Blood Test to Diagnose Depression in Teens

The first blood test to diagnose major depression in teens, a breakthrough approach that allows an objective diagnosis by measuring a specific set of genetic markers found in a patient’s blood. The current method of diagnosing depression is subjective. It relies on the patient’s ability to recount his symptoms and the physician’s ability and training […]

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Ecstasy & Speed Lead to Depression in Teens

A Canadian study on the effects of speed and ecstasy on young teens has found that those taking the drugs have a much higher chance of becoming depressed a year after usage. The study was conducted over a 5 year period and focused on 15 and 16 year-olds. Read the full news article here… Or […]

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Adolescence Lasts Until Age 24 – Not Good News

Researchers believe the brain goes on maturing and is not fully developed until at least the age of 24. Puberty catapults adolescents into a period of risky behaviour powered by their raging hormones, their brains are ill-equipped to exert control and vulnerable to the effects of activities such as drinking and drug taking. Despite its […]

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Cigarette Packaging Targetting Teenagers

Cancer Research UK has reviewed industry documents from the last 50 years and claimed that some described how packaging had been developed to appeal to new smokers, notably teenagers, through its size, colour and design. See news report summary here. Full report available here

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Using Computer Games to Deal With Depression

A 3D computer fantasy game that teaches good thinking habits as effectively as biological therapist units can. The game, designed for children and adolescents, is called SPARX . SPARX stands for Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts. Full Article providing a basic explanation and overview of research on SPARX. Actual Abstract The effectiveness of SPARX, […]

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10 Popular Apps for Teenagers

With smartphones rapidly becoming the most common mobile device throughout countries like Australia, UK, and the USA, an increasing number of teenagers have access to the internet via their phone.  And if they have access to the Net they have access to Apps (an App is a small program designed to run on mobile devices.) […]

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