Depression - Symptoms

The facts and the stats on a condition that afflicts millions of Americans.

Tis the Season to Be Sad? 10 Tips to Help You Cope

For some, even positive life changes can bring on bouts of severe anxiety or depression. But there is good news.

Why victims of child abuse can find themselves struggling with mental health issues decades later.

There's a common belief that writers and artists are more likely to have mental health issues than the general population. We explore if there is any truth to this relationship.

Think you may have ADD, depression, or another psychiatric disorder? Learn how this type of assessment differs from other psychological tests—and why it may give you the insight you need.

While some people are at higher risk, nervous breakdowns can happen to anyone. Here's what to look for.

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment for this mental illness can help keep it under control.

Find out why new moms are at increased risk and how to get help.

Stop the replays and hit "pause". Ruminating over a problem may lead to an even bigger one: depression.

Don't let your blood sugar swings result in mood swings. Use these preventative tips to keep an even keel.

With so many stigmas surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it's especially important to separate fiction from fact.

In small doses, worrying can keep you in check. But in excess, it can be downright debilitating.

Here's how to measure normal daily emotions against mania and depression.

Discovering new treatments for mental health diseases is a complicated endeavor with plenty of dead ends. Sometimes, however, an impractical finding opens the door to new possibilities.

Dysthymia is a depressive condition that isn t quite as severe as full-blown depression, but lasts longer and can affect your life in many of the same ways.

We all have our ups and downs; however, if they're too extreme, it may be indicative of a larger issue.

While some symptoms of neurotic behavior are natural, displaying too many could have a negative effect on your relationships.

There are five main categories of intense, unrealistic fears about certain things and situations.

While bipolar disorder symptoms are similar to signs of regular depression, they are more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings.

Depression affects both men and women. But there are key difference in their symptoms.

You look well. What are the challenges when you feel anything but on the inside?

Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it is common. Be aware of these triggers.

Prevent feeling overcome by the season of stress with these tips.

Approach this sensitive situation with these steps.

Distinguish the signs of mental illness from other behaviors that may seem odd.

You probably already know that stress can have a big impact on your health. Here's how to release and let go for the sake of your health.

It's more than just a party trick. Hypnosis has been shown to deliver real mental health benefits for some.

If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, helping them find the support they need can be frustrating, complicated, and necessary.

By looking at patterns of mental illness in families with twins and those who have experienced trauma, researchers have uncovered new answers.

Statistics paint a worrisome picture when it comes to aging Americans and mental illnesses like depression.

This medication can be a blessing and a curse. Here's how to tell if you, or a loved one, have crossed the line into addiction.

Your condition is real. Here's what to say and do when people say your depression is "all in your head."

Do you recognize these telltale signs of the fear of being out of cell phone contact? Here's how to manage your obsession.

One startling example of the mind-body connection is the link between back pain and depression.

Commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, statins may also lower the risk of major depression.

When it comes to mental health disorders such as anxiety, there are big differences between the genders.

Psychosocial factors like stress and depression can have an adverse effect on cardiac health. Here's what you can do.

It's a real and hidden danger among the older generation. Here are ways to combat isolation.

Typically diagnosed based on questions and answers, it's possible that the blood holds the truth about who is depressed.

This sleep disorder can do more than interrupt your rest.

Typically a treatment for patients suffering from depression, transcranial direct current stimulation shows benefits for those coping with chronic pain.

"Low T" or hypogonadism can cause undesired changes. Here's what you can do.

These serious issues require medical attention. Here's how to recognize the problem and get it addressed.

How do doctors measure and diagnose conditions from anxiety to personality disorders, especially when there is more than one condition involved?

For millions of Americans, depression is more than just a bout with "the blues"; it's a serious psychiatric disorder. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers.

Men can prevent health risks by paying attention to changes in their body and seeing their doctor when something isn't right.

As many as 25 percent of teens suffer from a form of anxiety. Use these tips to help your child cope.

Not only is it emotionally painful, grief takes a toll on your physical health as well.

People who live with depression often also suffer from headaches. What's the link?

Strip away the stigma and misconceptions. Here are four common myths debunked.

What are common concerns about these highly-prescribed drugs?

Broken Heart Syndrome can be harmful to your mind and body, and it can be treated.

Millions of Americans suffer from irrational or excessive fears. Learn about the five most common phobias.

When it comes to bipolar disorder, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Here, we debunk the biggest myths surrounding the disease.

It's common for seniors to experience sadness and grief, but when these feelings are persistent, they may be a sign of depression.

You've probably heard you should "forgive and forget." But new research shows old standard is flawed logic. Here's a better way to process your emotions.

Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, can suffer a relapse.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease.

Studies demonstrate that proper napping techniques can relax your mind and focus your thoughts. What's the right way to catch some z's?

Strange, wild, passionate, frightening. Your dreams may provide insight into who you really are.

Mind over matter: You've heard it so many times, it may seem meaningless. But new research shows how emotional therapy helps to make pain symptoms easier to bear.

Bringing a pet into your home is a big commitment, but it can come with serious rewards including a potential reduction of your pain.

Depression related lethargy is frustrating and can interfere in your daily activities. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact.

Chronic pain doesn't just affect your body but your emotions as well. In fact nearly 30 percent of pain patients suffer from depression.

Sadness is the most widely recognized symptom of depression. But it is possible to be clinically depressed without being sad. Could you or someone you know be suffering and not know it?

For many adults, there's nothing like a good, hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Few people, however, know the profound effect caffeine has on their mood.

Several studies have shown that lack of sleep has a profound effect on your mental well-being and that, for some people, chronic insomnia increases the risk of developing a psychological disorder such as depression or anxiety.

Depression is particularly prevalent and overlooked in older adults. Despite the high incidence among seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging.

If you're the partner of someone who is depressed, it can take a toll on your relationship and your own mental health. Here, a guide to keeping your relationship intact in the face of mental illness.

A healthy dependency is a two-way relationship; both parties contribute to it in positive ways. A codependent relationship, in contrast, is an unhealthy, dysfunctional, perhaps even abusive, one-sided relationship.

Being confronted with a loved one who is considering suicide is frightening and distressing, and you may be at a loss as to what to do. By responding with these six steps, you might actually save someone's life.

Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict.

Everyone copes with loss in his or her own way. If you've lost a child, you can find a multitude of organizations, books, blogs, and support groups to help you. Behind them all, you'll find parents who have also suffered the same loss.

During the Great Depression, suicide rates hit their highest level ever, increasing almost 23 percent over the four years of the depression. Since then, suicide rates have consistently risen during times of economic downturns.

Some mental health experts believe social networking can increase stress and anxiety, and they've have even coined names to describe this phenomenon, such as Social Media Anxiety, Social Networking Anxiety, and Facebook Depression.

Does summertime make you sad? While most people welcome the warm weather, long days, and opportunities for outdoor activities, a small percent of the population feels depressed instead.

One of the challenges in diagnosing mental health disorders is that symptoms of different diseases tend to overlap. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are two related conditions that are easy to confuse.

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Here, a guide to the transition to life without depression medication.

Work in the United States has become a 24-hour phenomenon. Working irregular hours may also lead to a condition characterized by insomnia, excessive sleepiness during work, difficulties concentrating, headaches, and lack of energy.

Although a few short nights can make us cranky and irritable, generally our mood returns to normal once we've resumed our regular sleeping routine. For individuals who struggle with depression, however, insomnia can be a chronic problem.

You're a smart person. So why, when you're under the most stress, does it seem your brain shuts down and your intelligence disappears?

Is it possible that your pain is caused by the way you walk and sit? If so, the Alexander Technique might be for you.

When it hurts to be active, it's hard to stay connected. Read on to break free from pain's captivity.

Depression is one of the most common complications in people with chronic illness, occurring in up to one-third of chronically ill patients. Learn how to manage your symptoms with these tips.

Having children is an exciting, rewarding experience for most parents. For women suffering from depression, however, parenting is especially difficult and untreated depression can have long-lasting effects on their children.

Just because your symptoms are gone, doesn't mean your depression is. In fact, many relapse as soon as six months after treatment. Read on for triggers and preventative measures.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Read on to get the comprehensive information you need to navigate the condition.

Mental health disorders such as depression permeate every aspect of your life, and may cause a multitude of other complications, some of which are even life threatening. Most, however, are easily avoided.

Vitamins play a critical role in mental health. And insufficient intake of certain vitamins have been linked to mood disorders. So, which deficiency is resulting in your symptoms? Find out here.

While medication generally provides significant relief from depression, many patients find their symptoms persist. A variety of factors can contribute to treatment-resistant depression; however, with a bit of know-how, you can find a treatment regimen that works.

Many things can temporarily derail a relationship, including an episode of depression. It is possible, however, to get relationships back on track after treatment.

Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Panic attacks are frightening and disruptive enough, and you don't need the additional stress of worrying about whether common misconceptions about panic disorders are true.

Do you tend to worry too much about everyday things, even when there's no real reason for worry? Do you have trouble relaxing, concentrating, or sleeping? Are you plagued with unexplained aches and pains? If you answered yes, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

If you've struggled with giving up a bad habit, or trying to create a new one, don't be too hard on yourself; it's not a personal weakness or lack of self-control. Turns out, there's a whole science behind habit formation.

Forty to 50 percent of Parkinson s patients also suffer from depression. Not only does it cause poorer quality of life for patients, depression is associated with faster progression of physical symptoms and greater cognitive decline.

Have you ever stopped to take a deep breath (or two or three) in the midst of an anxiety-provoking situation? That s a smart move. Breathing is an effective way to tame the symptoms of anxiety.

Appropriate treatment not only makes you feel better and improves the quality of your life, it helps prevent a relapse in the future. Read on for 7 tips to guarantee you're receiving the treatment you need.

Mood and pain are strongly connected. We've got tips for how to control mood when you're in pain.

If a friend or relative has gone through a tough situation recently, you may be wondering what you can do to help. Can anything you say or do really make a difference? Yes, if you take the time to understand the different ways in which people react to trauma.

Millions of women go undiagnosed with an extremely common mood disorder called the Body Blues. Instead of showing up as sadness or depression, Body Blues are often signified by weight gain, fatigue, and a low sex drive (among other symptoms).

You can minimize a bipolar episode and maintain some control over your life with a bit of planning and being aware of your environment. Here are a few suggestions for managing your bipolar triggers.

The National Eating Disorders Association estimates that about 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders.

You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder.

In discussing substance dependence, most individuals focus on the use of only one substance at a time. On the other hand, some individuals do not have a drug of choice and will use any substance in order to achieve intoxication.

Many patients report pain several months or more after having surgery and scientists are developing clues as to why. Several studies have focused on understanding the interlinking roles of genetics, anxiety and pain.

Stress is inevitable and, although it generally gets a bad rap, sometimes stress can actually be a good thing.

Overwhelmed with sadness? You should know diabetes sufferers have higher rates of depression.

Medications for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders can be lifesaving for people who need them. However, they come with potential risks and side effects including weight gain.

Do you or does someone you know feel distrustful of others, suspecting their motives and finding hidden meanings in their comments? This persistent and unfounded mistrust is the cornerstone of paranoia disorders.

A study of the effect of work environment on employee mental health found that a negative environment, defined in the study as poor team climate, was significantly associated with depressive disorders and antidepressant use.

You ve probably heard of anorexia and bulimia, two widely recognized eating disorders. However, binge eating disorder is far more prevalent.

A panic attack can happen anytime even when you re sleeping.

People with anxiety have a significantly higher incidence of insomnia, and insomniacs are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

People who suffer from chronic pain are three times more likely to develop mood or anxiety disorders, and depressed people are three times more likely to develop chronic pain.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may interfere with making the appropriate mental health diagnosis, thus complicating treatment.

You know it as the club drug. However, ecstasy may also play a role in treating a prevalent anxiety disorder called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Depending on the severity of your depression, massage therapy alone may control your symptoms, or it may be one component of a multi-pronged approach to treating your depression.

There are two common types of mood disorders: depression and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are more prevalent than you may think, affecting as many as 44 million Americans. But can you tell the difference between a mood swing and a mood disorder?

You re probably familiar with some of the more common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder. However schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder may be two of the least understood mental health problems.

Irritable? Sleepy? Confused? Your feelings are closely tied to your blood sugar.

Popularized by cable TV, hoarding has become a well-known occurrence. Here, forensic psychologist Debra Warner examines this phenomenon in part 2 of her weekly series.

Popularized by cable TV, hoarding has become a well-known occurrence. Here, forensic psychologist Debra Warner examines this phenomenon in part 1 of her weekly series.

Is your city getting you down? Find out if where you live made our list.

As its name implies, individuals with this mental health disorder alternate between obsessive thoughts and behaviors, and compulsive rituals to try to control the obsessions. This cycle is disruptive and causes stress and anxiety. In many cases, OCD interferes in an individual s ability to engage in work, school or other daily activities. Approximately 2.2 million Americans suffer from OCD.

Experts talk about the blurring of the distinction between normal sadness and depression.

Dementia and pseudo-dementia are two conditions whose symptoms closely resemble one another. The recommended treatments and probable outcomes for each condition, however, vary greatly.

Have you or a loved one survived a life-threatening disease? Are you currently struggling with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, or other health-related condition? Have you gone to extraordinary lengths to help someone in a health crisis? If so, we want to hear from you!

Many believe that panic attacks and mitral valve prolapse are linked. But is this the truth? Read on to get what the studies are really saying.

Family ties may boost your risk for depression.

Researchers find more evidence that creativity and mood disorders are linked.

Here's what you can do to stay emotionally healthy during this important period of your life.

Once widely considered an inhumane practice, electric shock therapy finds increasing support as a treatment for depression.

You have the power to change your attitude for the better.

Depression--it s not all in your head and it does matter.

How can depression lead to suicide? Find out here.

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease and what you can do to protect yourself.

More than 200 million days of work are missed each year due to employee depression. Get the whole story here.

According to a study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), people with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to suffer from depression.

The disease can wear a very different face on men than it does on women.

Depression has been linked to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

Here's what you need to know about this crucial topic.

A service of The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health reports that a study has been published suggesting that measuring the levels of hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy may predict whether a woman is likely to develop postpartum depression or not.

Is medication necessary, or is talking it out enough?

From causes to treatments, learn more about this common problem.

From war to human trafficking, these 10 spots are the most dangerous on the planet.

Skepticism and pessimism can wreak havoc on your health. Here, how to make some important attitude adjustments.

As it turns out, heartbreak may be more than just a metaphor.

Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms.

Nearly 7 percent of Americans suffer from depression, but the disease is often misunderstood. Here, we separate fact from fiction.

An ever-growing topic among psychologists, emotional intelligence can play a significant role in your job, your relationships, and your own self-worth.

Follow these basic strategies to manage your time more efficiently in the coming year.

An estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form--a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Schizophrenia affects millions of Americans, but the illness and its causes are often misunderstood. Here, we dispel the disease's most common myths.

Research points to a complex combination of known factors.