Recovery Michigan

http://goo.gl/zGtTmf

Every year in the U.S., an estimated 2 million people suffer a TBI, accounting for a major cause of disability across all age groups. Although 75 percent of reported TBI cases are milder forms such as concussion, even concussion may cause chronic neurological impairments, including cognitive, motor and sleep problems.

“Sleep disturbances, such as excessive daytime sleepiness and nighttime insomnia, disrupt quality of life and can delay cognitive recovery in patients with TBI,” said Lim, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. Although physicians can relieve the dangerous swelling that occurs after a severe TBI, there are no existing treatments to address the underlying brain damage associated with neurobehavioral problems such as impaired memory, learning and sleep patterns.

Cohen and team investigate the use of selected branched chain amino acids (BCAA)—precursors of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA, which are involved in communication among neurons and help to maintain a normal balance in brain activity. His research team previously showed that a BCAA diet restored cognitive ability in brain-injured mice. The current study was the first to analyze sleep-wake patterns in an animal model.

Many ads as the page opens, unfortunately...

http://goo.gl/G8f1Kz

"This legislation would eliminate initiatives that promote recovery from serious mental illnesses through the use of evidence-based, voluntary, peer-run services and family supports," said Daniel Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., a founder of the NCMHR. "These services have a proven track record in helping people stay out of the hospital and live successfully in the community. Because hospitalization is far more expensive and has far worse outcomes than these effective, and cost-efficient, community-based services, this bill would cost more money for worse outcomes."

"Even worse," Dr. Fisher added, "the bill greatly promotes stigma and discrimination by its unfounded and damaging connection between mental illness and violence."

http://goo.gl/KwKPyQ

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it plans to issue a $50 million funding opportunity announcement to help Community Health Centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, and drug and alcohol problems.  Community Health Centers will be able to use these new funds, made available through the Affordable Care Act, for efforts such as hiring new mental health and substance use disorder professionals, adding mental health and substance use disorder services, and employing team-based models of care. 

http://goo.gl/ibdoSr

Type 2 diabetes has long been linked to higher risk of depression in women, and previous research has associated both of these conditions with pain. But a new study suggests that vitamin D supplementation can reduce both depression and pain in women with type 2 diabetes.

http://goo.gl/YwkfqB

There is growing concern that long-term untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may increase the risk of developing a number of medical problems, particularly compromised cardiovascular health.

The researchers detected the presence of myocardial ischemia in 17% of the participants with PTSD but only 10% of participants without PTSD. This increase was not explained by differences in traditional cardiac risk factors, health behaviors like alcohol use and sleep quality, or depression.

"Persistent PTSD symptoms produce more than psychological distress; they constitute a major adaptive challenge for the entire body," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. "Increased risk for cardiac ischemia may turn out to be an important new concern for individuals suffering from long-standing untreated PTSD."

http://goo.gl/4o9aJ3

The experiences of the six states that expanded Medicaid in the years just before the 2014 start of the Affordable Care Act show that costs are hard to predict and new beneficiaries likely suffer from untreated mental health or substance abuse issues, according to a new report.

Since the passage of President Obama's health care overhaul in 2010, five states and Washington, D.C., have expanded coverage to some or all of the low-income population that the federal government will cover completely before phasing down support to 90 percent. All of them—California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington state—cover childless adults at varying levels, from 23 percent of the federal poverty line in New Jersey to 200 percent in some California counties. The federal government will cut off expansion coverage at 138 percent of the federal poverty line under the latest eligibility system starting 2014.

Interviews with Medicaid officials in those states formed the basis of the study from the Urban Institute and the Harvard School of Public Health. The report was recently published in the Medicare and Medicaid Research Review, a publication of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A perfect example of stigma. And why the argument, "Why are you worried if you have nothing to hide?" is meaningless. Finally, another reason not to seek treatment...

http://goo.gl/sDLihL

In the article it states Ms. Jackson said the border agent “cited the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212, which denies entry to people who have had a physical or mental disorder that may pose a ‘threat to the property, safety or welfare’ of themselves or others.”

According to the article: “The agent gave her a signed document which stated that ‘system checks’ had found she ‘had a medical episode in June 2012’ and that because of the “mental illness episode’’ she would need a medical evaluation before being accepted.”

In order to be allowed entry, she needed to be ‘assessed’ by one of three Home Security approved doctors at a cost of $500. A statement from her psychiatrist wouldn’t do.

http://goo.gl/aPDPLQ

After a week of resveratrol, researchers measured how much dopamine was released by methamphetamine. Researchers found that resveratrol significantly diminished methamphetamine's ability to increase dopamine levels in the brain. Furthermore, resveratrol diminished methamphetamine's ability to increase activity in mice, a behavior that models the hyperactivity observed in people that use the stimulant.

"People are encouraged by physicians and dieticians to include resveratrol-containing products in their diet and protection against methamphetamine's harmful effects may be an added bonus," Miller said. "Additionally, there are no consistently effective treatments to help people who are dependent on methamphetamine. Our initial research suggests that resveratrol could be included in a treatment regimen for those addicted to methamphetamine and it has potential to decrease the craving and desire for the drug. Resveratrol is found in good, colorful foods, and has few side effects. We all ought to consume resveratrol for good brain health; our research suggests it may also prevent the changes in the brain that occur with the development of drug addiction."

http://goo.gl/qYu5Pl

Curing insomnia in people with depression could double their chance of a full recovery, scientists are reporting. The findings, based on an insomnia treatment that uses talk therapy rather than drugs, are the first to emerge from a series of closely watched studies of sleep and depression to be released in the coming year.

The new report affirms the results of a smaller pilot study, giving scientists confidence that the effects of the insomnia treatment are real. If the figures continue to hold up, the advance will be the most significant in the treatment of depression since the introduction of Prozac in 1987.

Lots of Resources...

http://goo.gl/Sv4uR

You can learn more about dissociative disorders here. We also have videos on dissociative disorders and a blog on did. And if you are looking for dissociative disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder support, we hope you'll join theHealthyPlace.com Support Network Forums and Chat (our social network). Many times, sharing support and information with others who have common experiences can be helpful and comforting.