Recent posts
The downward spiral of one inmate, Markus Johnson, shows the larger failures of the nation’s prisons to care for the mentally ill. The New York Times By Glenn Thrush Glenn Thrush spent more than a year reporting this article, interviewing close to 50 people and reviewing court-obtained body-camera footage and more than 1,500 pages of documents.... read more
The constant pursuit of ‘perfect’ choices can make you less happy and more anxious. The Washington Post By Jamie Friedlander Serrano May 3, 2024 I’m driving my 3-year-old daughter, Penny, to preschool. She asks me a question, but I’m distracted. I’m pondering whether I should try a new drink at Starbucks after I drop her... read more
A rare condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder has puzzled researchers and raised alarms as psychedelics go mainstream. Los Angeles Times By Connor Sheets April 30, 2024 A.J. took two small hits off a cannabis vape pen, a common ritual with his morning coffee. Moments after exhaling, a transfigured, kaleidoscopic version of the world emerged... read more
Why Is It So Hard to Shower When I’m Depressed?
Issues with hygiene are common symptoms of depression. Here’s why, and how to make bathing a little easier. The New York Times By Anna Gibbs April 30, 2024 Q. I find many tasks challenging when I’m depressed, but showering feels especially difficult. Why is that? And what can I do about it? If you have... read more
California’s proposed budget cuts would leave many autistic young adults without a safety net
Los Angeles Times By Karen Garcia April 17, 2024 Kate Movius knew it would be challenging when her son Aidan, who experiences profound autism, turned 22 and aged out of the programs and services provided through his school. What she didn’t anticipate were the two years she would spend in a fruitless search for an... read more
Cigna tracks every minute that its staff doctors spend deciding whether to pay for health care. Dr. Debby Day said her bosses cared more about being fast than being right: “Deny, deny, deny. That’s how you hit your numbers,” Day said. ProPublica By Patrick Rucker, The Capitol Forum, and David Armstrong, ProPublica April 29, 2024... read more
Experts offer tips for combating false medical claims in your own circles. The New York Times By Dani Blum March 16, 2024 The Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday in a case that involves the Biden administration’s efforts to communicate with social media sites about posts officials believed made false or misleading claims about Covid-19 vaccines and the... read more
The New York Times By Emily Baumgaertner April 19, 2024 The News For parents struggling with mental health or substance use disorders, access to treatment can often mean the difference between keeping and losing their children. But a new analysis of health and child welfare records found that a significant portion of those who were... read more
Complications From Alcohol Use Are Rising Among Women
New research shows that alcohol-related liver disease and other health problems increased even more than expected among women ages 40 to 64 during the pandemic. The New York Times By Dani Blum April 12, 2024 The Latest A new study adds to a mounting body of evidence showing that rising alcohol consumption among women is... read more
The Washington Post By David Ovalle April 5, 2024 A group of public health experts and scientists is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to rescind its controversial approval of a DNA test that promises to predict genetic risk of opioid addiction. In a letter sent to the agency on Thursday, 31 experts in genetics, addiction,... read more