Dogs have long been used to help the blind, but they may now start being used to help those with mental health problems, reports the Guardian. Called, ‘assistance’ or ‘support’ dogs, studies have shown they can help create a feeling of security and help with social contact, encouraging interaction and helping with agoraphobia. In America, read more »

A new study has shown that children who don’t get enough sleep may be more prone to hyperactivity and bad behaviour, reports the BBC today. The study of 280 seven and eight year old children showed that those who got less than eight hours sleep a night were the most hyperactive, and showed signs of read more »

The symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome may help fuel creativity, reports The Times today. It is now thought that writer Samuel Johnson, who wrote A Dictionary of the English Language in 1747, suffered from Tourette’s, and that the symptoms of the condition were linked to the way he wrote – in particular the sporadic bursts of read more »

One in ten American children are addicted to computer games, reports the Times today. New research has shown that young children who play games exhibit signs of a gambling addiction such as becoming irritable when not playing, and lying about how much they play. 1,178 children aged between 8 to 18 were surveyed, and over read more »

The results of a 12 year study has shown that painkillers cannot prevent developing Alzheimers. It was previously thought that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimers, as it is caused by inflammation, reports the BBC. The study was carried out by the read more »

Children who have brain damage caused by their mothers drinking during pregnancy will get special help in school, reports the Guardian. Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) affects over 6,000 children every year, and symptoms can range from behavioural difficulties to physical disabilities to hyperactivity. £50,000 is being put forward by the Training and Development Agency, read more »

GPs are failing to let those suffering with depression know about all the treatment options available to them according to a new study, reports The Independent. The study carried out by the Depression Alliance, entitled Daring To Choose, surveyed 513 people diagnosed with depression, and revealed that only a third had been told there were read more »

A promotion at work may result in mental health problems according to new research, reports the BBC website. Warwick University carried out a poll of 1000 workers who had been promoted in the last five years, and found that on average, each volunteer’s mental health had deteriorated by around 10%. The research is due to read more »

A new poll has shown that nearly 20% of mothers of twins and triplets experience post-natal depression, reports the Telegraph today. The survey of more than 1000 mothers carried out by the Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba) found that 17% of mothers who had multiple births experienced post-natal depression, possibly due to most birth read more »

New Government plans to regulate psychotherapists have caused division, reports the Independent. The proposals by the Government call for Britain’s 50,000 psychotherapists to be regulated, ensuring clients are protected. However, therapists themselves are now split – some believe that these precautions are necessary, whilst others believe the Government’s plans will hinder how they carry out read more »