VA Testing Whether Transcendental Meditation Can Help Treat PTSD

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Seeking new ways to treat post-traumatic stress, the Department of Veterans Affairs is studying the use of transcendental meditation to help returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans Affairs’ $5.9 billion system for mental-health care is under sharp criticism, particularly after the release of an inspector general’s report last month that found that the department has greatly overstated how quickly it treats veterans seeking mental-health care.

VA has a “huge investment” in mental-health care but is seeking alternatives to conventional psychiatric treatment, said W. Scott Gould, deputy secretary of veterans affairs.

“The reality is, not all individuals we see are treatable by the techniques we use,” Gould said at a summit Thursday in Washington on the use of TM to treat post-traumatic stress suffered by veterans and active-duty service members.

by Steve Vogel, Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/va-testing-whether-meditation-can-help-treat-ptsd/2012/05/03/gIQAL940zT_story.html

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Fewer Suicides After Antidepressive Treatment for Schizophrenia

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Antidepressive drugs reduce the mortality rate of schizophrenic patients, while treatment with benzodiazepines greatly increases it, especially as regards suicide. Giving several antipsychotics simultaneously, however, seems to have no effect at all. This according to a new study examining different drug combinations administered to patients with schizophrenia.

Karolinska Institutet Study Published by ScienceDaily

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120508103943.htm

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Warning Signs of Suicide

May 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Suicide can be prevented. While some suicides occur without any outward warning, most people who are suicidal do give warnings. Prevent the suicide of loved ones by learning to recognize the signs of someone at risk, taking those signs seriously and knowing how to respond to them. Warning signs of suicide include: Observable signs ofRead More

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Caregivers of Individuals with Schizophrenia Needed for Research Study

May 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Maitreyee Angelo, in Chicago, is researching the experience of caregivers who oversee patients suffering from Schizophrenia in their families.  ”The objective of the study is to understand the emotional dimensions and challenges of caregiving for Schizophrenia patients—and to identify resources and support for these caregivers.  In particular, our focus targets diverse families—including Hispanic, African American,Read More

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Tammy Navarro Honored For Service To People With Mental Illness

May 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Linda Stalters (left), Dr. Navarro (center) with her son, Paul (right)

National Council’s Reintegration Award April XX, 2012, Carmichael, CA — Tamara Navarro, Ph.D., a leading author and trainer to support people with mental illness, is receiving a prestigious Reintegration Award during the 42nd National Council Mental Health and Addictions Conference April 15-17 in Chicago. SARDAA nominated Dr. Navarro for her work as an SA leader andRead More

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Caregivers, Chronically Ill Under More Stress

May 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

While money, work and the economy were cited as the major causes, stress levels were particularly acute among people with chronic diseases or those caring for aging or chronically ill family members. Caregivers report higher levels of stress, poorer health and a greater tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors to alleviate their stress than theRead More

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