A study conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University found that nearly half of mock jurors who viewed disturbing evidence in a trial showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers, led by the university, observed 180 participants acting as jurors in a fictitious murder trial and found that 44% exhibited PTSD symptoms after viewing graphic autopsy photographs. This is an increase from the initial 11% who showed symptoms before seeing the evidence. As a result, the researchers are advocating for the expansion of a pilot scheme offering free counselling sessions to jurors at 15 crown courts in England and Wales.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14220207/Jurors-risk-trauma-gruesome-evidence-mock-trial.htmlResearchers at Canada's National Ballet School conducted a small study involving 23 people with Parkinson's disease who took eight months of weekly dance classes. The participants reported improved mood and reduced depression rates after each class, which stacked upon itself leading to significant improvements in mood after eight months. Brain scans showed that signals from the subcallosal cingulate gyrus, a brain region implicated in depression, decreased over time as people continued to dance. The study suggests that dance may have a double benefit for people with Parkinson's disease by activating the brain's reward signals and engaging its sensory and motor circuits.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/lifestyles/health/dancing-helps-people-with-parkinson-s-in-more-ways-than-one/article_ebd4a136-f3e8-5df4-91c0-93953deea7c0.htmlOn Boxing Day in 2004, a massive tsunami struck the Indian Ocean after an undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, killing 230,000 people. Ani was swept away by the wave while sleeping in her room and clung to a tree as she was carried inland. She eventually found two other survivors, Sri and Wayne, and together they navigated through the devastation, avoiding broken glass and bodies. A second wave struck, forcing them to run for their lives before they were rescued several hours later by a local who had a radio and satellite phone. Ani called the BBC switchboard to alert them to the disaster and helped gather information on those in need of rescue and medical treatment. She was eventually airlifted to a nearby town where she received medical attention, including treatment for PTSD symptoms that would persist in the months following the disaster.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14219231/devastating-Boxing-Day-tsunami-changed-life.htmlArthur Brooks and psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb discuss the importance of identifying what brings joy in life on The Atlantic Podcast's "How to Build a Happy Life" series. They explore how people often confuse emotions as "good" or "bad", and that envy can be a signpost for one's deepest desires.
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2024/12/best-of-how-to-identify-what-you-enjoy/681075/A public scandal has erupted surrounding Republican Congresswoman Kay Granger, who was found living in a $4,000-a-month memory care facility in Texas after being reported lost and confused in her neighborhood. The 81-year-old representative, who had not cast a vote in six months, is set to retire from the House in January after nearly three decades of service. The discovery has sparked debate over the mental fitness of elderly politicians, with President Joe Biden, 81, and Donald Trump, 78, facing questions about their own cognitive abilities. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, has also faced scrutiny for public episodes where he appeared to freeze mid-sentence. The controversy has led to calls for basic cognitive testing for elected officials, including a demand from Tesla billionaire Elon Musk on X, formerly Twitter.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14219429/backlash-missing-GOP-lawmaker-kay-granger-dementia-care-facility.htmlTulisa, a singer who appeared on a reality TV show, revealed that she struggled with anxiety during her time in the jungle. She had an anxiety attack that left her in tears and struggling to breathe, but it was not shown on screen. The incident occurred after she opened up about her personal life, including being celibate for three years and identifying as demisexual. Following her eviction from the show, Tulisa reportedly got into a disagreement with her friends Michelle McKenna and Daniel Johnson at a hotel, which her representatives have denied.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14220935/Tulisa-comes-asexual-Im-Celeb.htmlThe Albanian government is taking measures to protect children from potential online threats, including increasing police presence at schools and enhancing cooperation with parents. This move comes amid concerns over social media use by minors in the European Union, where several countries have implemented restrictions on youth social media usage. The EU's incoming Polish presidency has also prioritized addressing mental health issues related to social media among children and adolescents.
https://www.politico.eu/article/teens-murder-drives-albania-ban-tiktok-one-year-edi-rama-stabbing-violence/Brook Choulet, a doctor, notes that the holiday season can be a stressful time for some people, including her patients. She suggests setting boundaries and taking breaks to manage stress during this period.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/set-boundaries-take-breaks-how-to-manage-stress-and-enjoy-your-holidays-20241209-p5kwyu.htmlA recent review of 218 studies found that non-pharmacological interventions such as group exercise and nature-based activities were more effective in improving mood than cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or medication. The Prescribing Nature Works project, a government-funded initiative, has shown positive results with participants experiencing improved feelings of happiness and life being worthwhile, as well as decreased anxiety levels. Driven by concerns over the long-term effects of antidepressant use, such as withdrawal symptoms experienced by Thomas Kingston, clinicians are urging a shift towards non-drug options for treating mild to moderate depression, which is often linked to socio-economic factors rather than mental illness.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-14217921/DR-SIMON-opher-mp-suicide-michael-kent-son-law-potential-risk-antidepressant-drugs.html