Alzheimer’s Caregiving

Resources for Caregivers Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease can draw on many sources of help for caregiving and financial support. Here are some places that provide general support and advice for Alzheimer’s caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center offers information on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, research, and clinical […]

Parkinson disease – resources

The following organizations are good resources for information on Parkinson disease: The Michael J. Fox Foundation — www.michaeljfox.org National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease National Parkinson Foundation — www.parkinson.org Parkinson’s Disease Foundation — www.pdf.org Alternative Names Resources – Parkinson disease

Depression, a serious mood disorder

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Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some forms of depression are slightly […]

Organic brain syndrome

Organic brain syndrome (OBS) is a general term that describes decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness. It is often used synonymously (but incorrectly) withdementia. Causes Listed below are disorders associated with OBS. Brain injury caused by trauma Bleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage) Bleeding into the space around […]

Schizophrenia Signs and Symptoms

Definition Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of schizophrenia usually start between […]

Anxiety – Panic Disorders: References

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Depression in Primary Care: Treatment of Major Depression.Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 1993. AGREE Collaboration. Development and validation of an international appraisal instrument for assessing the quality of clinical practice guidelines: the AGREE project. Quality and Safety in Health Care. 2003;12:18–23. [PMC free article] [PubMed] Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi […]

Learning from Stories of Recovery

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People considering therapy and other treatments for mental health problems are sometimes concerned that ultimately nothing will help or resolve the condition. Peter Kramer, a psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, admits that disorders of the mind and brain can be powerful. But In his introduction to the book […]

Manage Bipolar Disorder Through Mindfulness

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Dramatic shifts in mood and energy can create havoc in the lives of those with bipolar disorder. It can be tough to hold down a job, manage everyday responsibilities, manage symptoms and maintain relationships, even if you’re taking medications or involved in therapy. That’s what prompted William Marchand, MD, to explore the value of mindfulness […]

Play a Game, Improve Your Life – Really!

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The next time your friend, child or spouse tells you gaming is a good use of time, don’t laugh. It may very well be true. So says Jane McGonigal, Ph.D., author of Reality is Broken.   It sounds counter-intuitive. Shouldn’t you be exercising, helping out around the house, reading a good book, or even getting […]

Achieving Excellence

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Paul Buyer was extremely frustrated. A music professor and Director of Percussion at South Carolina’s Clemson University, Dr. Buyer felt rehearsals weren’t going well. Students were arriving late and they weren’t practicing.  Then, after an especially less-than-stellar concert, a student commented to him, “I never want to feel that way again.” So Buyer started thinking […]

7 Ways to Short-Circuit Chronic Stress

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Pretend you’re a zebra enjoying the hot African savannah. A lion is approaching. You shift into high gear and run for your life. That’s what stress was designed to do: get you out of immediate danger. But what if you’re not a zebra. Week after week you’re worried about losing your job, or getting older, […]