Depression

Lost for words? Research shows art therapy brings benefits for mental health

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Observational study, Depression, Health, First Nations, Mental health, Grief, Schizophrenia, Acute stress disorder, Environment, Mental, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Risk, Eating, Patient, Journal, Trauma, Research, Child, Magic, Anxiety, Cancer, Fatigue, Sculpture, Adolescence, Drawing, Regulation, Safety, Spectrum, Art therapy, Emotion, Palliative care, Dementia, Nursing

Art therapy uses creative processes, primarily visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpture, with a view to improving physical health and emotional wellbeing.

Key Points: 
  • Art therapy uses creative processes, primarily visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpture, with a view to improving physical health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Art therapy can be used to support treatment for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.
  • In a study published this week in the Journal of Mental Health, we found art therapy was associated with positive outcomes for children and adolescents in a hospital-based mental health unit.

An option for those who can’t find the words

  • Where possible, after finishing an artwork, a person can explore the meaning of their work with the art therapist, translating unspoken symbolic material into verbal reflection.
  • However, as the talking component is less central to the therapeutic process, art therapy is an accessible option for people who may not be able to find the words to describe their experiences.
  • Art therapy has also been linked to improved outcomes for people with a range of physical health conditions.

Our research

  • While most care takes place in the community, a small proportion of young people require care in hospital to ensure their safety.
  • However, these “restrictive practices” are associated with negative effects such as post-traumatic stress for patients and health professionals.
  • Read more:
    'An arts engagement that's changed their life': the magic of arts and health

    Our research looked at more than six years of data from a child and adolescent mental health hospital ward in Australia.

  • Confirming the effect of a therapeutic intervention requires controlled clinical trials where people are randomly assigned one treatment or another.
  • Although ours was an observational study, randomised controlled trials support the benefits of art therapy in youth mental health services.

What do young people think?

  • In previous research we found art therapy was considered by adolescents in hospital-based mental health care to be the most helpful group therapy intervention compared to other talk-based therapy groups and creative activities.
  • In research not yet published, we’re speaking with young people to better understand their experiences of art therapy, and why it might reduce distress.

A promising area


The burgeoning research showing the benefits of art therapy for both physical and especially mental health highlights the value of creative and innovative approaches to treatment in health care. There are opportunities to expand art therapy services in a range of health-care settings. Doing so would enable greater access to art therapy for people with a variety of physical and mental health conditions.

  • She has received funding from the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) for the Mental Health Research Award.
  • Iain Perkes works for the University of New South Wales and the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network which is part of NSW Health.
  • He is affiliated with Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI, NSW Health).

Family caregivers can help shape the outcomes for their loved ones – an ICU nurse explains their vital role

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Research, Depression, Delirium, Communication, Health, Confusion, Pneumonia, FaceTime, Environment, Caregiver, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Patient, Nursing, New Balance, Sleep, Policy, Diary, Anxiety, Life, Survivor, Oxygen, Music, Prognosis, Privacy, Family, ICU, Physician, PTSD

Marie landed in the intensive care unit where I am a bedside nurse because she was too agitated and needed more oxygen.

Key Points: 
  • Marie landed in the intensive care unit where I am a bedside nurse because she was too agitated and needed more oxygen.
  • As a seasoned bedside critical care nurse, I see firsthand the benefits that family caregivers bring to patient care in the hospital.
  • I also witness the emotional stress that caregivers experience when their loved one comes to the ICU.

Caregivers often battle anxiety and depression

  • From making medical decisions to advocating for their loved one, family caregivers have many important roles when their loved one is in the hospital.
  • However, caregivers carry heavy emotional burdens while supporting loved ones at the hospital.
  • Up to 70% of first-degree relatives of ICU survivors suffer from anxiety symptoms, more than a third suffer from depression, and many can experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Communication is critical

  • As you provide information about the patient at home, the medical team should be giving you updates about the patient’s condition in the hospital.
  • Knowing what to ask is essential to effective communication at the hospital.
  • Once familiar with your new environment, you may feel more at ease to truly be present for your loved one.
  • Every day, the interdisciplinary medical team sees each patient to discuss updates and treatment plans, and answers questions for the patient and their family.
  • Research has also shown that rounds relieve anxiety and stress among family caregivers due to the consistent daily communication and emotional support that they provide.

Nurses can be helpful

  • After clinical rounds, the interdisciplinary team of doctors and nurses establishes a daily plan of care for your loved one, which will be carried out by your bedside nurse.
  • The nurse will give the ordered medications, perform necessary clinical tasks and assess the patient for their response to the treatment.
  • Nurses are the most accessible resource you have when your loved one is in the hospital.

The importance of routines and familiarity

  • Preventing ICU delirium through reorientation and familiar faces can help prevent this serious complication and can even reduce their hospital stay.
  • Most families that come to the hospital describe the support they received from the medical team in a positive way.


Courtney Graetzer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Social media will tell you birth control causes mental health issues, weight gain and infertility – here are the facts

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Research, Depression, Health, Friends, Faculty, Birth, Infertility, Intrauterine device, Menstrual cycle, Depo, Weight gain, Patient, IUD, Birth control, Social media, Mental health, Fertility, Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Life, Quarterlife, Adolescence, Systematic review, Woman, Progesterone, Family

Some women are reportedly even stopping their birth control as a result of misleading posts they’ve seen on TikTok and Instagram.

Key Points: 
  • Some women are reportedly even stopping their birth control as a result of misleading posts they’ve seen on TikTok and Instagram.
  • These three common misconceptions about birth control are cropping up online and need to be put in context:

1. Contraception causes depression

  • Countless videos on social media discuss the effect hormonal contraceptives have on mental health – with some creators claiming birth control causes mood changes and even depression.
  • Although there’s some correlation between mental health and some forms of contraception, there are many factors at play.
  • The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life.
  • The evidence suggests depression is more common in adolescent girls – and diminishes after the first two years of taking these forms of birth control.
  • At present, there’s little conclusive evidence that contraception (both hormonal and non-hormonal types) cause mental health problems.

2. Contraception causes weight gain

  • Another common social media claim is that birth control causes weight gain.
  • There is one form of contraception that is linked to weight gain.
  • The Depo-Provera injection, which is administered every 12 weeks, has been proved to cause weight gain.


This weight gain may be due to the progesterone in the shot, which can cause people to feel hungrier – potentially leading to overeating and weight gain. If you’re concerned about potential weight gain, the injection is not the only form of contraception available. Other forms of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives have not been shown to affect your weight.

3. Birth control lowers your fertility

  • Another common claim on social media is that birth control causes fertility issues.
  • Research shows hormonal contraceptives have no affect on fertility.
  • Again, evidence shows that IUDs pose no risk to fertility.
  • A systematic review reports no specific differences in fertility between hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs.


Christopher O'Sullivan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Orphan designation: Adeno-associated viral vector containing porphobilinogen deaminase gene Treatment of acute intermittent porphyria, 29/04/2009 Withdrawn

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Community, Eurostat, Civil service commission, Depression, Diagnosis, Psychosis, Cell, Disease, Seizure, Nervous system, Patient, Committee, Knowledge, Light, Regulation, Anxiety, Liver transplantation, EMA, IRIS, AIP, Human, Urine, European, Skin, COMP, Oxygen, Porphyria, European Commission, Safety, Blood, Marketing, Liver, DSM-IV codes, Medicine, Pharmaceutical industry

Orphan designation: Adeno-associated viral vector containing porphobilinogen deaminase gene Treatment of acute intermittent porphyria, 29/04/2009 Withdrawn

Key Points: 


Orphan designation: Adeno-associated viral vector containing porphobilinogen deaminase gene Treatment of acute intermittent porphyria, 29/04/2009 Withdrawn

Axsome Therapeutics Announces Results of CRESCENDO Narcolepsy Patient Survey Demonstrating Unmet Needs in Treated Narcolepsy Type 1 Patients

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024
Diagnosis, Neurology, Sleep, Depression, Somnolence, Deficit spending, Thomas Jefferson University, Partnership, Central nervous system, NT1, Cataplexy, Patient, CNS, Sleep disorder, Cognitive deficit, Ageing, EDS, Columbia, Anxiety, Hallucination, Narcolepsy Network, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Life, Therapy, Sleep paralysis, ESS, Medical director, Idiopathic hypersomnia, FDA, Human, Nursing

NEW YORK, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced topline results from the CRESCENDO (Characterizing Patient Perspectives on Unmet Needs in Narcolepsy) survey of patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1, i.e., narcolepsy with cataplexy) receiving treatment, demonstrating high rates of persistent symptoms and significant patient burden, despite being on current treatments. CRESCENDO was conducted in partnership with Narcolepsy Network, a national non-profit patient support organization for people with narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and related sleep disorders.

Key Points: 
  • CRESCENDO was conducted in partnership with Narcolepsy Network, a national non-profit patient support organization for people with narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and related sleep disorders.
  • All patients taking part in the survey were currently undergoing treatment for NT1.
  • The most common treatments were wake promoting agents (about 53% of surveyed patients), oxybates (47%), and stimulants (42%).
  • Axsome plans to present the detailed results of the CRESCENDO survey at upcoming scientific meetings.

Artelo Biosciences Reports Fiscal 2023 Year-End Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024
ART, Research, Depression, Neuropathic pain, Argyreia nervosa, Weight gain, Cachexia, Anxiety, Cancer, IND, Investment, Safety, Pain, FDA, Cannabidiol, Pharmaceutical industry

SOLANA BEACH, Calif., March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signaling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, dermatologic and neurological conditions, today reported financial and operating results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and provided a business update.

Key Points: 
  • SOLANA BEACH, Calif., March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signaling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, dermatologic and neurological conditions, today reported financial and operating results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and provided a business update.
  • “We made substantial progress on multiple programs last year,” commented Gregory D. Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artelo Biosciences.
  • Cash and Investments: Cash and investments totalled $10.4 million as of December 31, 2023.
  • R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2022.

NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy Receives FDA Clearance as a First-Line Add-On Treatment for Adolescents with Depression

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024
Depression, Prevalence, Data analysis, MDD, COVID-19, Patient, Education, Ageing, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, DSM-IV codes, Quality of life, Adolescence, Safety, Marketing, STIM, FDA, Parent, Food, Pharmaceutical industry

NeuroStar is the first and only transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment FDA-cleared for this age group, making it the fourth FDA-cleared indication for NeuroStar.

Key Points: 
  • NeuroStar is the first and only transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment FDA-cleared for this age group, making it the fourth FDA-cleared indication for NeuroStar.
  • "The prevalence of depression in adolescents and young adults has been accelerating since the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • "NeuroStar’s TMS therapy now offers a promising first-line treatment for adolescents, backed by real-world data and impressive response rates consistent with response rates for adults.
  • This advancement has the potential to set a new treatment paradigm for how we address depression in our youth."

Impressive $3.3M investment in Basic Mental Health Research

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Depression, Health, Basics, Mental health, Obesity, Prevalence, Drug discovery, University of Calgary, Insulin, Risk, Knowledge, Insulin resistance, The Honourable, Power Corporation of Canada, Research, Anxiety, University, Laboratory, Health Canada, Woman, Addiction, University of Toronto, Nursing

Basic research is scientific research carried out primarily to expand knowledge and understanding rather than to directly address clinical or practical issues.

Key Points: 
  • Basic research is scientific research carried out primarily to expand knowledge and understanding rather than to directly address clinical or practical issues.
  • The Basics of Better Mental Health Program funds basic research that will provide insight into the causes and onset of mental health conditions, explore the neuropathological changes and information-processing deficits that may eventually lead to new directions for treatments and interventions, and explore the role of sex and gender in mental health.
  • "Brain research plays a critical role in increasing our understanding of the causes and onset of mental health conditions,” says the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
  • “I am thrilled to support the work being done through the Basics of Better Mental Health Program – this work will support better mental health for all Canadians.”
    “The inclusion of sex-specific biological considerations is instrumental in understanding the biological roots of mental health conditions,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.

Axsome Therapeutics Initiates PARADIGM Phase 3 Trial of Solriamfetol for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Depression, MDD, Central nervous system, Patient, CNS, DSM-IV codes, Therapy, Safety, MADRS, Pharmaceutical industry

NEW YORK, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the first patient has been dosed in the PARADIGM Phase 3 trial of solriamfetol, an investigational treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the first patient has been dosed in the PARADIGM Phase 3 trial of solriamfetol, an investigational treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).
  • PARADIGM (Progressing TAAR-1, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine in Depression Using Solriamfetol) is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial to assess the efficacy and safety of solriamfetol for the treatment of MDD in adults.
  • Approximately 300 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive solriamfetol (300 mg) or placebo for 6 weeks.
  • The primary endpoint will be change in the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

WaveDancer and Firefly Neuroscience, an AI-Driven Brain Health Company, Each Receive Respective Stockholder Approvals for Merger

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Depression, Plan, ADHD, Concussion, Patient, AI, Brain, My Little Pony, Anxiety, WAVD, FDA, FFN, Dementia, Food

FAIRFAX, Va., March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WaveDancer, Inc. (“WaveDancer”) (Nasdaq: WAVD) and Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (“Firefly”) an AI-driven brain health company, each received the requisite stockholder approvals required to consummate the merger between both companies.

Key Points: 
  • FAIRFAX, Va., March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WaveDancer, Inc. (“WaveDancer”) (Nasdaq: WAVD) and Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (“Firefly”) an AI-driven brain health company, each received the requisite stockholder approvals required to consummate the merger between both companies.
  • The Firefly approval was obtained through a written consent by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of Firefly.
  • "The WaveDancer favorable shareholder vote is an important step in consummating the merger and reinventing WaveDancer as an AI-enabled neurological health platform,” said Jamie Benoit, Chairman and CEO of WaveDancer.
  • WaveDancer has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement, which includes a proxy statement/prospectus of WaveDancer that sets forth relevant information pertaining to the merger.