Don’t Let Bipolar Disorder Break the Bank!

System Admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.ivillage.com/don-t-let-bipolar-disorder-break-bank/4-a-326750

The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, a book by David Miklowitz, professor of psychiatry and director of the child and adolescent mood disorders program at the Semel Institute, was highlighted Feb. 25 on iVilliage.com, and featured a chapter excerpt about managing money.

CHAMP Staff

Got the Holiday Blues? You’re Not Alone

System Admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2010-12-05-70861.113116-Got-the-holiday-blues-You...

Dr. Andrew Leuchter, professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute, was featured in a Dec. 6 Santa Monica Daily Press article about how to avoid feelings of loneliness and depression during the holidays.

Mood Disorders

Non-invasive therapy significantly improves depression, UCLA researchers say

Semel Web Manager — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:00:00 +0000

Major depression is a common and disabling brain condition marked not only by the presence of depressed mood but also by its effects on sleep, energy, decision-making, memory and thoughts of death or of suicide. Major depression affects 15 million adults in the U.S., and the World Health Organization projects that by 2020, it will be the largest contributor to disability in the world after heart disease. While antidepressants have helped many to recover and resume their lives, only 30 percent of patients will experience full remission with the first medication they use. Patients typically move on to try a series of other antidepressants. A persistent problem with such drugs has been major side effects, including obesity, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, drowsiness and nausea.

Author:

Mark Wheeler

Division of Adult Psychiatry

Simple test can detect signs of suicidal thoughts in people taking antidepressants

Semel Web Manager — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:15:00 +0000

While antidepressant medications have proven to be beneficial in helping people overcome major depression, it has long been known that a small subset of individuals taking these drugs can actually experience a worsening of mood, and even thoughts of suicide. No clinical test currently exists to make this determination, and only time — usually weeks — can tell before a psychiatrist knows whether a patient is getting better or worse. Now, UCLA researchers have developed a non-invasive biomarker, or indicator, that may serve as a type of early warning system.

Author:

Mark Wheeler

Division of Adult Psychiatry

Antidepressants – More than a Mood Changer?

System Admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-morrison/2009/12/07/antidepressants-more-than-...

Ian Cook, Miller Family Professor of Psychiatry and director of the Depression Research Program at the Semel Institute, was interviewed on the Dec. 7 KPCC 89.3FM “Patt Morrison Show” about a report in the December Archives of General Psychiatry that states the bio-chemical properties of at least one common anti-depressant may actually be producing real personality changes.

Mood Disorders

Dying for Help: A Stark Look at Teen Mental Health

System Admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/investigations/68826087.html

Dr. James McGough, professor of clinical psychiatry at the Semel Institute, appeared in a special report by KBFX Ch. 58 (Bakersfield) airing Nov. 1 and Nov. 4 about teenage mental illness. McGough talked about his intervention with a teen diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences

UCLA researchers develop biomarker for rapid relief of major depression

Semel Web Manager — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:30:00 +0000

It is a long, slow slog to treat major depression. Many antidepressant medications are available, but no single biomarker or diagnostic test exists to predict which one is right for an individual.

Author:

Mark Wheeler

Mood Disorders

Nearly 5% of U.S. population suffers from persistent depression or anxiety

System Admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:21:00 +0000

Study finds that few receive appropriate treatment for disorders:

Though effective treatments are available for individuals suffering from chronic depression and anxiety, very little is known about how often these treatments are used or how prevalent these conditions are among the nation's general population. But in a first-of-its-kind study, UCLA researchers have developed estimates for both the prevalence of chronic psychiatric illness in the general population and how often individuals suffering from such illnesses receive appropriate treatment.

Mood Disorders