People who suffer from anxiety or depression are 33% more likely to become obese according to research published in the British Medical Journal today, reports the Telegraph (7 October 2009). The research was conducted by University College London.
More news about psychotherapy, counselling and mental health at www.therapyme.com.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009
News: Daily sweets 'linked to violence' - BBC News
Can eating sweets make you sour? Research from Cardiff University suggests a link between eating sweets daily as a child and violent crime in later life, as reported by BBC News (30 September 2009).
The UK study examined data of 17,500 people and found that 69% of people who were violent at the age of 34 had eaten confectionery on a daily basis during childhood.
Researcher Dr Simon Moore led the study: "Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want.
"Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency. Targeting resources at improving children's diet may improve health and reduce aggression. We are fairly confident that this is a realistic relationship - the key is explaining what the mechanism is behind this relationship. We think that rewarding bad behaviour in childhood with confectionary can lead to later problems but we need to look at this more closely."
More news about psychotherapy, counselling and mental health at www.therapyme.com.
The UK study examined data of 17,500 people and found that 69% of people who were violent at the age of 34 had eaten confectionery on a daily basis during childhood.
Researcher Dr Simon Moore led the study: "Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want.
"Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency. Targeting resources at improving children's diet may improve health and reduce aggression. We are fairly confident that this is a realistic relationship - the key is explaining what the mechanism is behind this relationship. We think that rewarding bad behaviour in childhood with confectionary can lead to later problems but we need to look at this more closely."
More news about psychotherapy, counselling and mental health at www.therapyme.com.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
News: Depressed people should get online counselling, study says - Telegraph
Patients who received online counselling were more than two-and-a-half times more likely to recover from their mental health problems than those who received 'standard care' from their doctor, according to a study from Bristol University (reports the Telegraph, 21/8/09).
Following a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, patients received one hour appointments online via instant messaging.
Commenting on the study, Dr David Kessler, a part-time GP and senior primary care researcher at Bristol University, said: "Maybe it is the writing things down that helps so much because you have to think more when you do this. It is like being in a chat room with your therapist. It would greatly improve access to therapists for people who are disabled, housebound or living in remote locations. And you don't have to be some whizzy computer geek to use it. Some of our patients were in their seventies although the average age of people with depression is surprisingly young – around the 30s and 40s mark."
Nearly 300 patients took part in the study.
For more news stories about counselling, psychotherapy and mental health, please visit TherapyMe.com.
Following a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, patients received one hour appointments online via instant messaging.
Commenting on the study, Dr David Kessler, a part-time GP and senior primary care researcher at Bristol University, said: "Maybe it is the writing things down that helps so much because you have to think more when you do this. It is like being in a chat room with your therapist. It would greatly improve access to therapists for people who are disabled, housebound or living in remote locations. And you don't have to be some whizzy computer geek to use it. Some of our patients were in their seventies although the average age of people with depression is surprisingly young – around the 30s and 40s mark."
Nearly 300 patients took part in the study.
For more news stories about counselling, psychotherapy and mental health, please visit TherapyMe.com.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
News: New strategy to bolster mental health care - The Independent
The UK Government is set to announce a policy shake-up that emphasizes the importance of preventing mental health problems, according to this article in The Independent (19 July 2009).
The newspaper quotes Louis Appleby, the Government's 'mental health tszar': "While specialist services for people with schizophrenia, dementia and other mental health problems are, of course, vital, prevention has got to be better than cure. We know there are particular groups such as children [in care] who are particularly vulnerable but this is not just about illness. For the first time we will focus attention on improving everyone's emotional resilience as individuals, families, communities and employers can all benefit from strong mental health. Like good education, good mental health is a stepping stone for a whole range of positive outcomes in adult life which benefit individuals, the welfare system, the health service and the criminal justice system."
For more stories about psychotherapy, counselling and mental health you can visit www.therapyme.com.
The newspaper quotes Louis Appleby, the Government's 'mental health tszar': "While specialist services for people with schizophrenia, dementia and other mental health problems are, of course, vital, prevention has got to be better than cure. We know there are particular groups such as children [in care] who are particularly vulnerable but this is not just about illness. For the first time we will focus attention on improving everyone's emotional resilience as individuals, families, communities and employers can all benefit from strong mental health. Like good education, good mental health is a stepping stone for a whole range of positive outcomes in adult life which benefit individuals, the welfare system, the health service and the criminal justice system."
For more stories about psychotherapy, counselling and mental health you can visit www.therapyme.com.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
News: Self-help 'makes you feel worse' - BBC News
Some self-help books can make you feel worse according to research published by the University of Waterloo and the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Repeating positive statements (or mantras) such as "I am a lovable person" made people with low self-esteem feel even worse about themselves although people with high self-esteem responded well. The study was published in the journal Psychological Science.
This BBC story (3 July 2009) takes a look at the history of the self help industry when Samuel Smiles published his book Self Help 150 years ago. It include a playful feature: Self help Victorian style.
For more news stories about counselling, psychotherapy and mental health, you can visit TherapyMe.com.
This BBC story (3 July 2009) takes a look at the history of the self help industry when Samuel Smiles published his book Self Help 150 years ago. It include a playful feature: Self help Victorian style.
For more news stories about counselling, psychotherapy and mental health, you can visit TherapyMe.com.
News: Divorcees and widows 'face three times the risk of Alzheimer's' - Telegraph
Research conducted by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that those people who lived alone in middle age doubled the risk of Alzeheimer's, and the risk was even higher for those who were divorced or widowed.
Reporting on the study published in the British Medical Journal, The Telegraph (3 July 2009) quotes Dr Susanne Sorensen of the Alzheimer's Society: "Evidence suggests that remaining socially active may reduce your risk of dementia and living with someone is certainly a good way of doing this.
"Other lifestyle factors associated with living together may also help reduce your risk. However, single people shouldn't worry - there are many other ways to reduce your risk of dementia. The best evidence is around eating a Mediterranean diet, exercising regularly, and getting your cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly."
You can read more stories related to counselling, psychotherapy and mental health at TherapyMe.com.
Reporting on the study published in the British Medical Journal, The Telegraph (3 July 2009) quotes Dr Susanne Sorensen of the Alzheimer's Society: "Evidence suggests that remaining socially active may reduce your risk of dementia and living with someone is certainly a good way of doing this.
"Other lifestyle factors associated with living together may also help reduce your risk. However, single people shouldn't worry - there are many other ways to reduce your risk of dementia. The best evidence is around eating a Mediterranean diet, exercising regularly, and getting your cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly."
You can read more stories related to counselling, psychotherapy and mental health at TherapyMe.com.
Monday, 22 June 2009
News: Prozac use up 25 per cent in recession depression - The Mirror
Prescriptions in the UK for Prozac and other antidepressants have increased by nearly 25% in the last five years.
Last year, doctors wrote 2.1 million more prescriptions for antidepressants in the wake of the credit crunch.
Philip Hodson, from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, is quoted in this piece in The Mirror (22 June 2009): "Depression can be caused by unacceptable change happening at an unacceptable rate. For some, too much change can be paralysing. Pills have a role, but play better with some people than others."
Victoria Walsh, from mental health charity Rethink, adds: "We are seeing people who have been high fliers and now find life without their jobs overwhelming."
The Guardian also covers this story.
www.therapyme.com
Last year, doctors wrote 2.1 million more prescriptions for antidepressants in the wake of the credit crunch.
Philip Hodson, from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, is quoted in this piece in The Mirror (22 June 2009): "Depression can be caused by unacceptable change happening at an unacceptable rate. For some, too much change can be paralysing. Pills have a role, but play better with some people than others."
Victoria Walsh, from mental health charity Rethink, adds: "We are seeing people who have been high fliers and now find life without their jobs overwhelming."
The Guardian also covers this story.
www.therapyme.com
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