PTSD’s genetic component validated in new study
A new genetic study of more than 1.2 million people has pinpointed 95 loci, or locations in the genome, linked with risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which exposure to trauma can harm a person’s quality…
Researchers discover associations among PTSD, diet, and the gut microbiome
A new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Chan School investigated the relationship between PTSD, diet, and the gut microbiome, and found that participants who adhered to a Mediterranean diet experienced decreased PTSD symptoms.
Wildfire survivors may face long-term cognitive and emotional challenges
Survivors of wildfires are vulnerable to cognitive deficits and post-traumatic stress symptoms, not just in the disaster’s immediate aftermath but also in the long-term, according to experts.
Intimate partner violence early in pandemic linked with worse mental and overall health in women
Women who experienced intimate partner violence during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to suffer worse mental health and other adverse health effects, according to a new study led by Harvard Chan School.
How mental health can impact reproductive health
Mental health burdens can be a big impediment for people experiencing infertility, according to Harvard Chan School’s Carmen Messerlian.
PTSD linked with accelerated cognitive decline in middle-aged women
Middle-aged women with symptoms of PTSD may face faster cognitive decline than women without such symptoms, according to a study from Harvard Chan School.
Dealing with the emotional trauma caused by mass disasters
Karestan Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, recounts how 9/11 affected her career and transformed how professionals address the emotional impact of large-scale disasters.
PTSD with depression may significantly increase risk of early death in women
For immediate release: December 4, 2020 Boston, MA – Women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, accidents, suicide, and other…
How COVID-19 is affecting mental health across generations
Karestan Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of different generations in a September 21, 2020 Facebook Live interview with Christine Chen of the Esalen Institute.
PTSD affects majority of sexual violence survivors
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often thought of as a condition primarily affecting veterans. Yet 50% of all cases of PTSD in the U.S. result from sexual or physical violence, according to Karestan Koenen. Koenen, professor of psychiatric…