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Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Self-Selected COVID-19 “Unvaccinated” Cohort Reports Favorable Health Outcomes and Unjustified Discrimination in Global Survey [Scholarly Article - International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research (IJVTPR), August 2022]

Title:
Self-Selected COVID-19 “Unvaccinated” Cohort Reports Favorable Health Outcomes and Unjustified Discrimination in Global Survey
 
Authors:
Robert Verkerk PhD1, Christof  Plothe DO2, Naseeba Kathrada MBChB3 and Katarina Lindley DO4
 
1 Science Unit, Alliance for Natural Health International, 78 Dorking Road, Chilworth, Surrey GU4 8NS, United Kingdom (corresponding author science@anhinternational.org)
2 Praxis für Biophysikalische Osteopathie[Practice in Biophysical Osteopathy], Am Wegweiser 27, 55232 Alzey, Germany
3 Dr Kats, 86 Jan Hofmeyer Road, Dawncrest, Westville, 3629, South Africa
4 Lindley Medical, 2100 FM 1189, Brock, Texas 76087, USA
 
Published:
International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research (IJVTPR), 2(2), 12 August 2022

Abstract:
Self-reported data collected independently by the UK-based Control Group Cooperative between September 2021 and February 2022,inclusive,from a self-selected international COVID-19 “unvaccinated” population are discussed. Data come from a cohort of  18,497 participants who provided questionnaire responses monthly. The largest numbers are from Europe, North America,and Australasia. Data were skewed towards the 40-69y age range and included 60% female respondents. Reasons for avoiding COVID-19 “vaccines” were: a preference for natural medicine,distrust of  pharma, distrust of  government information, poor/limited trial data,and fear of  long-term adverse reactions.During the survey period, the greatest incidence ofCOVID-19 disease was reported in the 50-69y range, peaking at 12.3%, in January 2022.  Persons at 70y and above were least affected (1.3%), with 10.7% and 3.8% in the 20to 49y band, and in the 1to 19y group, respectively. Most rated their symptoms as “mild” (14.4%), with 2% reporting“severe” disease.Fatigue, cough, muscle/body aches,and fever were the four most common. Just 0.4% of  the cohort reported hospitalization (as in-or out-patients). Nearly two-thirds reported taking vitamin D, C, zinc, quercetin, or a combination, for prevention, with 71% using vitamin D, C,and zinc for treatment. Nearly 45% reported “moderate” to “severe” mental health issues (depression) during the survey period.Menstrual abnormalities were reported by 36% of  women in the20-49y age band. Reported job losses were greatest in Australia and New Zealand at 29%,followed by 13% in North America. Between 20% and 50% reported being personal targets of  hate because of  their vaccination status. Between 57% and 61% of  respondents in Southern Europe and Western Europe, Australia/New Zealand and South America, reported being targets of  governmental victimization. The cohort may not be representative of  wider populations given its reliance on self-care.The findings suggest that opting out of  the world’s largest medical experiment, relying on natural immunity,self-care with supplements,and/or ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, appeared to contribute to low incidences of  severe disease, hospitalization, or death. The results imply the urgent need for prospective studies of  “unvaccinated”, “partially vaccinated”, and “fully vaccinated” persons investigating long-term outcomes, behaviors, choices, and discriminatory responses by the state, institutions,or employers based on “vaccination” status. Public dialogue about the touted “safety and effectiveness”of  vaccines, contrasted with strategies to enhance immune resilience, all in the context of authoritarianism versus autonomy, self-care, personal responsibility, and freedom of  choice is needed.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – new study [The Conversation, July 2022]

Title:
Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – new study
 
Authors:
Joanna Moncrieff 
Senior Clinical Lecturer, Critical and Social Psychiatry, University College London (UCL)
&
Mark Horowitz 
Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry, University College London (UCL)
 
Published:
The Conversation, 20 July 2022 [Updated: 21 July 2022]
 
From the article:
For three decades, people have been deluged with information suggesting that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain – namely an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin. However, our latest research review shows that the evidence does not support it.
 

Sunday, July 17, 2022

SOUTH AFRICA / SUID-AFRIKA - Afrikaners worstel met angs, depressie [Maroela Media, Junie 2022] - Article & video in Afrikaans

Titel:
Video: Afrikaners worstel met angs, depressie
 
Outeur:
Elaine Krige
 
Gepubliseer:
Maroela Media, 3 Junie 2022
 
Aangehaal uit artikel:
Omtrent die helfte van Afrikaners landwyd het aangedui dat hulle die verlede jaar angs, depressie en huwelikskonflik ondervind het. Maatskaplike kwessies is veral onder inwoners van Kaapstad, Krugersdorp en Pretoria-Oos waargeneem.
 

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives [Scholarly Article - Frontiers in Public Health, February 2022]

Title:
Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives 
 
Authors:
Pierpaolo Limone & Giusi Antonia Toto
Learning Science Hub, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
 
Published:
Frontiers in Public Health, 16 February 2022
 
Abstract:
Distress and mental health issues among college students is an emerging topic of study. The aim of this research work is to illustrate academic and social risk factors and how they prove to be predictors of anxiety and depressive disorders. The methodology used is a cumulative literature review structured over 10 systematic phases, and is replicable. Showing considerable potential for cumulative research, the relevance of this study reflects the concern of the academic community and international governments. The articles selected range from categorization of disorders in relation to mental health, to reporting the condition of rhinestones and difficulties of students in university contexts. In conclusion, the research focusses upon predisposing, concurrent or protective factors relating to the mental health of university students, so that institutions can act on concrete dynamics or propose targeted research on this topic.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Effects of medical school on mental health and sleep habits [Preprint - medRxiv, January 2022]

Title:
Effects of medical school on mental health and sleep habits

Authors:
Blake McKinley, Bryan Daines, Mitchell Allen, Kayd Pulsipher,  View ORCID ProfileIsain Zapata & Benjamin Wilde 
[All the authors are from the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ivins, Utah, USA]
 
Published:
medRxiv, 14 January 2022
 
Note:
This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.
 
Abstracts:
BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES 
This study aims to define changes in anxiety and depression among medical students while evaluating the association of sleep habits and other risk factors, including exercise habits and a diagnosis of chronic disease. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was also evaluated.  
 
DESIGN 
A cohort of first- and second-year medical students was evaluated longitudinally using survey methods to quantify changes from pre-medical school and summer break to each semester in medical school throughout years one and two.  
 
METHODS 
Data was analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) on the numeric responses of General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Additional assessments evaluated exercise habits, chronic disease, and impact of COVID-19 Pandemic.  
 
RESULTS 
Depression, anxiety, and sleep habits displayed a cyclical change that was associated with the academic cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic was never significant. Medical students who had a chronic disease diagnosis had increased severity. Exercise did not play a role.  
 
CONCLUSION 
The main driver for depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality was the academic cycle, while the COVID-19 pandemic did not have an impact on mental health.
 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

An Islamic Form of Logotherapy in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms in University Students in Iran [Scholarly Article - Journal of Religion and Health, January 2022]

Title:
An Islamic Form of Logotherapy in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms in University Students in Iran 
 
Authors:
Shapour Fereydouni & Simon Forstmeier  
 
Published:
Journal of Religion and Health, 11 January 2022
 
Abstract:
Previous research demonstrated that spiritually sensitive psychotherapy is an effective treatment for clients with depression or anxiety, with outcomes equivalent to secular control interventions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of spiritually sensitive logotherapy intervention in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in university students in Iran. Sixty students with elevated depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory II, BDI-II, 22 or greater) were randomly assigned to either a twelve-session group logotherapy programme or a control group. Results showed that spiritually sensitive logotherapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly more so than in the control group (e.g. interaction effect for BDI-II: F = 56.8, p < 0.001, with a large effect size).
 

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021 [CDC, March 2021]

Title:
Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021
 
Author:
Anjel Vahratian, PhD; Stephen J. Blumberg, PhD; Emily P. Terlizzi, MPH & Jeannine S. Schiller, MPH 

Published:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26 March 2021

From the Summary:
During August 2020–February 2021, the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder increased from 36.4% to 41.5%, and the percentage of those reporting an unmet mental health care need increased from 9.2% to 11.7%. Increases were largest among adults aged 18–29 years and those with less than a high school education.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

University of San Franscisco (PsyD, 2021) - The Effectiveness Of A Transaffirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group-Based Intervention To Help Transgender Individuals Suffering From Depression

Title:
The Effectiveness Of A Transaffirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group-Based Intervention To Help Transgender Individuals Suffering From Depression
 
Author:
Joy Riach 

Published:
University of San Francisco, 2021
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

Abstract:
Transgender individuals report higher levels of elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety due to psychological distress caused by pervasive transphobic discrimination and prejudice that persist in pathologizing and stigmatizing their lived experiences. An important first step would be to develop, implement, and assess transaffirmative interventions that address the mental health issues that this population is particularly susceptible to, such as depression. This current study was designed to assess the effectiveness of one such culturally adapted intervention, which was a 5-week-long, group-based therapy developed for treating depression in transgender individuals using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This was then followed with one final session 1 month after the last session. The researcher hypothesized that participating in this intervention would result in a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms among the participants. The data were analyzed using a one-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA; Field, 2016) and a paired samples t-test (Laerd Statistics, 2018). The study consisted of 14 transgender individuals who were divided into three treatment groups. In March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researcher adapted the intervention protocol to conducting individual therapy sessions over the phone. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the means depressive symptoms scores for T1(preintervention) and T3 (1 month postintervention). Future researchers may wish to use a larger participant pool that includes a greater diversity of ethnic, cultural, geographical, and age groups. With this more diverse sample, more extensive analysis could be conducted, such as exploring differences between ethnicities, geographical locations, and age groups.

Monday, December 14, 2020

University of San Francisco, PsyD dissertation (2020) - Mental health outcomes of various types of fear among university students who have an undocumented legal status during the Donald Trump presidency

Title:
Mental health outcomes of various types of fear among university students who have an undocumented legal status during the Donald Trump presidency
 
Author:
Liliana Campos
 
Published:
Dissertation, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD), University of San Francisco, 2020

Abstract:
Having an undocumented legal status is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety among university students. Much of the literature on the experiences of university students who hold an undocumented legal status has primarily focused on better understanding the educational, social, financial, and legal challenges among undergraduate students. The literature has addressed how some of these difficulties impact components of their social and mental health wellness. Yet, there is still a dearth of research focused on further understanding the experiences of students who hold an undocumented legal status from a psychological perspective, and specifically, with respect to the psychological effects of fear. This study focuses on understanding the long-lasting mental health effects of various forms of fear among university students, including undergraduate and graduate students. This parallel convergent mixed-methods study examines mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and trauma related to fear of deportation, fear of detention, fear of microaggressions, fear of hate speech, and fear of crime since the election of Donald Trump among university students who hold an undocumented legal status.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Comorbid anxiety and depression psychopathology in university students: a network approach [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Psychology, 27 November 2020]

Title:
Comorbid anxiety and depression psychopathology in university students: a network approach
 
Author:
Malose Makhubela
 
Published:
South African Journal of Psychology, 27 November 2020
 
Abstract:
Depression in university students is known to commonly co-occur with other mental disorders, especially anxiety. It is, however, not known how this comorbidity affects the psychopathology of depression in university students. Compared to commonly used methods, the clinical network approach provides a better framework for understanding comorbidity. Accordingly, regularized partial correlation network models were used in this study to (1) examine the severity structure of individual depressive symptoms by the level of comorbid anxiety, and (2) explore the gender differences among these symptoms in university students (N = 919; Mage = 21 years., SD = 2.99; 72% = Female). Anhedonia, hopelessness, worthlessness, self-blame, and loneliness were the most central symptoms of depression in this study. The Network Comparison Test revealed no statistically significant global structure and strength of the depressive symptom network by comorbid anxiety level and gender. Implications of the results and network framework with regard to developing alternative treatment options, and the optimization of clinical care and assessment of depression are discussed.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Harvard Medical School - Harvard researchers discover the easy behavioral trick to avoiding depression

Title:
Harvard researchers discover the easy behavioral trick to avoiding depression

Published:
Fast Company, 19 August 2020
https://www.fastcompany.com/90541202/harvard-researchers-discover-the-easy-behavioral-trick-to-avoiding-depression

From the article:
A new large-scale study out of Harvard Medical School elucidates how to avoid depression: socialize, socialize, socialize. The simple act of chatting up other people protects against depression.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Research led by University of Bath (Press release 1 June 2020) - Impact of children’s loneliness today could manifest in depression for years to come

Title:
Impact of children’s loneliness today could manifest in depression for years to come

Research is led by:
Dr Maria Loades, clinical psychologist from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath  

Published:
Press release, University of Bath, 1 June 2020 [updated 2 June 2020]
https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/impact-of-childrens-loneliness-today-could-manifest-in-depression-for-years-to-come/

From the article:
A review into the mental health impacts of loneliness on young people concludes that there could be a spike in demand for services in the years to come.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Psychology Today, 21 May 2020 - The Silent Pandemic: Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Title:
The Silent Pandemic: Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Author:
Azmaira H. Maker, Ph.D

Published:
Psychology Today, 21 May 2020
https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/helping-kids-cope/202005/the-silent-pandemic-depression-self-harm-and-suicide

From the article:
"Children and adolescents may not be adept at recognizing, expressing, or coping with isolation and with the resulting losses in their lives. As we appropriately and necessarily hold our children in ‘lock down’, children may experience a deep sense of loss of control, powerlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness, all critical psychological markers for depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide."

Note:
The author also lists the danger signs to watch out for that indicate that children and adolescents are suffering deeply!

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Research by University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine: Cyberbullying linked to increased depression and PTSD

Title:
Cyberbullying linked to increased depression and PTSD

Research by:
University of Miami, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Published:
Medical Xpress, 22 January 2020

From the article:
"Cyberbullying had the impact of amplifying symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in young people who were inpatients at an adolescent psychiatric hospital, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The study addressed both the prevalence and factors related to cyberbullying in adolescent inpatients."

To read this article:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-cyberbullying-linked-depression-ptsd.html