It seems like just a few Saturday Sanities ago I was talking about how warm and sunny it was outside; now, we’re covered in snow. We have been all week. I still don’t have a winter coat (I didn’t have one last year, either – I can be very serious about my procrastination) and Chopper doesn’t understand why we don’t go outside 9,375 times a day anymore.

Anyway…

This week at Mental Health Notes, I talked about a new study about the television viewing habits of unhappy people, commented on two legal situations involving mental health issues (the older Tammy Lewis case, and the newer Elgin Mental Health Center case), shared my thoughts on the Facing Us 2008 Music Contest winners, provided some epilepsy and mental health resources (thanks, Cleveland Clinic!), and turned to the loldogs for some depression humor.

Regarding mental health advocacy and education, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s (DBSA) eUpdate for November 2008 is up (lots of good stuff in there!), Beliefnet has announced the 10 nominees for the Most Inspiring Person of the Year 2008 Award and they’re ready for you to cast your vote, Dr. Brent provided a basic rundown of seasonal effective disorder (SAD) over at Care2.com, the Revolution Health Group offers nine ideas for natural ways to treat depression, and Rick Robinson explains Post Election Stress Syndrome (ha).

In the world of mental health news, research, and studies, after a study that included nearly 5,700 American adults researchers believe people in chronic pain are at a higher risk for committing suicide, researchers who studied both American and Japanese teenagers believe violent video games may contribute to increased aggression over time (um, hello?), and some researchers are toying with a new treatment for OCD (one that may have adverse side effects, apparently).

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel:

• Mark helps us understand how we can turn negatives into positives at A Dozen Steps.
• Mary Emma has a plethora of Alzheimer’s resources for National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month listed over at Alzheimer’s Notes.
• Kristina tells us about ADHD medications not causing genetic damage in children at Autism Vox.
• Susan of Grounded Fitness wants to know how yoga and meditation has changed your life.
• Scott’s talking about Gulf War Syndrome over at Health and Men.

Now, whether you’ve got snow or not, go outside and enjoy the day!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Is It Too Early To Build Snowmen?

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the Cleveland Clinic would like to point to several epilepsy resources they have available within their Epilepsy Center. Of special interest, I’m told, is the Epilepsy Medical Guide, the Pediatric , and their webcast series “Living with Epilepsy.”

Now, some of you may be wondering, “What? Yeah, I get the brain part, but what’s this got to do with mental health?” Well, a lot actually. There’s a ton of research out there dealing with epilepsy and various mental health conditions. Check out these facts and sources for starters:

• “Mental health and behavioral problems are among the many issues that can affect children with epilepsy.” From depression and anxiety to attention-deficit disorder and autism, the Massachusetts General Hospital page on Mental Health and Behavior (in their Growing Up with Epilepsy section) provides information about the causes and types of mental health and behavioral issues associated with epilepsy.
• “Seizure disorders are often associated with a variety of psychological and social difficulties.” In the Mental Health section of their Wellness & Quality of Life Kit, Epilepsy Ontario provides a information about depression, self-esteem, and stress related to epilepsy, medication for epilepsy, and social issues surrounding epilepsy.
• “While epilepsy is no longer considered a psychiatric disorder, its psychiatric dimension is important for treatment and research [...].” Epilepsy Symptoms, a Harvard Health Publications press release for the Harvard Mental Health Letter, addresses the changes in the way we understand epilepsy in regards to it’s relation to mental health.

So you see, if you or someone you know is dealing with epilepsy, you or someone you know could very well be dealing with other mental health situations, too.

Check out the Cleveland Clinic’s information and resources for epilepsy, and while you’re there take some time to peruse all their mental health resources.

Post from: Blisstree

Resources: Epilepsy And Mental Health