A survey of 26,000 college students, both undergraduate and graduate, found that about 10 percent had considered suicide in the previous year, but fewer than half of those had sought help or told anyone.
Investigators found that taking an SSRI antidepressant during the last trimester of pregnancy did not significantly increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Social anxiety disorder, whether generalized or specific, can be severe enough to affect a person’s ability to work or have a social life, but only about half those with the disorder get treatment.
Early research on the use of deep-brain stimulation for treatment of major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder has led to establishment of a set of recommendations regarding its use.
Research suggests that prolonged stress is linked to high blood pressure, clogged arteries, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, and obesity.
A small study found that people with major depression who received one dose of ketamine experienced a significant improvement in mood, but the results will be of interest mainly to researchers, because of how ketamine acts on the brain.
Light therapy is typically prescribed to treat seasonal affective disorder, but there are risks for certain people. Researchers are looking at making adjustments to the timing and duration of the therapy to try to reduce this risk.
New U.S. rules will require sunscreens to be tested against both types of rays from the sun. Revised labels will offer a standard way to compare products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the changes June 14. Changes will take effect in one year. They have been in development for more than 30 years. Now products must be tested for protection against ultraviolet A and B rays. UVA rays cause wrinkles. UVB rays cause sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. Sunscreens now carry a sun protection factor (SPF) rating to show how well they protect against UVB. Some products claim “broad spectrum” protection against both UVA and UVB rays. New rules require certain tests before making this claim. The SPF level must be 15 or higher for both types of rays. Products that don’t meet this standard must carry a warning. Numbers above SPF 50 are not allowed.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may be an effective treatment option for people with seasonal affective disorder who do not respond to light therapy.
People with major depression who have not responded sufficiently to treatment with medications may benefit from transcranial magnetic stimulation.