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Mental Health

Gauging Risks, Benefits of Prozac in Teens

A new study provides the strongest evidence yet that Prozac can help alleviate depression in teenagers, especially when the drug is combined with talk therapy. The research comes at a time of growing concern about the safety of antidepressants in young patients. NPR's David Baron reports.

Gauging Risks, Benefits of Prozac in Teens

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Opinion

Forgetting One's Therapy

Commentator Elissa Ely has been a psychiatrist for 15 years. In that time, therapies have gone in and out of fashion: Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Almost everything has changed except this: Having to say goodbye.

Forgetting One's Therapy

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Texas Mental Health Plan Could Omit Thousands

Texas is making drastic changes in the way it delivers services to the mentally ill. Only patients with certain conditions, such as schizophrenia, serious depression, or bi-polar disorder, will be eligible for state treatment under a new system called "disease management." Thousands of others will be dropped from state coverage. Janet Heimlich reports.

Texas Mental Health Plan Could Omit Thousands

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Science

U.S. Troops Suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress after Iraq

A new study of the mental health of U.S. troops who've been in Iraq shows a substantial rate of post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. The high rates of mental illness occurred despite intensive efforts by U.S. officials to prevent them. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.

U.S. Troops Suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress after Iraq

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Defending the Mentally Disabled

Every week, advocate Bob Perske visits Richard Lapointe, a mentally disabled man serving a life sentence for raping and killing an elderly woman. Freeing Lapointe is a long shot, Perske admits, but one he's counting on. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.

Defending the Mentally Disabled

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Stem Cells, Alzheimer's Disease and U.S. Politics

Even if stem cell research could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, proponents face a number of political hurdles. Some of the most promising stem cells -- cells that can "learn" to become any type of cell in the human body -- come from human embryos. NPR's Mike Pesca analyzes who's pushing the issue, and who's just hoping it goes away.

Stem Cells, Alzheimer's Disease and U.S. Politics

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Science

Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Reagan's Death

The death of former President Ronald Reagan, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for a decade before his death, has revived stem cell research as a political issue. NPR's Madeleine Brand speaks with NPR's Joe Palca about a new poll measuring public support for embryonic stem cell research.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Reagan's Death

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On Aging

Part of Reagan's Legacy: Alzheimer's Awareness

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Steve McConnell of the Alzheimer's Association about President Reagan's disease. Reagan's wife Nancy has been an energetic advocate for increased funding of Alzheimer's research. McConnell says the Reagans have done a great deal to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Part of Reagan's Legacy: Alzheimer's Awareness

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Science

Study Sheds Light on Compulsive Hoarding

For some people, throwing away garbage causes intense unease and anxiety. They're called compulsive hoarders, and a new study finds that their brains work differently from non-hoarders. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

Study Sheds Light on Compulsive Hoarding

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