Women are far more likely than men to develop thyroid problems, especially past age 50, and abnormal levels of thyroid hormones can cause depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric symptoms, according to a report in the November 21 New York Times. The menopausal transition can also put middle-aged women at risk of major depression, a 10-year prospective study has found, and the cause may well be changes in reproductive hormones.

Clinicians should view the menopausal transition and the early postmenopausal period as times in which women are at increased risk for development of major depression. You can read more about this study here

Source: American Psychiatric Association

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This finding raises questions of great importance about how to educate the health care workforce, how to develop and implement strategies to facilitate identifying fathers with mental health problems, and how to develop referral systems and ways to reimburse for this vital work, wrote Weitzman and colleagues.

Children who live with their depressed fathers are more likely than their peers to have emotional and behavioral problems. That’s the finding of Michael Weitzman, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, and colleagues published in the November 7 Pediatrics. The researchers said the negative effects of maternal mental health problems on child health are well documented, but this is the first study to show that living with depressed fathers is independently associated with increased rates of children’s emotional and behavior problems. Their study population was a representative sample of 22,000 children and their parents.

Source: American Psychiatric Association

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Most young people listen to a range of music in positive ways; to block out crowds, to lift their mood or to give them energy when exercising, but young people at risk of depression are more likely to be listening to music, particularly heavy metal music, in a negative way.

University of Melbourne researcher Dr Katrina McFerran has found that young people at risk of depression are more likely to listen habitually and repetitively to heavy metal music. (they apparently are not necessarily wallowing in melancholy sad songs).

By conducting in-depth interviews with 50 young people aged between 13 and 18, along with a national survey of 1000 young people, Dr McFerran is looking to develop an early intervention model that can be integrated into schools to impact positively before behavioral problems occur.

“The mp3 revolution means that young people are accessing music more than ever before and it’s not uncommon for some to listen to music for seven or eight hours a day,” she said.

When someone listens to the same song or album of heavy metal music over and over again and doesn’t listen to anything else they do this to isolate themselves or escape from reality.

“If this behavior continues over a period of time then it might indicate that this young person is suffering from depression or anxiety, and at worst, might suggest suicidal tendencies.”

Dr McFerran said parents should be aware of their children’s music listening habits, pick up on early warning signs and take early action.

“If parents are worried, they should ask their children questions like – how does that music make you feel? If children say the music reflects or mirrors the way they feel then ask more about what the music is saying,” she said.

“If listening doesn’t make them feel good about themselves, this should ring alarm bells. Alternatively, if parents notice a downturn in their child’s mood after listening to music this is also a cause for showing interest and getting involved.”

You would like to think so wouldn’t you? Whether a head-banger, Gagga or Kanya -lover, musical preference often is part and parcel of your personality. What potential effects music has on behavior and mood— well that’s still up for debate . Does heavy metal music lead to depression? or are depressed individuals drawn to this type of music? What do you think?

Source:University of Melbourne