supportive family can significantly reduce a child's future risk of major depression, according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed data on more than 3,200 pairs of siblings in Sweden -- including more than 600 pairs of full siblings and nearly 2,600 pairs of half-siblings -- who had at least one biological parent with depression.

April 20, 2020

AHA News: Cut Off From Counseling During the Coronavirus Pandemic? There Are Options

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Keeping away from one another is crucial for stopping the coronavirus. But that distancing also risks keeping people away from vital support.

"It's a real danger," said Mike Marshall, executive director of Oregon Recovers, a coalition of addiction recovery groups. People in recovery, he said, rely on group meetings to provide community and accountability. Showing up regularly to say, "I'm Mike, I'm an alcoholic," is a way of defining his problem while asking for help from people in the same room.

April 20, 2020

Dodge Depression During Coronavirus Pandemic

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 -- There's no doubt about it: Staying at home, worrying about jobs and finances, is a recipe for depression during the coronavirus pandemic.

But one expert offers some tips on how to maintain good mental health during this difficult time.

April 9, 2020

Magnetic Brain 'Zap' Shows Promise Against Severe Depression

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 -- Intensifying a standard form of brain stimulation may bring relief to people with hard-to-treat depression, a preliminary study suggests.

The study involved just 21 patients, but the treatment sent 90% into remission within a few days. That's a success rate that has never been seen in early testing of other therapies for severe depression, the researchers said.