Popular Articles

Mum Is Key To Solving Obesity
One of the UK"s leading weight loss organisations has backed calls for changes to the way that obesity is being tackled nationally after a new study suggested that children learn unhealthy lifestyle behaviour from parents of the same gender.
generic viagra online
Lifelong Cancer Risk For Patients Treated For Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer survivors have a persistent and high risk for a second primary cancer throughout their lives, according to a new study published in the May 26 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
plastic surgery before after
News of the day
More To Second Life Than Just Sex
Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network"s Centre for Innovation in Complex Care (CICC) have found that a wide array of health-related activity occurs in the 3 dimensional virtual world of Second Life. Second Life is free for users with basic accounts, and reported over 16 million registered users worldwide in 2008. The web-based platform, which is often associated with pornography and "cheating" spouses, is also used to educate people about illness, train physicians, nurses and medical students with virtual simulations, enable disease-specific support and discussion groups, fundraise real-life dollars for medical research, and to conduct research.
Oncology

Nightmares Predict Elevated Suicidal Symptoms

Self-reported nightmares among patients seeking emergency psychiatric evaluation uniquely predicted elevated suicidal symptoms, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Results indicate that severe nightmares were independently associated with elevated suicidal symptoms after accounting for the influence of depression, whereas symptoms of insomnia were not. These findings suggest that nightmares stand alone as a suicide risk factor. The sample included 82 men and women between the ages of 18 and 66, who were in a community mental health hospital admissions unit awaiting an emergency psychiatric evaluation. Evaluations determined eligibility for crisis stabilization inpatient admittance. Patients" nightmares, insomnia, depression and suicidal tendencies were assessed through several questionnaires, including the Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). According to principal investigator, Rebecca Bernert, doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Florida State University, findings of the study emphasize the need for a more thorough assessment of sleep among acutely-ill patients, as it may be an important opportunity for intervention. "Sleep disturbances, especially nightmares, appear to be an acute warning sign and risk factor for suicide," said Bernert. "Given that poor sleep is amenable to treatment, and less stigmatized than depression and suicide, our findings could impact standardized suicide risk assessment and prevention efforts." The study states that sleep complaints are now listed among the top 10 warning signs of suicide by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Sleep and mood disturbances are closely related, and depression is the single best predictor of suicide. People who suffer from persistent sleep problems should consult a sleep expert at one of the 1,600 centers accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Those experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which offers a 24-hour crisis hotline. Abstract Title: Insomnia and Nightmares as Predictors of Elevated Suicide Risk Among Patients Seeking Admission to Emergency Mental Health Facility Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 9 Category: Sleep in Psychiatric Disorders Abstract ID: 1120 Kelly Wagner American Academy of Sleep Medicine


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):