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Just an innocent photo or an inflated sense of ‘selfie’?
Julie Bernhard Mental HealthcareWhat on the surface may seem like a simple self-portrait might actually clue others in on your personal relationships, psychologists say. According to a recent study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, posting too many "selfies" on social media might actually lead to issues with your romantic partner.
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Working to minimize drug diversion
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalThe issue of drug diversion — the illegal theft of controlled drugs — continues to increase at an alarming rate across the U.S. A complex and multifaceted problem, drug diversion must be addressed before it reaches epic proportions. The current dilemma for healthcare officials is how to implement the right practices across a wide variety of locations for many years to come.
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Study shows connection between life purpose and risk of death
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareWe all have a need to find purpose in life. Some people find a way to express their purposes in their jobs, while others seek opportunities outside their daily work. Our purpose in life may be something grand and complicated, or it may be as simple as dispensing love and kindness wherever we go. Just as we eat healthy foods and exercise to take care of our bodies, seeking a meaningful life of purpose nourishes the spirit and, as contemporary research shows, improves our emotional and physical health as well.
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Females and ADHD: A growing awareness
Rebecca Ryan EducationAt the first sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — a messy backpack, fidgety in nature, slipping grades — boys are medicated with Ritalin, Adderall or a similar variation. But what about girls? When the roles are reversed, it's often not quite so simple.
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Fragmented sleep may be linked to stroke risk in elderly
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareA new study has identified a link between disrupted sleep and the risk of cerebral blood vessel damage in the form of arteriosclerosis and macroscopic and microscopic infarcts in the elderly population. Although several forms of sleep disruption are associated with stroke, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep and histopathologic measures of cerebrovascular disease.
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More clues to understanding schizophrenia
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareThe exact causes of schizophrenia, which affects about one in every 100 adults worldwide and more than two million Americans, have eluded physicians and scientists for centuries. Although available drugs to treat this disorder may blunt some of the symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, they do not treat the underlying causes. Two theories have for decades dominated research on the causes of schizophrenia: genetics and neurotransmitters. Over the past two years, a third theory has become the first major new addition to schizophrenia study in the last half-century.
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More research shows benefits of marijuana in treating Alzheimer’s
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareNew research out of Israel shows marijuana can help improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. A low dose of the cannabinoid found in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was found to show significant improvements of several behavioral domains related to the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease dementia.
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New screening guidelines show increased focus on mental health
Jessica Taylor Mental HealthcareOn Jan. 26, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated their guidelines for depression screenings. The new guidelines call for screening all adults 18 and older, particularly pregnant and postpartum women. This is an update from their 2009 recommendations, showing more concrete evidence of the importance of screening for depression after and during pregnancy.
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Despite study’s conclusion, random acts of joy are good for you
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental HealthcareAs I walked from my car to the shopping mall entrance, I encountered him — a gentleman who demonstrated a random act of pure joy. He leaped off the curb, clicked his heels in the air in a truly carefree manner with a huge grin on his face.
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Exposure to sunlight may be key to avoiding winter’s seasonal colds
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareFor most of us, the shorter days of winter bring an increased risk of health problems. Now, a group of researchers has found a genetic marker throughout the population worldwide that is partially responsible for the seasonal winter increases in health problems.
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