Omega-3 failed to increase the effect of sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral) in treating major depression in patients with coronary heart disease, in this study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, Missouri. Continue reading Can you treat depression with omega-3?
Category Archives: Anxiety (Panic)/Depression
The physiological response to touch therapy. Does it matter?
The results from this study at the Department of Nursing of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg suggest, “healing touch treatment is associated with both physiological and psychological relaxation.†Continue reading The physiological response to touch therapy. Does it matter?
Benefits of massage on pregnancy and infants
Researchers from the University of Miami Medical School, in Florida reported benefits in mothers and their offspring. Continue reading Benefits of massage on pregnancy and infants
The benefits of yoga for musicians
Professional musicians experience high levels of stress, performance anxiety, and debilitating performance-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School, in Boston evaluated the benefits of yoga and meditation for musicians. Continue reading The benefits of yoga for musicians
CBT + sertraline reduces anxiety in children
 Both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sertraline (Zoloft) reduce anxiety in children with anxiety disorders.
Combined, they achieve better response rates. Continue reading CBT + sertraline reduces anxiety in children
Benefits of music therapy during pregnancy
The effects of music therapy on stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnant women were studied by researchers at the National Tainan Institute of Nursing in Taiwan. Continue reading Benefits of music therapy during pregnancy
New conclusions on acupuncture for depression
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong reviewed the evidence in major depression and post-stroke depression. Continue reading New conclusions on acupuncture for depression
Supportive care for chronic fatigue syndrome
Medscape has published a review written by clinicians from around the US.
Let’s focus on 6 supportive care options for chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, aka chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Continue reading Supportive care for chronic fatigue syndrome
Should we add CAM to Rx treatments?
 Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Australia evaluated the evidence for adding nutritional and herbal medicines to antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Continue reading Should we add CAM to Rx treatments?
Kava and St. John’s wort: Evidence for mood and anxiety disorders
 A broad range of mood disorders were reviewed by researchers at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, in Queensland, Australia. Continue reading Kava and St. John’s wort: Evidence for mood and anxiety disorders
Key points about commonly used herbals
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio has written a continuing education article on herbals.
Here are the author’s take-away points, with additional references added. Continue reading Key points about commonly used herbals
Music-therapy for spinal anesthesia
Since pre-medication isn’t widely accepted in spinal anesthesia, researchers from Saitama Medical University, in Kawagoe, Japan studied the potential benefits of music therapy to control anxiety. Continue reading Music-therapy for spinal anesthesia
CAM options to treat pain at the end of life
Of the many symptoms experienced by those at the end of life, pain is one of the most common, feared, and often undertreated,
Dr. Perry Fine from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City reviews the treatment options, including CAM. Here’s a summary. Continue reading CAM options to treat pain at the end of life
“Aqueous” extracts of kava to treat depression and anxiety
Piper methysticum (kava) has been withdrawn for sale in several countries due to concerns over liver toxicity.
The WHO recently recommended research into “aqueous” extracts of kava. Here are the results the Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS). Continue reading “Aqueous” extracts of kava to treat depression and anxiety
Treating depression after coronary artery bypass
 Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, Missouri compared cognitive behavior therapy and supportive stress management. Continue reading Treating depression after coronary artery bypass
Distinguishing between reiki and therapeutic touch
Actually, it’s not that easy to do.
Several years ago, Dr. Pamela Potter was supervising Reiki volunteers at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut as a doctoral candidate in the School of Nursing.
She’s qualified, if anyone is, to distinguish between these two disciplines.
Continue reading Distinguishing between reiki and therapeutic touch
Soy isoflavones and depression during menopause
Researchers from Paraiba Federal University, in Brazil evaluated the effect of soy isoflavones extract on depressive symptoms in women with climacteric syndrome (menopause). Continue reading Soy isoflavones and depression during menopause
Behavior therapy for late-life anxiety
 Cognitive behavioral therapy can be useful for managing worry and associated symptoms among older patients, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. Continue reading Behavior therapy for late-life anxiety
Yoga for depression and anxiety in women
Researchers from Azad University, in Mashhad, Iran report that yoga reduced anxiety but not depression.
Here’s a summary of what they and others have found. Continue reading Yoga for depression and anxiety in women
Let’s chronicle the health benefits of walking
Dr. James Levine from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has reviewed the evidence. Here are the benefits. Continue reading Let’s chronicle the health benefits of walking