Written by Nestor Lopez-Duran PhD on Wednesday, February 3.2010

In our neuropsychology practice we see a large number of children with special health care needs (i.e., medical conditions) as well as children with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions (autism, language impaiments, ADHD). Although the main goal of these evaluations is to identify their patterns of cognitive strengths and weaknesses to guide intervention, we always evaluate the current mental health functioning of these children. We do this because we often see that these children have high levels of anxiety and depression, which many times go unnoticed.  Although this is a very common clinical observation, and many studies have shown that specific chronic physical or developmental conditions are associated with internalizing mental health symptoms (depression and anxiety), less is know about the prevalence of mental health symptoms in this population and the factors that increase the risk for experiencing or developing internalizing symptoms.

The current issue of the journal Pediatrics includes a study examined the prevalence and correlates of internalizing symptoms among Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN). CSHCN are children “ who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond those required by children generally.” This includes close to 14% of all US children. The authors examined data obtained from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs conducted in 2005-2006.  This telephone survey was completed by 40,465 families with CSHCN.  The authors examined 1) whether a parent reported elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety in the target child (i.e., CSHCN) and a number of demographic and health related variables that could be potentially related with a reduction or increase in the odds of experiencing internalizing symptoms. The demographic variables included: the child’s gender, age, race/ethnicity, primary language, poverty status, insurance status, urban vs. rural residence, parents’ education, and parents’ marital status.  The health related variables included: the type of health condition or symptom that qualified the child as CSHCN, frequency of activity limitations due to the condition, number of physician visits, number of school days missed, amount paid for care, hours spent coordinating care, and parental employment changes related to the child’s condition.

The results:

• *32% of all CSHCN experienced internalizing mental health symptoms, but this rate varied significantly by the age of the child
• *Only 16% of  3 to 5 year old children experience internalizing symptoms, but this rate increased to almost 39% for children 12 to 17 years of age. There was no difference in the rates of internalizing symptoms for children 12-14 years old as compared to those 15-17 years old.
• *After controlling for specific demographic variables (e.g., SES) non-Hispanic black children were 26% less likely to experience internalizing symptoms than non-Hispanic white children.
• *Living in a house without both biological parents increased the odds of experiencing internalizing symptoms between 28% and 56%.
• *Being uninsured increased the odds of experiencing internalizing symptoms by 51% as compared to having private insurance.
• *Having high levels of activity limitations increased the odds of internalizing symptoms by 139%
• *More internalizing symptoms were also associated with having more visits to the physician, missing more school days, financial problems, and having a parent having to quit or to cut back on work due to the child’s health problem.

Below is a table with the proportion of children with specific conditions that experienced internalizing problems.

As you can see, the conditions most strongly associated with internalizing symptoms were autism spectrum disorders (70.7% of children with ASD experienced internalizing symptoms), behavior problems (69%), and developmental delays (61%). The conditions least associated with internalizing symptoms were asthma (22%), diabetes (29%), and allergies (29%).

These results highlight how prevalent depressive and anxiety symptoms are among children with special needs. This is particularly worrisome among adolescents. It appears that by age 12, close to 40% of these children are experiencing noticeable levels of anxiety and depression. The results suggest that parents, physicians and other health care providers should be attentive to the possible presence of anxiety and depression among these children, specially during adolescence.

The reference: Ghandour, R., Kogan, M., Blumberg, S., & Perry, D. (2010). Prevalence and Correlates of Internalizing Mental Health Symptoms Among CSHCN PEDIATRICS, 125 (2) DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-0622

Source:  http://www.child-psych.org/2010/02/special-needs-children-dep.html

 

By Nancy Rappaport, MD

How To Monitor and Stabilize Depression in Teens and Children

Each time I write a prescription, I have a certain amount of trepidation. Although I know that medications can help, I am also aware of their limitations. It is also important to be vigilant as to whether there are other key factors that are causing a teenager to be overwhelmed (i.e., trauma, substance abuse). However, when children and adolescents are having difficulty functioning because of how impaired they are, medication can be critical. If a teenager is so depressed that she is thinking of tying a phone cord around her neck or jumping out a window, or if she finds it impossible to find the energy to get out of bed, or can’t concentrate long enough to read one page and her grades are dropping, an antidepressant along with therapeutic support can be vital.

Medication may require trial and error. Each time a patient agrees to a “trial” it’s very heroic because often he has already experienced his difficulties as a sign of failure, and if he doesn’t “respond” to a medication he can take it as further confirmation that his life is hopeless. Sometimes, if there is truly a biologic component to the depression, the change can be impressive after four to six weeks. Yet ironically, a positive outcome can be unsettling to a teenager who has come to see himself as permanently disgruntled and irritable. In addition, the wait time involved for most medications to begin to work can seem interminable, particularly because when people are depressed they may have a hard time remembering when they didn’t feel that way. When they start to improve, their mood can brighten, life can feel more manageable and they are less exhausted.

Even when there is improvement, I always invite teenagers to share the understandable ambivalence they may feel about taking medication. Sometimes a child may resent that her parents suggested medication because it implies that she needs to be “fixed.” Or, a teenager may identify with being miserable and become unsettled that medication is changing her core sense of who she is. Other times, particularly in kids who have grown up with a sense that their parents abandoned them, improvement can lead to a fear of dependence on a pill or a clinician. And if a parent has mental illness, a teen may fear that taking medication may make her more like her parents.

The toughest decision is regarding a trial of an antidepressant for a patient who is suicidal. Whereas in a small percentage of patients the antidepressant can make them more agitated and increase suicidal ideation, the medication can also alleviate incessant thoughts and planning about suicide. This is high stakes, so it’s key to share the responsibility with the parents and the teenager. The child needs to tell her parents or doctor if the medication is making her feel worse, and there must be a plan of how to access the doctor quickly and to monitor if there are troubling signs of worsening agitation, depression, or sleep.

A patient whose life has improved with medication will often feel so well that he forgets how bad he used to feel, and stops taking it. I anticipate this and ask that patients be open with me about this. I am working with a patient to see if medication will be helpful but it is always ultimately the patient’s choice. If he decides to transition off of medication, it is important to monitor him and to discuss how we will identify if he is having trouble again. I always encourage the patient to understand about why things reached a crisis, what may need to improve about how he manages stress, family dynamics and his sense of hope and belief in his future.

When I make a recommendation for a trial of medication, I do so as if the child were my own child. Parents should expect the psychiatrist to care deeply about the family, to be transparent about what he knows and doesn’t know and to share how he is making the decision.

Once teenagers who have come to me for help have stabilized, and adequate medication and therapeutic support are in place, it is not uncommon to see them come sauntering into my office, back on track, catching me up with what is going on in their lives — concerts, friends, classes. To me, it is always a blessed miracle that the suicidal feelings, bleak sense of hopelessness and depression was a temporary detour, the crisis was averted and the family left intact.

Editor’s note: This is part three of a three-part series about kids and depression. Feel free to read part one and part two if you missed them.

Source:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/02/03/kids-and-depression-parents-call-to-action-part-3/

 

2/5/2010, 3:00 a.m. EST GRACE HOBSON The Associated Press

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(AP) — OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Kyle Weafer had never played football before, but that wasn’t the only obstacle to his goal of making the varsity team his senior year.

Shoes. They were the biggest hurdle.

Diagnosed with autism near age 3, Kyle has obsessions that define his world, and many of them posed a problem for playing football.

But Kyle’s commitment was stronger than his compulsions. He has so inspired his teammates and classmates at Blue Valley Northwest High School that he was one of 30 semifinalists for a Rudy Award, a national recognition that will go to a high school football player who embodies character, courage, contribution and commitment like Rudy Ruettiger, the famous Notre Dame football walk-on.

Weafer came close, finishing as one of two runners-up for the award, announced Feb. 3. He won a $5,000 scholarship.

“Work hard. I give 110 percent effort,” Kyle said, summing up the character that has captivated his teammates.

At a pep rally recently, the student body president announced that Kyle was in the running for the award and urged students to vote for him. Kyle thanked the crowd. “Go Huskies,” he cheered, and the students responded with a standing ovation.

That night at halftime of the varsity basketball game, his coach presented him with a No. 45 Notre Dame jersey signed by Rudy Ruettiger for being a semifinalist. Swinging his arms to raise the roof as he walked onto the court, Kyle didn’t stop smiling. Again, the Northwest students jumped to their feet.

“I just so happy for everybody,” Kyle told his parents later. “Everybody so happy for me.”

It all started last January, when Kyle, now 19, abruptly announced to his dad, “I play football.”

Bob Weafer was skeptical. Here was a kid who every day-no matter the weather-wore a purple T-shirt, silver shorts and flip-flops. Shoes, never. How would he wear the uniform, the socks, the cleats?

But his son was insistent. Dad talked with Northwest football Coach Mike Zegunis. He explained Kyle.

The doctor who diagnosed him with autism told Lisa Weafer that her son might never say more than three or four words. He threw tantrums out of frustration to be understood. He had sensory problems that led to fixations with clothes and food.

After a preschool teacher drilled purple, purple, purple because it was the one color Kyle could not name, he began wearing only purple. He won’t wear socks, shoes, long pants or long-sleeve shirts. His T-shirts have to be equally worn so they feel alike. He has at least 20 pairs of shorts that are the same.

About 10 years ago, Kyle became fixated with the family’s neighborhood pool. Every summer day, he was at the pool by 10 a.m. to help the lifeguards and did not leave until 9:30 at night. His parents would fill a cooler with the Diet Coke and Doritos that made up his diet and refill it in the afternoon. In 10 years, the family took only one summer vacation because Kyle couldn’t leave the pool.

“That’s autism, that’s autism right there,” Bob Weafer said.

Meeting with Kyle and Bob Weafer, Zegunis was understanding.

Zegunis so loves football that he’ll let anyone play as long as the player makes the commitment. Conditioning sessions in the off-season, 7 a.m. summer workouts, a weeklong summer camp, practices every day after school during football season.

“Don’t be lazy,” Kyle agreed.

Zegunis and Bob Weafer came up with a plan to ease Kyle into the routine, starting with once-a-week workouts in the weight room. Eventually, Kyle was there four times a week, just like everyone else. Kyle got stronger and stronger. He lost 37 pounds. He flexed his new muscles in the weight-room mirror. “I’ll tell you what, he was a kind of a pudgy kid, and he started to look to like a football player,” Zegunis said.

The other players noticed, and they noticed his positive attitude, how he was having a blast working so hard, just being a part of the team.

“You couldn’t help but feel the same way-‘I am really lucky and blessed to be here and play this game,’ ” Zegunis said. “That’s what football is, it’s a game. We’re blessed and lucky to play it, and I think he taught a lot of us that.”

Bob Weafer had bought a pair of $30 cleats on eBay, not wanting to make a steep investment in case Kyle couldn’t bring himself to put them on.

When the day came for Kyle to suit up, his dad entered the locker room and offered to tie the shoes, a task Kyle hadn’t mastered.

“Go away,” Kyle told him. “I do this myself.”

Bob Weafer waited outside, worrying about his son struggling. He doesn’t know how Kyle got them tied, if a teammate helped him. All he knows is that when Kyle came out, the cleats were on his feet and he wasn’t tearing to get them off.

“Oh, my God,” Weafer said. “What a miracle.”

The baby born on Super Bowl Sunday 1991 had grown up to be a football player.

Kyle became a defensive lineman, a position that fit his strength but doesn’t require a lot of fancy footwork and knowledge of plays.

Zegunis doesn’t cut players. If you do what’s required, you’ll suit up. Kyle had made the commitment-only three or four kids from the entire football program had perfect attendance over the summer, and Kyle was one of them, giving up his pool time to be there.

“For him to be able to give that up, that was huge,” Lisa Weafer said.

When fall came, there Kyle was, wearing the Huskies uniform with the jersey in, of all colors, purple.

The season’s first game was in Andover, Kan. Bob Weafer saw Kyle to the bus, a moment he’ll never forget.

Read in Full:  http://www.syracuse.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-104/1265364549287980.xml&storylist=health&thispage=1

 

HEADLINES

“Mom gets 38 years in death of 10-year-old-son”:

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_14283894

“Teen pleads no contest in Fla. Couple’s slayings”:

http://www.kwqc.com/global/story.asp?s=11895988

“Fine after disabled teen left fatally scalded”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100122/tuk-fine-after-disabled-teen-left-fatall-45dbed5.html

“19-year-old wins £2.5m compensation”:

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/4871950.19_year_old_wins___2_5m_compensation/

“Drugs made my son take his life”:

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/drugs-made-my-son-take-his-life-30813.aspx

“MMR row doctor abused trust”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mmr_row_doctor_abused_trust.htm

“Doctor who linked vaccination to autism ‘unethical”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100128/tuk-doctor-who-linked-vaccination-to-aut-a7ad41d.html

“Urgent Action Alert: HR 4247 going to Committee this week”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/urgent_action_alert_hr_4247_going_to_committee_this_week.htm

“Teacher tapes student’s mouth”:

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s1383938.shtml

“New suit filed against Special Ed teacher”:

http://www.wsmv.com/news/22338599/detail.html

“Mental Health Court keeps children out of jail”:

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100131/NEWS01/1310370/1060

“Mental Health Discrimination in Parliament ‘Untenable’ says Government, UK”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mental_health_discrimination_in_parliament_untenable_says_.htm

“Mother ‘not clever enough to raise child’ has baby removed by social workers”:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1245190/Mother-clever-raise-child-baby-removed-social-workers-running-away.html?ITO=1490

“Autistic daughter at risk from Letchworth phone mast, court told”:

http://www.thecomet.net/content/comet/news/story.aspx?brand=CMTOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestCMT&itemid=WEED21%20Jan%202010%2010%3A41%3A26%3A867

“Need for autism centre ‘urgent’: society”:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/01/22/edmonton-autism-treatment-centre-urgent.html?ref=rss

“Adult Autism Strategy hangs in the balance”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/adult_autism_strategy_hangs_in_the_balance.htm

“State Autism Bill of Rights proposed”:

http://www.examiner.com/x-19092-Long-Island-Parenting-Examiner~y2010m1d19-State-Autism-Bill-of-Rights-proposed?cid=channel-rss-Family_and_Parenting

“Wales leads in autism care”:

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Health&F=1&id=18552

Wales “Deputy Minister announces £1.7 million to develop and improve services for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Wales”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/177016.php

“Groundbreaking training in autism and deafness”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=253&a=21196

“Gary McKinnon Updates: Death threats”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/gary_mckinnon_updates_death_threats.htm

“Blind woman, 59, tackled intruder with garden fork before locking him in shed until police arrived”:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246763/Blind-woman-59-tackled-intruder-garden-fork-locking-shed-police-arrived.html

HEALTH & RESEARCH

“Lancet medical journal retracts study linking vaccine to autism”:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-02-autism-vaccine_N.htm?csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomHealth-TopStories+%28News+-+Health+-+Top+Stories%29

“Anti-psychotic drug use soaring among pre-school children”:

http://www.winknews.com/news/local/83272842.html

“Identification of brain protein for synapse development”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/identification_of_brain_protein_for_synapse_development.htm

Fragile X “Experiment takes aim at genetic learning disorder”:

http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=11913956

“Psychologists use non-expert student observers in autism research”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176873.php

“Study shows children with suspected developmental problems may not get needed referrals”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/study_shows_children_with_suspected_developmental_problems_m.htm

“Star students, beware bipolar disorder”:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18462-star-students-beware-bipolar-disorder.html

“Stanford/Packard autism researchers seek twins for brain-imaging study”:

http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2010/january/autism-study.html

“Early intervention could prevent schizophrenia before it starts … After treatment with risperidone and clozapine, two commonly used drugs to treat schizophrenia, brain scans showed that the lateral ventricles and the hippocampus retained a healthy size.

“Clinicians have suspected that these drugs can be used to prevent the onset of schizophrenia, but this is the first demonstration that such a treatment can arrest the development of brain deterioration,” says Weiner. She said that the drugs work best when delivered during the rats’ “adolescent” period, several months before they reached full maturity. More at”:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/early-intervention-could-prevent-schizophrenia-before-it-starts-re-issue_100312480.html

“Psychosis: Estrogen as Possible Preventative, Bipolar & Psychotic Features, Psychotic Depression, Childhood Clues to Adult Schizophrenia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/psychosis_estrogen_as_possible_preventative_bipolar__psyc.htm

“Chronic Insomnia: Losing sleep, losing brain?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/chronic_insomnia_losing_sleep_losing_brain.htm

“Therapy to quiet mind eases insomnia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/therapy_to_quiet_mind_eases_insomnia.htm

“Sleep problems in autistic children”:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35235-Chicago-Autism-Examiner~y2010m1d23-Sleep-problems-in-Autistic-children

“Counting Sheep ~ Sleep Issues on the Spectrum”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/counting_sheep__sleep_issues_on_the_spectrum.htm

Sleep Apnea “When tonsils cause trouble”:

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1024476.html

“Signs of Dyslexia”:

http://www.kivitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11846800

“Design vs. Dyslexia: Innovation promises new hope for children with Dyslexia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/design_vs_dyslexia_innovation_promises_new_hope_for_childr.htm

“In people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, distorted self-image could be result of brain’s abnormal processing of visual input”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/in_people_with_body_dysmorphic_disorder_distorted_selfimag.htm

“Mental Health problems linked to mixed-handedness”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mental_health_problems_linked_to_mixedhandedness.htm

“Personality Disorders: OCD article”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/personality_disorders_ocd_article.htm

“Men and Mental Health Conference, UK”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/men_and_mental_health_conference_uk.htm

 

“6 Steps toward Freedom from Depression”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/6_steps_toward_freedom_from_depression.htm

“Depression: Excessive Internet Use, Diagnosing MDD, Stroke Recovery, DBS, Effectiveness of Antidepressants & Lawyers & Depression”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/depression_excessive_internet_use_diagnosing_mdd_stroke_r.htm

“Kids & Depression: Parents’ Call to Action, Part 1”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/kids__depression_parents_call_to_action_part_1.htm

“Kids & Depression: Parents Call to Action, Part 2”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/kids__depression_parents_call_to_action_part_2.htm

“Depression, Anxiety & Pets”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/depression_anxiety__pets.htm

“Stress hormone key to alcohol dependence”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/stress_hormone_key_to_alcohol_dependence.htm

“Online help for Panic Disorders”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/online_help_for_panic_disorders.htm

“On illness and incarceration”:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2474799

Sleep “Therapy to quiet mind eases insomnia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/therapy_to_quiet_mind_eases_insomnia.htm

“The missing psychiatric file of Adolf Hitler”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/the_missing_psychiatric_file_of_adolf_hitler.htm

“Mind, UK: Police Mental Health champion wins Social Justice Commendation”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mind_uk_police_mental_health_champion_wins_social_justice_.htm

“7 Tips for Making the Most Of Online Support Groups”:

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/01/28/7-tips-for-making-the-most-of-online-support-groups/

“Johns Hopkins Health Alert: Blood Pressure Basics/Cardiac Risk From Chronic Stress”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/john_hopkins_health_alert_blood_pressure_basicscardiac_ris.htm

100% of Proceeds Go To Hope For Haiti Now “PTSD: Trauma: A Mindul Dialogue”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/ptsd_trauma_a_mindful_dialogue.htm

“Jerilyn Ross, Leader in Raising Awareness About Anxiety”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/jerilyn_ross_leader_in_raising_awareness_about_anxiety.htm

“Trauma erased from the brain: anxiety disorders”:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/trauma-erased-from-the-brain-anxiety-disorders/story-e6frg8y6-1225824493462

“Addictions: Alcoholic’s Anonymous, Outcomes & New Research on Alcoholism/Stress Hormone Linked to Alcoholism”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/addictions_alcoholics_anonymous_outcomes__new_research_o.htm

“The Special Issue Spotter”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/the_special_issue_spotter_2.htm

“From Times Past: Gladiator’s blood as a cure for Epilepsy”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/from_times_past_gladiators_blood_as_a_cure_for_epilepsy.htm

“Loss & Grieving: The Evolution of Death & Dying”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/loss__grieving_the_evolution_of_death__dying.htm

“Relationships: Co Dependent or Addicted to Love?, Desire May Skew Reality, The Scent of a Woman, Fidelity, Facebook”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/relationships_co_dependent_or_addicted_to_love_desire_may.htm

“Relationships: Couples with Shared Identity & Conflict Resolution, Pretty Women & Anger Issues, Men & Guilt, Romance in the Digital World, Emotional Affair Recovery, Valentine’s Day & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/relationships_couples_with_shared_identity__conflict_resol.htm

“Why we love Narcissists (At First)”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/why_we_love_narcissists_at_first.htm

“John Cleese on Neuroanatomy”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/john_cleese_on_neuroanatomy.htm

“Virtual Hospital”:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/vh/

EDUCATION

“Ending Seclusion and Restraints in Georgia schools”:

http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=140131

“Autistic boy wins first place in geography bee”:

http://www.wbbm780.com/Autistic-boy-wins-first-place-in-geography-bee/6238048

“Fight to save Ewing School fails”:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1187286_fight_to_save_ewing_school_fails?rss=yes

“TreeHouse concerned about Conservatives’ drive towards more discipline in schools”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/education_treehouse_concerned_about_conservatives_drive_to.htm

“Do disabled students’ test scores measure progress?”:

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100131/COMMUNITIES/100129035/1005/NEWS01/Do-disabled-students–test-scores-measure-progress

“College to get new £1m speech unit”:

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/College-to-get-new-1m.6003376.jp

“Dunfermline special school ‘best in Scotland”:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8473006.stm

“Pursuing dream in Dracut: Private school for autistic is poised to expand with state aproval”:

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_14253991

Australia “Gillard hails schools site … Parents can compare how their children’s school is performing against the results of 20 neighbouring schools on the My School website.”:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/comments/0,23836,26633702-952,00.html

“Winners typify Aussie spirit”:

http://caboolture-shire-herald.whereilive.com.au/news/story/winners-typify-aussie-spirit/

“Oklahoma bill provides special needs scholarships”:

http://www.adaeveningnews.com/statenews/local_story_020085802.html

“Three towns join to create mentor program for special needs kids”:

http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/01/three_towns_join_to_create_men.html

“UK boarding schools get popular among Middle East parents”:

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100126041311/UK%20boarding%20schools%20get%20popular%20among%20Middle%20East%20parents

UK “Top-notch scheme for pupils with special needs in Southampton”:

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/4873229.Top_notch_scheme_for_pupils_with_special_needs/?ref=rss

“TES Connect Download Resources: Interactive Whiteboard”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6033885

“TES Connect Download Resources: Worksheet Matching Words & Pictures”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034242

“TES Connect Download Resources: Big and Small Sorting”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034253

“TES Connect Download Resources: Face Matching(expressions)”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034254

“TES Connect Download Resources: Five Pirates(Counting Rhymes)”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034634

“TES Connect Download Resources: Non Fiction Writing Instructions”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034341

“TES Connect Download Resources: My Hobbies(Worksheet):

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034677

“TES Connect Download Resources: LesPays Worksheet”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034840

“TES Connect Download Resources: Revision Aid”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034280

EMPLOYMENT

“SEN Teacher (ASD) Job in North London”:

http://www.careersandjobsuk.com/tradewind-recruitment-465006/sen-teacher-asd–job-in-north-london

Position Available(Starting Date: April 2010) “Lead Teacher of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASD) Provision at Parkside School”:

http://www.tes.co.uk/jobDetailsGold.aspx?ac=2837455

Position Available “Speech and Language Therapist Paediatric – Speech and Language Therapist Jobs in East of England”:

http://www.mediplacements.com/2328-speech_and_language_therapist-job.html

“Creative Support Ltd”:

http://www.creativesupport.co.uk/

“Autelligent Laboratories

We believe all people have a contribution to make and deserve an opportunity to be productive.

With your caring and excellent help, we are creating jobs for the 40 million people worldwide who are diagnosed with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Today less than one in five of us are currently employed. We are motivated and competent and we deserve equal employment. Help make this a reality.

Autelligent Laboratories is dedicated to creating a space where autistic software engineers can more than contribute, we can excel.”:

http://www.autlabs.com/

Luxury Quality Scented Candles “Humbolt Candles – Autism & Disability Employment Company”:

http://www.humboldtcandles.com/index.html

“Auties.org”:
Individuality, Diversity, Equality, Achievement

Auties..org is an Aspie & Autie friendly site for all people on the Autistic Spectrum who are ready to dare reach out to occupation and employment, open the doors to the community and market their abilities directly to the public and for those interested in supporting these pioneers.

http://www.auties.org/

“Prospects”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=473&a=2348

“AutismJobs”:
Linking job seekers with vacancies in work related to autism, Aspergers and ASDs

http://www.autismjobs.org/?section=00010009

“Current job vacancies within the NAS”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=170

For further employment information, please view”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/employment_on_the_autism_spectrum.htm

GENERAL/HUMAN INTEREST

“Parenting: Autistic adults are parents too (Parts 1 & 2)”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/parenting_autistic_adults_are_parents_too_parts_1__2.htm

“Distance Education for parents of autistic children found effective”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/distance_education_for_parents_of_autistic_children_found_ef.htm

“Meet Eileen Parker: Autistic adult and creator of the Cozy Calm weighted blanket”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/eileen_parker_autistic_adult_and_creator_of_the_cozy_calm_w.htm

“Sunny, remarkable Bryn White”:

http://www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/4868026.Sunny__remarkable_Bryn_White/

“Teenager fell silent, hating his own voice”:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/01/31/teenager-fell-silent-hating-his-own-voice-91466-25722815/

Diagnosis “Dunfermline mum’s agonising wait for son’s diagnosis”:

http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/roundup/articles/2010/01/21/396194-dunfermline-mums-agonising-wait-for-sons-diagnosis/

“Langley shopping centre apologises to mum of autistic boy”:

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Langney-Shopping-Centre-apologises-to.6037861.jp

“Turn TV time into meaningful activities”:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100131/LIFESTYLES12/1310308/Turn+TV+time+into+meaningful+activities

“Air travel for autistic children”:

http://airtravel.about.com/b/2010/01/31/air-travel-for-children-with-autism.htm

DENMARK

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark

Landsforeningen Autisme/Autism Denmark
Kiplings Allé 42, 1. sal
DK – 2860 Søborg
DENMARK
Tel: + 45 70 25 30 65
Fax: + 45 70 25 30 70
Email: kontor@autismeforening.dk
Website: http://www.autismeforening.dk

Nyhavn, Copenhagen

Videnscenter for Autisme/The Danish Information and Resource Centre for Autism
Kongevejen 256
DK – 2830 Virum
DENMARK
Tel: + 45 45 11 41 91
Fax: + 45 45 11 41 85
Email: info@autisme.dk
Website: http://www.autisme.dk

 

Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue):
Churchillparken – a 10-minute walk through the park past the fountain and along the waterfront will lead you to the statue of the Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue), which was designed by Edvard Eriksen in 1913. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, the statue depicts a mermaid who fell in love with a prince but had to wait 300 years to become human. This much-photographed bronze figure, perched on a rock at the water’s edge, has a certain grace, but don’t expect a great monument – the mermaid is indeed little and sports a rather drab, industrial harbour background. The face of the famous statue was modelled after the ballerina Ellen Price, while Eline Eriksen, the scuptor’s wife, modelled for the body. The Little Mermaid survived he Great Depression and  WWII occupation unscathed but modern times haven’t been so kind to Denmark’s leading lady. In January 1998, in the middle of the night, someone took a saw and decapitated the bronze statue. The next day, international news services spread the gory scene round the world, as divers searched the waters around the statue for clues but to no avail. Three days later the severed head mysteriously turned up in a box outside Copenhagen TV station – and it was speedily reattached. This was not the first time the gentle lady had been the subject of undesired attention. In 1964 the original head was lopped off and in 1983 an arm was sawn off – neither was ever found and both appendages had to be recast and welded back on.

Center for Autisme/Center for Autism
Laurentsvej 14, 1. sal
DK – 2880 Bagsværd
Denmark
Tel: + 45 44 98 23 55
Fax: + 45 44 98 23 53
Email: info@centerforautisme.dk
Website: http://www.centerforautisme.dk

 

Frederiksborg castle is a castle in Hillerød, Denmark. It was built as a royal residence for King Christian IV, and is now known as The Museum of National History. The current building replaced a previous castle erected by Frederick II, and is the largest Renaissance palace in Scandinavia. Most of the current palace, however, was built from 1602 to 1620 by Christian IV using Dutch architects, Hans and Lorents van Steenwinckel, and follows the Dutch style favoured by Christian IV for his new buildings in Copenhagen.

Helping Autism-diagnosed teenagers Navigating and Developing Socially (HANDS)
c/o Professor Peter Øhrstrøm, Aalborg University
Kroghstræde 3, 9220
Aalborg Øst
Denmark
Phone: 45 9940 9048
Email: poe@hum.aau.dk
Website: http://hands-project.eu/

 

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

“ANED – Denmark(Facts & Figures, Reports(pdf), Policies, Organisations & Resources”:

http://www.disability-europe.net/en/countries/Denmark?jsEnabled=1

 

Royal Danish Life Guard: The Royal Guards protect Amalienborg Palace, winter home of the Danish Royal family.

“Study and Work in Denmark for People with Disabilities”:

http://www.independentliving.org/studyworkabroad/DK/

 

Christian V had the hall with the thrones partly modernized with twelve tapestries showing the King’s victories in the Scanian War, 1675-1679. 

“Disability & Development Web Initiative in Denmark”:

http://www.disabilityworld.org/11-12_01/news/denmark.shtml

 

During the 8th–11th centuries, the Danish people were amongst those known as Vikings.
Viking Country has throughout the time, obviously always been associated with Denmark and the – Home of the Vikings – as well as the heartland of the great Viking society during the historical Viking age from around 800 to about 1050 AC – which is a very important part of Denmark’s history and culture that formed the way to build up the Danish kingdom. As a descendant of the Vikings – ethnic Danes are commonly coupled with the terms of being a Viking – coming from the “Barbaric North” with adventurous blood running through their veins. More Viking info

“Danish Centre for Assistive Technology”:

http://www.hmi.dk/

 

The Viking Longship – Sea Stallion
This longship is properly named “The Sea Stallion from Glendalough”, and is a full-scale reproduction of a Viking longship. it was built by the Viking Ship Museum between 2000 and 2004 (the real Vikings would build a ship over a single winter).  It is based on Skuldelev 2, a real warship originally built by Vikings in Ireland the 1040s. The Skuldelev 2 was scuttled by the Vikings in the late 11th century as a defensive measure to block attackers trying to enter Roskilde Fjord.  This longship completed the full voyage from Dublin to Roskilde in 2008, manned by volunteers. 

“Denmark Facts”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/denmark-facts/

 

Viking Helmets from the Viking Market in Ribe, Denmark

“Denmark Map”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/denmark-map/

Gorm’s Stone(The Jelling Stones)
For over 1000 years this stone has stood. Erected in honor of Old King Gorm by his son Harald Bluetooth, this stone honors Gorm’s death and his accomplishments as King of Denmark and Norway.

“Demark Photo Gallery”:

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/denmark-photography

 

Sunlight, Denmark

“48 Hours in Copenhagen”:

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/48-hour-guide/copenhagen-text

 

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is best known for his children’s stories such as The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, and The Ugly Duckling. Like the Alice in Wonderland sculpture nearby, Hans Christian Andersen is meant to be climbed on.The two favorite spots for climbing are on top of the open book displaying the opening lines of The Ugly Duckling and on the freestanding duck. The memorial cost $75,000 contributed in part by Danish and American schoolchildren. The remainder was raised by the Danish-American Women’s Association to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Andersen’s birth.

“Copenhagen Photo Gallery”:

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/copenhagen-photography

Arhus
Visiting Den Gamle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Town,_Aarhus 

Arhus Open Air Museum: Danish National Dress of times past.
Walking down the Algade towards the Torvet

Den Gamle
Encounter by the Torvet. 

 

Historic houses from Arhus, Denmark(on Vimeo)
Arhus vibrant structures segment from “Vikings, Tivoli, and Trolls”, the Intrepid Berkeley Explorer’s new free video presenting highlights of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Starring Copenhagen’s colorful Nyhavn Canal, entertainment at the Tivoli amusement park; Stockholm’s Vasa, a huge Swedish warship that sank in 1628; Norway’s scenic fjords, waterfalls, the Bergen World Heritage Site, Trolls, and the Viking Ship Museum, plus much more. With historic houses and digital effects.
To enjoy all of this 25 minute video, please click on:
www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Video.html
Gallery of Scandinavia still pictures:
www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Page29.html
Video clip on Vimeo.
www.vimeo.com/clip:107927 

ADD/ADHD

“Famous names flourished with ADHD”:

http://www.longfordleader.ie/latest-irish-news/Famous-names-flourished-with-ADHD.6042204.jp

“Alterations in the brain’s reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder”:

http://www.physorg.com/news184414655.html

“Abstract: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Outcomes for Children Treated in Community-Based Pediatric Settings”:

http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/164/2/160?rss=1

“Study links hormone to addiction, risk-taking”:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_94792.html

“Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without Prenatal Alcohol Exposure”:

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=177421

“Girls with ADHD show other mental health risks”:

http://new.y965country.com/news/articles/2010/feb/03/girls-with-adhd-show-other-mental-health-risks/

“How the great outdoors can help relieve ADD, ADHD symptoms”:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2629155/how_the_great_outdoors_can_help_relieve.html?cat=5

“ADHD challenges college students/Attention span of a Fly: implications for ADHD, Autism”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/adhd_challenges_college_studentsattention_span_of_a_fly_im.htm

“Managing ADHD in children”:

http://www.woodburnindependent.com/news/2010/January/26/Opinion_Guest.Opinions/managing.adhd.in.children/news.aspx

“Marijuana in the classroom? Sometimes it’s legal”:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0123/Marijuana-in-the-classroom-Sometimes-it-s-legal

ADRES “Adverse Drug Reaction Electronic System(Adverse Drug Reactions Website)”- This website provides patients, doctors, and other medical professionals with a comprehensive examination of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), side effects, and other safety information for both prescription and over-the-counter medications.. Our goal is to allow users of our website make informed decisions when taking (patients) or prescribing (doctors) drugs. We are providing unmatched information and analysis tools.

http://www.adverse-drug-reaction.net/

“adders.org”:
Our objective is to promote awareness to AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and to provide information and as much free practical help as we can to those affected by the condition, both adults and children, their families in the UK and around the World via this website.

http://www.adders.org/

“ADDISS” The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service…

http://www.addiss.co.uk/index.html

“ADDA”:

http://www.add.org/index.html

“hi2u ADHD Pages”:

http://www..adhd..org.uk/

“CHADD”:

http://www.chadd.org/am/CustomPages/home/CHADD_Home.htm?CFID=2282059&CFTOKEN=38105335&jsessionid=f2303343221169802693562

SPORT

“Striving toward a goal: running a 5K”:

http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_14303895?source%253Dmost_emailed.26978592730A3B8C7F471EACE0DA4EF2.html

“Swimming Challenges ~ Includes Great Swim Series 2010(June – September 2010)”:

The Great Swim series is taking place at various locations during summer 2010. There will be four televised one-mile outdoor swims, staged in lakes, lochs and docks around the UK.

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2551

“Phys Ed: How exercising keeps your cells young”:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/phys-ed-how-exercising-keeps-your-cells-young/

“10-kilometre runs”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1816

“Trek to Everest Base Camp- 5-21 November 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2354

“Trek the Sahara – 5-25 March 2010 or 29 Oct-8 Nov 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2542

“Trek the Inca Trail – 22-31 May 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1863

“Trek Snowdon – 11–3 June 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2524

“Trek the Jurassic Coast – 16-18 July 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2525

“Trek Mount Kilimanjaro – 29 Sept-10 Oct 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2200

“Trek the Great Wall of China – 9-18 Oct 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2356

“Trek to Everest Base Camp – 5-21 November 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2354

“Cycle Cuba – 14-22 March 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2357

“London to Paris 2010 – 5-8 June”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2407

“L’Etape du Tour 2010 – 18 July 2010”

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2404

“Sky Diving – All Year Round”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1726

MUSIC

“Martin offers music classes for people with disabilities”:

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/jan/26/jensen-beach-music-classes-offered-for-people/?partner=yahoo_feeds

“The AutisMusic Project”:

http://www.autismusic.com/

ART

“No kicking penguins … How one boy’s simple message is making its way around the planet”:

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=320900&sc=85

Closing Date: Wednesday 24^th March 2010 “Young Brits at Art, Suggested Topic, Your Rights”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is asking young Britons to express their vision of a world free from prejudice for Young Brits at Art 2010. This year the national art award invites 11-19 year olds to explore their beliefs, opinions and judgments by asking: “What would the world look like if we lived without prejudice?” Young Brits at Art 2010 includes new categories such as photography, sculpture and motion animation, as well as its previous sections for painting and drawing.

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6033713

“Design a NAS card for Christmas 2010! ~ Deadline 15^th February 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=253&a=20944

Child Prodigy “The boy who paints like an old master”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/29/boy-paints-like-old-master

GLIMPSE – the talents of the autism community

They are painters, sculptors and photographers; poets and storytellers; musicians and creators of amazing video games. They are kids, teens and adults. Last year, a new online publication arose to celebrate the talents of autistic individuals and other developmental disabilities: GLIMPSE, offered by ICDL (The Interdisciplinary Council of Developmental and Learning Disorders). In late 2008, Volume 2 of GLIMPSE was released, and was expanded into a print book and notecards. The works are serious, humourous, deeply personal and illuminating. See it for yourself, share it with others, submit your own/your child’s work for inclusion in Volume 3, to release later this year. Find information and ordering details at www.icdl.com

“ARTROOM ………where under 17s can make and display art online”:

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artroom/index.php

MOVIES/ENTERTAINMENT

Airs Feb 6^th on HBO “Temple Grandin”:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20339569,00.html?xid=rss-tv-reviews-Temple+Grandin

“Claire Danes learns from husband”:

http://newsblaze.com/story/2010020402303400004.ba/topstory.html

“TV movie ‘Temple Grandin’ traces passion, perseverence of autistic genius”:

http://www.coastreporter.net/article/GB/20100203/CP05/302039818/-1/SECHELT/tv-movie-temple-grandin-traces-passion-perseverance-of-autistic&template=cpArt

“Film festival calls cut to ‘disabled’ label”:

http://www.statepress.com/node/10258

“Actors for Autism”:
http://www.actorsforautism.com/

BOOKS

Emily Iland’s Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z “Changing the way autism is viewed”:

http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/24025/

“Thomas the £1billion Tank Engine”:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/24/thomas-the-1billion-tank-engine-115875-21991011/

“Asperger’s Syndrome Parenting Books … Four Helpful Titles for Families With High-Functioning Autistic Kids ”:

http://autistic-child-parenting.suite101.com/article.cfm/aspergers_syndrome_parenting_books

“The Man Who Disappeared, by Clare Morrall”:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-man-who-disappeared-by-clare-morrall-1880967.html

NEW “Living with Learning Disabilities, Dying with Cancer: Thirteen Personal Stories”

Author: Irene Tuffrey-Wijne

Foreword by Sheila Hollins

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849050272

Coming Soon “Bereavement, Loss and Learning Disabilities: A Guide for Professionals and Carers”

Author: Robin Gray

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849050203

“Concepts of Normality: The Autistic and Typical Spectrum”

Author: Wendy Lawson

Foreword by Lucy Clark

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843106043

“Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism: An Insider’s View”

Author: Wendy Lawson

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781853029714

“Life Behind Glass: A Personal Account of Autism Spectrum Disorder”

Author: Wendy Lawson

Foreword by Patricia Howlin

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781853029110

“Build Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome”

Author: Wendy Lawson

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843101147

“Dasha’s Jounal”

Author: T.O. Daria

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843105862

“The Lovable Liam Series”:

Author: Jan Whelan Banks

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843109075

“Caring for Myself: A Social Skills Storybook”

Authors: Christy Gast and Jane Krug

Photographs by Kotoe Laackman

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843108726

MOVIE

“The Last Airbender” (Rating To Be Announced)

Release Date July 2 2010(US) August 6 2010(UK)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W1dhqc-JBs

Official Site: http://www.thelastairbendermovie.com/

Synopsis: Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive.

http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/last_airbender/

 

VIDEO GAME

“Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep” (Wii)

Release Date: Feb 5 2010

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Ocean-Adventures-Deep-Wii/dp/B002BS47L2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1264166554&sr=1-1

TECH

“Apple Tablet: New iSlate details leaked by publishing chief”:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1246435/Apple-tablet-New-iSlate-details-leaked-publishing-chief.html?ITO=1708&referrer=yahoo

“The Latest News About the Apple iSlate”

…And we call it the iPad

http://www.islate.eu/

LIFE

“The Comedy Circuit: When Your Brain Gets The Joke”

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527451.400-the-comedy-circuit-when-your-brain-gets-the-joke.html

“Valentine’s Day Special: The Right Chemistry”

http://www.newscientist.com/special/valentine

Take Care,

Julie

Scandinavian Sunset

Excessive Internet Use Is Linked to Depression

ScienceDaily (Feb. 2, 2010) — People who spend a lot of time browsing the Internet are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind in the West by University of Leeds psychologists.

Researchers found striking evidence that some users have developed a compulsive internet habit, whereby they replace real-life social interaction with online chat rooms and social networking sites. The results suggest that this type of addictive surfing can have a serious impact on mental health.

Lead author Dr Catriona Morrison, from the University of Leeds, said: “The internet now plays a huge part in modern life, but its benefits are accompanied by a darker side.

“While many of us use the internet to pay bills, shop and send emails, there is a small subset of the population who find it hard to control how much time they spend online, to the point where it interferes with their daily activities.”

These ‘internet addicts’ spent proportionately more time browsing sexually gratifying websites, online gaming sites and online communities. They also had a higher incidence of moderate to severe depression than non-addicted users.

“Our research indicates that excessive internet use is associated with depression, but what we don’t know is which comes first — are depressed people drawn to the internet or does the internet cause depression?

“What is clear, is that for a small subset of people, excessive use of the internet could be a warning signal for depressive tendencies.”

Incidents such as the spate of suicides among teenagers in the Welsh town of Bridgend in 2008 led many to question the extent to which social networking sites can contribute to depressive thoughts in vulnerable teenagers. In the Leeds study, young people were more likely to be internet addicted than middle-aged users, with the average age of the addicted group standing at 21 years.

“This study reinforces the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction,” added Dr Morrison. “We now need to consider the wider societal implications of this relationship and establish clearly the effects of excessive internet use on mental health.”

This was the first large-scale study of Western young people to consider the relationship between internet addiction and depression. The internet use and depression levels of 1,319 people aged 16-51 were evaluated for the study, and of these, 1.2% were classed as being internet addicted. While small, this is larger than the incidence of gambling in the UK, which stands at 0.6%. The research will be published in the journal Psychopathology on 10th February.

Journal Reference:

1. 1.  Morrison et al. The Relationship between Excessive Internet Use and Depression: A Questionnaire-Based Study of 1,319 Young People and Adults. Psychopathology, 2010; 43 (2): 121 DOI: 10.1159/000277001

 

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202193605.htm

Many Physicians Not Using Established Criteria When Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder in Patients, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Feb. 2, 2010) — A new study led by Mark Zimmerman, MD, of Rhode Island Hospital indicates that a majority of non-psychiatrist physicians and a substantial minority of psychiatrists reported that they often do not use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) when diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients.

The study appears online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

The criteria for MDD in DSM-IV have remained relatively unchanged for nearly 30 years. In a previous study, Zimmerman and colleagues questioned the clinical utility of the criteria. This study looks at the habits of physicians in using the criteria. The researchers asked physicians attending a continuing medical education conference to complete a brief questionnaire. A total of 291 physicians responded to the six questions, with one question asking about the use of the diagnostic criteria for depression.

The question read: “When diagnosing depression, how often do you determine whether the patients meet the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder?” A multiple choice response offered the following answers: a) less than 25% of the time; b) 26-50% of the time; c) 51-75% of the time and d) more than 75% of the time.

Nearly 25 percent of the psychiatrists indicated that they used the DSM-IV MDD criteria to diagnose depression less than half of the time. In contrast, more than two-thirds of the non-psychiatrist physicians indicated that they used the DSM-IV MDD criteria less than half of the time when diagnosing MDD. The difference between the psychiatrists’ and the non-psychiatrists use of the criteria was significant.

Read More …  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202111101.htm

Antidepressant Aids Mental Recovery after Stroke

 

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 3, 2010

 

A new report indicates an antidepressant medication appears to help individuals recover cognitive skills following a stroke.

In the study, patients who received the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) following a stroke appeared to recover more of their thinking, learning and memory skills than those taking placebo or participating in problem-solving therapy.

Antidepressants are believed to stimulate nerve cell growth.

The research is found in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Stroke is a major health care problem and is the third leading cause of death in America behind heart disease and cancer. Strokes prevent blood flow to parts of the brain, damaging brain tissue. Since the brain controls all activity within the body, body functions are impaired, at times dramatically.

Significant recent advances in the treatment of stroke include the administration of clot-dissolving therapy, which needs to be administered within the first few hours after symptoms begin.

“Consequently, besides the efforts currently undertaken to increase the number of patients treated with thrombolytic agents, there is growing interest in restorative therapies that can be administered during the first few months after stroke, the period within which we observe the greatest degree of spontaneous recovery of initial motor and cognitive deficits,” the authors write.

One line of research has focused on antidepressants, which may be effective in part because of their ability to stimulate production of compounds essential for nerve cell growth.

Ricardo E. Jorge, M.D., and colleagues at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, studied the effects of one antidepressant—a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram—among 129 stroke patients.

Within three months of their stroke, 43 patients were randomly assigned to take 5 to 10 milligrams of escitalopram daily, 45 to take a placebo daily and 41 to participate in a problem-solving therapy program developed for treating patients with depression.

After 12 weeks of treatment, patients taking escitalopram had higher scores on neuropsychological tests assessing overall cognitive (thinking, learning and memory) function and on those measuring verbal and visual memory.

“Importantly, the reported changes in neuropsychological performance resulted in an improvement in related activities of daily living,” the authors write.

“The beneficial effect of escitalopram on cognitive recovery was independent of its effect on depressive symptoms and was not influenced by stroke type or mechanism of ischemic stroke,” they continue.

“In addition, escitalopram was well tolerated and the frequency of adverse effects related to its administration was not different than that observed among patients receiving placebo.”

Increasing evidence suggests that antidepressants cause changes in brain structure, including the visual cortex, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These structural changes, although not yet proven to affect behavioral performance, may underlie the improvements in verbal and visual memory observed in this trial, the authors note.

“Overall, whatever may be the mechanism of improved cognitive recovery, this study has shown, for the first time, that escitalopram, an SSRI, is associated with improved cognitive recovery following stroke compared with placebo and Problem-Solving Therapy,” they conclude.

“The utility of antidepressants in the process of post-stroke recovery deserves to be further investigated.”

Source: JAMA and Archives Journals

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/03/antidepressant-aids-mental-recovery-after-stroke/11157.html

Stimulate Brain Pleasure Centers for Depression

 

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 1, 2010

 

Currently, over a third of patients do not respond to conventional depression treatments. For these individuals, a new form of therapy involves deep brain stimulation (DBS).

The technique, a form of targeted electrical stimulation in the brain via implanted electrodes, is now undergoing careful testing to determine whether it could play a role in the treatment of patients who have not sufficiently improved during more traditional forms of treatment.

A major challenge of this work is determining the best region of the brain to stimulate.

Some researchers stimulate the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain region implicated in depressed mood states, while others stimulate a region called the “anterior limb of the internal capsule,” a nerve pathway that passes through the basal ganglia, a lower brain region.

Physicians publishing a new report in Biological Psychiatry now describe findings related to the stimulation of the nucleus accumbens, a brain region the size of a hazelnut associated with reward and motivation that is implicated in processing pleasurable stimuli, sometimes referred to as the “pleasure center” of the brain.

The inability to experience pleasure is a key symptom of depression and previous studies have shown that functioning of the nucleus accumbens is impaired in depressed individuals.

Bewernick and colleagues administered DBS treatment in 10 patients with severe long-term depression who had not responded to multiple other antidepressant treatments, including psychotherapy, drug treatments and electroconvulsive treatment.

After one year of DBS, all patients showed some improvement, and half of them experienced significant improvement in their symptoms of depression, astonishing considering they had not responded to any prior antidepressant treatment.

In addition, the patients showed reduced ratings of anxiety and had only minor side effects. Importantly, none of their overall brain functioning was impaired by the DBS treatment.

“The nucleus accumbens is a brain region that animals will seek to stimulate even if they do not appear depressed and this is one reason that it is sometimes referred to as a reward center.

“It is interesting to note that the patients in this study did not simply feel stimulated or euphoric; instead, there appeared to be reductions in depressed mood that paralleled an increase in the capacity for pleasure,” commented Dr. John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry.

“This finding will stimulate further study on the role of the nucleus accumbens in depression and its treatment.”

The authors caution that because they studied only a small number of people, further research is necessary before DBS could be considered a clinically useful treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

There are also important ethical considerations, since DBS treatment first requires potentially risky brain surgery. However, these preliminary findings are promising that DBS may provide relief to individuals with severe treatment-resistant depression.

Source: Elsevier

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/01/stimulate-brain-pleasure-centers-for-depression/11088.html

 

Outdated legislation that requires MPs who have been detained under the Mental Health Act to stand down has been branded ‘untenable’ by the Government, representing the strongest move yet towards outlawing mental health

There is widespread agreement amongst mental health organisations and parliamentarians alike that requiring an MP to resign after a period in mental health hospital care is unfair and unfit for modern times, with a survey of MPs showing that over two-thirds believed that Section 141 was ‘wrong’. However, this latest move would see a review of the law go to a select committee for consideration, rather than being repealed in a current bill (2), adding delays to the process meaning the law may not change ahead of the General Election.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of the mental health charity Mind, said:

The current law is outdated and unfair and it adds to discriminatory attitudes towards mental health. This significant step sends out the message that people with experience of mental distress are fit to work in positions of responsibility.

Mind and other mental health organisations have long been campaigning for this law to be repealed and there is widespread agreement among mental health groups and MPs alike that this law has no place in a modern and fair society.

The Government has said that the law needs to change, but if the situation goes to a committee for consideration first, it is unlikely that Section 141 will be repealed before the election. Rather than introduce more delays, we would encourage the Government to seize this chance and take a significant step towards ending mental health discrimination.

Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said:

Time to Change welcomes the new commitment from Government to address the discriminatory provisions in existing legislation. We are pleased to see that the government is playing its part in tackling stigma and discrimination, particularity in this instance relating to the Mental Health Act.

Further more this sends a clear message to other employers that we need to address mental health problems in the workplace and to put an end to the discriminatory attitudes that prevent capable people from working.

However, it is vital that we build upon this decision with firm commitment to a timeline, ensuring that this decision is part of the positive indicators that show the time is right for long overdue change.

(1) The Speaker’s Conference, which published its final report on parliamentary representation on 11th January 2010 called for Section 141 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to be ‘repealed as soon as practicable’

(2) Shadow Minister for Disabled People Mark Harper has tabled an amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill which would provide an opportunity for Section 141 to be repealed.

Source
MIND
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/177733.php discrimination in Parliament. Section 141 of the Mental Health Act means that MPs have to resign if they are sectioned for more than six months, and the Government has come under considerable pressure this month to repeal the law ‘as soon as practicable’ (1).

The Government’s aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:

Be healthy
Stay safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being

www.time-to-change.org.uk/

TV ad shows mental health stigma can be a matter of life and death

www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Press/timetocha…

Some helpful charities who work alongside people to improve mental health and wellbeing and promote hope.
Mind
MDF
Rethink
Sane
Mental Health
Young Minds

www.comicrelief.com/ 

By Elvira G. Aletta, Ph.D.

Ms. Ross was the co-founder, President and CEO of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to raise public awareness about anxiety and its treatment. She passed away early last month. Below is an obituary for this remarkable woman, Jerilyn Ross, An Advocate for the Anxious, by Benedict Carey as it appeared in the New York Times:

Jerilyn Ross, a therapist who helped hundreds of people overcome their worst anxieties and who became one of the country’s most visible and effective advocates for those with mental health problems, died on Jan. 7 in Washington. She was 63 and lived in Potomac, Md.

The cause was cancer, said her husband, Ronald Cohen.

Ms. Ross was a 25-year-old teacher on vacation in Salzburg, Austria, when she was struck by a sudden fear of heights — a fear that would, in time, make her a public figure. After learning to manage this dread in 1978, Ms. Ross joined the practice of Dr. Robert DuPont, a prominent psychiatrist in the Washington area, to help others do the same.

A skilled therapist and exuberant optimist, she soon had her own radio show, in the 1980s, where she became known as the “phobia lady.”

Ms. Ross testified before Congress on behalf of those with mental illnesses. She appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” seven times over the years. And in countless newspaper and magazine articles, she explained persistent anxiety and how to live with and manage it. She was equal parts therapist, fellow sufferer and inspiration.

In 1980, with Dr. DuPont, she founded the organization that would become the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, which was integral in raising public awareness of, and research money for, problems like social anxiety, post-traumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ms. Ross was the director of the association until her death.

“The reality is, when we started that group, anxiety disorders were nowhere on mental health geography, period; they were thought of as trivial and rare,” Dr. DuPont said in an interview on Wednesday. “Well, that one woman carried the cause, got research funding” and put the disorders on the map.

Researchers now estimate that 30 million to 40 million Americans suffer from some form of nagging anxiety, from mild to severe.

Jerilyn Ross was born in the Bronx on Dec. 20, 1946. After graduating from the State University of New York, Cortland, in 1968, she worked as an elementary school math teacher in New York City. She earned a master’s in psychology at the New School for Social Research in 1975.

In 1994 Ms. Ross and the former first lady Rosalynn Carter published “Triumph Over Fear,” about anxiety disorders. Her book “One Less Thing to Worry About,” written with Robin Cantor-Cooke, was published last year.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, Alan Cohen of Bethesda and Crain Cohen and Sue-Ann Siegel of Potomac; and seven grandchildren.

“Each of us has a different relationship with anxiety, just as each of us has a different relationship with our mothers, our fathers, our children, and everyone else in our lives,” she wrote in her second book. “What’s important is not learning the ‘right’ way to respond to anxiety but learning how you relate to it and whether or not the relationship is working.”

Source:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/02/01/jerilyn-ross-leader-in-raising-awareness-about-anxiety/

 

Paradoxically we initially like narcissists more because of their exploitative, entitled behaviour—but it doesn’t last long.

Despite being self-absorbed, arrogant, entitled and exploitative, narcissists are also fascinating.

And not just from a clinical perspective; the research finds that we are strangely drawn to their self-centred personalities, their dominance and their hostility, their sensitivity and their despair, at least for a while.

Psychologists are fascinated by narcissists, both why we like them despite on some level recognising their dysfunction, and because they embody so many paradoxes. Extreme narcissists inevitably reveal their true nature to those around them and are soon rejected. So why don’t we (and the narcissists) learn?

The charming narcissist

To find out social psychologist Mitja Back and colleagues decided to investigate (Back et al., 2010). They asked 73 freshman students who had never met before to introduce themselves to the rest of the class, one by one. Each person was rated by all the others on how likeable they were as well as being videotaped for later analysis. After the session all the students filled out some questionnaires, amongst which was an assessment of narcissistic personality traits.

Here are the findings:

1. Narcissists were more popular at first site. Self-rated narcissists were initially more liked by others than non-narcissists.
2. Participants liked narcissists’ sense of entitlement most. Of the four aspects of narcissism they studied, leadership/authority, self-admiration/self-absorption, arrogance/superiority and entitlement/exploitativeness it was the last of these that most predicted liking.
3. Narcissists look, sound and move better. The reason narcissists were popular is because they used more charming facial expressions, a more confident speaking tone, wore more fashionable clothes, had more trendy haircuts and were funnier.

Naturally all these effects only hold true in the short-term. Narcissists are usually soon found out and shunned since few people will put up with a self-absorbed, authoritarian, arrogant, exploitative friend.

The paradoxes of narcissism

But there are all sorts of paradoxes in the way narcissists behave. Here are three that this research helps explain:

1. Why do people continue to behave selfishly when it only ruins their relationships with others?
2. Why do narcissists devalue others when they are so dependent on them for admiration?
3. Why don’t narcissists spot the cycle of early attraction followed by rejection?

The first two are partly explained by the fact that narcissistic behaviour is, at first, attractive to other people. Behaving selfishly seems to bring them a rush of admiration which they get addicted to, while devaluing others when the inevitable rejection comes, covering it up by searching out new people to worship them.

The reason narcissists fail to spot this cycle may well be that friends and partners never hang around long enough to tell them in such a way that they actually believe it and want to do something about it.

Reality TV

One of the best showcases for narcissists at the moment is reality TV. This study shows exactly why narcissists are so perfect for this format. They first capture our attention and liking with their self-confident, flashy, arrogant behaviour. Then, later, when we see what they’re really like we come to despise them. It makes compelling TV: participants can be built up then knocked down, with plenty of emotional breakdowns along the way to keep us ‘entertained’.

So the practical upshot of this study is: don’t encourage the narcissists by paying them any attention. Not only are we likely to get hurt ourselves when they use us, but it keeps them stuck in a loop of attraction and rejection.

There you are: a perfectly reasoned argument for never ever watching reality TV (as if you needed one!).

Source:  http://www.spring.org.uk/2010/02/why-we-loves-narcissists-at-first.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PsychologyBlog+%28PsyBlog%29

 

Article Date: 03 Feb 2010 – 0:00 PST

Everyone checks themselves in the mirror now and then, but that experience can be horrifying for individuals suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, a psychiatric condition that causes them to believe, wrongly, that they appear disfigured and ugly. These people tend to fixate on minute details – every tiny blemish looms huge – rather than viewing their face as a whole.

Now researchers at UCLA have determined that the brains of people with BDD have abnormalities in processing visual input, particularly when examining their own face. Further, they found that the same systems of the brain are overactive in both BDD and obsessive-compulsive disorder, suggesting a link between the two. The research appears in the February issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.

“People with BDD are ashamed, anxious and depressed,” said Dr. Jamie Feusner, an assistant professor of psychiatry and lead author of the study. “They obsess over tiny flaws on their face or body that other people would never even notice. Some refuse to leave the house, others feel the need to cover parts of their face or body, and some undergo multiple plastic surgeries. About half are hospitalized at some point in their lifetimes, and about one-fourth attempt suicide.”

Despite its prevalence – BDD affects an estimated 1 to 2 percent of the population – and severe effects, little is known about the underlying brain abnormalities that contribute to the disease.

To better understand its neurobiology, Feusner and colleagues examined 17 patients with BDD and matched them by sex, age and education level with 16 healthy people. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while viewing photographs of two faces – their own and that of a familiar actor – first unaltered, and then altered in two ways to parse out different elements of visual processing.

One altered version included only high-spatial frequency information, which would allow detailed analysis of facial traits, including blemishes and hairs. The other showed only low-spatial frequency information, conveying the general shape of the face and the relationship between facial features.

Compared to the control participants, individuals with BDD demonstrated abnormal brain activity in visual processing systems when viewing the unaltered and low-spatial frequency versions of their own faces. They also had unusual activation patterns in their frontostriatal systems, which help control and guide behavior and maintain emotional flexibility in responding to situations.

Brain activity in both systems correlated with the severity of symptoms. In addition, differences in activity in the frontostriatal system varied based on participant reports of how disgusting or repulsive they found each image. Basically, how ugly the individuals viewed themselves appeared to explain abnormal brain activity in these systems.

The abnormal activation patterns, especially in response to low-frequency images, suggest that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder have difficulties perceiving or processing general information about faces.

“This may account for their inability to see the big picture – their face as a whole,” Feusner said. “They become obsessed with detail and think everybody will notice any slight imperfection on their face. They just don’t see their face holistically.”

Some of the patterns, said Feusner, also appear to be similar to those observed in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, supporting hypotheses that the two conditions share similar neural pathways. However, future studies are needed to further elucidate the causes and development of body dysmorphic disorder.

Other authors on the paper include Teena Moody, Emily Hembacher, Jennifer Townsend, Malin McKinley, Hayley Moller and Susan Bookheimer, all of UCLA.

The research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, a research grant from UCLA, the National Center for Research Resources, the National Institutes of Health, the Brain Mapping Medical Research Organization, the Brain Mapping Support Foundation, the Pierson-Lovelace Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, the William M. and Linda R. Dietel Philanthropic Fund at the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, the Tamkin Foundation, the Jennifer Jones-Simon Foundation, the Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation, the Robson Family and the Northstar Fund.

Source:
Mark Wheeler
University of California – Los Angeles  

Source:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/177918.php

 

By Nancy Rappaport, MD

What Is Psychiatric Treatment?

Although we occasionally read about psychiatrists who are accused of overprescribing medications, and antidepressant usage is hotly debated, in most cases a patient’s quality of life is a psychiatrist’s number one priority (as it is with all medical doctors), and restoring a patient to optimum health is our goal. Parents whom I see for the first time are often rightfully concerned about treatment; they want to know what I can offer their child and how they can convince their child to see me.

Teenagers are understandably reluctant to see a “shrink” or talk to a stranger about their problems. At a time when they are incredibly self-conscious and want to blend in, teenagers can worry that people will think “they are nuts.” How parents communicate with their child about why they are asking for outside help is critical; often a parent’s plan to seek the help of a therapist slips out in the heat of exasperation or anger, and it sounds like a punishment.

It is not uncommon for teenagers to get angry when asked if they are depressed, as if depression is a sign of weakness. But a child may be more receptive if a parent says, “I notice you are pissed off (or angry) a lot of the time and I am not sure how to make things easier. It might be helpful for us to talk with a doctor to figure out what is making things so difficult and try to make things easier for you.”

Usually when I ask teenagers why they have come to my office, they give very different responses from their parents. It’s critical within the first session to let the patient know that my focus is to alleviate stress in his life because “things are hot” — which may include failing grades, suspensions, fighting with parents, or a suicide attempt. The first interview with the child has three main purposes: I learn who the patient is, try to form some sort of relationship with him, and seek to obtain crucial information (like a detective looking for clues).

Although teenagers may initially be wary, I tell them that they are free to fire me after the first session if they don’t feel it is the right fit, partly to communicate in a fundamental way that they are in the driver’s seat about making choices about what is best for them. It is imperative that the therapist and patient are able to find a common ground and work together to figure out what’s making life so difficult and how to improve it.

A major issue to decipher is whether or not there is an existing family history of depression or bipolar disorder — if there is a biological component or mental illness. If there is trauma or a learning disorder, this may also make a teenager less motivated and susceptible to withdrawing from treatment. A careful assessment is critical, and my approach is always to inform families that I am a “consultant” to the family and they need to make an informed decision based on my findings.

I am never cavalier about suggesting or prescribing a medication; we psychiatrists are usually making diagnostic assessments on “moving targets,” as children and adolescents are constantly evolving, and the decision is not always absolutely clear. With a careful explanation of the risks and benefits, of the various options (including no medication), and of what to look for to tell if medications are helping and what kind of time frame might be needed to see improvement, patients and families will always have a chance to share their questions and concerns.

Untreated depression and mental illness is highly debilitating and very difficult to live with. Outside help is essential, and medication can be lifesaving — just as insulin is to a child with diabetes.

Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series about kids and depression. Stay tuned for part three tomorrow, or feel free to read part one if you missed it.

Source:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/02/02/kids-and-depression-parents-call-to-action-part-2/