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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Novel Method Of Supplementing Current Depression Treatments: Using Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response-Centered Therapy To Improve Constipation-Associated Comorbidity Of Depression, Shivam Patel Apr 2020

Novel Method Of Supplementing Current Depression Treatments: Using Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response-Centered Therapy To Improve Constipation-Associated Comorbidity Of Depression, Shivam Patel

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

One-third of individuals struggling with constipation also suffer chronically from comorbid depression, but the evidently shared etiology has remained relatively ambiguous. This proposed study aims to analyze the role of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), a newly recorded neural phenomenon that causes relaxing “tingles” from unique “triggers” in a subset of individuals, in altering serotonin (5-HT) levels within the ENS to aid with both depression and constipation. In depressed individuals, reduced 5-HT has been clinically accepted as a key symptom and is frequently treated with ineffective SSRIs. Prospective alternative methods of non-invasive treatment, such as ASMR, would not only aid …


Antidepressants Versus Music Therapy: Which Treatment Is Better For Treating Depression In Parkinson's Disease?, Emaan Dawood Apr 2020

Antidepressants Versus Music Therapy: Which Treatment Is Better For Treating Depression In Parkinson's Disease?, Emaan Dawood

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

Music and medicine are merging to treat depression in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Antidepressants, the current standard, demonstrate mixed effects in clinical trials, warranting other treatment options. Here, I compare music therapy to antidepressants in the treatment of depression in PD via literature review. Studies of depressed PD patients undergoing music therapy and/or antidepressants were reviewed with attention to variables including depression (on a patient-reported outcome) that were measured pre- and post- therapy. In the music studies, improvements were seen in depression. Methodological inconsistencies across these studies, a paucity of studies, and small sample sizes, however, necessitate more research to reach …


Increasing Mental Health Literacy In The African American Community: Collaborations Between Mental Health Professionals And The Black Church, Brianna Simmons Apr 2019

Increasing Mental Health Literacy In The African American Community: Collaborations Between Mental Health Professionals And The Black Church, Brianna Simmons

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

African Americans tend to underutilize mental health services due to historical and present institutionalized racism, misdiagnoses, and misunderstandings, and to the lack of representation in the mental health field (Dempsey, Butler, and Gaither, 2016). African Americans thus turn to the Black Church for help. Clergy members of the Black Church use biblical counseling, which consists of seeking God’s wisdom (Dempsey et al., 2016). This differs from traditional psychological counseling where formalized diagnostic criteria are followed, and medication is often prescribed. Despite these differences between the Black Church and professional mental health agencies, there are a number of commonalities, such as …


Depression In Low-Income Adolescents: Guidelines For School-Based Depression Intervention Programs, Gopika Hari Apr 2017

Depression In Low-Income Adolescents: Guidelines For School-Based Depression Intervention Programs, Gopika Hari

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

Studies reveal that low income is a significant risk factor for depression and only roughly 25% of children with mental illnesses receive adequate help, the majority of which comes from schools. This study establishes guidelines for depression intervention programs in low-income high schools through a literature review of current practices. This study found that a multi-layered approach with screening, universal education, and high-risk intervention is most effective. Screening should be conducted with a modified PHQ-a test and timely clinical interviews by school psychologists. All students and teachers should receive universal depression education curriculum consisting of principles like depression literacy and …