mood disorders

Guns are even more lethal than motor vehicle crashes. The reasons for this gun violence increase in children are multiple, including a rapid rise in gun purchases, an increase in depression and anxiety in children and adolescents, and widespread stress from a global pandemic. The causes of these injuries and deaths vary by age. Younger children are more commonly injured unintentionally. Curious toddlers can find guns and fire them quickly. Older children and adolescents are more likely to be harmed by homicide or suicide.

The most important factor for children being injured or killed by guns is having a gun in the home where a child lives or the car where a child rides. Adults must make sure their guns are stored safely to prevent access by a child or adolescent. There are gun locks, safes, and other techniques to promote safer storage. As an additional safety measure, caregivers should strongly consider removing guns entirely from the home or vehicle, especially when children are older than about 11 years. These youths know how to find and access guns, even if they are stored safely. Considering the increase in mood disorders and risk of suicidal behaviors in older children and adolescents, they should not be around guns.

Parents and caregivers should follow the Be SMART framework to improve gun safety:

S: Secure all guns in your home and vehicle.

M: Model responsible behavior around guns.

A: Ask about unsecured guns in other homes.

R: Recognize the role of guns in suicide.

T: Tell others to Be SMART.

Author/s:

Rebecca J. Palmer, Leila H. DeWitt, Lindsay A. Thompson

Post COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort

Saige Blanchard — Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

May 18, 2021

Journal/Publication:

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Publisher:

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Publication Date:

April 30, 2021

URL:

Post COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.04.024

Keywords

MeSH

preexisting condition coverage

A description of adult patients with COVID-19 “long-haul syndrome” being seen at the Mayo Clinic.

James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Objective

To describe characteristics of a series of patients reporting prolonged symptoms after an infection with COVID-19.

Methods

This study describes the multidisciplinary COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program (CARP), established at Mayo Clinic to evaluate and treat post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) patients, and reports the clinical characteristics of the first 100 patients receiving evaluation and management during the timeframe of June 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Results

The cohort consisted of 100 patients (mean age 45 years, 68% women, BMI 30.2, presenting a mean of 93 days after infection). Common pre-existing conditions were respiratory (23%) and mental health, including depression and/or anxiety (34%.) The majority (75%) had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Common presenting symptoms ware fatigue (80%), respiratory complaints (59%), and neurologic complaints (59%) followed by subjective cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and mental health symptoms. More than one-third of the patients (34%) reported difficulties with performing basic activities of daily living. Only 1 in 3 patients had returned to unrestricted work duty at the time of the analysis. For most patients, laboratory and imaging studies were normal or non-diagnostic despite debilitating symptoms. Most patients required physical therapy, occupational therapy, or brain rehabilitation. Face-to-face and virtual care delivery modalities were feasible.

Conclusion

Many of the patients did not experience COVID-19-related symptoms that were severe enough to require hospitalization, were younger than 65 years of age, more likely to be female, and most had no pre-existing comorbidities prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms including mood disorders, fatigue, and perceived cognitive impairment resulted in severe negative impacts on resumption of functional and occupational activities in patients experiencing prolonged effects.

Author/s:

Vanichkachorn, G., Newcomb, R., Cowl, C. T., Trenary, M., Higgins, S., Neveau, D., Murad, M. H., Breeher, L., Miller, S.

The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

John Bayhi — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 17:29:29 +0000

Date Added:

September 13, 2019

Journal/Publication:

World Psychiatry

Publisher:

World Psychiatric Association

Publication Date:

October 1, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

Pages:

308-324

URL:

The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1002/wps.20672

Keywords

depression

dietary supplements

mineral supplements

attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity

omega-3 fatty acids

PMID (1):

31496103

MeSH

depressive disorder, major

depression

attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity

mood disorders

mental health

folic acid

eicosapentaenoic acid

fatty acids

unsaturated

Several nutritional supplements appear to be helpful in the treatment of some mental health problems. The strongest evidence was found for eicosapentaenoic acid (an omega 3 fatty acid) as an adjunctive treatment for depression. More nascent evidence suggested that PUFAs may also be beneficial for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. High‐dose methylfolate appears to be helpful as an adjunct to antidepressants and counseling in major depressive disorder. There was emergent evidence for N‐acetylcysteine as a useful adjunctive treatment in mood disorders and schizophrenia. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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The role of nutrition in mental health is becoming increasingly acknowledged. Along with dietary intake, nutrition can also be obtained from "nutrient supplements", such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and pre/probiotic supplements. Recently, a large number of meta-analyses have emerged examining nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders. To produce a meta-review of this top-tier evidence, we identified, synthesized and appraised all meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in common and severe mental disorders. Our systematic search identified 33 meta-analyses of placebo-controlled RCTs, with primary analyses including outcome data from 10,951 individuals. The strongest evidence was found for PUFAs (particularly as eicosapentaenoic acid) as an adjunctive treatment for depression. More nascent evidence suggested that PUFAs may also be beneficial for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, whereas there was no evidence for schizophrenia. Folate-based supplements were widely researched as adjunctive treatments for depression and schizophrenia, with positive effects from RCTs of high-dose methylfolate in major depressive disorder. There was emergent evidence for N-acetylcysteine as a useful adjunctive treatment in mood disorders and schizophrenia. All nutrient supplements had good safety profiles, with no evidence of serious adverse effects or contraindications with psychiatric medications. In conclusion, clinicians should be informed of the nutrient supplements with established efficacy for certain conditions (such as eicosapentaenoic acid in depression), but also made aware of those currently lacking evidentiary support. Future research should aim to determine which individuals may benefit most from evidence-based supplements, to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Author/s:

Firth, J, Teasdale, SB, Allott, K, Siskind, D, Marx, W, Cotter, J, Veronese, N, Schuch, F, Smith, L, Solmi, M, Carvalho, AF, Vancampfort, D, Berk, M, Stubbs, B, Sarris, J