Mental health

About: Mental health is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 183794 publications have been published within this topic receiving 4340463 citations. The topic is also known as: mental wellbeing.

Psychiatric disorders in pregnant and postpartum women in the United States.

Abstract: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are widely considered periods of increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders.1–12 Psychiatric disorders during pregnancy are associated with poor maternal health13–19 and inadequate prenatal care.20–22 Maternal psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period are also associated with numerous adverse outcomes for the offspring, including maladaptive fetal growth and development,22–36 poor cognitive development and behavior during childhood and adolescence,23–32 and negative nutritional and health effects.13, 33–38 For these reasons, accurate information about the mental health status of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period is urgently needed. Most of what is known about psychiatric problems among pregnant women comes from findings among clinical samples, often without non-pregnant control groups. In these samples, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders ranges from 15% to 29%.15, 20–22, 39–47 Risk factors identified in these studies include lack of romantic partner, prior history of psychiatric disorder, and lifetime exposure to traumatic events. 22, 41, 42, 45, 48–50 Only 5% to 14% of women received treatment for the psychiatric disorder.15, 40, 41 However, no previous study used sampling methodology permitting accurate estimation of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among pregnant women in the United States. Further, no previous study included non-pregnant women of comparable age drawn from the general population in order to identify the specific contribution of pregnancy or the postpartum period to the risk of psychiatric disorders. Many studies were limited by use of screening scales rather than diagnostic measures for DSM-IV criteria. Finally, prior studies assessed only mood and anxiety disorders rather than a broader range of psychopathology. As the result of these gaps in research on mental disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period, accurate national information on the mental health of pregnant women is lacking. Such information is needed for focused planning at the national and local level, and to inform the development of prevention and intervention programs. The current study addresses these critical gaps in knowledge. In a nationally representative sample of pregnant women, we present 12-month prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders, compare these with the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in non-pregnant women of childbearing age, identify risk factors for such disorders, and provide estimates of lifetime and 12-month rates of treatment-seeking among pregnant and non-pregnant women with DSM-IV psychiatric disorders.

Migration and mental health

Abstract: Objective: Migration and its accompanying stressors affect migrating individuals and their families The process of migration is not simple or straightforward The aim of this review is to distil existing information on how migration influences individuals’ mental state and how it determines help seeking as well as pathways to care Method: The review relies on published studies in both MEDLINE and non-MEDLINE journals as well as relevant monographs The search was employed using migration, ethnic communities, stress and other relevant words for purposes of the review Results: The review provides a background on the typology of migration, its impact on communities as well as individuals Furthermore, the relationship of mental illness to migration is explored and described Future research plans are advocated in relationship with these findings Conclusion: Migration is and can be a very stress-inducing phenomenon Yet not all migrants go through the same process The clinician needs to be aware of coping strategies as well as resilience among migrants

Late-Life Engagement in Social and Leisure Activities Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Dementia: A Longitudinal Study from the Kungsholmen Project

Abstract: Recent findings suggest that a rich social network may decrease the risk of developing dementia. The authors hypothesized that such a protective effect may be due to social interaction and intellectual stimulation. To test this hypothesis, data from the 1987-1996 Kungsholmen Project, a longitudinal population-based study carried out in a central area of Stockholm, Sweden, were used to examine whether engagement in different activities 6.4 years before dementia diagnosis was related to a decreased incidence of dementia. Dementia cases were diagnosed by specialists according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised, criteria. After adjustment for age, sex, education, cognitive functioning, comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and physical functioning at the first examination, frequent (daily-weekly) engagement in mental, social, or productive activities was inversely related to dementia incidence. Adjusted relative risks for mental, social, and productive activities were 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34, 0.87), 0.58 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.91), and 0.58 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.91), respectively. Similar results were found when these three factors were analyzed together in the same model. Results suggest that stimulating activity, either mentally or socially oriented, may protect against dementia, indicating that both social interaction and intellectual stimulation may be relevant to preserving mental functioning in the elderly.

Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on mental health of children and adolescents: A narrative review with recommendations.

Abstract: Background COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought about a sense of fear and anxiety around the globe. This phenomenon has led to short term as well as long term psychosocial and mental health implications for children and adolescents. The quality and magnitude of impact on minors is determined by many vulnerability factors like developmental age, educational status, pre-existing mental health condition, being economically underprivileged or being quarantined due to infection or fear of infection. Aims This paper is aimed at narratively reviewing various articles related to mental-health aspects of children and adolescents impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and enforcement of nationwide or regional lockdowns to prevent further spread of infection. Methodology We conducted a review and collected articles and advisories on mental health aspects of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. We selected articles and thematically organized them. We put up their major findings under the thematic areas of impact on young children, school and college going students, children and adolescents with mental health challenges, economically underprivileged children, impact due to quarantine and separation from parents and the advisories of international organizations. We have also provided recommendations to the above. Conclusion There is a pressing need for planning longitudinal and developmental studies, and implementing evidence based elaborative plan of action to cater to the psycho social and mental health needs of the vulnerable children and adolescents during pandemic as well as post pandemic. There is a need to ameliorate children and adolescents’ access to mental health support services geared towards providing measures for developing healthy coping mechanisms during the current crisis. For this innovative child and adolescent mental health policies policies with direct and digital collaborative networks of psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, and community volunteers are deemed necessary.

The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise.

Abstract: Both physical activity and exposure to nature are known separately to have positive effects on physical and mental health. We have investigated whether there is a synergistic benefit in adopting ph...