Income Level May Predict Response To Depression Treatment

Income and Depression Treatment
Low-income people with depression are less likely to respond to treatment and more likely to be suicidal than those who have higher incomes, according to a study in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Socioeconomic factors, including income, education and occupation, have long been linked to health status, illness and death. Research has shown that people with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to develop a depressive illness and that their depression is more severe than that of people higher on the SES scale. Several studies have hypothesized that socioeconomic factors, including income and education, would also affect how people respond to medications and other therapies for depression, but have ultimately proved inconclusive, according to background information in the article.
Alex Cohen, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues reanalyzed two previous clinical trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. The 248 participants were all 59 years or older and receiving antidepressant medications combined with psychotherapy. Their education levels were assessed at the beginning of the original studies. Median annual household income for their areas was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Low-income was defined as less than $25,000, middle-income between $25,000 and $50,000 and high-income more than $50,000. The subjects' depressive symptoms and response to treatment were measured weekly.
When the authors controlled for demographic factors, such as age and gender, and baseline clinical characteristics, including recurrence of depression and age at onset, they found that people in areas defined as middle-income were significantly more likely to respond to treatment than those in the low-income group. High-income people were only marginally more likely to respond to treatment than middle-income residents, but as a group, high- and middle-income study participants were significantly more likely to respond than those in low-income areas.
In addition, people in low-income areas were about twice as likely as those in middle-income areas and two and a half times as likely as those in high-income tracts to be suicidal, "suggesting an inverse relationship between the median household income of the neighborhoods in which subjects resided and suicidality," the authors write.
The authors found that years of education did not affect treatment response or suicidality in this particular study group. "When the older subjects in our study came of age, economic and social success in the industrial economy was not so dependent on education," they write. "Thus, we speculate that years of education is a less accurate measure of SES in this sample."
Based on their findings, the authors "suggest that future clinical trials routinely gather data on individual income, educational degrees earned, occupation and aspects of the broader social environment such as social capital. However, to transform evidence into knowledge that will inform the treatment of depression, it is essential that future research examines all of the factors (for example, neighborhoods, stress, social support, race/ethnicity or income inequalities) that may mediate the association between SES and clinical outcomes." (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006.)

By: JAMA

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How to Have a Healthy Relationship

There are reliable tools that can be used to create a healthy relationship, many of which have not been taught in our culture. If you want to have a really healthy relationship, follow these simple guidelines.

Steps:

1.Tell the unarguable, direct truth. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone's feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies creates disconnection in a relationship, even if your partner never finds out about it. Withholding the truth (an issue that has come up three times or more without you saying anything) also constitutes telling a lie. Saying "That shirt is ugly" is not telling the truth, simply because it's arguable. Your partner could have a different opinion and could argue for the opposite side. Saying "I don't care for that shirt," is inarguable because it's a personal experience. Here are some examples of telling the unarguable truth: "I felt scared when I saw you talking to her at the party," "I feel angry," "I think that guy has feelings for me."

2.Make and keep clear agreements. For example, if you say you're going to meet your partner for lunch at noon, be on time, or call if you're going to be late. If you agree to have a monogamous relationship, keep that agreement and/or tell the truth about any feelings you're having about someone else BEFORE you act on them. Keeping agreements shows respect for yourself and your partner, as well as creating a sense of trust and safety.

3.Be responsible (Here's a new definition: Responsible means that you have the ability to respond. It does not mean you are to blame.). There is tremendous power in claiming your creation. If you've been snippy to your partner, own up to it, and get curious about how you might do it differently next time. If you are unhappy in your relationship, get curious about how this situation is similar to others from your past, and how you might create a better relationship for yourself rather than try to change your partner.

4.Know that relationships are the playground of life. The most important learning takes place within relationships. Each onw has important information for you to learn. For example, do you often feel 'bossed' around in your relationship, or even powerless? When a relationship is not working, there is usually a familiar way that we feel while in it. We are attracted to the partner with whom we can learn the most, and sometimes the lesson is to let go of a relationship that no longer serves us. In order to have a healthy relationship, it is important to learn those lessons, and share with our partner what we've learned. A truly healthy relationship will consist of both partners who are interested in learning and expanding a relationship so that it continues to improve.

5.Appreciate yourself and your partner. In the midst of an argument, it can be difficult to find something to appreciate. Start by generating appreciation in moments of non-stress, and that way when you need to be able to do it during a stressful conversation, it will be easier. One definition of appreciation is to be sensitively aware so you don't have to be sugar-coating anything. Here are some examples of appreciation: "I can see that you feel really sad about this," "I appreciate that you are willing to tell me how you feel," "I'm appreciating myself for sticking with this issue until it's resolved and we both feel good about the outcome."

6.Lastly, you can either choose to be right, or you can have a relationship. You can't have both. Most people argue to be "Right" about something. They say "If you loved me, you would...." They argue to hear the other say "Okay, you're right." If you are generally more interested in being right, understand that you will not create a healthy relationship. Having a healthy relationship means that you have your experience, and your partner has his or her experience, and you learn to love and share and learn from those experiences.

Tips:

·If this all sounds a little different to you, it's likely because you haven't heard it before. But then ask yourself, how many successful role models have you had for healthy relationships?

·Be willing to learn from every interaction, to have fun!

·Portions of this article are based on the works of Drs. Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks.

·Maintain your romance and sexlife. If you have kids, rent a room every now and then.

Written by Christine Brondyke

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Police Spot Checks

There has been much controversy over the police spot checks within the New York City Subways. But has anyone taken the time to hear what the officers manning the checkpoints have to say?

On Friday afternoon the NYPD had a spot check set up at the Broad Channel train station. I at least assume it was a checkpoint; it seamed to be more of a social gathering. What made it worse was the conversation that was taking place amongst the officers. It sounded like more of a game, and the conversation was not a quiet one either. Anyone around could have been listening, taking notes or even recording it.

There was what appeared to be 1 officer in charge and 2 or 3 rookies. Conversations were based around the experiences of the officer in charge. While laughing he openly discussed things like “he only heard of one person turning around and not going through the check point”, “most of the time, their looking for drugs and things like that”, one of them even mentioned “most of the time people don’t want you to see their personal items” which lead into conversations about “a woman who’s bag was filled with sexy panties and toys”.

Is this what they are here for? It was to my understanding that the checkpoints were designed as an antiterrorist precaution. If that were the case, then why are these officers so concerned with a woman’s underwear? And why are these topics being discussed openly for all around to hear?

Police Check Points need to be monitored a lot more closely and only set up for the purpose that they were designed for, not the amusement of these officers.

Written by A.Wallace

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Car Lemon Laws - You Don't Have To Live With A Sour Deal
By: Doug Smith

United States car lemon laws were enacted to protect consumers against buying defective, unrepairable vehicles. The major automobile manufacturers mass-produce their products, and generally the quality control is very good. However, when you connect more than a few parts together, you have a chance for a lemon.

What is a lemon car? A lemon or lemon car is an automobile that has a defect that cannot be repaired by the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts. Alternately, if the car has been in a repair garage for 30 calendar days or more for repairs on the same defect, it may also be classified as a lemon car. The term can also apply to a vehicle in which the defect negatively affects the value and safety of the vehicle. Car lemon laws vary by state, so you should consult your own state laws to determine the exact definition that applies to you.

Why is a terminally defective car called a lemon? One can only speculate why the name of a tart yellow citrus fruit came to be associated with defective cars. Lemons are very sour in taste, and traditionally sour tastes have been associated with bad luck. If something negative happens to a person, he or she might say, "It left a sour taste in my mouth." A salesperson whose big deal falls through might say, "The deal went sour." It seems plausible that the sour taste of the lemon, with its negative connotations, was used to coin the phrase "lemon car" to describe a car purchase gone sour.

Why were lemon laws needed to protect car consumers? Look at the general definitions of lemon cars shown above. Some quick math will show that a lemon car can be an extreme financial hardship. The last time you picked up your car from the repair garage, were you happy with the bill, or were you dreading it? A car with four to six (or more) attempted repairs, with all the parts and labor charges, can easily add up to thousands of dollars. If your car is stuck in a repair garage for 30 days or more, with the mechanics billing hour after hour of labor, the bill might approach the price of the car itself!

If your car meets your state's lemon car criteria, you have the right to seek a refund or replacement from the car manufacturer (not the dealer from which you bought it). You are probably entitled to be reimbursed for related costs such as towing, rental cars, and maybe even long distance calls to the manufacturer. Be absolutely sure to keep all bills and invoices related to your attempts to get your car repaired.

If you decide to proceed with a lemon law claim against the manufacturer, it is beneficial to consult with a lawyer that specializes in lemon law cases. A lawyer can help make the stressful process go more smoothly. No doubt are already stressed enough over your lemon car.

Some states have passed lemon laws to protect consumers against defective purchases of boats and even pets. Regardless of the origin of the term, lemon laws are here to protect you. The car manufacturers can hire teams of expensive lawyers, and they know you can't. Car lemon laws help to level the playing field in your favor.

If the guys at the car repair shop know you by your first name, you should consider the lemon law tips below.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Bought a lemon car? Visit car lemon laws to learn definitions of a lemon car, how to find lemon law attorneys, and your state lemon law rights. LemonLaws.FindCarsForHire.com

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Body found in Rosedale Queens

Last Sunday while searching for the body of a 50 year old friend, two men came across a black trash bag containing the body of what is believed to be a child around 11 years old. The body was found by what is known as “Snake Road” (an extension of Francis Lewis Blvd.).

I recall the days as the Coordinator of the Rosedale Civilian Patrol when I would drive down that same road with the spot light in the marches just knowing deep inside that there was something there that needed to be found. I am sure this is not the only body that is afloat in these marshlands.

The NYPD has not identified the body as of yet and due to the discomposure of the body, it is still uncertain if it is male or female.

The body of Fasciglione that the two men were looking for ended turning up about six miles away near an East Rockaway dock. The citizen who spotted the body called it in to 911 and the Nassau County Police were dispatched to the scene.

Written by A. Wallace

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