Mental Health

First large-scale study of stock market volatility and mental disorders
A downward daily change in stock price index coincided with significantly increased hospitalisations for mental disorders – when the stock price index decreased by 1% in a single day there was a 0.36% increase in hospitalisations for mental disorders on that same day. The researchers also found that falls in stock price index on consecutive days were associated with a 0.32% daily increase in mental disorders hospitalisations – when the stock price index falls consecutively for 5 days there was a 1.6% increase in the number of mental disorder hospitalisations on the fifth day. MedicalXpress

Frequent school moves can increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in early adolescence
Researchers at Warwick Medical School have shown that frequently moving schools during childhood can increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in later years. The study, published in American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that school mobility during childhood heightens the risk of developing psychotic-like symptoms in early adolescence by up to 60%.  Warwick Medical School

Study uncovers surprising differences in brain activity of alcohol-dependent women
The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, to study differences between patterns of brain network activation in the two groups of women. The findings indicate that the anterior insular region of the brain may be implicated in the process, suggesting a possible new target of treatment for alcohol-dependent women. MedicalXpress

Heatwaves linked to an increase in Australian suicide rates
Heatwaves and high temperatures can have a dramatic impact on people's physical health. We only have to look at the increases in emergency department admissions during recent heatwaves to know that. But not many people realise that high variations in temperatures can also impact our mental health.

For example, in Sydney and Brisbane, when the difference of the monthly average temperature in one month compared with the previous one month increased by 1 degree Celsius, there was a 3% increase in suicide in both of these cities. MedicalXpress