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Compulsive mothers, autistic children, music manages moods, and moreTuesday’s stories from the international child mental health conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre include: When overseas adoption worksBritish and Australian researchers reveal results of a study of 39 children adopted from the Philippines by parents in Victoria. Despite misgivings about overseas adoption, the children were found to be functioning as well, and in some areas better than corresponding general population norms in the areas of behaviour, emotional regulation and self esteem. Why some mothers are compulsiveWomen who have a baby can show signs similar to people with obsessive compulsive disorder, according to Yale psychiatry professor James F. Leckman. A new parent may be preoccupied with their infant, clean obsessively, order and arrange items neatly and hoard materials in ways similar to someone with OCD. The link appears to be a neuropeptide called oxytocin, found in elevated levels in some people with OCD and released in women during childbirth. Professor Leckman’s study in this area has moved to brain imaging of new parents, and how they respond to their child’s cries. Mood musicMany adolescents effectively use music – from heavy metal to rock - to improve their mood, even when they are feeling stressed, angry or bored, according to a study by Melbourne University researchers. A study of 15-18 year olds in Melbourne’s west showed minds were not being taken over by what they listened to – rather the choice of music was often deliberately made to improve their mood. But in some isolated cases, an adolescent’s mood deteriorated, despite the music. “Increasing access to music through ipods and MP3 players makes understanding what is happening a more pressing issue,” says lead researcher, music therapist Dr Katrina McFerran. A consumer’s viewA panel of young people will raise for discussion the mental health needs of young people from their own perspectives, and the strengths and gaps in mental health services. This will include young people who have a history of mental illness reviewing what has worked and what has not worked for them, and proposing ideas and frameworks for working with young people generally. Adolescent eating disordersAn afternoon session draws together experts from Australia to discuss what has been learned in the past 10 years. Topics include the treatment of anorexia nervosa in hospital, involving families in change, motivation and the future in the treatment of eating disorders. Jailed for autism?Vulnerable, undiagnosed autistic children are over-represented in the juvenile justice system, says Monash University researcher and clinician Dr Teresa Flower, speaking at the international child mental health conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
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