Health News

Anxiety Linked to Impulsivity in Depression
Impulsivity is the tendency to act without thinking ahead. People with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) or bipolar disorder may be more impulsive when they also have anxiety symptoms.
Epilepsy and Psychosis May Share Origin
Past studies have shown that schizophrenia and epilepsy have similar structural brain and genetic abnormalities, leading researchers to believe they share a common origin or cause.
Early Arrival May Affect Mental Health
Babies born ahead of their time might need more than tiny clothes. They may also require parents to be more vigilant for signs of developing mental illness in their children.
Categorizing Bipolar Disorder
Everyone goes through phases of highs and lows. You get a new job and feel particularly up for a month - you go through a break up and feel down for a while. However, for those with bipolar disorder the normal swings between highs and lows become severe and extremely disruptive to normal life functions and relationships.
Bipolar Teens may Have Mania but no Depression
Bipolar disorder is usually thought of cycling between highs and lows.  A new study shows that teens may be at risk for having mania without the depression, and this might hinder detection of the disorder.
Anxiety may Lead to Bipolar
Anxiety disorders are common in people with bipolar disorder, and having an anxiety disorder with bipolar may mean that managing bipolar symptoms is more difficult.
Comparing Medications for Bipolar in Teens
Bipolar disorder in children and teens is difficult to treat. Many medications on the market have not been tested in young people. A new study compares the safety and effectiveness of three drugs for bipolar disorder. Three medications, lithium, an antipsychotic, and a drug specifically approved for mania, were given to children and teens with bipolar disorder.  After eight weeks of treatment, the antipsychotic Risperdal ( risperidone ) was most effective for symptoms of mania, but it also caused severe weight gain. Researchers recommend caution and close monitoring when using...
Antipsychotic Drug may Help Depression
Mixed mood states are those that have symptoms of depression and mania. They can occur in bipolar disorder and major depression, but treating the mixed state has been difficult.
More False Bipolar Diagnoses?
The current guidelines to detect bipolar disorder are admittedly flawed.  The newly proposed criterion lessens the threshold for diagnoses and may do more harm than good for the patient says psychiatrist.
Suicide Risk and Antiepileptic Drugs
Some antiepileptic drugs have been associated with an increased risk of suicide. A new study shows that the use of antiepileptic drugs by patients with bipolar disorder did not increase the risk of suicide.