Harvard Mental Health Letter articles from December 2005

Harvard Mental Health Letter archives from December 2005

Benzodiazepines (and the alternatives).
December 1, 2005... With the introduction of chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium) in the early 1960s, a new era in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety began. The benzodiazepines were more effective and far safer than the older drugs -- barbiturates,...

Anxiety sensitivity.
December 1, 2005... "The thing I fear most is fear," wrote the sixteenth century philosophical essayist Michel de Montaigne. He might have been referring to anxiety sensitivity, a phenomenon first described by psychologists in the 1980s and since then increasingly...

Working off depression.
December 1, 2005... A good workout makes you feel better, and regular exercise not only enhances physical health but can lift mood, reduce stress, and heighten self-esteem by improving appearance and physical strength. But how useful is exercise for people with...

In Brief; Post-traumatic stress without trauma.
December 1, 2005... A study published in June 2005 challenges the accepted view of reactions to trauma by showing that experiences not usually regarded as traumatic can cause the characteristic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More than 800...

Questions & Answers: Is Strattera dangerous?
December 1, 2005... Q. What is the significance of the new warnings about suicide risk with Strattera? A. In September 2005, the FDA directed the manufacturer of atomoxetine (Strattera), a new treatment marketed in 2002 for attention deficit hyperactivity...