Category Archives: Mental Health

January is Mental Wellness Month, and in honor of this, Bel Marra has put together a mental health update that includes tips for managing mental illness, as well as information on depression, anxiety, dementia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome: How are they linked? Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, although different, may ...click here to read more

New research from Georgetown University Medical Center has shown physiological evidence that mindfulness meditation fights symptoms of anxiety. This form of meditation focuses on awareness and being present, allowing you to act and react in the moment rather than build fear or anxiety about future events. To conduct the study, head researcher Dr. Elizabeth A. ...click here to read more

A recent study conducted by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with King’s College London has revealed that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can rewire the brain and promote healthier neural connections. CBT is a type of talk therapy that aims to change the way patients think and respond to thought and experiences, ...click here to read more

If you’ve ever visited a sauna, you know the experience is very relaxing and soothing. But did you know that saunas can actually improve your heart health – and brain health, too? Numerous studies now point to the fact that sweating in a sauna may be a good way to prevent heart disease, stroke, and ...click here to read more

Pain located in the back of your head could be due to a variety of different reasons, some more serious than others. Headaches, injuries, and even some diseases are known to cause tension and pain in the back of the head, so how can you tell when the condition is serious? Find out just what can ...click here to read more

New research from Tohoku University shows that depression and cognitive ability can be improved in the elderly through the use of speed training. Researchers from the university have developed a tablet PC based processing speed training game (PSTG) that targets processing speed and inhibition among seniors. When played regularly, the game has been shown to ...click here to read more

Anxiety in dementia patients may be effectively managed with tablet devices, according to research findings. Researcher Ipsit Vahia explained, “Tablet use as a non-pharmacologic intervention for agitation in older adults, including those with severe dementia, appears to be feasible, safe, and of potential utility. Our preliminary results are a first step in developing much-needed empirical ...click here to read more

A molecular pattern has been discovered with regards to cognitive dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome, giving hope for improved diagnosis and treatment. The researchers uncovered a unique pattern of immune molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This discovery provides insight into the basis for cognitive dysfunction – also ...click here to read more

Heart artery dysfunction in women may be linked to emotional stress. C. Noel Bairey Merz, professor of medicine and senior author, explained, “Women who go to emergency rooms and cardiologists because they have chest pain often are told that their arteries are clear and their hearts are fine. But the reality is that women’s coronary ...click here to read more

The holidays can be a stressful time of the year, taking a serious toll on your mind and body. Holiday season is a time of great expenditures, busy schedules, and hectic running around. No wonder by the time all festivities are over, you feel worn down, exhausted, and maybe even ill. Stress alone isn’t that ...click here to read more

The days are shorter, the temperature is dropping, and there is plenty of white fluffy stuff flying around – yup, it must be winter! Some people love this season because it’s a time to cuddle, play winter sports, and celebrate the holidays. But for others, winter doesn’t bring just lower temperatures, it also brings low ...click here to read more

When dealing with social anxiety disorders, cognitive therapy has been found to be the most effective treatment. Current treatment isn’t very effective, which led researchers to explore other treatment and therapy options that could work better for social phobia cases. The researchers studied the effects of talk therapy and medications on patients with social phobia ...click here to read more

Social media may be good for mental health, but may also lead to depression, according to research findings. The researchers reviewed 70 studies that examined the relationship between social networking and depression, anxiety, and well-being. The review demonstrated that social media is an effective way of staying connected with others. It also may be a ...click here to read more

An increased risk of cognitive impairment in older adults has been associated with living in a high-pollution environment. There is a strong push towards reducing air pollution as it is linked to numerous health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, to name a few. More recent findings suggest that air pollution can ...click here to read more