Inside the Bullied Brain: The Alarming Neuroscience of Taunting
In the wake of several tragedies that have made bullying a high-profile issue, it’s becoming clear that harassment by one’s peers is something more than just a rite of passage. For kids who have been bullied, their brains seem to have “scars” and they are more likely to be depressed, anxious, and suicidal.
(Note: Dr. Martin Teicher is a NARSAD Independent Investigator)

Does Extremely Picky Eating in Adulthood Signal a Mental Disorder?
Everyone knows someone who refuses to eat certain foods, whether it’s because of yucky texture, unappetizing color or stinky smell. Usually these people are kids. But according to a preliminary online survey by researchers at the Duke University Center for Eating Disorders, extremely picky eating may be more common in adults than you think.

Tracing the Spark of Creative Problem-Solving

In a just completed study, researchers at Northwestern University found that people were more likely to solve word puzzles with sudden insight when they were amused, having just seen a short comedy routine.

Charity greeting cards bring twice the joy
Christmas has made a comeback this year, if the crowded stores on Black Friday last week are any indication. “Everyone’s back to shopping,” says Carol Kaczorowski, holiday card committee chairwoman for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Auxiliary. Charitable organizations hope Metro Detroiters who are in a holiday buying mood will spread the Christmas spirit by purchasing holiday greeting cards. For many organizations, holiday card sales are an important way to raise much-needed funds that support their work of helping the hungry, sick, disabled, children and elderly in our communities.
(Note: This article mentions NARSAD Artworks, an organization that’s selling holiday cards and other items that feature artwork by people living with mental illness. Proceeds from NARSAD Artworks support research into the causes and improved treatments of mental illness.)

New Treatment Shows PTSD Improvement And Smoking Cessation
For smokers with military-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), integrating smoking cessation treatment with mental health treatment for PTSD resulted in higher rates of prolonged smoking abstinence, compared to referral for assistance with quitting smoking only, according to this study.

by Barbara Wheeler, NARSAD manager of communications and media relations