Mood states are passed from parent to children in a number of different ways:

Children whose mothers suffer from depression during pregnancy are more likely than others to show anti-social behavior, British researchers say.

Researches at Cardiff University, King’s College London and the University of Bristol say women who are aggressive and disruptive in their own teen years are more likely to become depressed in pregnancy, so a mom’s history predicts her own children’s anti-social behavior.

Dale F. Hay, professor of psychology at Cardiff University in Wales, says the study considered the role of mothers’ depression during pregnancy by looking at 120 British youth from inner-city areas.

via Moms’ depression tied to teen behavior – UPI.com.

Here is an interesting fact sheet on the development of the human brain.

50 Brain Facts Every Educator Should Know | Associate Degree – Facts and Information.

There is growing awareness that anxiety and depression are a significant health problem. This awareness is emerging out from under a cloud of denial that was (and is still being) held in place by one the hand the stiff upper lip attitude – “if you allow your emotions to show you are being inappropriate and weak” and on the other the false happy brigade including religious nuts and self-help quacks – “to attract success/happiness you must project success/happiness”.

It’s about time that we collectively acknowledge the truth: depression and anxiety are endemic in our societies (if you can access the Internet to read this, I include you in “our”). Recent media campaigns (by Mind) have helped the cause by featuring prominent individuals talking about their experience of mental illness . However, instead of the flourishing of an open debate on why we are prone to these diseases, the witch-hunt for “causes” is now on:

People who spend a lot of time surfing the internet are more likely to show signs of depression, British scientists said today.But it is not clear whether the internet causes depression or whether depressed people are drawn to it.

via Study links excessive internet use to depression - News, Gadgets & Tech – The Independent.

The way that NICE and the host of other target driven, cost-efficiency driven health bureaucrats carry on you might be surprised that other psychotherapeutic models beside CBT actually have an evidence base that confirms their positive impact on people suffering from mental illness. Well they do:

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic and stress-related physical ailments, and the benefits of the therapy grow after treatment has ended, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the patient’s life. Its goal is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptoms but to help people lead healthier lives.

via Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Brings Lasting Benefits through Self-Knowledge.

Healthy development can occur in non-traditional family models:

A Cambridge University developmental psychologist testified at a federal trial in San Francisco today that broad research has documented that children of same-sex parents are just as likely as those of heterosexual parents to be well-adjusted.”Studies have found children do not require both a male and female parent,” testified Michael Lamb, who heads Cambridges Department of Social and Developmental Psychology.

via Children thrive equally with same-sex, heterosexual parents, psychologist testifies at Prop. 8 trial | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times.

An interesting article in The Observer:

So, is depression fashionable or is it unmentionable? Is it a taboo or a mark of distinction? Is a confession an act of exhibitionistic self-indulgence? Its not clear whether we think we run risks by ignoring it or whether we talk about it too much. It is obviously unwise for politicians to admit openly to depression, at least while they are in or seeking office, and dentists and doctors dont often own up to it, although many suffer from it. I was told by a reliable source that the suicide rate for dentists in the United States is higher than that in any other profession, yet most dentists appear to be quite jolly. Its all right for actors, performers, writers, artists and women to admit to weakness, because they arent responsible and they dont count.

via Why are so many middle-aged women cursed by depression? | Margaret Drabble | Comment is free | The Observer.

Speakers Vilayanur Ramachandran: Brain expert

A billiant talk at TED:

VS Ramachandran: The neurons that shaped civilization | Video on TED.com.

Neurologist V.S. Ramachandran looks deep into the brain’s most basic mechanisms. By working with those who have very specific mental disabilities caused by brain injury or stroke, he can map functions of the mind to physical structures of the brain.

Richard Dawkins

Why you should listen to him:

V.S. Ramachandran is a mesmerizing speaker, able to concretely and simply describe the most complicated inner workings of the brain. His investigations into phantom limb pain, synesthesia and other brain disorders allow him to explore (and begin to answer) the most basic philosophical questions about the nature of self and human consciousness.

Ramachandran is the director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University of California, San Diego, and an adjunct professor at the Salk Institute. He is the author of Phantoms in the Brain (the basis for a Nova special), A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness and The Man with the Phantom Twin: Adventures in the Neuroscience of the Human Brain.

“Ramachandran is a latter-day Marco Polo, journeying the silk road of science to strange and exotic Cathays of the mind. He returns laden with phenomenological treasures…which, in his subtle and expert telling, yield more satisfying riches of scientific understanding.”

This Emotional Life Begins Tonight | World of Psychology.

Can I every really be happy?

Is it true that money can’t buy happiness?

Will more friends help make me feel more happy?

What is happiness anyway?

This Emotional Life is a two-year outreach campaign anchored by a PBS series, in partnership with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, (airing January 4 – 6, 2010 — that’s starting tonight!) that examines the science behind our emotions, the challenges to our well-being, and the keys to happier lives.

This is a groundbreaking endeavor that is focused on emotional well-being and happiness, and designed to help people foster stronger social relationships. Spearheaded by Allen’s Vulcan Productions, the project includes a three-part, nationally broadcast series on PBS, a dynamic website, a national outreach campaign, and educational toolkits created to support two topics within this series which we felt required additional action.

I’m looking forward to the series and it will hopefully spur a new blog post in the future about the nature of happiness and tips we can employ to increase happiness in our everyday lives.

Learn more on their website: http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/.

Going to bed earlier protects teenagers against depression and suicidal thoughts, research suggests.A US study of 12 to 18-year-olds found those with bedtimes after midnight were 24% more likely to have depression than those who went to bed before 2200.

via BBC News – Late-night teens face greater depression risk.

Lauren Greenfield is a photographer from Los Angeles who has explored the effects of consumer culture on young women in the United States. Sh has also taken photographs and made a films about young women who want to be thin. We can all learn something about ourselves by listening to how these young women see and feel about themselves.

Lauren Greenfield Photography – Thin intro.