Harvard Mental Health Letter: November 2009

There was an error in the October 2009 article about premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

In addition to the reduced risk of cancer or heart disease, people who follow a Mediterranean-type diet and lead an active lifestyle are seemingly less likely to suffer cognitive decline as they grow older.

While children with ADHD typically have difficulty staying focused and sitting still, adults with the disorder are more likely to struggle with attention and memory. As with children, medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment option for adults.

  Survivors of a suicide include the person's family members, friends, coworkers, and in many cases mental health clinicians. Survivors may struggle with grief and guilt for much longer than those mourning other types of death.   Read More »

Somatoform disorders are generally defined as symptoms of pain or fatigue with no apparent physical cause. Studies have shown cognitive behavioral therapy to be the most effective treatment for these disorders.

A question about drinking that primary care physicians can ask patients may help identify people with alcohol problems, which tend to be underdiagnosed.

Researchers found that homeowners facing foreclosure have to bear a heavy psychological burden and, not surprisingly, have a higher incidence of symptoms of depression.