DEPRESSION:
a. France will offer state-funded therapy. About 20% of French people suffer from depression (which is perhaps one of the reasons they’ve given us some of the most wonderful art and cinema the world has witnessed).
b. At-home, app-based exercise programs seem to be really effective at reducing depression during lockdown.
c. STUDY: Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD) is associated with a higher risk of depression, and worse outcomes. Find support for COPD here, and 11 breathing tips for people with COPD here.
d. STUDY: Insulin Resistance Doubles the Risk for Major Depressive Disorder. A ground-breaking longitudinal study that helps solve the chicken-egg question on insulin resistance and depression’s relationship.
e. STUDY: If your mom was depressed while she was pregnant with you, you’re more likely to be depressed, too. But we’re still not sure why. Is it genetics? Or is there something uniquely formative during that time for the development of depression? Regardless, here’s more on depression during pregnancy and how to treat it, from The Cleveland Clinic. Above all, talk with a doctor. It’s important.
f. STUDY: History of Migraine May Increase Anxiety and Depression during Pregnancy.
ANXIETY:
a. Social Anxiety among young people expected to spike as society reopens.
b. Medical News Today has tips for overcoming post-lockdown anxiety, which includes health anxiety. A key takeaway: take things one step at a time.
c. Trait Anxiety vs. State Anxiety. If you’re new to the anxiety game, you might not know the difference, but it’s really important to understand.
d. “Avoidance feeds anxiety.”
EATING DISORDERS:
a. The Seven Types of Eating Disorders, Explained: 1) Anorexia 2) Bulimia 3) Binge Eating Disorder 4) Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder 5) Pica 6) Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder and 7) Orthorexia, which is an obsession with eating “healthy and clean food: that can very quickly turn unhealthy.
b. We have to educate newly-diagnosed patients on just how severe their eating disorder can become. That is more likely to inspire them to get help.
c. A mother tells a story of her daughter’s battle with one. And how things turned around. It takes a family and a village.
d. Eating together as a family helps children form healthy relationships with food.
PTSD:
a. STUDY: Racism causes PTSD-like effects in Black Women: black women who reported experiencing more episodes of racial discrimination had the highest response activity in the “vigilance” and “threat monitoring” portions of the brain.
OBSESSSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER:
a. Psych Central has Six Tips for managing OCD: 1) think of your anxiety as a faulty smoke detector 2) Resist the temptation to solve the “problem” 3) Move away from feeling guilty 4) Get informed and Find Encouragement 5) Engagine in Self-Care and 6) Talk with a mental health professional. Read more here.
b. Bridget McGuire on her journey with OCD. While the specifics might be different for you and me, the mental struggle will be familiar. And her turnaround, inspiring.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” — I Timothy 2:1
