Japan versus UK: Impact of social camouflage on mental health in autistic adults As people with autism grow up, they face unique challenges. They find it difficult to deal with mental health issues. There is a big gap in understanding how pretending to fit in (known as social camouflage), cultural beliefs, and mental well-being are connected. This is especially true for non-Western countries like Japan. Read More
Research shows older adults with a history of stroke at high risk of pandemic-induced depression A new longitudinal study from the University of Toronto highlights the substantial mental health toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults with a history of stroke. Read More
Adults with ADHD exhibit camouflaging behavior Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit camouflaging behavior, but to a lesser extent than those with autism, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in Autism Research. Read More
Helping patients with low income overcome eating disorders Individuals with eating disorders who have low income are frequently misdiagnosed and lack adequate access to appropriate therapy, according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Read More
Maternal mental conditions drive climbing death rate in US, according to study Painting a sobering picture, a research team led by Children's National Hospital culled years of data demonstrating that maternal mental illness is an under-recognized contributor to the death of new mothers. They are calling for urgent action to address this public health crisis in the latest edition of JAMA Psychiatry. Read More
Sleep improves ability to recall complex events, shows study Researchers have known for some time that sleep consolidates our memories of facts and episodic events. However, the research to date has concentrated mainly on simple associations—that is to say, connections between elements, such as we make when learning new vocabulary. Read More
J-shaped curve apparent between dietary thiamine and worsening mental acuity There seems to be a J-shaped curve between dietary thiamine (vitamin B1) and worsening mental acuity among cognitively healthy older people, suggests research published in the open-access journal General Psychiatry. Read More
Lack of visual imagery does not lead to less pleasure in reading, finds study When people read a book, they typically imagine the story in their heads. But how do people experience a story if they find it difficult or impossible to imagine what is being described? Cognitive scientist Laura Speed and her colleagues found in an initial study of reading in people with so-called aphantasia that they do not enjoy reading less, but they do become less engaged with a story. Read More
Time spent watching videos may stunt toddler language development, but it depends on why they’re watching A new study from SMU psychologist Sarah Kucker and colleagues reveals that passive video use among toddlers can negatively affect language development, but their caregiver's motivations for exposing them to digital media could also lessen the impact. Read More
Playing video games may improve attention and memory, research finds A new study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that regular gamers performed better on tasks measuring cognitive functions such as attention and memory. Read More