ANXIETY:
a. Can Anxiety Cause Bad Dreams? Dr. Jason Durant notes, “We do know from research that the brain continues to work on solving problems during sleep. This is likely to be true for the anxious mind, only with more emotionally challenging scenes playing out.”
b. How anxiety affects nutrient absorption. Hint: Not good. Which makes things even harder for those with an eating disorder. Get help for eating disorders here.
c. STUDY: “Common osteoporosis drug associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.” Alendronate therapy is the offending treatment.
d. A new study suggests that the plant-derived substance beta-sitosterol may help reduce anxiety. Common sources: avocado, nuts like pisatchios, almonds, canola oil, and some cereals and grains. Of course, there are beta-sitosterol supplements, but those can have severe side effects for certain people.
e. A University of Arizona study reminds us of the stress grocery store workers face, dealing with the constant overhang of Covid.
God help these heroes on the front-lines, and let’s help, too, by doing all we can to help protect those on the front-lines. Pro mask, socially distance, vax here (probably just lost some readers, but oh dear Lord, the church in the U.S. has lost its way on our response to Covid and idolization of “American rights” over loving our neighbor).
f. Interesting, the “1-2-3 Change Model.” Stepping outside your comfort zone, without triggering panic.
g. Psychology Today: “The History of Stress.” The whole thing is interesting, but notes that in 1936, Hans Seyle “discovered that after a rat was exposed to a stressor, a typical ‘syndrome’ appeared which was not related to the physical damage done by the stressor.”
Much later, he elaborated on this in more pioneering work. Great read.
DEPRESSION:
a. How do people manage their depression over the holidays? A new study shows 45% of people say spending time alone helps them the most.
Why does holiday depression spike? Participants cited financial issues, the loss of a family member or close friend, and comparing themselves to those around them who seem happier.
(With those raw results, it’s not hard to speculate on some reasons why those issues might worsen over the holidays. You spend more money (financial difficulties), you often gather with family — some of whom are missing, either from death or friction — and you get lots and lots of holiday cards in the mail of the perfect families).
b. Under new guidelines, the NHS will suggest therapy before medication. Remember, though, every case is different and studies have shown (for example, here) that combining therapy and medication are most successful at reducing symptoms.
c. U.K. researchers are trying to figure out if stem cells from teeth can treat depression. The theory? That they could “encourage the formation of new nerve cells in the brain.”
d. STUDY: Vitamin B12 deficiency could increase risk of depression in the elderly.
e. STUDY: Oxygen treatments seem to reduce symptoms of depression. Studies have suggested improvements for neurological conditions, as well.
f. In a PhD program? A new study suggests doctoral students are 2x more likely to report symptoms of severe anxiety than working professionals. They also had higher levels of depression.
g. The New Yorker: “Ketamine Therapy is going mainstream: Are we ready?”
EATING DISORDERS:
a. WSJ: “How TikTok inundates teens with eating-disorder videos.” And Instagram’s crackdown is a farce. This is absolutely tragic. About 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide, according to ANAD. You can read one of the seminal academic meta-studies here, in JAMA.
b. Experts offer suggestions for managing eating disorders triggers during the holidays.
c. Studies from Canada, The United States, and Australia show dramatic increases in cases of anorexia during the Covid era. How to recognize and help.
d. “Why Some Men Are Reluctant To Open Up About Eating Disorders.” As with other mental health conditions, the stigma for men is particularly deep and is particularly associated with perceptions about ideal masculinity.
PTSD:
a. Psychology Today: Dr. Michael Scheeringa highlights the best (and worst) studies on trauma in 2021.
b. PTSD is consistently underdiagnosed and undertreated among older adults.
c. The NHS forecasts an additional 230,000 cases of PTSD in England from Covid. Prevalence highest among care workers, the bereaved, and domestic abuse victims.
SCHIZOPHRENIA:
a. The stigma behind the name of the diagnosis “schizophrenia” is substantial, the New York Times notes. Some are calling for a name-change. “The term ‘schizophrenia’ hasn’t evolved with the treatment,” one advocate notes.
That’s an important point. Both Japan and South Korea have already adopted new names for schizophrenia. Will the United States soon follow?
b. New STUDY: “Clues to treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder found in recently evolved region of the ‘dark genome’.” The finding might lead to better treatment options for both conditions.
c. A Vanderbilt team has “identified a protein in the central nervous system, known as mGlu1, as a potential target for novel treatments of schizophrenia.”
d. How do we improve outcomes in late-life schizophrenia?
Verse: “Lord, you know the hopes of the hopeless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” — Psalm 10:18.
If you’re not finding that comfort, talk to your doctor. It’s not faulty spirituality, but a medical condition. God uses many things to comfort us, and that can include medication and therapy.
Find a psychiatrist here.
Find a therapist here.
Verse: “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” — I Peter 1:6.
This little while can seem like a long while, I know. It sure has to me. But keep going. Get help.
2022 is starting, and as Andrew Peterson sings, “When the voices in your mind are anything but kind, and you can’t believe your Father knows best. I love you just the way you are….you can’t expect to be perfect, it’s a fight you’ve got to forfeit. You belong to me whatever you do.”
