Tag: Ronald Kessler

  • Nation & World

    We haven’t just suffered during COVID. We’ve learned.

    Resilience of young people, new treatment tools give Matt Nock hope amid challenges posed by social media, school and campus disruptions.

    5–7 minutes
    Matthew Nock.
  • Science & Tech

    Wake-up call

    Insomnia is costing the average U.S. worker 11.3 days, or $2,280, in lost productivity every year, according to a study led by Ronald Kessler of Harvard Medical School.

    2–3 minutes
  • Science & Tech

    Harvard researchers selected for National Academy of Sciences membership

    Eight Harvard faculty members this week were elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. The three women and five men selected – who make up more than 10 percent of this year’s total group of honorees – are physicist Lisa J. Randall,…

    2–4 minutes
  • Science & Tech

    Percentage of Katrina survivors with mental disorders increasing

    According to the most comprehensive survey yet conducted of people affected by Hurricane Katrina, the percentage of pre-hurricane residents of the affected areas in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi who have mental disorders has increased significantly compared to the situation five to eight months after the hurricane. These findings, which were presented last week to the…

    5–7 minutes
  • Health

    Mental disorders cause 1.3 billion ‘out of role’ days annually

    The importance of role disability, that is, inability to work or carry out usual activities, has become increasingly recognized as a major source of indirect costs of illness because of its high economic impact on ill workers, their employers, and society. However, there is limited information on the amount of disability associated with a wide…

    1–2 minutes
  • Science & Tech

    Under-diagnosed rage disorder more prevalent than previously thought

    A seldom-studied mental illness called Intermittent Explosive Disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of angry and potentially violent outbursts — seen in cases of road rage or spousal abuse — has been found to be much more common than previously thought. Depending upon how broadly it is defined, this disorder affects as many as 7.3 percent…

    1–2 minutes
  • Science & Tech

    Harvard studies Katrina survivors

    A new project, funded by a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, will recruit Katrina survivors around the country to serve on the Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory Group. The group, numbering 2,000 survivors – half from New Orleans and half from other affected areas – will speak every three months by…

    1–2 minutes
  • Campus & Community

    Half of us suffer from mental illness, survey finds

    About half of all the people in the United States will develop one or more mental disorders in their lifetimes, according to the latest national survey. During any year, one of every four people in this country fits the definition of “mentally ill.” Most of these disorders are mild, the census-like survey found. Mild or…

    1–2 minutes
  • Campus & Community

    Suicides are down, researchers say

    The suicide rate among men and women ages 18 to 54 years fell 6 percent since 1990. In 1990-92, the rate was approximately 15 out of every 100,000 adults. It was down to about 14 out of 100,000 in 2000-02. At the same time, 3,000 out of every 100,000 people reported that they had suicidal…

    1–2 minutes
  • Health

    Study challenges proposed changes to clinical definition of mental illness

    As the American Psychiatric Association prepares for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’s fifth edition, there is debate over whether to eliminate milder forms of diseases to prevent overtaxing the mental health care system. According to Ronald Kessler, HMS professor of health care policy, tightening the DSM’s definitions is a serious matter. His…

    1–2 minutes
  • Science & Tech

    Millions of Americans suffer from major depression

    A Harvard Medical School study found high rates of depression throughout the U.S. population. The researchers analyzed the depression of over 9,000 Americans and evaluated depression’s effect on daily activities and treatment received, if any. Critics have theorized that depression has been reported as more widespread than it really is, said survey leader Ronald Kessler,…

    1–2 minutes