Toward a Blood Test for Mood Disorders

A team led by Alexander B. Niculescu III, M.D., Ph.D., of Indiana University School of Medicine reported that it has demonstrated how biomarkers in the blood might be able to measure the presence or absence, and even the intensity, of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. This advance, while preliminary, is encouraging for those who eagerly await the development of reliable tests for rapid, positive diagnosis of mental illness. Such tests, if perfected, would be a boon to patients, permitting early diagnosis, and a powerful means of overcoming stigma. The biomarkers found by Dr. Niculescu are present in differing amounts in individuals suffering from high or low mood states. Although much research must be performed before such relationships can be quantified and validated, the results reported indicate a path forward for this important work. Press release: http://www.narsad.org/news/press/rg_2008/res2008-03-05.html

The Holiday-Suicide Myth

One of the more persistent myths about the end-of-year holidays is that suicides rise during this period. According to a recently completed analysis of news reporting during last year’s holiday period, there was renewed repetition of this myth in newspaper reporting. The analysis, released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, shows that about half of the articles written during last year’s holiday season that made a direct connection to the season perpetuated the myth.

The fact is that the rate of suicide in the U.S. is lowest in December and peaks in the spring and fall.

“Although there has been a drop in press support of the myth since 1999, it is disappointing to see that so many stories continue to reinforce the myth,” said Dan Romer, the director of Annenberg’s Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, which conducted the study. “Reporters who make the link should realize that they are making a connection that just doesn’t exist.”

Read the December 8, 2008 press release here: http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Releases/Release_HolidaySuicide/suiciderelease%202008%20with%20tables.pdf

While suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously at any time of year, there’s no reason to think that this month is especially dangerous.

Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger?

The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors published a study two years ago called "Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness." The report analyzed data from 16 states, and found that, on average, people with severe mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population.

The causes of physical illness and death among psychiatric patients are much the same as those in other groups — cigarette smoking, obesity, diabetes — and are treatable.

Read the full story, published in the December 8, 2008 edition of Time magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1863220,00.html

What a Difference a Friend Makes

Check out the 'What a Difference a Friend Makes' site: whatadifference.samhsa.gov, a site for people living with mental illness—and their friends. The site offers tools to help in the recovery process, information about the different kinds of mental illnesses, real-life stories about support and recovery, and videos about how friends can make all the difference.