According to a National Alliance on Mental Illness factsheet, gay, GLBT youth have a much higher rate of attempted suicide than do the overall youth population. Parental acceptance and family support for GLBT youth play a big role in reducing mental health risk factors.
January 20, 2012
NY Times: New APA Definition of Autism will Exclude Large Numbers of Currently-Diagosed Individuals
Large numbers of individuals currently diagnosed with autism will be excluded under the new definition proposed for the American Psychiatric Association’s revision of the Diagnostic Standards Manual (DSM), which is used by health professionals, governments and insurance companies for diagnosis of psychiatric illness and eligibility for government benefits and insurance payments, reports the NY Times. The article discusses the results of a study which compared the new criteria for an autism diagnosis with the current criteria, which have been in effect since 1993.
January 19, 2012
Internet and Gaming Addiction Guide for Parents
Ofer Zur, Ph.D. & Azzia Zur, B.A. of the Zur Institute, a continuing education provider for therapists and others, have written an informative guide on Internet and gaming addictions called “Psychology of the Web & Internet Addiction.” Their reads: “” GUIDE for parents and other adults who are concerned about how much young people spend on the computer (social networking sites, such as Facebook, instant messaging or online games) or those who want to learn more about Internet Addiction and Internet Gaming Addiction.” The guide also includes useful links an resources for therapists and parents.
January 10, 2012
Possible Link Between Physical Activity and School Performance
Physical Activity, School Performance May Be Linked
CHICAGO—A systematic review of previous studies suggests that there may be a positive relationship between physical activity and the academic performance of children, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Information at http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2012a/0102.dtl#4
January 10, 2012
MRI Scans Show Brain Changes in Kids With Schizophrenia: MedlinePlus
Progressive loss of gray matter linked to worse prognosis for young patients, researchers say
via MRI Scans Show Brain Changes in Kids With Schizophrenia: MedlinePlus.
January 10, 2012
List of State Child Nutrition Programs
If you need information on child nutrition programs in your state, use the following link to the relevant state agency for information.
January 10, 2012
Diet Might Have Some Effect on ADHD: MedlinePlus
Review found omega-3 fatty acids may help kids with disorder, while Western diet could hurt
January 10, 2012
Sugary drinks tied to breastfed kids’ weight: MedlinePlus
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Babies who were breastfed longest and drank few or no sugary beverages were about half as likely to be obese as kids who weren’t breastfed or who consumed the most sugary drinks, in a new study of Hispanic children in southern California.
via Sugary drinks tied to breastfed kids’ weight: MedlinePlus.
January 10, 2012
Report Finds Parent Training Effective for Treating Young Children With ADHD
Formal training in parenting strategies is a low-risk, effective method for improving behavior in preschool-age children at risk for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while there is less evidence supporting the use of medications for children younger than 6 years old, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The report found that formal parenting interventions—known as parent behavior training or PBT—are supported by strong evidence for effectiveness for children younger than the age of 6, with no reports of complications or harms. However, one large barrier to the success of PBT is parents who drop out of therapy programs, the report found. For children older than age 6, the report found that methylphenidate (sold under the brand name Ritalin) and another drug used to treat ADHD symptoms, atomoxetine (sold as Strattera), are generally safe and effective for improving behavior, but their effects beyond 12 to 24 months have not been well studied. Little information is available about the long-term effects of other medications used to treat ADHD symptoms.
The report, a comparative effectiveness review prepared for AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program by the McMaster Evidence-based Practice Center in Hamilton, Ontario, is available at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.
via Report Finds Parent Training Effective for Treating Young Children With ADHD.
January 10, 2012
Suicide Prevention and Statistics
Are concerned that someone you know is suicidal? Here’s a link National Institute of Mental Health information on suicide and its prevention.
macscounselingandaddictionspage 