While we posted an article previously on social media use being associated with poor adolescent mental health, some may question if social media is all that bad, or if possibly it could be helpful or therapeutic for those with mental health issues. The article, "Teen Depression and How Social Media Can Help or Hurt" provides just this alternative point of view, suggesting that for some youth social media may actually be a positive thing in their lives and may be beneficial in addressing mood disorders. The author, who is a physician, describes her own son's struggle with depression and anxiety, and shares how through Instagram and Youtube he came to see that he was not alone when it came to the dark and confusing emotions he was experiencing. More than that, through these online connections, videos, and photos her son found hope, love, support and positivity, which she believes help him to stay strong. "In the past several years, we have seen many devastating stories of teenage suicides and their link with interactions on social media. But I think it would be a serious mistake to classify all social media as negative. Research supports that social media can help friendships: 52% of teens report a positive impact, as opposed to only 4% saying it was a negative. Posting on Facebook and viewing one's profile may help improve self-esteem. Most clearly what I've heard from my son is about the huge amount of support peers give each other when they are depressed or are the targets of bullying." Put your knowledge and skills to the test with this case of Miss A, a 13 year old girl who is admitted to a pediatric unit after an episode of syncope and LOC that was preceded by prodromal symptoms. During an initial assessment, the patient reports significant preoccupation with weight gain and tells you that she has been restricting her calories and engaging in purging behaviours including vomiting, laxative use, and excessive exercise. She had stopped eating and drinking 3 days prior to her presentation to hospital. While demonstrating multiple depressive symptoms, her MSE most notably shows considerable psychomotor retardation, a blunted affect, poverty of speech, and delayed responses. Miss A has no personal history of mental illness, but does endorse passive suicidal ideation and self-injurious behaviour recently. There is also family history of both bipolar disorder and anorexia nervosa. How would you work this patient up? Can you come up with a diagnosis or treatment plan? "A depressed adolescent who won’t eat and reacts slowly" by Shephali Sharma and Julie Alonso-Katzowitz (Current Psychiatry) During Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, attention often focuses on school-age children and teens, and the age-associated behavioural, developmental, and mental health conditions that can affect these young people. But what about newborn babies and infants ... should we be concerned with their mental health? And at what age exactly does mental health truly begin? Advocate and executive director of ZERO TO THREE explores this concept of infant mental health in the article "Babies' Mental Health Matters". "Babies have "mental health" -- they are deeply feeling beings who are developing a sense of who they are, their value and worth, from day one. This process begins with the dance that takes place during everyday moments, like feeding, which are actually quite extraordinary when you look at them through the eyes of a young child." |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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