Evidence is emerging that probiotics, those living organisms found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can do more than improve digestive health. Preliminary research has found that some of these bacteria may also have antidepressant or anxiolytic effects.
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than two out of every five middle and high school students who smoke either use flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes.
The epidemic of psychiatric comorbidity has been a problem since DSM-III appeared way back in 1980. Not much has been done to improve this area in the subsequent editions of the manual.
Unfortunately, children are exposed to traumatic events—isolated ones such as natural disasters or serious accidents, and recurring traumas such as domestic violence and sexual abuse. However, throughout history, most people didn’t believe that children experienced lasting psychic trauma as a result of these events.
Treatment options for pediatric PTSD and trauma symptoms are limited, and the symptoms are clearly detrimental to youths’ functioning, particularly in the presence of comorbid disorders.
Two decades ago, Terrie Moffitt first proposed that there are two distinct kinds of antisocial behavior in children: one that starts when kids are young, is life-long and is neurobiolgically-based, and one that develops in adolescence and that kids can grow out of.
More than 75% of cases of child abuse in the US involve neglect, according to a consensus report from the Institute of Medicine released in September 2013.
Ten percent of high school seniors report drinking more than 10 drinks at one time, and 5.6% report drinking more than 15, according to a recent study in JAMA Pediatrics (Patrick ME et al, Online First September 16, 2013).