Suicidal thoughts have haunted nearly one of every 10 pre-teens in the United States, a new study reveals. About 8.4% of children aged 9 or 10 said they’d temporarily or regularly harbored thoughts of suicide, researchers report. Importantly, only around 1% of children that age reported a suicide attempt or planning their suicide. But suicidal thoughts at that age are a warning sign of a future filled with woe, said senior researcher Dr. Sophia Frangou, a professor of psychiatry with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. “When you think of how young they are, 8% is quite a startling number,” Frangou said. “Thinking of killing yourself, and that life isn’t worth it, when you’re 9 is pretty extreme.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds, researchers said in background notes, and these sorts of thoughts paint a picture of a troubled childhood. “Being so seriously unhappy so early in life is a sign of vulnerability for adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood,” Frangou noted. “It’s not just about suicide.” For this study, Frangou and her colleagues analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, which is tracking the growth and health of nearly 12,000 children across the United States. Children and their caregivers filled out reports that included questions related to suicidal…  read on >

Could clues to future health emergencies be found in Facebook posts? Maybe so, according to a new study that discovered there are changes in users’ posts before they seek emergency care. For the study, researchers analyzed the Facebook posts and medical records of more than 2,900 patients at a U.S. urban hospital, including 419 who’d had a recent emergency department visit for problems ranging from chest pain to pregnancy-related issues. Analysis of Facebook posts from as early as 2.5 months before those patients’ emergency visits revealed that most had changes in their language before seeking emergency care. Specifically, they were less likely to post about leisure or use words like “play,” “fun” and “nap,” and less likely to use internet slang and informal language such as “u” instead of “you,” the findings showed. The closer they got to their emergency department visit, the patients’ Facebook posts increasingly focused on family and health. There was also increased use of anxious, worrisome and depressed language, according to the study published March 12 in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. The study suggests that social media posts may offer clues about health problems and could potentially be used to identify and help people, the researchers said. “The better we understand the context in which people are seeking care, the better they can be attended to,” said study author Sharath…  read on >

Chronic pain can keep kids from being social and active, leading to anxiety and depression, a child psychiatrist says. Unfortunately, this can turn into a vicious cycle — worsening depression and anxiety can also worsen pain perception. Between 5% and 20% of children live with chronic pain. It usually takes the form of bone and muscle pain, headaches or abdominal pain. “Parents may feel helpless and frightened as they watch their children try to cope — which can make them feel anxious and depressed, just when they need to be their child’s biggest cheerleader,” said Dr. Taranjeet Jolly. He is a psychiatrist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Harrisburg, Pa. But hope is not lost, he said. The first step is recognizing that a problem exists. “Look for red flags that depression may be overwhelming your child. Often your first clue is a change in their everyday routine,” Jolly said. “Is their sleep time way up or down? Is there a marked change in their social interaction? Maybe they are more irritable, angry or emotional.” Talk to your child about what’s going on and follow up with a pediatrician, he suggested. If he or she is diagnosed with depression, follow up with a child psychiatrist, he advised. “The treatment varies according to the level of severity, but something called cognitive behavioral…  read on >

For people who want to stop drinking, the world’s oldest alcohol support group is still the best way, a new review concludes. In an analysis of 27 studies, researchers found that Alcoholics Anonymous was typically more effective than behavioral therapies when it came to helping people remain abstinent. AA also appeared as good as those therapies in reducing excessive drinking, and the consequences of it. The researchers said the results might sound surprising: Behavioral therapies are delivered by mental health professionals, while AA is a support group run by lay people. Lead researcher Keith Humphreys said he was once a skeptic. “Early in my career, I thought it sounded silly,” said Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. “What could come from a bunch of people sitting around talking?” But it turns out, Humphreys said, that the program can give many people what they need — fellowship. That includes other group members who are dealing with the same issues, and a “sponsor” who can serve as a role model — someone who has managed to stay sober and get his or her life back on track. AA was founded in 1935, by two men in Akron, Ohio, who were looking for a way to stop drinking. They began a support group, then later developed AA’s famous “12 steps” —…  read on >

While many Americans are ready to celebrate the end of winter, those with seasonal allergies are already dreading the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and runny nose that spring brings. “Spring allergies can be tricky to treat because not everyone is allergic to the same things, even though symptoms may look a lot alike,” said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “There are some really effective treatments out there, but unfortunately no magic bullets.” Knowing what you’re allergic to is the key to dealing with spring allergy symptoms, he noted. Meadows’ advice? See an allergist to find out what you’re allergic to and to learn about the most appropriate ways to treat your allergies. Then, be prepared. Start taking allergy medications two to three weeks before you expect symptoms to begin, he urged in a college news release. That will make them easier to control. Remember: The start of allergy season depends on where you live. If you’re allergic to pollen, take steps to keep it out of your home, car and clothes, as well as your hair, eyes and nose. Keep windows in your house and car closed in the spring. After being outdoors, remove your shoes when you go inside and consider immediately washing your clothes to remove pollen. Shower at night before bed to make…  read on >

No matter whether your favorite team wins or loses, March Madness will likely put a slam dunk on your sleep habits. For many Americans, staying up late to watch NCAA basketball tournament games is a much-anticipated annual rite. But the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) warns that those late-night games can cause problems. “A lack of sleep can lead to trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling emotions and more,” AASM president Dr. Kelly Carden said in an academy news release. An AASM survey found that 58% of Americans said they stayed up past their bedtime to watch sports, including 72% of men. “It’s important to ensure sleep is a priority — even if there is a great game on — because getting healthy sleep on a regular basis positively impacts health, well-being and performance,” Carden explained. And, sleep isn’t only important for fans. Athletes who get more sleep perform better, according to the AASM. A 2011 study published in the journal Sleep found that when members of Stanford University men’s basketball team got more sleep, their shooting accuracy improved, with both free throw percentage and 3-point shots increasing by 9%. The players also improved their average sprint time. This year’s tournament begins March 15 and concludes April 6 with the national championship game in Atlanta. More information The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood…  read on >