DEPRESSION:
a. Scientists find a new biomarker that can help identify and lead to better treatment for depression. A doctor from Johns Hopkins, who was not part of the study, marvels: “that’s the holy grail: to find some biological mechanism for depression.” It’s a technical read, but pretty compelling. The great thing is that, with this particular biomarker, doctors will be able to see whether a patient will respond to a particular antidepressant within the 7 day life cycle of the platelet. Currently, it can take a few months on a medicine to know if it’s working. Awesome.
b. And on the subject of blood biomarkers, researchers have identified a set of 15 biomarkers that can predict with 83% accuracy if a pregnant woman will experience significant depressive symptoms.
c. And on that subject, a new study suggests digital CBT (dCBT) may help prevent postpartum depression in women up to 6 months after giving birth
d. STUDY: Teens addicted to TikTok show working memory deficit, likely fueled by increased depression and anxiety from the app.
e. WSJ: “Is Looking at Art a Path to Mental Well-Being?” (That’s one of my favorite pieces up there).
f. STUDY: Depressed people are more likely to believe vaccine conspiracy theories. Negativity bias could help explain the distrust.
ANXIETY:
a. STUDY: Using brain imaging, scientists are now understanding why the children of critical mothers are more likely to demonstrate psychopathology later in life. Of course, critical fathers probably play a role, too, but the study was limited to mothers.
b. Have Covid right now? Have anxiety about it? Have trouble sleeping? There’s an academic study for that. Progressive relaxation exercises reduced anxiety in patients with Covid, and also improved quality of sleep. Here’s a really helpful guide on Progressive Muscle Relaxation from the University of Michigan. Included: all the muscle groups, and instructions.
c. STUDY: Anxious, middle-aged men are at a greater risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes as they get older. All the more reason to find treatment.
d. “How to Calm Anxiety: 8 Tips from Medical Experts.”
e. “Paranoia vs. Anxiety: What you need to know.” The main difference is the belief in persecution, conspiracy, or threat against oneself (paranoia). Of course, those with paranoia are often anxious, and sometimes the anxious have paranoia, but they’re separate conditions and accurate diagnosis is important.
EATING DISORDERS:
a. “Pharmacological Management of Treatment-Resistant Anorexia Nervosa.” There are still no FDA-approved medications to treat AN, but there’s widespread off-label treatment of it. Good article examining those treatments.
b. You might be hearing the term “Food Freedom” these days. Here’s a good read on what it is, and how it can help prevent and recover from eating disorders. The scientific evidence is overwhelming. Dieting doesn’t work. It also promotes an unhealthy relationship with food that can lead to eating disorders. And again, it doesn’t work. Maybe for a few months, but it’s not a long-term solution to a relationship with food.
c. Something increasingly visible. ARFID (Avoidant-Restrictive-Food-Intake-Disorder). Some skeptics might scoff, “Oh, that kids just only wants to eat candy. Shove the veggies down.” No, this isn’t about just wanting candy. It’s a real disorder and I’ve seen it. And it’s never about candy.
d. WSJ: Social Media is leading to more eating disorders among boys and men.
Verse: “From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Christ Jesus.” – John 1:16
I know it sometimes doesn’t feel as if we’ve received one gracious blessing after another. Especially when we feel so horrible. God knows I know that. But we do have Christ’s unfailing love, and though we might not understand it, he understands us.
“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.” – I Corinthians 1:15:43.
Keep going.
Find a psychiatrist here.
Find a therapist here.
If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
