Harvard Mental Health Letter: September 2007

A survey found that in certain situations of domestic disputes, women were more likely than men to have hit, pushed, or thrown something at their partner.

Research is challenging the perception that people can combat insomnia or anxiety by learning muscle relaxation techniques.

Studies of borderline personality disorder show success treating the condition with various types of therapy, while another study found that many of the more serious symptoms went away over time.

Concern about antidepressants increasing the risk of suicide in children could have the unintended effect that children suffering from depression may not receive needed treatment.

ADHD has become the most common mental health issue in preschool children. Some study has been done on giving medication to preschoolers with ADHD, but training parents to change their responses to their child's behavior is believed to be more effective.

Endophenotypes are characteristics of a disorder or illness that are not observable. It is hoped that study of these characteristics may lead to better understanding of the genetic causes of mental illnesses.

Hearing voices is a common symptom of schizophrenia. While some patients find relief with antipsychotic drugs, other techinques under investigation include electrical stimulation, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and meditation.