Cyberbullying Linked to Increased Depression and PTSD
January 22, 2020
Science Daily/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Cyberbullying had the impact of amplifying symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in young people who were inpatients at an adolescent psychiatric hospital, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The study addressed both the prevalence and factors related to cyberbullying in adolescent inpatients.
"Even against a backdrop of emotional challenges in the kids we studied, we noted cyberbullying had an adverse impact. It's real and should be assessed," said Philip D. Harvey, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who co-authored the paper "Cyberbullying and Its Relationship to Current Symptoms and History of Early Life Trauma."
He says children with a history of being abused were found to be more likely to be cyberbullied, suggesting that assessments for childhood trauma should also include assessments for cyberbullying. Likewise, children who report being cyberbullied should be assessed for a history of childhood trauma.
"Cyberbullying is possibly more pernicious than other forms of bullying because of its reach," Dr. Harvey says. "The bullying can be viral and persistent. To really be bullying, it has to be personal -- a directly negative comment attempting to make the person feel bad."
The study helped to confirm other facts about cyberbullying:
Being online regularly or the amount of time spent on social media weren't determining factors in who was cyberbullied.
Cyberbullying cuts across all economic classes and ethnic backgrounds.
Adolescents who have been bullied in the past had a higher risk of being bullied again.
Studying Cyberbullying's Impact on an Inpatient Psychiatric Population
The study of 50 adolescent psychiatric inpatients ages 13 to 17 examined the prevalence of cyberbullying and related it to social media usage, current levels of symptoms and histories of adverse early life experience.
Conducted from September 2016 to April 2017 at a suburban psychiatric hospital in Westchester County, New York, the study asked participants to complete two childhood trauma questionnaires and a cyberbullying questionnaire.
Twenty percent of participants reported that they had been cyberbullied within the last two months before their admission. Half of the participants were bullied by text messages and half on Facebook. Transmitted pictures or videos, Instagram, instant messages and chat rooms were other cyberbullying vehicles.
Those who had been bullied had significantly higher severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anger, and fantasy dissociation than those who were not bullied.
Links to Childhood Trauma
Participants who reported being cyberbullied also reported significantly higher levels of lifetime emotional abuse on the study's Childhood Trauma Questionnaire than those who were not bullied. These same young people did not report a significantly higher level of other types of trauma (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect or physical neglect).
Further studies are needed to establish whether there may be some unique consequence of childhood emotional abuse that makes troubled teens more likely to experience or report cyberbullying.
Conclusions
While all of the participants in this study were psychiatric inpatients, those who had been bullied had significantly higher scores on PTSD, depression, anger, and dissociation scales than those who were not bullied. Dr. Harvey says this finding is consistent with past research.
Dr. Harvey encourages psychologists, psychiatrists and other counselors to routinely ask young people if they were abused or traumatized when they were younger and whether they are being bullied now.
He says adding these questions to the clinical evaluation of adolescents may bring to light symptoms that may have otherwise been ignored. Additionally, factors that may be causing or contributing to those symptoms can be targeted for specific intervention.
Parents and adolescents can take action to discourage bullying, Dr. Harvey says. "It's not hard to block someone on the Internet, whether it's texting, Facebook, Twitter, or sending pictures. Ask why are people choosing you to bully? If it's something you're posting, assess that and make a change."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080526.htm
Federal legislation ignores PTSD toll on civilians
November 11, 2014
Science Daily/Drexel University
Federal laws explicitly addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have overwhelmingly focused on the needs of military personnel and veterans, according to a new analysis. The study is the first to examine how public policy has been used to address psychological trauma and PTSD in the US, providing a glimpse of how lawmakers think about these issues.
"Although trauma and PTSD are serious issues affecting military populations, the raw number of people affected by PTSD includes substantially more civilians simply because the civilian population is so much larger," said Purtle.
"It's almost as if lawmakers didn't want to suggest that PTSD was also a disorder among civilians," Purtle said. "This gives a sense of how elected officials at the federal level might think about the dimensions of this problem, and shows that it doesn't match up with what's known about who gets PTSD."
The emphasis on military personnel in legislation addressing PTSD may reflect the history of the disorder, which first became known through cases in military members and veterans following combat experiences. The federal government's role in providing medical care for veterans could also contribute to the legislation's heightened emphasis on military PTSD in contrast to civilian PTSD.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141111124053.htm
Poor sleep quality linked to lower physical activity in people with PTSD
July 16, 2014
Science Daily/American Academy of Sleep Medicine
A new study shows that worse sleep quality predicts lower physical activity in people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Results show that PTSD was independently associated with worse sleep quality at baseline, and participants with current PTSD at baseline had lower physical activity one year later.
"We found that sleep quality was more strongly associated with physical activity one year later than was having a diagnosis of PTSD," said lead author Lisa Talbot, postdoctoral fellow at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco. "The longitudinal aspect of this study suggests that sleep may influence physical activity."
Further analysis found that sleep quality completely mediated the relationship between baseline PTSD status and physical activity at the one-year follow-up, providing preliminary evidence that the association of reduced sleep quality with reduced physical activity could comprise a behavioral link to negative health outcomes such as obesity.
"This study adds to the literature that shows that better sleep leads to healthier levels of exercise, and previous research has shown that better sleep leads to healthier food choices," said American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler. "It is clear that healthy sleep is an essential ingredient in the recipe for a healthy life."
"The findings also tentatively raise the possibility that sleep problems could affect individuals' willingness or ability to implement physical activity behavioral interventions," she said. "Sleep improvements might encourage exercise participation."
According to the National Center for PTSD of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD symptoms such as nightmares or flashbacks usually start soon after a traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or years later. Symptoms that last longer than four weeks, cause great distress or interfere with daily life may be a sign of PTSD.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140716123841.htm
The Mental Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
March 21, 2017
By Anne Foy, Guest Contributor
We live in a society where we are increasingly challenged by stress, as the levels of national stress in America continue to rise. According to the American Psychological Association, 75% of adults have reported that at some point over the last month they have experienced moderate to high levels of stress whilst the American Institute of Stress have found that 80% of workers feel stress in their workplace, and struggle to control that stress. There are many ways in which you can learn to control your stress, and many different techniques you can adopt to help you reduce your levels of stress within the workplace. However, the simple companionship offered by a pet, such as a dog or cat, is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety when you return home each evening. Here are just some of the mental health benefits of pet ownership:
Dogs Force You to Get Outside
From a physical health point of view, owning a dog forces you to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy some exercise, because dogs love to be walked at least once a day. Given that regular exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on levels of depression, stress and anxiety, this physical health benefit will quickly serve double duty as a mental health benefit too. Exercise elevates your mood, and exercising outside will increase your exposure to the health-boosting vitamin D in the sunshine, which can help prevent conditions such as depression, cancer, obesity, and heart disease. When you are outside with your pet, why not use this as an opportunity to practice mindfulness: to enjoy the nature around you and focus on the calming environment you find yourself in?
Pets Help you Relax
For those suffering from depression and other depression-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research has found that pet ownership has proved particularly beneficial, and many veterans returning to the US with PTSD are now routinely being offered forms of animal and in particular canine therapy to help them treat their conditions. The rhythmic petting and stroking of an animal forms a bond between the two of you and helps you to relax by releasing oxytocin. This is a hormone which is related to stress and anxiety relieve, which is why it proves so useful in PTSD treatment, and which can help to reduce blood pressure and lower cortisol levels in everyone, making stroking a pet you have a bond with a great natural stress reliever, and one that you can enjoy daily.
You’ll Never Be Lonely
Pets present a constant form of companionship, helping to alleviate any feelings of loneliness, particularly if you live alone. What’s more, pets are great listeners and provide a sounding board in which you can remove the stress of your day by talking about it. You can talk to your pet about anything, without fear or repercussions or loose lips sharing your secrets with others, and that can be very comforting if you’re struggling with stress or anxiety and want to share your thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. If you live alone then a pet gives you someone to share the routine of daily life with, and can help to give you an anchor in the world: someone who will both depend on you and love you unconditionally. Of course, the only negative aspect of pet ownership is that their lifespan isn't as long as ours, and even with the right food and exercise schedule, regular vet visits and the protection of a decent pet insurance policy, you are still likely to outlive your pet and have to grieve for him. However the joy that pets bring into our lives mean that, for most people, this return to loneliness when they pass is worth the sacrifice.
Pets Make You Playful
When was the last time you played a game of hide and seek or tossed a frisbee? Owning a pet gives you the perfect excuse to play, to laugh, and to act like a child again! You’ll love the interaction, and your pet will love you forever for the undivided attention you are giving to him: it will also help improve your long-term bond and connection with each other. Laughter releases serotonin and dopamine, which are both mood enhancing hormones that can help alleviate stress and depression. Dancing with your dog, watching him wrestle with a bone or roll around chasing his own tail are all sure to raise a smile and improve your overall mental wellbeing at the same time.
Mindfulness Therapy Might Help Veterans with Combat-Related PTSD
Apr. 17, 2013 —
Science Daily/University of Michigan Health System
Mindfulness exercises that include meditation, stretching, and acceptance of thoughts and emotions might help veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder find relief from their symptoms.
A new collaborative study from the University of Michigan Health System and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System shows that veterans with PTSD who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based group treatment plan showed a significant reduction in symptoms as compared to patients who underwent treatment as normal.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or MBCT, combines the practice of cognitive therapy with the meditative approach of mindfulness that stresses an increased awareness of all thoughts and emotions.
Previous research has shown stress reduction classes that use mindfulness meditation have been beneficial to people with a history of trauma exposure -- including veterans, civilians with war-related trauma and adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse -- but the new study is the first to examine the effect of mindfulness-based psychotherapy for PTSD with veterans in a PTSD clinic.
The study was published online today in Depression and Anxiety.
"The results of our trial are encouraging for veterans trying to find help for PTSD," says Anthony P. King, Ph.D., the study's lead author and research assistant professor in the U-M Department of Psychiatry, who performed the study in collaboration with psychologists at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. "Mindfulness techniques seemed to lead to a reduction in symptoms and might be a potentially effective novel therapeutic approach to PTSD and trauma-related conditions."
Veterans in the mindfulness treatment groups participated in in-class exercises such as mindful eating, in which they focus on sensations associated with eating very slowly; "body scanning," an exercise where patients focus on physical sensations in individual parts of the body, paying special attention to pain and tension; mindful movement and stretching; and "mindfulness meditation" including focusing on the breath and emotions. The participants were also instructed to practice mindfulness at home through audio-recorded exercises and during the day while doing activities such as walking, eating and showering.
After eight weeks of treatment, 73 percent of patients in the mindfulness group displayed meaningful improvement compared to 33 percent in the treatment-as- usual groups.
King says the most noticeable area of improvement for patients in the mindfulness group was a reduction in avoidance symptoms. One of the main tenets of mindfulness therapy is a sustained focus on thoughts and memories, even ones that might be unpleasant.
"Part of the psychological process of PTSD often includes avoidance and suppression of painful emotions and memories, which allows symptoms of the disorder to continue," King says. "Through the mindfulness intervention, however, we found that many of our patients were able to stop this pattern of avoidance and see an improvement in their symptoms."
Mindfulness techniques also emphasize focus and attention to positive experiences and nonjudgmental acceptance to one's thoughts and emotions. Because of this, the researchers found that the patients in the mindfulness group experienced a decrease in feelings of self-blame and a trend toward decreased perception of the world as a dangerous place.
King says the results of this pilot study are encouraging, but further studies with a larger sample size are needed to fully explore the breadth of mindfulness intervention benefits. He added that the U-M-VA group is currently conducting a larger study including military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Further studies will help us understand whether mindfulness training is more aptly considered an adjunct option to gold-standard trauma-focused treatments such as prolonged exposure or EMDR, or whether it can function as an intervention in its own right for treating avoidance and other symptoms," he says.
"Either way, mindfulness-based therapies provide a strategy that encourages active engagement for participants, are easy to learn and appear to have significant benefits for veterans with PTSD."http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130417130007.htm