People with anxiety and depression are most likely to use a shade of gray to represent their mental state. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medical Research Methodology describe the development of a color chart, The Manchester Color Wheel, which can be used to study people’s preferred pigment in relation to their state of mind. [continue reading…]

Physicians use a variety of therapies to treat depression, including antidepressant medications. A new study reviewing research on these drugs shows while they offer a substantial benefit in treating very severe depression, they seem to have little or no effect treating mild or moderate depression. Catherine Dolf has more in this week’s JAMA Report.
Source: American Medical Association (AMA)

People who spend a lot of time browsing the net are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind in the West by University of Leeds psychologists.

Researchers found striking evidence that some users have developed a compulsive internet habit, whereby they replace real-life social interaction with online chat rooms and social networking sites. The results suggest that this type of addictive surfing can have a serious impact on mental health. [continue reading…]