Study Says:

Mental Illness Alone Is No Trigger for Violence 

 

 CHICAGO -- A new large study challenges the idea that mental illness alone is a leading cause of violence.

Researchers instead blame a combination of factors, specifically substance abuse and a history of violent acts, that drives up the danger when combined with mental illness in what they call an "intricate link."

People with serious mental illness, without other big risk factors, are no more violent than most people, according to the study of more than 34,000 U.S. adults. The research was released Monday in Archives of General Psychiatry.

Relieving Childhood Anxiety; Improves Balance

 

 

As increasing numbers of children are diagnosed with anxiety, researchers have discovered that the link between balance and anxiety can be assessed at an early age and that something can be done about it before it becomes a problem.

Dr. Orit Bart at Tel Aviv University’s School of Health Professions, and her colleagues, have found that a simple course of physical treatment for balance problems can also resolve anxiety issues in children. Her work offers new hope for normal social and emotional development for children with both disorders.

Q: Why is the interruption of routines so difficult for a child?

Linda: One thing that makes the holidays difficult for children is the interruption of routines and rituals. Routines lend themselves to a sense of security, and everyone knows that routines go out the window during the holiday times. Please try to keep the routines the same as before, as much as you can. When things have to change, let your child know: “Things are going to be a little bit different today. We’re going to do such and such.” Routines, rituals and traditions are very important to children.

Q: Why is it important to keep some of the same routines for kids during the holidays?

Linda: Many times during the holidays as parents we want to protect our children, so we try to make everything different, and sometimes that’s a mistake. Sometimes it’s okay to keep things the same. Children feel security in routines and traditions, so sit down, talk to the children and ask them what they want to change, but let them know you still want to keep some things the same. Go with the flow of what your children want to do. And any change you make, you need to feel comfortable with, too, because if you don’t feel comfortable, that’s going to impact the children.

Q: Why are Thanksgiving and Christmas so stressful to children of divorce?

Linda: With all the rushing around at the holidays—parties, church, concerts, plays, shopping—you still have to work, and you get stressed out. Think of the child. They feel the stress both in your family and in your ex’s family. They have double whammies of stress. Children do get very stressed out during the holidays.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 11, 2006) — People who get scared when they experience a pounding heart, sweaty palms or dizziness -- even if the cause is something as mundane as stress, exercise or caffeine -- are more likely to develop a clinical case of anxiety or panic disorder, according to a Florida State University researcher in Tallahassee, Fla.

While other researchers have proposed a connection between this so-called "anxiety sensitivity" and a range of anxiety problems, the study by FSU psychology professors N. Brad Schmidt and Jon Maner and University of Vermont Professor Michael Zvolensky provides the first evidence that anxiety sensitivity is a risk factor in the development of anxiety disorders. The study will be published in the December issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

"Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders affecting children and adolescents. Untreated anxiety can undermine a child's success in school, jeopardize his or her relationships with family, and inhibit social functioning," said NIMH Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D. "This study provides strong evidence and reassurance to parents that a well-designed, two-pronged treatment approach is the gold standard, while a single line of treatment is still effective."

 

Call it trickle-down anxiety.

The effects on children are showing up at schools, where kids are complaining about stomachaches and sleep problems.

Some researchers estimate that 2 million children will be affected by the nation's foreclosure crisis. Meanwhile, jobs are being cut, too.

Although the worries — especially housing issues — are not hitting Rochester as hard as other areas, school counselors and social workers are seeing some of the same concerns among area students. They say some children are dealing with the strain of family incomes dipping because of layoffs or other concerns. They say these concerns manifest themselves in stress and in practical concerns such as college considerations.