Books and Articles — All Topics

Different Views of Child Behavior Can Aid Diagnosis, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, November 02, 2011.  “Emerging research suggests clinicians may benefit from conflicting reports of a child's behavior.”

Don't Worry, Be Happy: Understanding Mindfulness Meditation, by Association for Psychological Science. October 31, 2011.  “In times of stress, we're often encouraged to pause for a moment and simply be in the 'now.' This kind of mindfulness, an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga traditions, has entered the mainstream as people try to find ways to combat stress and improve their quality of life. And research suggests that mindfulness meditation can have benefits for health and performance, including improved immune function, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced cognitive function.”

Teens' IQ May Rise or Fall Over Time, by Maia Szalavitz. Time Magazine, October 21, 2011.  “The brain undergoes more change in adolescence than at any other time of life, save before birth and during infancy. That may help explain why teenagers' IQ can fluctuate significantly over time, as a new study finds, registering large enough changes to move a child from "average" to "gifted" or in the other direction, to below average intelligence.”

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Support Program Helps Caregivers of Mentally Ill Cope, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, June 28, 2011.  “Caring for a family member with mental illness can take its toll, but a widely available education and support program for relatives of the mentally ill called Family-to-Family (FTF) can significantly improve a family's coping ability.”

Drug Found to Thwart Mental Decline, Grow Brain Cells in Rodents, by Cell Press. World Science, July 08, 2010.  “Scientists have discovered a chemical that they say restores memory-forming capacity in aging rats, likely by promoting the survival and growth of new cells in the brain’s memory hub.”

Activity Level Important for Women's Mental Health, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 02, 2010.  “New research finds women can lower their risk of late-life cognitive impairment by performing physical activity.”

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With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

Support Program Helps Caregivers of Mentally Ill Cope, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, June 28, 2011.  “Caring for a family member with mental illness can take its toll, but a widely available education and support program for relatives of the mentally ill called Family-to-Family (FTF) can significantly improve a family's coping ability.”

More Than Academics at Morton Alternative, by Giovanna Brue. New York Times, January 23, 2010.  “A program combining intensive psychotherapy with conventional studies to help troubled teens finish school has reported promising results.”

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With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

School Absenteeism, Mental Health Problems Linked, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, December 25, 2011.  “Students who miss a lot of school often have symptoms of psychiatric disorders, according to a new study.”

Stimulant Abuse Puts Students In Harm's Way, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 07, 2011.  “College students use stimulants to enhance their alertness, theoretically improving study sessions and improving academic performance. But the perceived benefits are questionable.”

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With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

Ritalin Gone Wrong, by L. Alan Sroufe. New York Times, January 28, 2012.

ADHD Diagnosis Now Possible for Kids As Young As 4, by David McCracken. Psych Central, October 17, 2011.  “New guidelines for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest the condition can now be diagnosed in children as young as 4 years old and recommend behavioral treatments, not drugs, for the youngest kids with the disorder.”

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Many Autistic Youth Struggle Right After High School, by Pedersen Traci. Psych Central, May 15, 2012.  “Compared to young people with other disabilities, youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle more as they navigate through work and higher education after high school.”

How parents are changing the course of autism research, by Karen Weintraub. Boston Globe, March 26, 2012.  “Science and medicine are catching up with parents' understanding of the condition, and a more nuanced view is slowly emerging: Autism is not just a brain problem. Many people with autism, which affects 1 in 110 American children, are profoundly unwell, with physical symptoms ranging from sleep disorders to seizures, energy and immune issues to digestive troubles. And treating those symptoms can markedly improve the lives of autistic children, even if doesn't cure them.”

Asperger's History of Overdiagnosis, by Paul Steinberg. New York Times, January 31, 2012.  “Considered to be at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum, Asperger syndrome has become more loosely defined in the past 20 years, by both the mental health profession and by lay people, and in many instances is now synonymous with social and interpersonal disabilities.”

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Benefits of Bipolar Disorder?, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, May 06, 2012.  “Some individuals with bipolar disorder say they experience highly-valued, positive experiences from living with the condition, according to new research by Lancaster University.”

Support Program Helps Caregivers of Mentally Ill Cope, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, June 28, 2011.  “Caring for a family member with mental illness can take its toll, but a widely available education and support program for relatives of the mentally ill called Family-to-Family (FTF) can significantly improve a family's coping ability.”

Children's Mental Health, by APA. American Psychological Assosciation, June 19, 2011.  “Contrary to popular belief, infants and toddlers can suffer serious mental health disorders. Yet, because of the pervasive but mistaken impression that this can't happen, many very young children with mental health disorders don't get the help they need.”

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Weight and Body Image Program Helps Teen Girls, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, February 14, 2012.  “Researchers report success in a primary care-directed weight management program designed specifically for teenage girls.”

SWPBIS School Program Reduces Bullying, by John Grohol. February 07, 2012.  “A behavioral school program designed by psychologists appears to reduce bullying in schools where it's been implemented, according to a new study.”

Children's Mental Health, by APA. American Psychological Assosciation, June 19, 2011.  “Contrary to popular belief, infants and toddlers can suffer serious mental health disorders. Yet, because of the pervasive but mistaken impression that this can't happen, many very young children with mental health disorders don't get the help they need.”

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Meth Use in Pregnancy May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, by Lindsey Tanner. Time Magazine, March 19, 2012.  “The first study to look at methamphetamine's potential lasting effects on children whose mothers used it in pregnancy finds these kids at higher risk for behavior problems than other children.”

Warning signs of sexual abuse often overlooked, by Emanuella Grinberg. CNN, November 11, 2011.  “Most children are abused by someone they know and trust, according to the American Psychological Association. An estimated 60% of perpetrators are known to the child but not family members: family friends, babysitters, child care providers and neighbors.”

Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome, by Joseph Shapiro. NPR, June 29, 2011.  “The dispute over shaken baby syndrome is a bitter civil war. On one side, doctors, lawyers and other experts say the diagnosis is key to winning convictions of people accused of the most horrible acts of child abuse. Opponents say the diagnosis is used too freely and that sometimes, innocent people go to prison.”

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Study: Migraines May Raise the Risk of Depression in Women, by Alexandra Sifferlin. Time Magazine, February 23, 2012.  “As if having migraine headaches weren't enough of a burden, a new study finds that women with migraines are also more likely to develop depression - about 40% more likely than women who have no history of the headaches.”

Online Support For Mental Illness Holds Out Hope, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, February 24, 2011.  “Online social support for those with similar health problems has undeniably provided comfort and reinforcement. But research on whether peer support actually aids clinical symptoms is limited, and the findings are mixed. New research doesn't offer much additional scientific evidence that online support groups help.”

A Fate That Narcissists Will Hate: Being Ignored, by Charles Zanor. New York Times, November 29, 2010.  “The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (due out in 2013, and known as DSM-5) has eliminated five of the 10 personality disorders that are listed in the current edition.”

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Parents' Depression Linked to Problems in Children, by Perri Klass. New York Times, May 07, 2012.  “A parent's depression, it turns out, can be linked to all kinds of problems, even in the lives of older children.”

With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

Post-Prozac Nation, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. New York Times, April 19, 2012.  “In 1988, a year after the Food and Drug Administration approved Prozac, 2,469,000 prescriptions for it were dispensed in America. By 2002, that number had risen to 33,320,000. By 2008, antidepressants were the third-most-common prescription drug taken in America. Fast forward to 2012 and the same antidepressants that inspired such enthusiasm have become the new villains of modern psychopharmacology - overhyped, overprescribed chemicals, symptomatic of a pill-happy culture searching for quick fixes for complex mental problems.”

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Tenderness Important for Relationship Satisfaction, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 06, 2011.  “A new study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University reveals that cuddling and caressing are important for long-term relationship satisfaction.”

Coping with Divorce: Words tell the story, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 07, 2010.  “University of Arizona researchers say that people in the midst of divorce reveal how they are handling things – not so much by what they say but how they say it.”

UC Research Examines College Students' Knowledge About Eating Disorders, by University of Cincinnati. October 31, 2011.  “They're the prime demographic for developing eating disorders, yet new research out of the University of Cincinnati suggests that it could be difficult for college students to notice the warning signs.”

Eating Disorders a New Front in Insurance Fight, by Andrew Pollack. New York Times, October 13, 2011.  “People with eating disorders like anorexia have opened up a new battleground in the insurance wars, testing the boundaries of laws mandating equivalent coverage for mental illnesses.”

Hospitalizations for Eating Disorders Declined, but Big Increase Seen in Pica Disorder, by Agency for Healthcare Reseacrh and Quality. September 08, 2011.  “Eating disorders as the primary reason for entering the hospital declined by 23 percent from 2007 to 2008 and 2008 to 2009, after a steep and steady increase from 1999 to 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The severity of eating disorders also lessened, with symptoms like irregular heartbeat and menstrual disorders declining by 39 percent and 46 percent, respectively. However, from 1999 to 2009, hospitalizations jumped 93 percent for patients with an eating disorder called pica, which causes them to eat largely non-edible substances such as clay, dirt, chalk, and feces. Women and children, including those with autism and other mental or developmental disorders, are most likely to suffer from pica.”

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Helping Hand for Children Mourning Death of Loved One, by Michael Winerip. The New York Times, October 29, 2007.  “A form of therapy in a camp setting helps children who have lost a loved one work through their darker thoughts.”

Children of Hoarders on Leaving the Cluttered Nest, by Steven Kurutz. New York Times, May 11, 2011.  “Children of hoarders often display a tortured ambivalence toward their parents, perhaps because unlike spouses or friends of hoarders, they had little choice but to live amid the junk.”

Tools to Reduce Stigma of Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 14, 2010.  “Researchers have announced a new intervention that can improve the quality of life and self-esteem among persons with serious mental illness.”

A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves, by Tara Parker-Pope. New York Times, January 01, 2008.  “Disorganization may be a person problem, not a house problem.”

Trying to Find a Cry of Desperation Amid the Facebook Drama, by Jan Hoffman. New York Times, February 23, 2012.  “Specialists in adolescent medicine and mental health experts say that dark postings should not be hastily dismissed because they can serve as signs of depression and an early warning system for timely intervention. Whether therapists should engage with patients over Facebook, however, remains a matter of debate.”

Seeing Social Media More as Portal Than as Pitfall, by Perri Klass. New York Times, January 09, 2012.  “Though there are certainly real dangers, and though some adolescents appear to be particularly vulnerable, scientists are now turning to a more nuanced understanding of this new world.”

Peer Pressure Drives Sexting, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, October 03, 2011.  “A new study finds that "sexting," sending and receiving sexual images on a mobile phone, is powerfully influenced by peers in a hypersexualized media culture.”

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With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

Resources for Parents of Students With Learning Disabilities, by Konrad Walecia. New York Times, February 26, 2010.  “Many organizations and government agencies help parents to understand and use the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.”

Studying Young Minds, and How to Teach Them, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, December 20, 2009.  “New research on when young brains are best able to grasp fundamental concepts could reshape early education.”

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Victims of Racism May Cause Symptoms Similar to Trauma, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, November 17, 2011.  “For black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could lead to some physical health disparities between blacks and other populations in the United States, according to a new study.”

For Some Troops, Powerful Drug Cocktails Have Deadly Results, by James Dao and Benedict Carey, et al. New York Times, February 12, 2011.  “By some estimates, well over 300,000 troops have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan with P.T.S.D., depression, traumatic brain injury or some combination of those. The Pentagon has looked to pharmacology to treat those complex problems, following the lead of civilian medicine. As a result, psychiatric drugs have been used more widely across the military than in any previous war.”

Military Study Finds Benefits in Mental Health Screening, by James Dao. New York Times, January 18, 2011.  “Soldiers who were screened for mental health problems before deploying to Iraq were less likely to report suicidal thoughts, be evacuated for mental health reasons or require care for combat stress, a study published on Tuesday has found.”

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New Approach for Substance Abuse among African-Americans, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, October 18, 2011.  “A new study examined the effectiveness of a motivational counseling approach to treat substance abuse among African-Americans.”

Culture and Stigma Affect Mental Health Care for Latinos, by Sylviane Duval. Health Behavior News Service, March 22, 2011.  “Latinos benefit from antidepressants like everybody else - only they do not use them nearly as often. The trick is getting past some cultural barriers.”

'Racial Battle Fatigue' Seems to Fuel Anxiety Disorder Among African-Americans, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, March 04, 2011.  “Emerging research suggests chronic exposure to racial discrimination is analogous to the constant pressure soldiers face on the battlefield.”

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Wariness on Surgery of the Mind, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, February 14, 2011.  “In recent years, many psychiatrists have come to believe that the last, best chance for some people with severe and intractable mental problems is psychosurgery, an experimental procedure in which doctors operate directly on the brain.”

Predicting Treatment Success for Child OCD, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, October 18, 2010.  “A new research effort may help clinicians better predict how a child with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) will respond to some of the most commonly used treatment approaches.”

OCD: New Treatments And Stories From The Trenches, by Jessica Alpert. WBUR, October 13, 2010.  “In recognition of National OCD Awareness Week, we explore some of the latest treatments for the disorder with a Boston doctor who's one of the country's top OCD specialists, and we speak with one local man who lives with OCD every day.”

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Parents' Depression Linked to Problems in Children, by Perri Klass. New York Times, May 07, 2012.  “A parent's depression, it turns out, can be linked to all kinds of problems, even in the lives of older children.”

With Disruptive Kids, MDs Should Assess for Early Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “Mental illnesses are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in youths ages 15 and older in the United States and Canada, according to the World Health Organization. And mental health researchers are reaching out to pediatricians to improve early detection of mental disorders.”

Early Intervention Key to Shaping College Drinking Habits, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, January 31, 2012.  “The first few weeks of college are a critical time in shaping students' drinking habits, according to researchers at Penn State, who say early intervention may help keep students from becoming heavy drinkers.”

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Does a Better Memory Equal Greater PTSD Risk?, by Maia Szalavitz. Time Magazine, May 15, 2012.  “A good memory is typically seen as a powerful advantage, an aid to intelligence and socializing. But when experience is traumatic, this asset may become a serious liability, according to new research on survivors of the Rwandan genocide.”

Imaging Study Shows How Family Violence Changes Brain Activity, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, December 06, 2011.  “Family violence appears to increase a child's sensitivity to detect potential additional threats, as researchers found brain changes are analogous to those found in soldiers exposed to combat.”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is seen as effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, by Jan Brogan. Boston Globe, July 11, 2011.  “Once highly controversial, EMDR has made gains in acceptance. In 2004, both the American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Defense recommended it as an effective treatment for PTSD. In May, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, recognized EMDR as an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety as well as for PTSD.”

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Why Maternity Leave Is Important, by Meredith Melnick. Time Magazine, July 21, 2011.

Mothers with breastfeeding difficulties more likely to suffer postpartum depression, by Tom Hughes. UNC Healthcare, July 19, 2011.  “A UNC study finds that women who have breastfeeding difficulties in the first two weeks after giving birth are more likely to suffer postpartum depression two months later compared to women without such difficulties.”

Incontinence May Increase Risk of Postpartum Depression, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, June 21, 2011.  “A new Canadian study discovers that women with urinary incontinence after giving birth are almost twice as likely to develop postpartum depression as those without incontinence.”

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Talk Therapy Lifts Severe Schizophrenics, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, October 03, 2011.  “People with severe schizophrenia who have been isolated, withdrawn and considered beyond help can learn to become more active, social and employable by engaging in a type of talk therapy that was invented to treat depression.”

Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 11, 2011.  “A new research study suggests de novo mutations - genetic mistakes that are present in people with a disease, but not in their parents - are more frequent in individuals with schizophrenia.”

Support Program Helps Caregivers of Mentally Ill Cope, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, June 28, 2011.  “Caring for a family member with mental illness can take its toll, but a widely available education and support program for relatives of the mentally ill called Family-to-Family (FTF) can significantly improve a family's coping ability.”

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The Twice-Victimized of Sexual Assault, by Jane Brody. New York Times, December 12, 2011.  “Experts on sexual assault and rape report that even today, despite improvements in early sex education and widespread publicity about sexual assaults, the overwhelming majority of both felony and misdemeanor cases never come to public or legal attention.”

Warning signs of sexual abuse often overlooked, by Emanuella Grinberg. CNN, November 11, 2011.  “Most children are abused by someone they know and trust, according to the American Psychological Association. An estimated 60% of perpetrators are known to the child but not family members: family friends, babysitters, child care providers and neighbors.”

Violence Against Women Raises Risk for Long-Term Mental Health Issues, by Drucilla Dyess. Health News, August 03, 2011.  “For women who have suffered from gender-based violence, the likelihood of suffering damaging long-term effects on mental health is far greater than for women who are non-victims of such atrocities. New research from Australian researchers shows that women who are victims of violent crimes including rape, sexual assault, stalking, and intimate-partner violence, are at a greater risk-of developing a mental condition, such as anxiety disorder, experiencing both physical and mental disabilities, and also have a greater chance of living a poorer quality of life.”

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Imaging Study Shows How Family Violence Changes Brain Activity, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, December 06, 2011.  “Family violence appears to increase a child's sensitivity to detect potential additional threats, as researchers found brain changes are analogous to those found in soldiers exposed to combat.”

Violence Against Women Raises Risk for Long-Term Mental Health Issues, by Drucilla Dyess. Health News, August 03, 2011.  “For women who have suffered from gender-based violence, the likelihood of suffering damaging long-term effects on mental health is far greater than for women who are non-victims of such atrocities. New research from Australian researchers shows that women who are victims of violent crimes including rape, sexual assault, stalking, and intimate-partner violence, are at a greater risk-of developing a mental condition, such as anxiety disorder, experiencing both physical and mental disabilities, and also have a greater chance of living a poorer quality of life.”

Study Identifies Protective Factors that Help Women Recover from Childhood Violence, by Emily Martin and Craven. University of Missouri, July 07, 2011.  “A University of Missouri researcher has found that certain protective factors foster resilience and increase the likelihood that the cycle of violence will end for women who, as children, were exposed to their mothers' battering.”

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Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, June 23, 2011.  “No one knows how many people with severe mental illness live what appear to be normal, successful lives, because such people are not in the habit of announcing themselves. They are too busy juggling responsibilities, paying the bills, studying, raising families - all while weathering gusts of dark emotions or delusions that would quickly overwhelm almost anyone else. Now, an increasing number of them are risking exposure of their secret, saying that the time is right.”

Minimal Training Aids in Response to Trauma, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, March 31, 2011.  “Even a small amount of training can teach people how to be more supportive when a friend or loved one confides in them a traumatic event or other type of mistreatment, suggests new research from the University of Oregon.”

Self-Injury Videos Popular With Teens, by Todd Neale. Med Page Today, February 21, 2011.  “Videos posted online that feature self-injury are popular viewing among young adults and possibly teens - and some researchers worry that this may encourage copycat behaviors.”

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Sex-Changing Treatments Are on the Rise in Kids, by Lindsey Tanner. Time Magazine, February 21, 2012.  “A small but growing number of teens and even younger children who think they were born the wrong sex are getting support from parents and from doctors who give them sex-changing treatments, according to reports in the medical journal Pediatrics.”

Psychological association calls for legalization of same-sex marriage, by Alden Levin. CNN, August 04, 2011.  “The American Psychological Association is calling on state and federal officials to stop anti-gay legal measures and to legalize same-sex marriage.”

Victimization of LGBT Youth Can Be Deadly, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 18, 2011.  “A new study is the first to examine the relationship between school victimization during adolescence - specifically related to sexual orientation and gender identity - with multiple dimensions of young adult health and adjustment.”

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Sports Can Help Kids Defuse Anger, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 07, 2011.  “A new study from Tel Aviv University suggests sports participation can improve a child's cognitive, emotional and behavioral well-being every bit as much as his or her physical fitness.”

Self-Talk Effective On and Off the Field, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 26, 2011.  “A new analysis of more than 30 published studies finds the sports psychology technique called "self-talk," a mental strategy purported to improve performance, is indeed effective, and more varied and sophisticated than some might imagine.”

Sports Participation Good for Teen Health, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 23, 2010.  “A new study suggests playing sports helps teenagers physically, socially, and mentally.”

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Teen Health Linked to Teen Happiness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, March 05, 2012.  “A new UK study suggests teenagers are not as invincible as they might think when it comes to health, and that an unhealthy lifestyle is linked to unhappiness.”

Study: Stress Shrinks the Brain, by Alice Park. Time Magazine, January 09, 2012.  “Stress is an integral part of all of our lives, so much so, in fact, that we tend to shrug off our racing pulses and insomnia and constant angst as nothing unusual. But researchers say that even everyday stress can be leading to changes in the brain that make us more vulnerable to mental as well as social disorders ranging from depression to addiction and behavioral conditions.”

Stimulant Abuse Puts Students In Harm's Way, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 07, 2011.  “College students use stimulants to enhance their alertness, theoretically improving study sessions and improving academic performance. But the perceived benefits are questionable.”

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Innate Neurological Risk for Drug Abuse?, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 30, 2012.  “A new study suggests the way in which the brain is wired in some people may make them more impulsive and more likely to experiment with drugs.”

Synthetic Marijuana Sending Some Teens to ER, by Traci Pedersen. Psych Central, March 20, 2012.  “Frequently sold in gas stations and convenience stores, synthetic versions of marijuana are placing some teens in the emergency room.”

Meth Use in Pregnancy May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, by Lindsey Tanner. Time Magazine, March 19, 2012.  “The first study to look at methamphetamine's potential lasting effects on children whose mothers used it in pregnancy finds these kids at higher risk for behavior problems than other children.”

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Suicidal Behavior May Begin Before High School, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, November 30, 2011.  “Emerging research suggests thoughts about killing oneself and engaging in suicidal behavior may begin much younger than previously thought.”

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adults 18 years and older, by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 21, 2011.  “This report is the first to present state-level data concerning suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults in the U.S. The data presented in this report support other findings that the public health burden of suicidal behavior throughout the United States is much greater than the number of deaths.”

Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, June 23, 2011.  “No one knows how many people with severe mental illness live what appear to be normal, successful lives, because such people are not in the habit of announcing themselves. They are too busy juggling responsibilities, paying the bills, studying, raising families - all while weathering gusts of dark emotions or delusions that would quickly overwhelm almost anyone else. Now, an increasing number of them are risking exposure of their secret, saying that the time is right.”

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Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome, by Joseph Shapiro. NPR, June 29, 2011.  “The dispute over shaken baby syndrome is a bitter civil war. On one side, doctors, lawyers and other experts say the diagnosis is key to winning convictions of people accused of the most horrible acts of child abuse. Opponents say the diagnosis is used too freely and that sometimes, innocent people go to prison.”

Postpartum Depression: When Moms Feel Out of Control, by Elizabeth Landau. CNN, May 14, 2010.  “It's normal for new mothers to feel overwhelmed and tired, but sometimes those feelings can develop into something more serious. "Baby blues," which do not require medical attention, can include mood swings, sleep problems, irritability, crying, anxiety and sadness in the first couple of weeks after birth. Postpartum depression is more intense and intrusive: Women may lose interest in life, withdraw from family and friends, or think about harming themselves or their children.”

Depression Is a Dilemma for Women in Pregnancy, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, October 05, 2009.  “A study looked for harmful effects in the use of antidepressants by pregnant women.”

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A Brief Therapy Heals Trauma in Children, by Jane Brody. New York Times, April 02, 2012.  “A report describes a remarkably effective brief intervention developed at the Childhood Violent Trauma Center at Yale University greatly diminishes symptoms in traumatized children and those who care for them.”

Imaging Study Shows How Family Violence Changes Brain Activity, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, December 06, 2011.  “Family violence appears to increase a child's sensitivity to detect potential additional threats, as researchers found brain changes are analogous to those found in soldiers exposed to combat.”

Victims of Racism May Cause Symptoms Similar to Trauma, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, November 17, 2011.  “For black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could lead to some physical health disparities between blacks and other populations in the United States, according to a new study.”

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