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Study Suggests Screen Time May Benefit Adolescent Brain Health, Challenging Common Assumptions

Study Suggests Screen Time May Benefit Adolescent Brain Health, Challenging Common Assumptions

A recent Finnish study, part of the long-running PANIC project, has found an unexpected correlation: greater screen use during childhood was associated with stronger cognitive processing in adolescence. This finding challenges the common assumption that all screen time is detrimental to developing brains. Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä and their colleagues analyzed data from 260 teenagers, with an average age of 15.8 years, examining their screen use habits and cognitive abilities. The study suggests that modern screens are not solely entertainment devices but also tools for active mental work, such as writing, designing, communicating, researching, building virtual worlds, playing demanding games, and learning new skills. These activities require planning, quick decisions, memory, and problem-solving, which could contribute to improved cognitive performance. Petri Jalanko, a doctoral researcher, emphasized the importance of the quality of screen use, advocating for a balance between physical...
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Orthorexia, an Obsession with Healthy Eating, Becomes More Prevalent

Orthorexia, an Obsession with Healthy Eating, Becomes More Prevalent

Orthorexia, an Obsession with Healthy Eating, Becomes More Prevalent
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Michigan Medicine Expands Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program with New Social Worker Positions

Michigan Medicine Expands Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program with New Social Worker Positions

Michigan Medicine is expanding its Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program (CAPHP) by adding two full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) positions. These social workers will be integral members of a multidisciplinary team providing intensive mental health care to youth aged 12-17 at the Ypsilanti Health Center. The roles involve facilitating evidence-based group therapy, individual and family interventions, and conducting biopsychosocial assessments. Responsibilities also include providing daily caregiver support, psychoeducation, safety planning, case management, and discharge planning. The program emphasizes a collaborative approach within a world-class academic health system, focusing on evidence-based treatment modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address a variety of mental health issues in youth.
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Consistent Sleep Routines and REM Sleep Linked to Reduced Disease Risk

Consistent Sleep Routines and REM Sleep Linked to Reduced Disease Risk

A new study published in PLOS Medicine, analyzing data from nearly 100,000 adults in the UK Biobank, indicates that increased Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is associated with a lower risk of over 80 health conditions, including heart failure, hypertension, and dementias. Additionally, more deep sleep was linked to a reduced risk of seven diseases. Conversely, greater time spent in light sleep, a marker of poorer sleep quality, was associated with a higher risk of conditions like major depressive disorder. The study also found that irregular sleep patterns and higher wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO) scores were linked to increased risks of various health issues, such as anxiety and psychoactive substance dependence. Experts emphasize the importance of consistent sleep schedules, recommending individuals wake up at roughly the same time daily, even on weekends, to help regulate the brain's sleep-wake patterns. Optimal sleep duration is suggested to be between 6-8 hours.
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Semmelweis University Research Identifies Problematic Smartphone Use Beyond Total Screen Time

Semmelweis University Research Identifies Problematic Smartphone Use Beyond Total Screen Time

Research from Semmelweis University indicates that problematic smartphone use is influenced less by personality traits alone and more by weak self-control and a strong fear of missing out (FOMO). The study, published in Acta Psychologica, examined smartphone habits, mental health, physical well-being, and cognitive performance among students aged 18 to 35. It found a distinction between the mental and physical effects of smartphone use: how people use their phones is closely tied to attention and memory, while total screen time is more strongly associated with bodily consequences. Participants were categorized into 'pure social' users, 'light process' users (less than four to five hours daily for content consumption), and 'heavy process' users (four to five hours or more daily, primarily consuming content). 'Heavy process' users performed worse on cognitive tests related to attention and memory and experienced poorer sleep. The study also highlighted that passive content consumption, such as endless scroll...
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Study Finds No Link Between Screen Time and Language Delays in Autistic Children, Contrasting Neurotypical Findings

Study Finds No Link Between Screen Time and Language Delays in Autistic Children, Contrasting Neurotypical Findings

A recent U.S. study has found that screen time is not statistically associated with expressive or receptive language skills in autistic children aged two to five. This finding, published in Autism Research, contradicts previous research on neurotypical children, where heavy screen use has frequently been linked to developmental delays. The study, led by Meredith Pecukonis, an assistant professor at Smith College, analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 1,217 autistic children in the United States, collected between 2018 and 2022 through parent surveys. While screen time showed no association, the research did indicate that higher socioeconomic status and more frequent shared book reading were positively linked to better language skills in autistic children. The study also noted that autistic children from higher-income families tended to engage in more shared reading and less screen time.
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Halsey Discusses 'Toxic Empathy' and Codependent Habits on 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast

Halsey Discusses 'Toxic Empathy' and Codependent Habits on 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast

Halsey Discusses 'Toxic Empathy' and Codependent Habits on 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast
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Health Experts Raise Concerns Over Rising Creatine Use Among U.S. Teens

Health Experts Raise Concerns Over Rising Creatine Use Among U.S. Teens

Health experts in the U.S. are observing a notable increase in creatine use among teenagers, particularly males, who are taking the muscle-building supplement to enhance their appearance and fitness. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that supports muscle growth and recovery and is readily available without a prescription in various retail outlets. While generally considered safe for adults at appropriate dosages, some pediatricians and health professionals are expressing concerns regarding its use by adolescents due to a lack of specific studies on its safety for this age group. Dr. Mohammed Hassan-Ali, a pediatrician, noted an increase in preteen and teenage patients using creatine, sometimes exceeding recommended amounts and neglecting proper hydration, leading to issues like dizziness and fainting. This trend is partly attributed to social media influences and unrealistic body image expectations, with some teens seeking 'shortcuts' for quick performance and appearance gains, potentially leading...
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Congress Introduces Resolution for Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day

Congress Introduces Resolution for Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day

A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to designate September 20th as Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day. The resolution was put forth by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), with Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) among its cosponsors. This initiative, established in 2023 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about suicide prevention within the pharmacy profession. The resolution highlights that healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, face an increased risk of suicide due to chronic understaffing, heavy workloads, administrative burdens, frequent interruptions, and aggressive performance expectations. These pressures not only affect individual well-being but also impact patient safety and the long-term sustainability of the profession.
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September Designated as National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month

September Designated as National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month

September has been designated as National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month. This annual observance aims to replace silence and shame surrounding mental health issues with open conversations and increased awareness. Advocacy groups and healthcare providers across the country are utilizing this month to highlight prevention, intervention, and ongoing care resources. In the Tri-State area, leaders with Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare emphasize that a significant obstacle individuals face during mental health struggles is the tendency to withdraw from others. Dr. Lionel Phelps, president and CEO of Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, states that awareness helps people feel comfortable discussing their struggles and challenges, countering the isolation often associated with depression and anxiety.
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Edmond Receives $3 Million Federal Grant for Behavioral Health Crisis Response

Edmond Receives $3 Million Federal Grant for Behavioral Health Crisis Response

The City of Edmond has been awarded a federal grant totaling $3 million over four years to enhance its behavioral health crisis response services. This grant, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team Partnerships program, will provide $750,000 annually. Edmond is one of only 17 recipients nationwide and one of two in Oklahoma to secure this funding, which notably does not require a local match. The city plans to collaborate with Community Bridges Inc. and DCCCA Oklahoma to bolster mobile crisis response capabilities and offer additional training for crisis teams and community agencies. The primary goal of this initiative is to establish or improve mobile crisis teams that cater to children, youth, and adults experiencing mental health or substance use crises, thereby offering alternatives to traditional law enforcement and emergency department interventions for behavioral health emergencies.
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Journaling Offers Mental Wellness Benefits, Though Effects Can Vary

Journaling Offers Mental Wellness Benefits, Though Effects Can Vary

Journaling Offers Mental Wellness Benefits, Though Effects Can Vary