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1

Depression - Living With It / Can Video Games Help Treat Depression?

« Last post by Sane Moderator on May 30, 2017, 10:23:49 AM »

Might video games and so-called brain-training apps help treat depression? It’s possible if people use them regularly, according to findings published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. The study showed that a group of college students who received these high-tech interventions felt more in control of their mental state.

For the study, researchers at the University of California, Davis reviewed survey results from 160 students who said they suffered from mild depression. As an incentive, the volunteers were offered class credit for participating. Three fourths of the participants (average age 21) were women, and more than half of them were of Asian heritage, followed by white, Latino and other ethnicities.

Read more...
http://www.sanemag.com/article/can-video-games-help-treat-depression

2

Bipolar Disorder - Living With It / Researchers Create a Road Map of the Bipolar Brain

« Last post by Sane Moderator on May 30, 2017, 10:22:32 AM »

Mental health researchers around the world recently teamed to create the first-ever visual of the bipolar brain. Findings published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry detailed clear and consistent alterations in key brain regions of people living with bipolar disorder (BPD) and offers fascinating insights into what drives the mental illness.

According to the World Health Organization, BPD (a.k.a. manic-depressive disorder) affects about 60 million people worldwide. Individuals with the illness experience extreme mood swings—from severely depressed to euphoric or manic—and the condition isn’t always easy to treat or diagnose. In addition, it’s been hard for scientists to pinpoint neurobiological mechanisms of the disorder because of insufficient brain scans on people living with BPD—until now.

Read more...
http://www.sanemag.com/article/researchers-create-road-map-bipolar-brain

3

Off Topic Forum / Mental Health Issues Aren’t the Main Driver of Violence Toward Others

« Last post by iana5252 on September 06, 2016, 09:17:35 AM »

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando, the mainstream media is widely reporting that the attacker, Omar Mateen, may have had a history of violence and mental illness. Mateen killed 49 people and injured more than 50 others at a gay nightclub this past weekend, and mental health advocates are stressing that news stories often wrongly link violence with mental illness. Meanwhile, recent study findings, published in the journal Health Affairs, show that less than 5 percent of violent attacks in the United States are actually linked to people with mental disorders.

Read more...
http://www.sanemag.com/article/mental-health-issues-main-driver-violence-toward-others

4

Depression - Just Diagnosed / Re: Depression - Doesn't seem real

« Last post by mrphone1 on April 29, 2014, 03:10:14 PM »

Hi  I think if your depression persists you should seek help like seeing a psychiatrist who might prescribe an anti depressant, this often by itself could mean a world of difference. I also recommend Cognitive behavioral therapy by a trained psychologist or Social worker along with a decent Psychiatrist who will prescribe a proper antidepressant
   Marty   

5

Psych Meds / Re: Weight Gain on Meds

« Last post by mrphone1 on April 28, 2014, 03:50:18 PM »

Hi Purplerose,  I definitely agree that Welbutrin and Effexor, usually aren't medications that cause weight gain but it might be your Effexor.  You can check your blood sugar but I don't really think it will help you with your appetite. I am a prediabetic also so consequently I know quite a lot about blood sugar, which I received from my diabetic education. which I got from nutritionists. I have also made it it a obsession not a OCD obsession to know about medications when I was misdiagnosed in the early 70s with schizophrenia, many psychiatrists then confused obsessions with delusions. I verified this with a top psychiatrist. I have been treated with my OCD with SSRIS but now the Psychiatric community have found they can use find low doses of atypical anti psychotics like Abilify which can help OCD with aumentation. Note large doses of old  anti psychotics them like those used to treated OCD patients in the 70s with very harsh ex Thorazine. should not be used.
   Marty   

6

Anxiety - Just Diagnosed / Re: ADD / ADHD medications and Sobriety

« Last post by mrphone1 on April 28, 2014, 03:23:18 PM »

Hi everyone, who has posted an alcohol or drug addiction accompanying ADD I feel you should definitely treat the ADHD first because this disorder often creates impulsiveness  which creates Drug or Alcohol addiction. Many people in AA NA are against using any drug to treat your condition, they are dogmatic in my opinion about medication 
     Marty   

7

Anxiety - Just Diagnosed / Re: ADD / ADHD medications and Sobriety

« Last post by nyc_timothy on May 19, 2010, 05:36:04 PM »

Hi David,

Thank you so much for helpful information. I am member of many different meetings such as AA, NA, CMA, etc. I am aware of some people manipulate their doctors or psychiatrists to get medications when they really don't need it. They goes by saying: "I'm under doctor's care". Slowly, things will become out of control then possibly relapse.

It is important for me to be honest and genuine with my therapist and psychiatrist. I've talked to my AA sponsor about this, but he have no opinion about medical or medication issues. He clearly said this is between me and my doctors.

I see therapist every week and see psychiatrist once a month for follow up. I feel 10 mg 2 times a day is enough. I do not want to get addicted to adderall. I wouldn't dare to ask my psychiatrist to increase dosage. I have to follow 'sober' behavior without being very sneaky or manipulative. I know a lot of sober people are manipulating their doctors or psychiatrist, but this is not considered as 'sober' behavior.

I agree with you that if I feel ADD treatment threatens my sobriety then that is when I should stop. But again, I will lose focus, commitment, responsibilities. Sometimes I am often called scatterbrain.

Thank you for kind words and encouragement. I appreciate it a lot.

Timothy

8

Anxiety - Just Diagnosed / Re: ADD / ADHD medications and Sobriety

« Last post by David Evans on May 19, 2010, 05:09:24 PM »

Hi Timothy,

There simply aren't a LOT of great studies that I'm aware of on the use of psychostimulants in people who are in recovery, but there are a few. It sucks, because there are definitely people with ADD/ADHD who are also in 12 step programs.

I am familiar with AA, NA, CMA, etc. and how the programs work. It's sticky. There are some people in AA, for instance, who think that even traditional antidepressants are a mood-altering substances and that people who take them aren't really sober. Also, sponsors in 12 step programs may know a lot about staying clean and about spiritual growth, but they don't always know a lot about psychological and neurological conditions.

As for the science, here's a study indicating that people with substance abuse histories can remain abstinent while taking ADD/ADHD treatments: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3493001.

If there's one drug I would definitely avoid it is Provigil. It actually comes with a warning label about the increase in compulsive behavior in those who take it.

At the end of the day, you might have to make a choice to treat your ADD/ADHD despite what friends in the program have to say about it. That's a rough situation to be in, but it isn't impossible, especially if you have at least a few people (including your therapist) with whom you can be completely honest about any compulsive thoughts or feelings that you have. I should close by saying something you probably already know. If your ADD treatment truly threatens your sobriety, then you probably should avoid it at all costs.

I really wish you luck with it and hope you'll tell me/us how things go.

Regards,
David

9

Anxiety - Just Diagnosed / ADD / ADHD medications and Sobriety

« Last post by nyc_timothy on May 19, 2010, 04:26:04 PM »

Hello, I'm 40 year old adult, I have long time clean time, recovering from alcohol and drug addict. I have tried many different strategies how to deal with everyday life without having to use ADD / ADHD medications. But none of them seem to work for me. My psychiatrist and therapist suggested that I should try ADD / ADHD medications as last resort. I am taking adderral which helped me to focus better, able to meet my responsibilities and commitments. I still go to 12 step meetings and therapist every week. I am not sure if it is good idea for me to continue using adderall while I am in 12 step program? I can't seem to find out more information about ADD / ADHD medications and recovery from this smart&strong site as well as internet. I think this topic is not listed in this site. But I feel this is about how mind works. Any suggestions or opinions? Thank you.

10

Off Topic Forum / Re: Next To Normal

« Last post by David Evans on March 10, 2010, 02:49:04 PM »

I can't wait to see it. Have been listening to some of the songs. If I can't make it to New York soon, then hopefully they'll stage it here in L.A.