Journal of affective disorders
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The hopelessness theory of depression posits that individuals with negative cognitive styles are at an increased risk for depression following negative life events. In neuroimaging studies, brain gray matter volume abnormalities correlate with the presence of depressive disorders. However, it is unknown whether changes in gray matter volume also appear in healthy individuals with cognitive vulnerability to depression (CVD). ⋯ Reductions in brain gray matter volume exist widely in individuals with CVD. In addition, there exist similar abnormalities in gray matter volume in both CVD subjects and MDD patients. Reductions of gray matter volume in the left precentral gyrus might be correlated to the negative cognitive styles, as well as an increased risk for depression.
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There has been a widening suicide gender gap in Taiwan in the past decade. This study aimed to examine the contributions of changing incidence patterns of suicidal behavior and case fatalities of different suicide methods in quantitatively explaining the male excess in suicide rates and the associated changes in gender ratio of suicide in Taipei City from 2004 to 2006. ⋯ Suicide attempt incidences in males and females have increased considerably in the period 2004-2006. As males especially those 40-59 years old are drawn to use more lethal methods of suicide (i.e. charcoal burning and jumping), the excessive male suicide rate and the suicide gender ratio continues to increase even though the gender ratio of attempt incidence remains the same.
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The study of near-fatal suicide attempts may provide insight into the minds of suicidal subjects. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship of intent and lethality in medically serious and medically non-serious suicide attempts and to examine relationship of specific psychological and clinical variables with the subjective and objective components of suicide intent. ⋯ Suicidal individuals with depression and hopelessness who cannot signal their pain to others are at high risk of committing a medically serious suicide attempts.
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Estimates of the prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt, and risks for new-onset suicidality, among HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals are not widely available in the era of modern combined antiretroviral treatment (cART). ⋯ High rates of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt, and the relationship of past report with current depressed mood, suggest that mood disruption is still prevalent in HIV. Findings emphasize the importance of properly diagnosing and treating psychiatric comorbidities among HIV persons in the cART era.
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Depression has been associated with a decreased level of asthma control. The aim of our study was to examine associations between health-professional diagnosed work-related asthma (WRA) and current depression and the effect of current depression on the associations of WRA with adverse asthma outcomes. ⋯ Depression may play an important role in asthma management and should be considered when assessing patients with asthma and, in particular, those with WRA.