People who live in damp, moldy homes may be prone to depression, a new study suggests.

The possible link was uncovered in an analysis of mold and health conditions in several cities in eastern and western Europe. And it could one day lead to the addition of emotional problems to the list of health woes caused by mold, the study authors said.

But, the researchers cautioned, it's still too soon to tell if exposure to mold is directly related to depression, or whether an already depressed person might simply relinquish control of their surroundings to the degree that mold may develop.

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I don't know what to make of it: the number one drug in the universe (Prozac) has now been relegated to nearly last place, while a drug that ten years ago was at the bottom of the atypical antispychotic playlist is now number one with a bullet.
Many people complain about pharmaceutical involvement in doctor prescribing practices, and while this certainly is an issue, what people don't seem to acknowledge is how doctors themselves, independent of Pharma, have prescribing drift. Doctors want to try the latest drugs and see if they're better; but even if they end up being the same and no better, they never drift back. That has nothing to do with Pharma. It's just a habit. Habits are comfortable.

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While I am not surprised (but quite saddened) by the media hounding received by Owen Wilson, his family and associated executives in the industry, what does continue to surprise (and sadden) me is the continuing lack of awareness and reporting surrounding mental illness as well as suicide.

Considering that Mr. Wilson requested, "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time," it is clear that even he perceives his situation as serious. His request has fallen on deaf ears. Newscasters are camped out at Cedars-Sinai.

If indeed Owen Wilson suffers from depression and if he indeed did try to attempt suicide (as up to this point no statements have been released to confirm or deny), requesting the media to grant him the courtesy to heal and receive treatment in private should ethically be honored. Ethics do not sell air time or newspapers, however.

The high risk of smoking among young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not reduced by treatment with the antidepressant bupropion, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. However, stimulants do seem to cut the likelihood of smoking.

Bupropion is sold under the trade name Zyban when it's prescribed to help people stop smoking, and under the name Wellbutrin when it's prescribed to treat depression or seasonal affective disorder.

"Given that children with ADHD are at very high risk for the development of nicotine dependence, the development of successful smoking prevention programs in this population will address a serious public health issue," Dr. Michael C. Monuteaux told Reuters Health.