Troubled Teens

For Children with Mental Disorders, Older Drugs May Be Better

Certain new drugs for childhood mental disorders do not perform as well as old ones and can cause serious weight gains, according to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The new drugs are Risperdal, Zyperdal, Seroquel, Geodon and Abilify. Although the U.S. Federal Drug Administration has not specifically approved them for pediatric use, doctors are prescribing them frequently for hyperactivity, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, aggression, and schizophrenia.

The old drug, Molindone, performed better and did not cause as many serious side effects as the new ones, which cost four times more.

The study, which involved 116 children ages 8 to 19 years old, appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Labels: medications, mental_health, treatment_programs

Numbers Decline, but Teen Suicide Rate Remains High

About 40 American teens end their lives every week, according to a study from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio.

The suicide rate for children ages 10 to 19 had been declining steadily between 1996 and 2005, when it suddenly spiked 18 percent. The actual number of suicides declined from 1,983 in 2004 to 1,883 in 2005, but it should have been 600 fewer if the downward trend had continued.

Psychiatrists including Dr. David Fassler of the University of Vermont believe that the suicide rate correlates with teenagers' using fewer anti-depressant drugs.

The Nationwide study found no differences in suicide rates between boys and girls, or younger and older teens. All were found to be equally at risk.

Labels: mental_health, suicide

More Psychiatrists Prescribing Drugs, Not Psychotherapy, for Mental Illnesses

Fewer psychiatrists are offering patients psychotherapy, according to a study from Johns Hopkins University. Instead, they are more likely to prescribe drugs. Patient visits that used to be 45-minute psychotherapy sessions are now more likely to last only 15 minutes.

Dr. Ramin Mojtabai analyzed data from psychiatrists' offices from 1996 to 2005, and found that psychotherapy visits dropped from 44 percent in 1996 to 29 percent in 2005. Other studies have shown that certain patients, including teenagers with depression, have the best chance of recovery if they receive both medication and psychotherapy.

Dr. Eric Plakun, a member of the American Psychiatric Association's Committee on Psychotherapy, said doctors have entered into "the age of the brain," and now focus on the biology of mental illness. He noted that some patients receive therapy from social workers or mental health professionals.

"Either way I'm worried about our patients," he said, because patients should be offered "a range of services," not just medication.

"If all you have is a hammer," he said, "everything looks like a nail."

This study appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Labels: mental_health, psychiatric_illness, therapy

Spike in Teenage Suicides No Fluke

U.S. researchers have said that a recent spike in teenage suicides isn't an anomaly, and should be taken very seriously. The statement comes in the wake of a recent study that found that although suicide rates have declined, they remain dangerously high.

"Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18 percent increase in suicide rates for Americans under age 19 in 2004... In 2004, they said there were 326 more suicides than expected and in 2005, there were 292 more suicides than expected."

The study says that "attention must now be directed toward understanding whether warning about suicide risks linked with antidepressant use caused fewer troubled teens to get treatment." Suicide is the third-biggest killer of children and young adults in the United States. Source: Reuters

Labels: mental_health, suicide, treatment_programs

College Students and Suicidal Thoughts

In a recent anonymous survey, more than 50 percent of college students admitted to having at least one episode of suicidal thinking.

"The majority of students described their typical episode of suicidal thinking as intense and brief, with more than half the episodes lasting one day or less. The researchers found that, for a variety of reasons, more than half of students who experienced a recent suicidal crisis did not seek professional help or tell anyone about their suicidal thoughts."

The authors of the study have suggested that a new model be developed for identifying and treating students who are suicidal. Their recommendation includes focusing on thoughts and behaviors, rather than waiting for students to be in crisis. Source: MediLexicon

Labels: college-students, mental_health, suicide

Mental Problems in Children Lead to Career Problems Later

People who experience mental problems as children or teenagers have more career problems as adults, according to a study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Researchers used data from over 8,000 people all born during one week in March 1958. Those who had mental problems when they were young tended to end up in low-paying jobs. The authors believe that they may choose less demanding jobs to relieve stress. However, their jobs actually cause more stress in the form of low pay, little control over decisions, and job insecurity.

Labels: careers, jobs, mental_health

Depression in Parents Linked to Mental Problems in Their Kids

If parents suffer from depression, anxiety, or panic disorders, their children are at risk for multiple anxiety disorders, according to a new study from Harvard University.

Dr. Joseph Biederman, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, compared four groups: children of parents with panic disorder but not depression, children of parents with major depression without panic disorder, children of parents with both maladies, and children of parents with neither one. Parental panic disorder was linked to increased risk for panic disorder and agoraphobia in children, and parental depression was linked to social phobia, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, and poor social functioning in children.

"Recognizing that children at a very young age can be at high- risk for emotional distress can go a long way toward doing something for them in early life," Dr. Biederman said.

This study appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Labels: depression, genetics, mental_health

Teen Suicide Rates Increase Slightly

Although the rate of teen suicides is up, the actual number of teenagers who commit suicide remains small, according to Dr. Nancy Rappaport of Harvard Medical School.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 14 to 24. The rate for suicides was 6.7 per 100,000 in 2003 compared to 9.4 per 100,000 in 2007. The number of suicides tripled between the late 1960s to the late 1980s, but dropped 30% since the early 1990s. Many scientists believe that decrease was due to the use of anti-depressant drugs.

However, Dr. Rappaport, an expert on teen suicide, said there is no way to determine if teen suicides have increased because of "black box" warnings on drug labels mandated by the FDA in 2005.

The vast majority of teens who commit suicide are mentally ill. A 1987 study of 170 suicide victims found that 90% had mental disorders. Suicide is also associated with drug abuse. Teens most frequently commit suicide with guns, followed by drug overdoses and hangings.

If your child shows five of these symptoms, it is a good idea to take him to the doctor for an evaluation. Signs of suicidal ideation are excessive sleeping, irritability, depression, restlessness, lack of interest in friends and family, lack of interest in usual activities, loss of appetite, and a drop in school performance.

Your family doctor or therapist might recommend a residential treatment center for your teen. Island View is an adolescent treatment center that offers children a place to work through their emotions while earning school credits.

Labels: mental_health, residential_treatment_centers, suicide

Dating Violence Linked to Mental Health Problems

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found a link between teenage dating violence and health problems like binge eating, cigarette smoking, alcohol and marijuana use, and depression.

Dr. Diann Ackard of the University of Minnesota surveyed 23 boys and 102 girls who had experienced dating violence and compared their health to that of 671 boys and 102 girls without such a history in interviews in 1999 and then again in 2004.

Dr. Ackard, writing in the Journal of Pediatrics, reports that about 20% of teenage girls and 10% of teenage boys are abused sexually or physically by dating partners every year.

Concerned your teen may be suffering from depression? Visit AboutTeenDepression.com to learn more.

Labels: dating, mental_health, violence

Warning Signs are There

Nationally known forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carl Greiner says that, while warning signs are always there before emotionally troubled people act out, our society is still learning how to respond to those signs. A young person who's exhibiting warning signs should be evaluated immediately by a mental health professional.

"Americans probably delay too long, Greiner said, in strongly recommending that disturbed young people be evaluated. 'Part of the great American tradition of liberty is that we tend to be very hesitant about doing that,' he said."

But incidents like the mall shooting which took place in Omaha, Nebraska a couple of weeks ago bring into question the balance between public safety and individual liberty. Someone who's suicidal is also at risk of hurting other people. Experts urge the general public to use crisis centers and hotlines to get help either for themselves or others who may be in trouble.

If you fear your teen may be depressed or suicidal, get them help immediately! Learn about therapeutic boarding schools so you can get your teenager they help they so desperately need.

Labels: mental_health, treatment_programs, warning_signs

Giving the Right Attention

When Carol Gotbaum headed to the Phoenix airport, she undoubtedly had no idea that the airport's interior would be the last thing she'd ever see. News outlets around the world have repeatedly run the video and accompanying story of her arrest and subsequent death at Phoenix's Sky Harbor. For some, it raises the question "what were the police thinking, leaving a woman alone who was clearly so distraught?" For Kathy Scott, however, it raises a different question: where was Gotbaum's family?

"I do not know her family or the intimate details of their situation, but because I do understand the view many take of mental illness, I can surmise. The family simply did not acknowledge the stranglehold mental or emotional illness has on an individual, and like many others, simply wanted Gotbaum to be provided with the rights and dignity afforded to any other grown woman to make her own decisions and to chart her own course of action. If she chose to travel alone, they let her."

The problem, Scott goes on to say, is that those who suffer from mental and emotional disorders are often in states-of-mind that prevent them from making good, wise decisions. Though friends and family members may cringe at the idea of restricting a loved one's "freedoms", those restrictions can keep them on a safe path toward recovery.

Labels: at_risk, emotional_issues, mental_health

Safeguarding Young Minds

Mental disorders can be difficult to diagnose in teenagers. Because the adolescent years are already emotional and tumultuous, changes in personality, or extreme mood swings are considered typical teen "growing pains". But how can parents know for sure?

"[Dr. Kristin Cadenhead] urges parents to get their children evaluated by a mental health expert if they exhibit noticeable changes in thoughts, behavior or emotions... 'We don't want to alarm an individual or a family. More than 70 percent of young people who appear (to be in distress) will not necessarily develop a psychotic disorder,' she says. 'Our goal is to identify a psychotic illness before it fully starts, so we can intervene earlier and help prevent some of the devastating effects of the illness.'

"The key for parents is paying attention to changes in their children's moods and behaviors. If changes seem to be extreme, solicit the help of a professional. This may mean having the child evaluated, or may simply mean having a conversation with someone who can help you better understand your child.

A good residential treatment program, like Youth Care in Utah, can help diagnosis troubled teens and then create a treatment plan. Visit www.youthcare.com to learn more.

Labels: brain_chemistry, emotional_issues, mental_health

Early-Onset Mental Disorders Persist if Untreated

About 50% of all mental illnesses develop by the time a person is 14 year old. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly 21% of teenagers will develop treatable psychiatric illnesses. If left untreated, the illnesses are more likely to continue into adulthood.

"One advocate for primary care teen mental health screening is Kathleen Delaney, RN, DNSc,... 'Screening alerts you to risk and the need to send a patient for more in-depth [evaluation],' she says."

She suggests that a general screen can and should be included with a high school physical exam. Read more at News.Nurse.com.

The programs for troubled teens offered at Island View help young people identify their issues and then work on them in a caring, nurturing environment.

Labels: mental_health, psychiatric_illness, treatment_programs

Non-Drug Options Slighted?

When a young person enters a doctor's office today, he or she is likely to walk out with a prescription. Because managed-care organizations are less likely to pay for psychotherapy and family interventions, prescription medication is quickly becoming the "therapy of choice" for troubled teens.

"...a study published in Psychiatric Services showed one of every 10 office visits to a primary-care or specialty provider made by boys between the ages of 14 and 18 resulted in an order for psychotropic medication - even though up to a quarter of the time no diagnosis of a mental illness was recorded."

Another survey of child and adolescent psychiatrists who were just starting their careers showed that nine out of ten young people who visited these doctors left with a drug prescription. The increase of prescribed medication and decrease of time spent with psychologists and family therapist has some in the medical community concerned that we're beginning to take the easy way out and are never really addressing the root problems. Read more at My.Brandeis.edu.

If you really want to help your troubled teen and get to the root of whatever emotional or behavioral problems he or she is dealing with, then look into having your teen fully assessed. The Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment is a licensed residential treatment center that offers families solutions. Your teenager will be given comprehensive tests to get a clear picture of their needs and then a reliable treatment plan. Learn more at the Aspen Institute for Behavioral Institute.

Labels: medictions, mental_health, treatment_programs

A Painful Release

'Cutting', the act of intentionally making cuts in the skin with a razor, knife or other sharp object as a way of coping with strong emotions, came to the forefront of our society in the 1990s, when Princess Diana admitted she'd practiced this form of self-mutilation. Since then, thousands of young people have admitted to using this same practice to deal with the anxiety of school, depression over a failed relationship, or more serious troubles at home.

"More and more teenagers are seeking relief from daily pressures by hurting themselves, and cutting seems to be the injury of choice. 'We see it every year,' Hickman High School guidance director Ann Landes said."

Though some cutters are simply vying for attention, most feel it's the only way they can cope with intense emotions or anxiety. When parents discover their child has been cutting, the first reaction is often anger. Some will ground their children or take away other privileges like use of a car or cell phone. But the only thing that will really help is counseling. The teen needs to learn better, more productive coping mechanisms. Read more at ColumbiaTribune.com.

Learn more about the Emotional Pain and Cutting that many troubled teens face at ByParents-ForParents.com. ByParents-ForParents.com offers articles, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: emotional_issues, mental_health, self-harm

New Hampshire has Higher Rate of Teen Depression

A recent federal study has found that New Hampshire is one of ten states that ranked higher than the national average for instances of teen depression. While the national average is 8.8 percent, New Hampshire averaged between 9.4 and 10.4 percent along with Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Main, Nevada, Utah and Washington.

"Symptoms of a 'major depressive episode' include a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure for two weeks or longer, and changes in sleeping, eating, energy, concentration and self-image, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Some mental health experts have questioned the study, but agree that teen depression is a national problem that can be difficult to understand. Read more at NashuaTelegraph.com.

Labels: depression, mental_health, studies

Remove Stigma of Mental Illness

Dr. Robert Chalfant, medical director of Colorado West Mental Health and child adolescent psychiatrist says it's time to take mental health issues as seriously as things like high blood pressure and diabetes. The causes, he says, are the same – genetics and environment – for both mental and physical illnesses, but because of the stigma associated with mental health issues, many go untreated.

"Throughout the U.S., 15 million children and adolescents suffer from a serious emotional or mental disorder, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. And when left untreated, youth mental illnesses are associated with higher rates of academic failure, school drop-outs, problems at home, substance abuse and crime."

When a young person is properly diagnosed and seeks treatment, he or she is laying the foundation needed to deal with the disorder as an adult. And because most mental health issues don't disappear in adulthood, learning to cope is important. Read more at VailDaily.com.

Some of the best high school boarding schools are listed at TeenBoardingSchools.com. Private boarding schools, military boarding schools, and other residential schools are all listed at TeenBoardingSchools.com.

Labels: behavioral_issues, mental_health, treatment_programs

FDA Increases Warnings about Anti-Depressant Medication

The FDA has expanded it's "black box" warning on antidepressant medications to include not only teens, but young adults up to 24 years old. The new warning calls for weekly face-to-face contact with patients, their family members or caregivers during the first four weeks of treatment, as thoughts of suicide may increase in young adults who are taking antidepressant medication.

"A study released last year showed that 66 percent of children and teens did not see a clinician for a follow-up in the first four weeks after their antidepressant therapy began."

The American Psychiatric Association lauded the FDA's recommendation. Read more at PalmBeachPost.com.

Depressed teenagers can benefit from equine therapy. Learn more about equine therapy at Copper Canyon Academy.

Labels: depression, medictions, mental_health

Migraine Headaches Linked to Teen Psychiatric Illnesses

Young teens with chronic headaches are more likely to have psychiatric disorders, according to a survey of 8,000 teenagers in Taiwan.

Teens whose headaches lasted two hours and occurred more than 15 days a month were more likely to suffer from depression, panic disorders and suicide attempts.

"Teens with chronic daily headache should be screened for psychiatric disorders so they can get the treatment and help they need," according to author Dr. Shuu-Jiun Wang of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine in Taipei, Taiwan.

Labels: disorders, mental_health, psychiatric_illness

Sunday, November 2, 2008

For Children with Mental Disorders, Older Drugs May Be Better

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Numbers Decline, but Teen Suicide Rate Remains High

Friday, September 26, 2008

More Psychiatrists Prescribing Drugs, Not Psychotherapy, for Mental Illnesses

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Spike in Teenage Suicides No Fluke

Monday, September 8, 2008

College Students and Suicidal Thoughts

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Mental Problems in Children Lead to Career Problems Later

Monday, June 30, 2008

Depression in Parents Linked to Mental Problems in Their Kids

Friday, February 8, 2008

Teen Suicide Rates Increase Slightly

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Dating Violence Linked to Mental Health Problems

Monday, January 7, 2008

Warning Signs are There

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Giving the Right Attention

Monday, November 26, 2007

Safeguarding Young Minds

Friday, September 14, 2007

Early-Onset Mental Disorders Persist if Untreated

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Non-Drug Options Slighted?

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

A Painful Release

Thursday, July 5, 2007

New Hampshire has Higher Rate of Teen Depression

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Remove Stigma of Mental Illness

Saturday, May 26, 2007

FDA Increases Warnings about Anti-Depressant Medication

Friday, May 11, 2007

Migraine Headaches Linked to Teen Psychiatric Illnesses

Previous Posts

Archives