Depression + Original Articles

Stop the replays and hit "pause". Ruminating over a problem may lead to an even bigger one: depression. We've all done it: late at night when we're trying to fall asleep and a thought keeps playing in your mind. Maybe it's the memory of a conversation you wish had gone differently, a problem you hope to solve or an opportunity you wish you'd jumped on. Your brain hits replay again and again and you rehash the information over and over.

Therapy can be an effective tool when coping with difficult situations, but many insurances plans don't cover mental health services, or they require expensive co-pays. Here are some ways to find affordable treatment. If you are under a lot of stress, feeling anxious or going through a tough time, talking to a therapist may help you deal more effectively. While many behavioral health professionals accept insurance today you are still responsible for co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles—expenses that can add up quickly and add financial stress to your life.

With this therapy, brain waves are "trained" to keep mood more stable. Everyone experiences highs and lows in their moods over time, but if you're one of the 5.7 million people in the United States with bipolar disorder, the problem can be magnified. There are two main types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I disorder causes extreme mania and/or depression, while bipolar II disorder causes milder shifts from hypomania to depression.

While any hobby provides much-needed relaxation, these five quiet activities are sure to boost your well-being. Most hobbies—whether it's making your own soap, collecting antiques, traveling, knitting, or playing guitar—provide relaxation, instantly relieving stress and boosting your mental health. That, in turn, can help boost your physical health.

Don't let your blood sugar swings result in mood swings. Use these preventative tips to keep an even keel. Could the old saw "you are what you eat" have a bearing on your mood? Possibly. If you have mood swings, especially if you have diabetes, you may want to evaluate your food choices. They may be affecting your blood sugar levels. Blood Sugar When we digest carbohydrate foods, they break down into glucose, a simple sugar that easily converts to energy and reaches cells via the blood stream.

With so many stigmas surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it's especially important to separate fiction from fact. Public health experts recommend that you protect yourself against germs that can make you sick. But if you find yourself taking this advice to the extreme by washing your hands repeatedly until your skin is raw and avoiding contact with others so much that this focus interferes with your daily activities, you could have a condition called obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD.

In small doses, worrying can keep you in check. But in excess, it can be downright debilitating. Anxiety isn't all bad. Being anxious can have a purpose. It can motivate you to be well prepared for an important presentation, test, or job interview. In addition, worry warts are often conscientious workers and make wonderfully attentive friends. But there's nothing good about excessive anxiety.

A new study has zeroed in on a promising approach to erasing painful memories from the mind. This research may lead to improved treatments for anxiety disorders. A new study finds a promising approach to erasing painful emotional memories. The research may lead to improved treatment for those who suffer from anxiety disorders. The research, published by the journal Science, found that newly formed emotional memories can be erased in the human brain.

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. Discovering new treatments for mental health (and other) diseases is a complicated endeavor with plenty of dead ends. Sometimes, however, an impractical finding opens the door to new possibilities. This is the case with ketamine for the treatment of depression.

Here's how to measure normal daily emotions against mania and depression. Everyone's mood fluctuates during a typical day. "It's normal to have mood swings," says Alan Manevitz, MD, clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.  For an individual with bipolar disorder, however, mood swings can be so intense and extreme that they have a negative impact on daily functioning.

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. When you've been feeling down for a long time, and your dark mood is accompanied by at least two other symptoms, such as sleeping too little or too much, eating too little or overeating, low self-esteem, lack of focus, difficulty making decisions, or feelings of hopelessness, you may not be deeply depressed, but you're more than a little bit sad.

In a time of high-tech medicine, can a simple technique involving nothing more than the power of your own mind be the key to health and happiness? Some would argue that the only way to achieve inner peace and outer health is by going within. That's the theory behind Ho'oponopono, an ancient Hawaiian healing technique that's proving life- changing for those who practice it. Ho'oponopono is a ritual of reconciliation that originated centuries ago in many island cultures.

We all have our ups and downs; however, if they're too extreme, it may be indicative of a larger issue. Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive Illness, is a serious mental health condition, and the sixth leading cause of disability among 15 to 44-year olds. Complicating things, many individuals with bipolar disorder also have high rates of co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions.

Paying attention to your breath could put you on the fast track to stress relief. What if there was a quick, easy, no-cost way to relieve stress? There is, and you're already doing it-every single day. This magic remedy is breathing. Breathing is automatic and something we don't think about. However, the simple act of taking a few moments to be mindful of our breathing can be transformative.

While some symptoms of neurotic behavior are natural, displaying too many could have a negative effect on your relationships. Although you rarely hear the expression anymore, mental health professionals traditionally used the term neurotic to refer to conditions associated with poor functioning, anxiety, and depression. Diagnosing mental health conditions, such as personality disorders, is generally not as straightforward as it is with many illnesses.

There are five main categories of intense, unrealistic fears about certain things and situations. If you find yourself feeling intensely anxious and unrealistically fearful in certain situations, you may be living with a phobia. The most common type of anxiety disorder, a phobia can be so intense that it interferes with an individual's ability to socialize, work, or even get through the day, says Leah Lagos, Psy.

Individuals who consume seven or more servings of produce a day tend to enjoy better mental health, says one British study. It's long been known that a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables can improve your physical health. Now it seems that produce-rich menus correlate with good mental health as well. The study, carried out in conjunction with Dartmouth University in Hanover, NH, examined the produce-eating habits of 80,000 diverse people in Britain.

Feel invigorated during the darker months with these four expert how-to tips. The cold, gray days of winter can leave you feeling lethargic. It can be hard to stay enthusiastic and focused in the face of zero-degree wind chills and a dearth of sunlight. At this time of year, it's more critical than ever that you eat well and maintain good sleep habits in order to power through the season in fine form.

While bipolar disorder symptoms are similar to signs of regular depression, they are more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings. Bipolar disorder, a serious mental health condition, is the sixth leading cause of disability among 15 to 44-year olds. Complicating things, many individuals with bipolar disorder also have high rates of co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions.

Making small, inexpensive changes to your personal environment can go a long way toward improving your quality of life. The art of Feng Shui (fŭng shwā) revolves around the idea that everything is energy and making positive changes in your environment increases energy and focuses your intention. According to the website Feng Shui and Beyond, whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, you've probably had the experience of walking into a place that just "feels good.

Depression affects both men and women. But there are key difference in their symptoms. Although depression strikes both men and women, they differ in prevalence and symptoms. Women are twice as likely to develop depression. Mental health experts estimate that 10 to 20 percent of women will likely suffer from major depression at some point in their lives, compared to less than 10 percent of men.

New research reveals that how you handle such emotions can make a big difference in your well-being. Next time you're tempted to wallow in negative feelings, it may be wise to look around and compare your situation to others who are worse off than you are. This may show you that things aren't quite as bad as they seem, according to researchers from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Combining education, medication, and psychotherapy shows promise. Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a widely recognized mental health issue in children, for many individuals, ADHD persists into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by an inability to regulate one's behavior, emotions, and attention.

Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it is common. Be aware of these triggers. While individuals can suffer from depression at any age, older adults are particularly at risk. Of the approximately 20 million people in the U.S. with depression, 6.5 million are 65 and older. Depression causes unnecessary distress and suffering and may impair physical, mental, and social functioning.

You look well. What are the challenges when you feel anything but on the inside? Many people who live with chronic illness and pain conditions look pretty good from the outside. They may be well dressed, well groomed, and appear to friends and family to be healthy. But on the inside, many patients feel painful, ill, exhausted, depressed, and anything but healthy.

What are the key health risks you need to be aware of after a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy? In the aftermath of a violent storm such as Hurricane Sandy, it's more important than ever to remain on full alert. Potential dangers can lurk everywhere from your roof to your kitchen. Here's how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Food Poisoning Power outages can result in refrigerators and freezers being filled with spoiled food.

In the wake of Sandy, be aware of the psychological impact such a disaster can bring. Manmade and natural disasters certainly test our resilience. In just the last decade or so, we've experienced terrorist attacks, major hurricanes, wars, and now, superstorm Sandy. Relief efforts for Sandy are in the early stages, and professionals and volunteers are focusing on restoring basic services and fulfilling victims' needs for food, safety, and medical care.

Prevent feeling overcome by the season of stress with these tips. The holidays generate a mixed bag of emotions for many of us, not the least of which is anxiety. A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that people in the U.S. are more likely to feel stress during the holidays than those in other countries.

Some anxiety is healthy. But these signs mean it's time to get support. Final exams, job interviews, public presentations, athletic performances. These events can make anyone anxious for a short time and, in fact, a certain level of anxiety helps us perform better by making us more alert and focused on our task. However, for some individuals, anxiety is a way of life and can be debilitating.

Approach this sensitive situation with these steps. Suicide is a significant-and growing-public health problem. Between 2000 and 2009, suicide rates increased and in 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ranked suicide as the 10th leading cause of death. The increase in suicides may be partially due to ongoing U.

Distinguish the signs of mental illness from other behaviors that may seem odd. Mental health and mental illness fall on a continuum and there is no clear dividing line between what is normal and what is unhealthy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his own abilities, can cope with normal life stresses, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his community.

Oh, go ahead, let your mind wander. Did you know it's actually good for your mental health? If while in a meeting you find yourself staring out the window fantasizing about your upcoming vacation, or thinking about how glorious your post-work yoga class will be, you may be considered a bit of a daydreamer. For the most part, daydreaming has a bad wrap—teachers labeled it as "not paying attention" or a lack of mental discipline.

It's more than just a party trick. Hypnosis has been shown to deliver real mental health benefits for some. Anxiety is a stressful, debilitating condition. Fortunately, there are many non-pharmaceutical ways to manage and reduce anxiety. For example, according to Gerard V. Sunnen, MD, hypnosis is a potent anti-anxiety tool. Dr. Sunnen is a physician and psychiatrist who regularly incorporates medical hypnotherapy into patient care.

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. Got stress? You're certainly not alone. Everyone experiences stress in his own way. It may manifest as knotted muscles, painful digestion, troubled sleep, breakouts, chronic illness, weight gain, headaches, and fatigue. And that's just the physical symptoms.

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. If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or some other mental health condition, it's difficult to know how to ease their pain and sadness. Mental disorders are prevalent in the U.S., affecting tens of millions of individuals who have conditions that range from depression and generalized anxiety disorder to bipolar disorder.

You hear something's good for you, and tomorrow you hear it's bad. Here's how to solve the puzzle when it comes to health claims. One day aspirin is good for you; the next day's report says it's linked to some sort of rare disease. If you follow medical news closely, it's not that surprising to find contradictory or conflicting information during the same week's news. Trying to stay on top of medical information—and use it to improve your health—can be quite challenging.

By looking at patterns of mental illness in families with twins and those who have experienced trauma, researchers have uncovered new answers. According to experts at Stanford University, at least 10 percent of people in the U.S. will experience major depression at some point in their lives. Because depression is prevalent, it's important to understand what causes and influences it so we can appropriately identify and treat people suffering from this debilitating condition.

Statistics paint a worrisome picture when it comes to aging Americans and mental illnesses like depression. According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, roughly 5.6 to 8 million (1 in 5) older Americans have at least one mental health and substance abuse condition. Depressive disorder and dementia-related behavioral and psychiatric symptoms are the most common.

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. It can start innocuously enough. You throw out your back, and the doctor hands over a prescription for a painkiller. Or maybe you're taking a medication to relieve a chronic headache or an arthritic knee. If you or someone you know has been taking painkillers for awhile, you might wonder about the risks of prescription drug abuse.

Here's how to find helpful resources and know the right questions to ask. If you have a child with disabilities who is nearing adulthood, you have a lot of plans to make. Not only do you need help right now to ensure your child's adulthood is as fulfilling and independent as possible, but you also need to plan for your child's future, and one that might not include you.

Your condition is real. Here's what to say and do when people say your depression is "all in your head." "Why is mental disease the only illness you can get yelled at for having?" asks actor Harrison Ford in a public service announcement to promote the movie No Kidding, Me Too! Ford is one of many actors hoping to raise awareness for mental illnesses, such as depression, and correct the widespread notion that mental illness is "all in your head.

Commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, statins may also lower the risk of major depression. Approximately 36 million Americans are eligible to take statins for the prevention of coronary heart disease, making them the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Many of these drug names are familiar, such as Crestor, Lipitor, Vytorin, and Zocor, even to people who don't take them.

One startling example of the mind-body connection is the link between back pain and depression. There's no greater evidence of the mind-body connection than when it comes to back pain and depression. Studies show that back pain can cause depression and depression can manifest as back pain. Find out what you need to know about back pain and depression.

Do you recognize these telltale signs of the fear of being out of cell phone contact? Here's how to manage your obsession. Donna Talarico, who works in marketing at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, realized she was addicted to her cell phone when it "died" and she had to leave it charging in her car. That night, as she listened to a band at a nightclub, Talarico found herself clutching a small rectangular box of crayons "for comfort" while she didn't have her phone.

When it comes to mental health disorders such as anxiety, there are big differences between the genders. When it comes to mental health disorders such as anxiety, there are differences between the genders, even at early ages. Anxiety is characterized by worried thoughts, physiological tension, and cognitive defects. Persistent and unproductive anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the U.

Psychosocial factors like stress and depression can have an adverse effect on cardiac health. Here's what you can do. There's an association between psychosocial factors, such as stress, depression, hostility, and social isolation, and risk for adverse cardiac events, especially for individuals who already have heart disease. Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is the narrowing of arteries in areas of the body not near the heart-most commonly the pelvis and legs.

It's a real and hidden danger among the older generation. Here are ways to combat isolation. Can loneliness be deadly for the elderly? Apparently it's as dangerous as obesity, smoking, and alcohol, according to a recent British summit on loneliness that was reported in The Independent. "Loneliness is the great unspoken public health issue," British Care Services minister Paul Burstow said, according to The Independent.

Typically a treatment for patients suffering from depression, transcranial direct current stimulation shows benefits for those coping with chronic pain. New treatment options for depression and anxiety are creating a lot of buzz and giving some patients a real jolt. That's the impact Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is making and studies now support tDCS as a safe, effective treatment option for even tough cases of depression and anxiety.

This sleep disorder can do more than interrupt your rest. Does your spouse complain about your frequent snoring? Are you still tired when you wake in the morning? Do you often take afternoon naps? If so, you may be suffering from a condition called sleep apnea, or obstructed sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common sleep disorder.

Typically diagnosed based on questions and answers, it's possible that the blood holds the truth about who is depressed. Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people in the U.S. Individuals who have depression experience changes in mood, such as persistent sadness, anxiety, and empty feelings; sleep or eating disruptions; and suicidal thoughts or actions.

"Low T" or hypogonadism can cause undesired changes. Here's what you can do. Low testosterone is an unfortunate consequence of aging that currently affects about five million men. Secreted in the testes, testosterone peaks during puberty. Testosterone plays a role in hair growth as well as the development of the penis and testes.

It's now a proven fact. Being in and around nature makes people feel good. Mother Nature rules when it comes to improving your physical and mental health. More and more, studies show what most of us know intuitively: being in and around nature just makes us feel good. A recent paper published in Environmental Science Technology reviewed 10 earlier studies evaluating the self-esteem and mood benefits of green exercise (exercise done in nature).

These serious issues require medical attention. Here's how to recognize the problem and get it addressed. Adolescence is a time of great personal change. Teens may get a bad rap for being rebellious, moody, and self-conscious, but that's actually not the case for the majority of youngsters. However, their sometimes erratic behavior can be difficult to interpret.

How do doctors measure and diagnose conditions from anxiety to personality disorders, especially when there is more than one condition involved? You've been feeling sad and anxious lately. Is it just a phase or could you be suffering from some type of mental illness? When in doubt, it's always a good idea to see your doctor and get a formal diagnosis. Evaluating Mental Health Problems When something seems to be bothering you or your mood and energy level has changed recently, your doctor or mental health practitioner will likely want to perform a diagnostic evaluation to try to get to the root of what ails you.

There's no debating the stress of some jobs. But even enjoyable work can encourage mood disorders. Work, even enjoyable work, can cause extreme stress, which may lead to mood disorders and depression. Some researchers suspect that growing worker stress may be associated with the increasing prevalence of depressive disorders and suicide, but they are still trying to unravel whether it's coincidence or cause and effect.

Learn how to keep your head up during these frightening economic times. The economy is scary. In the past few years our national mood has gone from optimistic to pessimistic. Salaries have been slashed, retirement portfolios have tanked, and many jobs have been lost. Those who still have jobs are often afraid that they will lose them.

When the downturn boosts death rates, it's time to identify the issues and make changes where you can. There's no doubt, America is suffering from the economic downturn. Stress levels are through the roof. Kitchen tables are groaning under the weight of too many bills. One of the worst side effects of the economy is what it's doing to our health. Here are six common reasons why health is placed on the backburner during difficult financial times: The Stress Factor When times get tough, our body does its best to hold up under stress.

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. Depression is a common mental health condition in the U.S. and Canada. It significantly affects more women than men. Depression causes mood-related symptoms, such as prolonged sadness, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and trouble thinking, concentrating, and making decisions.

Men can prevent health risks by paying attention to changes in their body and seeing their doctor when something isn't right. When it comes to scheduling doctor visits, some men are notorious procrastinators. But this can be risky. Routine preventive care can find diseases in the early stages when there are more options for treatment and better chances of treating the issue.

Thanks to TV ads erectile dysfunction is no longer under the covers. Still, misconceptions remain. Learn what causes impotence and ways to reduce your risk. Between 15 and 30 million men suffer from some form of impotence or erectile dysfunction. At first glance this range seems wide, but it's due to the fact that some health professionals use the term "impotence" to include a host of sexual problems in men—not just the total inability to have or maintain an erection.

Stress can stir up an emotional appetite that can lead to overeating. The best solution is to find something other than food to take the edge off. Have you ever eaten an entire a pint of ice cream (or your go-to food of choice) when you're feeling stressed? You're not alone. Studies suggest that psychological stress and food consumption are related. Physiology of Stress and Eating Eating when stressed disrupts your digestion, even if you're eating healthy food.

Stress and bipolar disorder go hand in hand; each can trigger and exacerbate the other. What are the basics behind this mental health condition? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition in which patients alternate between episodes of manic (euphoric) and depressive moods. Sometimes there are periods of stability between the mood swings. Bipolar Disorder Overview Mental health experts suspect a chemical imbalance in the brain is behind Bipolar Disorder.

As many as 25 percent of teens suffer from a form of anxiety. Use these tips to help your child cope. As many as one-quarter of teens ages 13 to 18 have met the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the most common anxiety disorder, is characterized by general chronic worrying, nervousness, or tension.

Boost your well-being with a fragrance garden. It's easy to grow therapeutic herbs and flowers with these tips. Aromatherapy is a popular and effective way to elevate your mood and promote healing. You can create your own scents by planting a fragrance garden. If you fill the garden with edible herbs and flowers, you'll be able to boost your health in a fun and unique way.

Not only is it emotionally painful, grief takes a toll on your physical health as well. Grief is the experience of loss and affects all aspects of our lives, and at some point, everyone suffers from it. Not only is grieving painful, it can take a toll on our mental and physical health. According to an excerpt from the book Coping With Grief and Loss: A Guide to Healing, grief goes hand in hand with a wide range of physical and mental problems, including memory impairment, difficulties concentrating, nutritional deficiencies, and poor work performance.

A study reveals that these mini-computers have a big impact on your stress levels. According to researchers from the University of Worcester, who presented their findings at a recent meeting of the British Psychological Society, the number of times a person checks his smartphone is directly correlated with higher stress levels. The reason comes from the feeling that one "needs" to respond to every alert.

Surprise! A different day might be worse, but you can lighten your load any day of the week. The alarm rings, and the first thing you do is groan. It's Monday and there are 40 plus hours separating you from the stress-free weekend. Often, we think of Mondays in a negative light, and rightfully so. A study conducted by British food company Marmite and reported in The Telegraph found that many people don't smile on Mondays until 11:16am, and more than half of workers won't arrive at work on time.

People who live with depression often also suffer from headaches. What's the link? There is a strong association between depression and headaches, particularly migraine headaches. In fact, depression tops the list of co-existing conditions linked to migraines. The exact mechanism for this overlap is still unclear, although many experts believe the disorders share some biology.

Strip away the stigma and misconceptions. Here are four common myths debunked. Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," is a widely used and often highly effective treatment for depression, particularly for people with mild to moderate depression. If you're suffering from severe depression, your physician may recommend psychotherapy along with antidepressant medications.

What are common concerns about these highly-prescribed drugs? Antidepressants are one of the primary treatments for depression and the second most prescribed drugs in the U.S. More than 11 percent of Americans 12 and older take at least one of the two dozen FDA-approved antidepressant medications. However, many people who might benefit from antidepressants are reluctant to take them—or fail to take them as prescribed—due to fears and concerns.

Here's how certain natural scents may help improve your health and overall state of mind. Can you sniff your way to a better mood and better health?  It all depends on what scents you smell. If you surround yourself with these aromas, you might find that the secret to health is all in your nose. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative and complementary medicine based on the use of concentrated oils from flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rinds, or roots of plants with purported healing properties.

Broken Heart Syndrome can be harmful to your mind and body, and it can be treated. Chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and generalized weakness are all well known symptoms of a heart attack. However, they may also indicate a condition called Broken Heart Syndrome—officially called takotsubo cardiomyopathy. While this condition sounds like something straight out of a blues ballad, it is very real.

Get the real story on America's most prevalent mental illness—from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment. Depression has been called the "common cold of mental health"—and is it any wonder? Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or 9.5 percent of the U.S. adult population, suffer from a depressive disorder each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Millions of Americans suffer from irrational or excessive fears. Learn about the five most common phobias. Do you have an irrational or excessive fear of something? If so, you're not alone. More than 19 million Americans suffer from a phobia of some kind. What Is a Phobia? A phobia is defined as an abnormally emotional and physical response to an imagined or irrationally exaggerated fear.

Insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans. Find out more about what's keeping you awake at night. "To sleep, perchance to dream." Shakespeare's famed words sound so tranquil, but if you've ever read Hamlet, you know the story's about to take a bad turn. For many Americans, sleep is also a maddening prospect representing hours of tossing and turning with little to show for it other than the eventual fatigue, irritability, and exhaustion.

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 believed that more than 5 million American adults have bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But while most people are familiar with the term "bipolar disorder," several myths about the condition still abound. 1.

Follow these tips to help reduce the likelihood of a manic episode. One of the best ways to manage bipolar disorder is to prevent manic episodes before they start. Although that's not always doable, it is possible to identify triggers that may lead to mood disturbances. Follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of a manic episode: Stick to a daily routine Schedule meals at a regular time, make exercise a part of your daily schedule, and practice relaxation techniques each night before bed.

For students, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can present a host of unique challenges and opportunities. Inattention. Hyperactivity. Impulsivity. Distractibility. These are just some of the characteristics that can make it difficult for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to succeed in school, according to experts. What's more, contending with the many misperceptions surrounding the disorder can be a challenge.

Learn how to spot the warning signs and break the vicious cycle. Controlling spouses, unstable siblings, friends you just can't trust. Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you may be in a toxic relationship—and you're not alone. According to experts, most Americans have struggled with at least one unhealthy social bond by the time they're in their late teens, and sadly, many continue to endure these connections throughout their lives.

It's common for seniors to experience sadness and grief, but when these feelings are persistent, they may be a sign of depression. Although depression is common among older Americans, experts say it's not just a normal part of the aging process. Whenever feelings of sadness and grief are persistent and interfere with daily activities, they may be signs of major depression--a disease that affects 1 to 5 percent of senior citizens in the mainstream community, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.

Get the top eight signs, and learn how to break the cycle. Perfectionists often believe that doing everything right can win them success, acceptance, even love. But sadly, their seemingly flawless behavior can actually undermine their efforts. According to counselors at the University of Illinois, the desire to be perfect can rob people of their sense of personal satisfaction, preventing them from achieving as much as those with more realistic goals.

Learn how to find the middle ground between being accommodating and being stepped on. According to a University of Iowa study, excessively nice people often feel as if they have no control over their decisions, thoughts, or opinions. As a result, they can become resentful, frustrated, even depressed. Are you too nice for your own good? 1.

While the most popular reason men and women seek out this procedure is to look younger, there is another side to Botox. Men may use it to address excessive sweating or even to relieve an enlarged prostate. Here's why Botox is big news for men. Men make up eight percent of patients who elect to have cosmetic procedures, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. One of the most popular of these procedures are Botulinum Toxin Type A injections, or Botox®. According to the official website of Botox Cosmetic, Botox® "is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines.

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. The old saying "to err is human; to forgive divine" are good words to live by. The act of forgiving others provides powerful health benefits. In fact, even renowned medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic advocate forgiving as a sound strategy for good mental health.

Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, can suffer a relapse. When you seek treatment for depression, you want all of your symptoms to go away—and stay away. Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, suffer an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to help deal with the diagnosis and cope with the holidays and every day. Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) means that each new day brings a unique set of challenges. Coping with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior can become overwhelming at times. Not surprisingly, research has shown that caregivers often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease. If you talked to as many caregivers as I have over the years, you'd know that it's not the least bit unusual for them to wonder, "Is it Alzheimer's or just aging?" This heart-wrenching question hangs over the heads of many, many families for many, many months without ever once being spoken out loud.

An estimated 5.7 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Here's one man's story of despair, diagnosis, treatment, and hope. "I'll never forget the day when my doctor put his comforting hand on my shoulder and said the two words that cleared up a lifelong mystery: "Bipolar disorder. "Until then, I simply couldn't figure out why, like an out-of-control roller-coaster, I plunged into a downward spiral from extreme happiness to extreme depression, why I plummeted from such highs to such lows.

Not so black and white: study concludes bipolar disease is more of a spectrum disorder. A 2007 study supports earlier findings that bipolar disease is underrecognized, often improperly treated, and may be more accurately characterized as a spectrum disorder than a black-and-white disease. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationwide survey of mental disorders among 9,282 Americans ages 18 and older.

Study shows that preparedness makes all the difference when it comes to caregiving. Findings from the CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today 2007 "Caregiver Insights Study: Well-Being and Care Management" indicate that family caregivers find the caregiving experience more enjoyable than expected. Findings further revealed that those caregivers who were better prepared to fill the caregiver role and responsibilities had more positive experiences than those who were unprepared.

Don't expect to lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can take steps to help your body rid itself of bloating while you sleep, which could result in a flatter tummy the next morning. You can wake up slimmer than when you went to bed the night before—if you adhere to this important list of to-dos: Drink plenty of water during the day. You don't want to ingest enough to fill a tanker truck—overconsumption of water can be dangerous.

This supplement is a widely recommended alternative to prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications, but some studies show it's not effective. So should you try it? The flowering plant, valerian, contains various compounds that may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It's also used to treat anxiety and abdominal cramps. The most studied, most widely available, and seemingly most effective species of valerian is Valerian officinalis, which is native to northern European countries.

Approximately two-thirds of adults watch TV in the hour before they go to bed. If you have ongoing sleep problems, ask yourself if you're one of them. Watching the tube before bed may seem like a good way to wind down for the evening to help you relax and fall asleep. And according to Dr. Helene M. Emsellem, author of Snooze...Or Lose, this may be true. But only if you watch TV for a very short period of time, keeping the sound low, and viewing something that's nonviolent and non-stimulating.

When you're sleep-deprived, you're more likely to take chances and make reckless decisions. What do brain scans reveal about being overtired? Your ability to make smart decisions can be lost when you lack sleep. You may take chances you wouldn't ordinarily take, have a false sense of what you can accomplish, and if you're a gambler or an over-spender, the results could be disastrous. When getting a good night's sleep is difficult, engaging in risky behavior such as mindless spending is that much easier because you don't have the wherewithal to stop yourself.

Some things that sap your energy are no surprise, like being awake all night with a sick child or eating a heavy meal, but there are other energy depleters that are less obvious. Don't let any of the following cause your lethargy: 1. Too much time in an urban environment. You may love the city for its excitement. Yet researchers have determined that a dearth of nature can be draining. A University of Michigan study found that subjects who walked in a local park scored better on cognitive functioning tests afterward than those who strolled through a small city's downtown.

Some believe that dreams hold the key to solving nagging problems and triggering creative energy. Here are tips on how to delve into your subconscious sleeping mind. Experts say we have multiple dreams every night, but we rarely, if ever, remember them. Other than fleeting scenes here and there that may stay with us, most of our nighttime imagery is lost as soon as the alarm clock goes off. Scientifically, dream recall is a pretty murky area.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis works by training your body to relax and your thoughts to focus. This deeply relaxed state can leave you open to changing your usual behavior. Touted by some as a cure for all kinds of medical and behavioral problems, hypnotherapy or hypnosis has the stamp of approval from both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association as a valid medical procedure. The National Institutes of Health also approve it as a treatment for chronic pain.

Studies demonstrate that proper napping techniques can relax your mind and focus your thoughts. What's the right way to catch some z's? If you have a cat or dog, you may envy their ability to nap throughout the day. Unlike our pets and most other mammals, however, humans sleep during specific blocks of time. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it's not clear this is our natural pattern.

Strange, wild, passionate, frightening. Your dreams may provide insight into who you really are. You're plummeting naked from an airplane after failing an important test. Your teeth are falling out and a dinosaur is chasing you. You awake suddenly, relieved it was just a dream. We all dream, and while the scientific community may not agree if dreams really say something about you, many people believe they do.

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. Can mind-power reduce power chronic pain has over you? Experts say it can and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is among the best keys to do it.    What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?   The National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists defines CBT as "a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do.

Persevering through trying times may have long-term benefits, new research suggests. What can you reap from life's difficulties? Martin Luther King, Jr. said the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. King, of course, was speaking of adversity and the power to overcome it.

While some disobedience is a normal part of a child's development, overly troubling behavior is not. Watch out for these signs. As any parent can attest, certain stages of children's developmental process include periods where they are especially difficult, such as the so-called terrible twos. However, sometimes children exhibit troubling behavior that's beyond what we'd normally expected at that age and stage of development.

Bringing a pet into your home is a big commitment, but it can come with serious rewards including a potential reduction of your pain. Pet owners love their companions for a variety of reasons. But can having a pet relieve your chronic pain? In fact, studies have found that, yes, pets can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with chronic pain conditions and help patients live better lives.

Balancing office and home life can create conflicts between demands and stress from both sides. But there may also be healthy benefits to working outside the home. Several recent studies have demonstrated that working, especially part time, provides mental health benefits for women. A study in the December 2011 issue of the Journal of Family Psychology examined several aspects of well being in mothers who worked part time compared to those who worked full time or not at all.

What do the experts say about using medicinal marijuana to alleviate symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD)? There is growing interest in the possible benefits of medical marijuana in treating ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Unfortunately, the scientific research is sparse, in part because marijuana is illegal in most of the U.

If you have a "sweet tooth," research suggests this preference could actually affect your personality. But does it make you sweeter or does it make you sour? "You are what you eat." A platitude used by parents and high school health teachers alike. And a new report published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has added credence to this adage. Research conducted by psychologists at the North Dakota State University in Fargo suggests that individuals who regularly eat sweets are more likely to help another person in need.

Depression related lethargy is frustrating and can interfere in your daily activities. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact. We all have days when our energy flags. However, persistent lethargy is one of the diagnostic criteria for depression. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact of lethargy: 1. Get enough sleep This seems obvious enough in theory; however, if you're depressed, this may be easier said than done.

Chronic pain doesn't just affect your body but your emotions as well. In fact nearly 30 percent of pain patients suffer from depression. Anyone who lives with chronic pain knows that the aches don't just occur on your knee, your shoulders, or the area you were injured. Chronic pain affects your whole life. It impacts your ability to work, enjoy yourself, interact with people, and engage in your normal daily activities.

The goal of depression treatment is to put patients in remission so they are free depressive symptoms. But how can you tell if your treatment is working? Read on to find out. Depression is a highly treatable mental health disorder. While there are numerous ways to treat depression, the most frequently used are psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, or both. If you've recently been diagnosed with depression, you may be wondering how to know if your treatment is working.

Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Read on to find out how your may be affected. Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Genes are units of information within cells that transmit characteristics, such as hair or eye color, from one generation to the next.

The debate rages on as to whether social networking sites isolate people or contribute to global connectedness. One new study's results offer an interesting perspective. Much has been made of the social, emotional, and intellectual implications of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Some studies suggest that they can contribute to depressive symptoms while others feel they foster a sense of a global community.

Nonmedical or non-health-related drugs have become very popular. But before you decide to try these kinds of drugs and procedures, proceed with caution. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), defining what is a "lifestyle drug" actually is a subject of much debate. However, according to the NLM it's typically thought of as a drug taken to satisfy a non-medical or non-health-related goal.

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. For many adults, there's nothing like a good, hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Caffeine, the ingredient in coffee that helps to wake you, is the most widely used stimulant in the United States. Americans consume about 80 percent of their caffeine in coffee.

In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, follow these tips to work toward better quality of life. In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, insecurities about your appearance can negatively affect your quality of life and mental well-being.

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? Sadness is the most universal and widely recognized symptom of depression. And, while sadness is a significant symptom in many cases, individuals can be clinically depressed without being sad. Depression vs. Sadness: What's the Difference? The criteria mental health professionals use to diagnose depression include the appearance a depressed mood or loss of interest in once enjoyable activities, plus at least four of these additional symptoms.

It's normal to feel sad every once in a while, but if you have asthma and you find yourself struggling with depression on a regular basis, you could be one of the many people who find that these two conditions are difficult to separate. It's normal to feel sad every once in a while, but if you have asthma and you find yourself struggling with depression on a regular basis, you could be one of the many people who find that these two conditions are difficult to separate. Until recently...

A recent study provides more evidence for what most of us know intuitively--getting along with people at work is good for you. The study reports that having a positive relationship with coworkers has long-term mental and physical health benefits. A recent study in the journal Health Psychology provides more evidence for what most of us know intuitively—getting along with people at work is good for you. The study reports that having a positive relationship with coworkers has long-term mental and physical health benefits.

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. You know how you feel after a restless or sleepless night—grouchy, stressed out, and just plain awful! The longer you go without a good night's sleep, the worse you feel. Here's what you can do to get your sleep habits—and your mood—back on track.

Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders and society's increasing awareness of them, stigmas about mental illness persist. Follow these tips to get past the misnomers. Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders and society's increasing awareness of them, stigmas about mental illness persist. The Mayo Clinic defines stigma as someone judging you based on a personal trait. Stigmas can be subtle or direct, but generally reflect a lack of understanding.

A new observational study uncovered why men seem to struggle when it comes to talking about their problems. Read on to get the scoop. The media and popular books, such as John Gray's Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, lead us to believe that men and women have very different communication styles. This is only partially true. Men and women are actually more similar than not in how they communicate in close, personal relationships.

A study conducted at the University of Hawaii's animal science department of 106 pet owners found that almost a third experienced grief that lasted six months or more after their pet's death. Twelve percent reported that their grief caused major disruptions in their lives. For many of us, a pet is a valued member of the family. In honor of the love, support, companionship and acceptance they show us, we celebrate their birthdays, buy them gifts, and provide top-notch medical care. We brag about their accomplishments, keep photos of them on our desks, and add their names to the holiday cards we send.

Depression is particularly prevalent—and overlooked—in older adults. Despite the high incidence among seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging. Depression is particularly prevalent--and overlooked--in older adults. Despite the high incidence in seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging. Seniors often suffer from serious or chronic health conditions. This makes it difficult to separate depression from drug side effects or other disease-related symptoms, so depression often goes undiagnosed.

The changing of the seasons brings cooler temperatures and shorter days. For many people, fall and winter also triggers depression. It may help to know you're not alone and the blues are not all in your head. The changing of the seasons brings cooler temperatures and shorter days. For many people, fall and winter also triggers depression. It may help to know you're not alone and the blues are not all in your head. You probably suffer from a type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, appropriately called SAD.

It's a life-threatening habit for anyone, but for individuals with diabetes, smoking is even more lethal and could be tied to another dangerous condition. The most avoidable cause of death in the U.S., cigarette smoking, accounts for 400,000 deaths annually. It's a life-threatening habit for anyone, but for individuals with diabetes, smoking is even more lethal. Nicotine increases glucose levels in the red blood cells, according to a study that was reported in Diabetes Forecast.

Everyone has life goals and dreams, but many people have no idea how to achieve them. That's where a life coach can help. Life coaches help you create the blueprint to become your best self. Everyone has life goals and dreams, but many people have no idea how to achieve them. That's where a life coach can help. Life coaches help you create the blueprint to become your best self.  What is a life coach? Life coaches are trained professionals who help clients realize their personal, professional, and physical goals.

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. Suffering from depression is emotionally frustrating. So is living with someone who suffers from depression. Unfortunately, this is more common than you may imagine. In a Reader's Digest survey, 42 percent of respondents said depression was a major challenge in their relationship.

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. We depend on family and friends to fill some of our needs for love, companionship, and security. 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.

Here are tips for working through grief in a healthy way when it involves an entire community. Everyone handles personal grief in an individual way, processing it at a different pace as they struggle to cope. But nationwide grief following a horrific tragedy such as the events of 9/11 is anything but private. National grief and mourning like what gripped the country after 9/11 is different from grief experienced on a personal scale.

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.   Suicide is a serious health and social problem. More than 30,000 people commit suicide annually. Men, seniors, divorced adults, and young people (age 10 to 24) are most likely to be suicidal. 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.

Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict. Saying "I do" may have more effect on your health than you might expect. Humans are social creatures and we need close, intimate relationships. Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict.

Strong parenting and emotional well-being are closely connected. Dr. Gerald Newmark, author of the book "How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children," offers his top child-rearing strategies. "For reasons having to do with the peculiarities of our civilization, we pay a great deal of attention to our scholastic educations, which are formal and supervised, and we devote much less public thought to our emotional educations, which are unsupervised and haphazard.

If you're craving sugar, the problem may be more serious than merely trying to satisfy an occasional sweet tooth. You may be addicted to sugar. If you're craving sugar, the problem may be more serious than merely trying to satisfy an occasional sweet tooth. You may be addicted to sugar. Researchers at Princeton University conducted several laboratory studies on rats and found that when the rats were given too much sugar, they suffered from withdrawal.

New research reveals possible reasons why some folks sweat the small stuff and others go with the flow. Life is full of ups and downs. Some of us handle the downs better than others. Now, researchers are investigating whether a difficult childhood could impact how adults react to stress. Of course not all downs are created equally. Losing a job, for example, is a much bigger downer than feeling disappointed when a friend doesn't promptly return a call.

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. Nothing can compare to the pain and anguish parents experience following the death of a child. The organization, Bereaved Parents of the U.S., attempts to describe this indescribable loss. "Bereaved parents do not 'get over' the death of our children nor 'snap out of it' as the outside world seems to think we can or should.

Sure, there may be a laundry list of activities that make you happy, but when it comes to reconnecting with your partner, these are key (and the reason is chemical). You smooch your pooch, cuddle with your baby, and engage in all manner of close physical contact with your partner. And afterwards, no matter how stressful and exhausting your day was, you find yourself feeling lighter and more relaxed. Well, there's a reason cuddling and other forms of physical touch have a positive effect on you.

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. During the Great Depression, suicide rates hit their highest level ever, increasing almost 23 percent over the four years of the depression (1929 to 1933). Since then, suicide rates have consistently risen during times of economic downturns. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released a study, Impact of Business Cycles on the U.

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. Remember the days when "you've got mail" was a novelty? Since then, online communication has proliferated thanks to social networking sites, such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. 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. 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. Seasonal Affective Disorder-or SAD-typically occurs during the winter months.

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. 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.

While talking to a trained mental health professional can be invaluable for many patients, nothing compares to talking to others who are going through the same experience. But can the Internet substitute quality interpersonal dialogue? The Internet has brought people together in new and unexpected ways. It's not surprising then that the incidence of online support groups, or cyber support groups, is on the rise. And since Americans are increasingly turning to self-help techniques to improve their lives, we'll probably see cyber support groups continue to proliferate.

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. 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. Unfortunately, despite the dramatic increase in use, there isn't a lot of information about life after antidepressants.

A satisfying relationship with a special someone doesn't happen overnight. If you're looking for love, you may wonder why it's just not happening. You may find the process much easier if you learn to love yourself first. A satisfying relationship with a special someone doesn't happen overnight. If you're looking for love, you may wonder why it's just not happening. You may find the process much easier if you learn to love yourself first, experts say. "If you don't put yourself first, then you are denying your abilities to the world around you," says Carolyn Bates, a certified personal life coach, or ICF.

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. Work in the United States has become a 24-hour phenomenon. Many workers, such as healthcare providers, must be available at all hours, and increasingly, companies are adding shifts to accommodate customers and vendors in different time zones. Non-standard work schedules, which includes evenings, nights, weekends, and shift work are common.

When faced with a 40-plus hour work week, bills to pay, and trekking the kids to-and-fro, how do you let loose? This summer, make it a point to relieve your stress by utilizing the great outdoors. When faced with a 40-plus hour work week, bills to pay, and trekking the kids to-and-fro, how do you let loose? This summer, make it a point to relieve your stress by utilizing the great outdoors. Exercise has long been touted as an excellent and natural way to manage stress.

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? 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? You know stress causes numerous physical problems and even serious disease. But did you know that prolonged or extreme stress might also impair your mental faculties, leaving you feeling.

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. 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. The symptoms of depression and insomnia overlap and there's a direct relationship between the two.

Is it possible that your pain is caused by the way you walk and sit? If so, the Alexander Technique might be for you. Most of us move without giving it much thought. We balance, walk, sit, dance and work the way we always have. But what if we discovered we'd been doing it wrong and could improve our health and well-being by relearning to move properly? That's the concept behind the Alexander Technique, which teaches that changing your moving habits could decrease pain and improve your posture, outlook and productivity.

People connect with friends and family through social activities and community events, sports and family gatherings. When it hurts to be active, however, it's hard to stay connected. Read on to break free from pain's captivity. People connect with friends and family through social activities and community events, sports and family gatherings.  When it hurts to be active, however, it's hard to stay connected. Friendships slip away and family members burn out. Chronic pain has a huge impact on people's social lives and often leaves them isolated, lonely and feeling socially rejected.

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. Depression is one of the most common complications in people with chronic illness, occurring in up to one-third of chronically ill patients. Older adults are particularly at risk for both chronic illness and depression due to isolation and loss of functional ability.

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. 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. You've probably heard of post-partum blues, in which new mothers experience mood swings and feelings of sadness shortly after birth.

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. Depression is a highly treatable disorder. However, many sufferers experience a recurrence or relapse of symptoms over time. Relapse and Recurrence A relapse is an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment.

The topic of hoarding might make good fodder for TV program ratings and mindless entertainment for viewers. But it's a real problem that affects real people. Is it possible that you're among the 15 million who suffer from it? The topic of hoarding might make good fodder for TV program ratings and mindless entertainment for viewers. But for people who struggle with hoarding, it's a very serious subject. We all know people who collect or hang on to things, and may fondly refer to them as pack rats.

Being sensitive can be an admirable trait. However, if you're highly affected by other people's moods and actions, you could be too sensitive. Do you let other people's moods affect you? Do you try hard to avoid making mistakes or forget things? Do you become unpleasant to be around when surrounded by a lot of activity or stimulation? If you answered "yes" to these questions, you may be a highly sensitive person—and you're in good company.

You know physical activity is good for you, and that lack of exercise is associated with negative physical and mental outcomes. However, did you know exercise is also an effective way to stop a panic attack in its tracks? You know physical activity is good for you, and that lack of exercise is associated with negative physical and mental outcomes. However, did you know exercise is also an effective way to stop a panic attack in its tracks? Studies with large samples of participants consistently demonstrate a positive association between exercise and lower emotional distress in healthy individuals and in people who suffer from anxiety and extreme panic.

Sure, expressing your emotions in positive ways can be a challenge, but keeping them bottled up is likely to lead to an explosion down the road. When it comes to anger, health and psychology experts agree: Better out than in. Expressing anger in healthy ways can be a challenge; but keeping your emotions bottled up is likely to lead to an explosion down the road. What happens when you get angry, and how can you let it go? Anger is a physical and psychological response to fear, stress, confusion, anxiety, or some other negative situation that puts you on guard.

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. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Up to two percent of adults, mostly young women, suffer from this illness. BPD often occurs with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

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. Mental health disorders, such as depression, permeate every aspect of your life. If the mental and emotional symptoms weren't enough, depression can wreak havoc on your energy and health. Relationships and work-life can suffer. What's more, depression may cause a multitude of other complications, some of which are even life threatening.

Flipping through magazines, you see page after page of impossibly skinny and perfect people. Many magazines use photography angles, effects, and techniques to alter what you see, but could these photos be subconsciously affecting your confidence and self-image? Flipping through magazines, you see page after page of impossibly skinny and perfect people. Many magazines use photography angles, effects, and techniques to alter what you see, but could these photos be subconsciously affecting your confidence and self-image? Scientists say yes.

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. Hippocrates is quoted as saying, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food." This age old healer knew what many physicians know today: humans require sufficient doses of vitamins and minerals, mostly obtained from food, for optimal health and disease prevention.

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. While antidepressant medications generally provide significant relief from depression, 10 to 30 percent of patients find their symptoms persist. Some patients experience only minimal improvement; others find their symptoms don't subside at all or return after a brief improvement.

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 things can temporarily derail a relationship, including an episode of depression. Although mental health issues can take a toll on your relationship with your spouse, children, extended family, friends, and coworkers, they do not have to cause permanent damage.

Your partner is undergoing a traumatic experience. You want to be supportive, but he's not the easiest person to help. Here's what to do. Your partner is undergoing a painful, traumatic experience—the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a business failure. While you want to be supportive, he's not the easiest person to help. So the two of you start going at it, and before you know it, you've got a crisis brewing between you that just seems to grow worse by the day.

Using music as a tool to heal dates back to Aristotle and Plato. But can the right tunes address modern day emotional woes? Read on to find out. How many times have you instinctively turned on music to soothe and distract you during times of stress or emotional pain? Using music as a tool to heal dates back to Aristotle and Plato. Its modern day renaissance began after World Wars I and II when musicians performed for wounded veterans and physicians found it significantly enhanced their recovery.

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. Panic attacks are frightening and disruptive enough; you don't need the additional stress of worrying about whether common misconceptions about panic disorders are true. Panic disorders cause sudden and repeated attacks of fear despite the absence of any real danger.

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. Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment.

Although yoga advocates have long championed the physical and mental health benefits of yoga, the scientific community is slowly coming to the same conclusion. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or any other mood disorders, consider incorporating a few animals into your coping routine—animal poses that is. Cobra, monkey, cat, and cow are among the dozens of poses in a typical yoga practice. Although yoga advocates have long championed the physical and mental health benefits of yoga, the scientific community is slowly coming to the same conclusion.

Chronic pain and obesity are epidemics in the United States and new research is shedding some light on why. A new study that obesity and pain are also linked to each other as well as other conditions. It isn't news that chronic pain and obesity are two conditions that pervade the United States. New research is shedding some light on why. A new study in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society, reports that obesity and pain are also linked to family history and mood disorders.

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. 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, or GAD.

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. Are you trying to lose weight? Begin an exercise program? Give up junk food? 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.

Does a loved one suffer from a Cluster A Personality Disorder? If so, coping with his actions may not always be easy. Here, a guide to help you understand and cope with the condition. Cluster A personalities are characterized by behaviors and thoughts being odd or eccentric.  Within Cluster A there are three personality disorders; they are Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.  Research indicates that individuals who have these personality disorders are more prone for further mental problems, which could be eating disorders, anxiety, depression, reckless behavior, and substance abuse.

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. Depression is common in people who have Parkinson's disease, a slow, progressive, and chronic neurodegenerative brain disease. Actor Michael J. Fox put a public face on this disease and many of us have seen him exhibit some of the trademark Parkinson's symptoms, such as shaking, tremors, slow movements, and stiffness or rigidity in the arms, legs, or trunk.

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. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! 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. While depression and other mental health disorders interfere in your quality of life, they are also highly treatable. Despire this fact, only about one in five people with depression receive adequate treatment. Minorities, especially Mexican Americans and African Americans, are even less likely to get the help they need.

Has your unconscious come to surface and forced you into a sticky, embarrassing situation? If so, worry not. There are ways to bounce back. "What was I thinking?" We've all uttered these words from time to time when we say the wrong thing, make a stupid decision, or engage in some other temporary lapse in judgment. Despite our tendency to joke away our gaffes, they can be quite embarrassing.

What's the key to happiness? While some believe it's a genetic trait shared by a lucky few, recent studies find that true happiness comes as a result of the choices we make. Social scientists continue to identify factors that influence how happy an individual is during his or her life. The results are interesting and, more importantly, give us some concrete steps we can take to increase our own happiness. For many years, the set-point theory dominated the happiness psychology field.

Genetics play a significant role in mental health disorders. Individuals who have one or more family members with a mental health disease are more likely to develop a brain disorder than those without a family history. This link holds true for eating disorders as well. Genetics play a significant role in mental health disorders. Individuals who have one or more family members with a mental health disease are more likely to develop a brain disorder than those without a family history. This link holds true for eating disorders as well.

Personality is a combination of thoughts and behaviors that are unique to each individual. It is the way everyone views the world and yourself. In general, individuals with personality disorders have different perceptions of life and thought processes. Personality is a combination of thoughts and behaviors that are unique to each individual.  It is the way everyone views the world and yourself. In general, individuals with personality disorders have different perceptions of life and thought processes.

Mood and pain are strongly connected. We've got tips for how to control mood when you're in pain. When you live with chronic pain, it's easy to feel cranky and hard to see the glass as half full. Mood and pain are strongly connected. Controlling your mood however, is essential to dealing with pain. Both will get worse if you let your mood dominate your life or alienate the people you share it with.

While it's difficult to determine the exact reason, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Treating depression helps patients lose weight. There's a strong link between depression and being overweight or obese. It's the classic chicken-and-egg question: does depression cause obesity, or does obesity trigger depression. While it's difficult to say for sure, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.

In fact, a new study found an inverse relationship over time between quitting smoking and a reduction in depressive symptoms. Smoking acts as an antidepressant, making smokers feel good, at least in the short term. For years, physicians and smokers alike worried that quitting smoking would exacerbate depression in people who were already depressed. Researchers are accumulating evidence to disprove this notion.

An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Many of them will turn to a tanning salon to see if a shot of artificial sun can help banish their blues. If you’re tempted to join them, think again. An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Many of them will turn to a tanning salon to see if a shot of artificial sun can help banish their blues. If you're tempted to join them, think again. Winter depression can range from mild blues to full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Women simultaneously give their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more. They work inside and outside the home and somehow find time for everyone...except the one person who is most important: Herself. What if Superwoman were overweight, depressed, anxious, and crabby? What if she was forgetful, distracted, and downright unhappy? Would we still consider her a superhero? That's what millions of women worldwide experience when they try to do it all; simultaneously giving their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more.

Every once in a while, allergy symptoms can be overwhelmingly intolerable. But can it be so intolerable that thoughts of suicide emerge? There may be times when you feel so overwhelmed by allergy symptoms that you simply can't tolerate them for another minute. But have you ever felt so desperate that you thought about suicide? The latest research shows that a small link exists between severe allergies and suicide.

Since we can't really sleep the day away, here are a few tips for coping with Valentine's Day. If the thought of another Valentine's Day makes you want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head, don't despair; you're not alone. Although Valentine's Day is a made-up, highly commercialized holiday, it still manages to stir up a brew of unrealistic expectations and powerful emotions.

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

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. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating extremes in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to function day-to-day. Living with this disease can leave you feeling helpless at times. While bipolar disorder is not curable, it is treatable and manageable.

There's no question that antidepressants can be a tremendous help to depressed seniors. However, antidepressants, in combination with other medications, can cause adverse reactions, or drug-drug interactions. The older we get, the more likely we are to develop serious health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. About 25 percent of older adults with such chronic illnesses also suffer from depression. As a result, adults 65 and older may take five or more medications at any time.

The National Eating Disorders Association estimates that about 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders. It's the rare child who doesn't turn up his nose at certain foods, or who goes through stages of eating only a limited number of foods. While most picky eaters outgrow this behavior, some children carry it into adulthood. Mental health experts are beginning to recognize picky eating as a serious eating disorder.

A negative self image, or fixation on perceived body flaws, can take a toll on a man's mental and physical health. Believe it or not, a negative body image is not just a woman's problem. Increasingly, men are dissatisfied with one or more parts of their body. The media and a culture obsessed with perfection have defined what men and women are supposed to look like.

New research studies further qualify how the quality of the relationship affects a couple’s individual happiness and health. Early research on marriage and happiness has uncovered a positive association between the two. This so-called "marriage advantage" showed that, on average, married people tend to be healthier, live longer, and be at less risk for many serious health conditions than those who never marry.

You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder. Typically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with soldiers who have returned from combat; however, new information has found that the most common cause of PTSD is car accidents. Car accidents are also the most frequent kind of trauma experienced by American men and the second most frequent trauma experienced by American women.

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. 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.  The diagnosable term for the indiscriminate use is polysubstance dependence, sometimes more commonly and inappropriately called polysubstance abuse.

Money can't buy you love, as the song goes. But can it buy you happiness? The answer to this riddle has been the topic of extensive interest and study. The answer is yes and no. Money can't buy you love, as the song goes. But can it buy you happiness? The answer to this riddle has been the topic of extensive interest and study. The answer is yes...and no. Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard University psychologist and author of Stumbling on Happiness, has extensively studied whether money makes people happy.

If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), there may be a way to ease your symptoms. Changes in sunlight trigger SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a type of depressive disorder. Symptoms often appear in the fall and winter but generally disappear in the spring when the days begin to lengthen. About three fourths of SAD sufferers are women, and people with SAD may suffer from other mood disorders as well.

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of psychological treatment, and one that some psychologists and social workers still use Mental health professionals have many tools at their disposal to treat patients with depression, anxiety, and other mind disorders. Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of psychological treatment, and one that some psychologists and social workers still use.

Joint pain may seem to naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis, but there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Although it may seem that joint pain should naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis or other conditions, there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Specifically, anxiety disorders have been targeted as the culprit in many cases of joint pain, both anecdotally by arthritis sufferers and by scientists officially studying the phenomenon.

Although many people enjoy New Year's Eve parties and festivities, if you find them a bit depressing, you're not alone. New Year's doesn't have to be a dreary occasion, however. Here are a few ideas to tip the scales and make this New Year's Eve a cheerful one. It's hard to believe a new year is right around the corner. Although many people enjoy New Year's Eve parties and festivities, if you find them a bit depressing, you're not alone. New Year's doesn't have to be a dreary occasion, however. Here are a few ideas to tip the scales and make this New Year's Eve a cheerful one.

Have you noticed changes in your aging parent or another elderly adult you care for? It may be depression. Depression in seniors is prevalent—and often overlooked. Have you noticed changes in your aging parent or another elderly adult you care for? It may be depression. Depression in seniors is prevalent-and often overlooked. Contrary to common misconceptions, depression is not a normal part of aging. As a caregiver, you are in an ideal position to make a difference to a senior who may be suffering from depression.

The holidays can be a happy, joy-filled time. However, if painful memories make you wish you could sleep until after New Year's, you are not alone. The holiday season is upon us. Tis the season to be jolly. Or, maybe not. The holidays can be a happy, joy-filled time. However, if painful memories make you wish you could sleep until after New Year's, you are not alone. Loss of a loved one, divorce, or other tragedy make holidays emotionally difficult to navigate.

You may be able to change your frame of mind by eating foods that are rich in vitamin C. If your mood is not as good as it could be, and you can't figure out why, take a good look at your diet. You may be able to change your frame of mind by eating foods that are rich in vitamin C. Past research has shown a link between psychological disorders and Vitamin C deficiencies.

Parenting certainly has challenges. So when a parent has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, it adds another whole dimension to the family dynamics. Parenting certainly has challenges. So when a parent has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, it adds another whole dimension to the family dynamics. Bipolar Disorder can cause stress, guilt, anger, helplessness, and a range of other emotions, on top of the disease's signature manic and depressive mood swings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients understand their illnesses and gives them strategies and tools to deal with stress. The term psychotherapy may conjure the image of lying on a couch talking about your childhood while your long-time psychoanalyst sits behind you taking notes. While that scenario might be accurate for certain types of psychological therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a different animal all together.

Although the procedure may sound complex, the intended results are not. NFT seeks to teach a brain with a particular abnormality how to behave normally. Picture the scene from TV. A patient suffering from some mental malady is holed up in a windowless office, electrodes placed strategically about her head, while a screen records responses to various stimuli. It's fiction, but the premise is anchored in scientific accuracy.

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. 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. A study presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists demonstrated how important it is to look at multiple factors when predicting persistent pain.

You've probably heard the expression, "you are what you eat." It may be a cliché, but it's true. What you eat plays a direct role on your brain's cognitive (thinking) abilities, and may influence your risk of developing mental illness, age-related cognitive decline, or Alzheimer's disease. You've probably heard the expression, "you are what you eat." It may be a cliché, but it's true. What you eat plays a direct role on your brain's cognitive (thinking) abilities, and may influence your risk of developing mental illness, age-related cognitive decline, or Alzheimer's disease.

Stress is inevitable and, although it generally gets a bad rap, sometimes stress can actually be a good thing. Search on the word "stress" on Amazon.com and you'll get a list of more than 31,000 book titles. Most describe the serious health risks of too much stress, or offer recommendations about how to successfully manage stress. The plethora of books, articles, and self-proclaimed experts on stress management speaks to how pervasive stress is in our society.

There's a potential new treatment for depression that is showing promising results in studies and clinical trials, especially for patients who don't respond to traditional therapy. There's a potential new treatment for depression that is showing promising results in studies and clinical trials, especially for patients who don't respond to traditional therapy. Transcranial Magnet Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain involved in mood control and depression.

As if anger and sadness weren't tough enough, new studies indicate they may be even tougher on women with chronic pain, particularly fibromyalgia. As if anger and sadness weren't tough enough, new studies indicate they may be even tougher on women with chronic pain, particularly fibromyalgia. Researchers recently studied the affect negative emotions have on pain and showed that anger and sadness can actually increase pain for fibromyalgia.

Do you crave time to yourself? More importantly, do you make time for yourself? Many people need some rejuvenating alone time and making this time a priority is one of the best things you can do to care for yourself. Do you occasionally crave time to yourself? More importantly, do you make time for yourself? Many people need some rejuvenating alone time and making this time a priority is one of the best things you can do to care for yourself. Most of us are running non-stop between work, family, and other obligations.

Psychotherapy is noted to be very beneficial for individuals struggling with substance abuse. The delivery model can be individual or group. Psychotherapy is noted to be very beneficial for individuals struggling with substance abuse. The delivery model can be individual or group. Many leading substance abuse organizations (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and National Institute on Drug Abuse) have prepared literature pertaining to therapeutic treatment and practices.

We generally equate testosterone with male characteristics, such as a deep voice and facial hair. However, testosterone is responsible for a host of other body functions and may even affect a man’s mood. We generally equate testosterone with male characteristics, such as a deep voice and facial hair. However, testosterone is responsible for a host of other body functions and may even affect a man's mood. What is Testosterone? Testosterone is a key hormone involved in masculine growth and development.

If your teenager seems depressed, the problem could be in the bedroom. Experts say children ages 10 to 17 need approximately 9 hours of sleep each night. But after-school activities, homework, television and online distractions make getting this much rest challenging for many. It hardly seems fair that the hormonal changes associated with puberty exacerbate the problem since biologically adolescents are driven to go to sleep later and sleep longer.

Considering how prevalent depression is, it’s not surprising that many marriages have at least one spouse who suffers from depression. Over time, untreated depression can really take a toll on relationships. Considering how prevalent depression is, it's not surprising that many marriages have at least one spouse who suffers from depression. Over time, untreated depression can really take a toll on relationships. Research shows there is a two-way link between depression and marital distress.

These simple strategies can knock a whole decade off of your outlook so you'll feel 10 years younger. You can try at least a few of these strategies to knock a whole decade off of your outlook and feel ten years younger: Laugh. A hearty chuckle sends your blood pressure downward, unkinks your muscles, and may even lower your stress hormone levels.

People with depression typically lose interest in many activities they once enjoyed, including sex. This can significantly reduce their quality of life. Because many patients are reluctant to discuss sexual problems with their physician, the problem often goes unidentified and untreated. People with depression typically lose interest in many activities they once enjoyed, including sex. This can significantly reduce their quality of life. Because many patients are reluctant to discuss sexual problems with their physician, the problem often goes unidentified and untreated.

Does your mood take a sharp turn for the worse when your allergies kick in? It might not be "all in your head." Does your mood take a sharp turn for the worse when your allergies kick in? If so, it may not be "all in your head." In recent years, there's been growing recognition that many allergy sufferers experience depression along with the physical symptoms, causing researchers to explore the connection.

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is a debilitating mental health condition that affects about 15 million Americans each year and is the third largest psychological illness in the world. Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is a debilitating mental health condition that affects about 15 million Americans each year and is the third largest psychological illness in the world. People who suffer from social phobias feel anxious and self-conscious, and are afraid of being judged or feeling embarrassed in public and social settings.

Antidepressants are one of the first lines of treatment for depression. While antidepressants are invaluable for many depression sufferers, they’re not always the best choice for some people. Antidepressants are one the first lines of treatment for depression. While antidepressants are invaluable for many depression sufferers, they're not always the best choice for some people. Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults In 2004, a well-publicized study linked an increase in thoughts of suicides, or suicide attempts, to young people taking antidepressants.

When the downturn boosts death rates, it’s time to identify the issues and make changes where you can. There's no doubt, America is suffering due to the economic downturn. Stress levels are through the roof. Kitchen tables are groaning under the weight of too many bills. Millions of homeowners are facing foreclosure and there's no end in sight to record unemployment statistics.

Generally, society harshly judges people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. We tend to assume these individuals have a character flaw or personality weakness. Addiction, however, is a very real and complex disease, just as heart disease is. Generally, society harshly judges people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. We tend to assume these individuals have a character flaw or personality weakness. Addiction, however, is a very real and complex disease, just as heart disease is. Scientists now know that family history is a strong predictor of who is most at risk for becoming addicted.

Ragweed allergies can consist of never ending itchiness and a terrible time of coughing and sneezing. But did you know it can also depress you? If you're allergic to ragweed, the onset of the fall can be a season of never ending itchiness and a terrible time of coughing and sneezing. Ragweed allergies affect as many as 20 percent of Americans. This common weed is prevalent in open fields and rural areas, but even city dwellers aren't immune to experiencing effects either.

A perfectionist is someone who constantly strives to achieve extremely high standards. You would expect perfectionism to be a good personality trait, but it usually isn’t. You must do the right thing the first time. Nothing good comes from making mistakes. Are you nodding your head as you read these statements? These are classic thoughts of the perfectionist. A perfectionist is someone who constantly strives to achieve extremely high standards.

Do you believe that most people will tell a lie if they think they can gain by it? If you answered yes to this question, chances are you have a bit of a cynical streak. Do you believe that most people will tell a lie if they think they can gain by it? If you answered yes to this question, chances are you have a bit of a cynical streak. The dictionary defines cynicism as a bad attitude, a belief in bad outcomes, resentment, sarcasm, or suspicion.

Overwhelmed with sadness? You should know diabetes sufferers have higher rates of depression. "It's believed that as many as 25 percent of people with diabetes struggle with depression," says Peter Sheehan, MD, president of the New York City leadership board of the American Diabetes Association and a consultant whose company is called Sheehan Health Management Consulting.

A recent study demonstrates that depression actually alters the way people visually see the world. It's no coincidence that people who suffer from depression describe themselves as feeling blue. A recent study demonstrates that depression really alters the way people visually see the world; it appears grayer to them than to people who do not have depression.

Remember the last time you noodled over a problem but didn't arrive at a suitable solution? Chances are, you put it out of your mind and told yourself you’d sleep on it, only to wake the next day with the answer. Remember the last time you noodled over a problem but didn't arrive at a suitable solution? Chances are, you put it out of your mind and told yourself you'd sleep on it, only to wake the next day with the answer. You may not have realized you were employing a scientifically studied problem solving technique.

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. 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. Unmanaged weight gain can lead to obesity and a slew of serious health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, a precursor to these (and other) illnesses.

Choosing the right psychotherapist is an important decision for people with mental health disorders; however, it can be a bit daunting. Choosing the right psychotherapist is an important decision for people with mental health disorders; however, it can be a bit daunting. There are many types of psychotherapy, and mental health professionals have different levels of training and education.

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. 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. Paranoia is common in many personality disorders, including schizophrenia, delusional disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and, to a lesser degree, depression and dementia.

Bipolar disorder, a debilitating mood disorder, is often misdiagnosed, delaying appropriate treatment and even increasing the severity of a patient’s illness. Bipolar disorder, a debilitating mood disorder, is often misdiagnosed, delaying appropriate treatment and even increasing the severity of a patient's illness. People with bipolar disorder alternate between episodes of major depression and mania, sometimes with periods of relative stability in between.

While using, marijuana smokers can become irrational and behave erratically. Some users experience feelings of panic, anxiety or paranoia. Literature states that marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug. Its popularity is likely a contributing factor to its reputation as a gateway drug. The gateway label is based on a statistical correlation between the use of harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin, and a prior history of marijuana use.

If you need another reason to convince you it’s important to manage stress, here’s one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. If you need another reason to convince you it's important to manage stress, here's one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. Stress is a normal part of life.

Anger is a normal emotion and a natural response to real or perceived threats. Angry feelings can range from mild irritation to intense rage. When anger is felt too intensely, too frequently, or expressed inappropriately, it becomes a problem. Traffic, long lines at the grocery store, a disagreement with your spouse, workplace conflict. The list of triggers that can make us angry is endless. Anger is a normal emotion and a natural response to real or perceived threats. Angry feelings can range from mild irritation to intense rage.

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. 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. Today's work environment is unquestionably stressful, and many employees-maybe even you-bring their fears, anxieties, and worries to work with them, where they tend to spread like wildfire.

For every news report touting the mental or physical health benefits of a supplement, there is another discrediting it, or, worse, warning that it is dangerous. With so many conflicting reports and persuasive marketing promotions, how do you know if what you read is true—or just hype? For every news report touting the mental or physical health benefits of a supplement, there is another discrediting it, or, worse, warning that it is dangerous. With so many conflicting reports and persuasive marketing promotions, how do you know if what you read is true-or just hype? The reality is that it's difficult to evaluate mental health claims on supplements, which may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and certain food products.

Mental health professionals have used lithium for years to treat people with bipolar disorder, especially to prevent the major depressive episode so characteristic of that disease. But is lithium also effective for depression without bipolar disorder? Mental health professionals have used lithium for years to treat people with bipolar disorder, especially to prevent the major depressive episode so characteristic of that disease. But is lithium also effective for depression without bipolar disorder? It may be for some patients.

You’ve probably heard of anorexia and bulimia, two widely recognized eating disorders. However, binge eating disorder is far more prevalent. You've probably heard of anorexia and bulimia, two widely recognized eating disorders. However, binge eating disorder is far more prevalent. It affects roughly 3.5 percent of American women and 2 percent of men, and occurs more frequently in minorities.

For several decades, researchers have associated pot (marijuana or cannabis) to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia, a severe and disabling brain disorder. For several decades, researchers have associated pot (marijuana or cannabis) to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia, a severe and disabling brain disorder. Schizophrenic patients hear voices and believe others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world or plotting to harm them.

Believe it or not, there’s scientific evidence that forcing a smile, even when you don’t feel like smiling, can really change your mood—for the better. When you are suffering from depression, the last thing you want is someone to be cavalier and tell you to smile and cheer up. But what if there really is something to this seemingly dismissive directive? Believe it or not, there's scientific evidence that forcing a smile, even when you don't feel like smiling, can really change your mood-for the better.

Think that only new moms can get depression after childbirth? New research says it's not that simple. Do you think that only women are at risk for postpartum depression? If so, you may be surprised to know that one in 10 men in the United States is likely to experience depression that's related to new fatherhood, according to a meta-analysis of studies on this topic, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2010.

Research has demonstrated that substance abuse (illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco) is one of the most serious health problems in the nation. Here, the role the media plays in our understanding of substance abuse. Research has demonstrated that substance abuse (illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco) is one of the most serious health problems in the nation. This problem causes many economic, social, and family dynamic issues. In recent years, substance abuse problems have caused deaths to millions of Americans every year (US Department of Justice, 2005).

Of the 35 million Americans 65 and older, roughly seven million suffer from either major depression or a less severe form of depression. Of the 35 million Americans 65 and older, roughly seven million suffer from either major depression or a less severe form of depression. Although depression is highly treatable, many older adults--especially those living in senior facilities--are never diagnosed.

There is good news for these patients: a new study shows that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by phone seems to provide the same therapeutic benefits. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), also called talk therapy, effectively relieves symptoms of depression for many people. In fact, there's a lot of evidence that the combination of antidepressants and short-term therapy is more effective in treating depression than medication alone.

A panic attack can happen anytime—even when you’re sleeping. Panic disorder, the most treatable anxiety disorder, is the fear of certain disaster or losing control. For those who suffer from panic disorder, anxiety manifests itself in the form of an attack. The typical symptoms include pounding heart, sweatiness, weakness, faintness, and dizziness.

For someone who has bipolar disorder, the same stressful situation that a healthy individual successfully manages can lead to a Bipolar episode. At the same time, bipolar disorder also produces stressful behavior. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in mood along a continuum between depression and mania (euphoria). A chemical imbalance in the brain that affects emotions causes bipolar disorder. It often co-exists with other anxiety disorders.

A recent study found that massage reduces anxiety to the same degree that listening to music does. You're in a dimly lit room. Your favorite music is playing and the scent of lavender wafts through the air. You can feel your muscles slowly relaxing. It feels as though your body has becomes one with the bed.  You can simply feel the stress and tension flowing out of your body just imagining this scenario.

Many individuals diagnosed with mental health issues take psychotropic medications. Most people struggle with medication compliance and consistency. Usually people struggle because they do not like the side effects psychotropic medications can cause. Many individuals diagnosed with mental health issues take psychotropic medications.  Most people struggle with medication compliance and consistency.  Usually people struggle because they do not like the side effects psychotropic medications can cause.

People with anxiety have a significantly higher incidence of insomnia, and insomniacs are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety have a significantly higher incidence of insomnia, and insomniacs are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Insomnia disorder is common—affecting up to 30 percent of adults. Mental health experts generally define insomnia as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, waking too early, sleeping poorly, and reporting daytime impairment or distress.

Antidepressants don’t work the same way for everyone. The effectiveness can vary over time and from person to person. Here are a few tips to help you determine if your antidepressant is working. Depression can be debilitating. Fortunately, for the millions of people who suffer from depression, antidepressants can provide significant relief. Antidepressants don't work the same way for everyone, however. The effectiveness can vary over time and from person to person.

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. As anyone who has struggled with pain or depression can attest, the two are strongly linked. Being in pain is depressing. Being depressed intensifies pain. 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. In the shadow of the illnesses that have plagued celebrity rocker Brett Michaels and former child star Gary Coleman it is important to know that sudden health issues can happen to anyone.  It is reported that Brett Michaels and Gary Coleman both suffered brain hemorrhages.

The stigma of alcohol and substance addiction is lifting as scientists learn more about the biology behind addiction. Understanding what drives people to become addicted can help you develop strategies for staying sober. The stigma of alcohol and substance abuse is lifting as scientists learn more about the biology behind addiction. Understanding what drives people to become addicted can help you develop strategies for staying sober. What is Addiction? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes abuse and addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease that is expressed as a form of compulsive behavior.

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). 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). What is Ecstasy? Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a synthetic, psychoactive drug similar to methamphetamine and mescaline.

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. In addition to traditional medication and psychotherapy, there are other effective options for relieving symptoms of depression. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), for example, offers numerous remedies, such as massage therapy, that may help.

If you suffer from depression and plan to become pregnant, you may be understandably concerned about the effect of depression and treatment on your unborn child. If you suffer from depression and plan to become pregnant, you may be understandably concerned about the effect of depression and treatment on your unborn child. It may help to know you are not alone. Studies show that up to 12 percent of pregnant women also experience 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? 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. Mental health experts believe bipolar disorder and depression stem from an imbalance in chemical activity in the brain, although environmental factors may also play a role.

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. 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.

Pregnancy is normally a time of joy and anticipation. For women who suffer from depression, it can also create confusion and concern about how antidepressant medications might affect their baby’s health. Fortunately, acupuncture may be a good alternative for treating pregnancy-related depression. Pregnancy is normally a time of joy and anticipation. For women who suffer from depression, it can also create confusion and concern about how antidepressant medications might affect their baby's health. Fortunately, acupuncture may be a good alternative for treating pregnancy-related depression.

Irritable? Sleepy? Confused? Your feelings are closely tied to your blood sugar. Feeling down? Or so irritable you could scream? Chances are that your blood sugar's too high or too low. And not surprisingly, it affects your mood. "When diabetics have low blood sugar, they may not even act like themselves," says Olga Calof, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist in the Los Angeles area.

The association between what we eat and our mental health is growing, adding to the evidence that diet can play a key role in preventing depression. The association between what we eat and our mental health is growing--adding to the evidence that diet can play a key role in preventing depression. The most recent data comes from a study that compared the long-term effects of very low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets on mood and cognitive function.

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. As stated in last week's article, hoarding has to do with being compelled to collect things or failing to get rid of a reasonable number of certain objects. Even when storage becomes a problem, hoarding tendencies leave the sufferer with the inability to fix the problem and often effects social interactions with loved ones and others.

Unfortunately, there is a link between breast cancer and depression. In fact, about 25 percent of women with breast cancer suffer from significant depression. Unfortunately, there is a link between breast cancer and depression. In fact, about 25 percent of women with breast cancer suffer from significant depression. That's the bad news. The good news is that you can offset your risk of developing depression with two simple lifestyle modifications: drink green tea and exercise regularly.

We all experience the occasional night where we can’t seem to fall asleep or we toss and turn all night. It’s frustrating, but generally, not detrimental. However, chronic insomnia can be harmful to our health, and stress is often the behind-the-scenes culprit. We all experience the occasional evening where we can't seem to fall asleep or we toss and turn all night. It's frustrating, but generally not detrimental. However, chronic insomnia can be harmful to our health, and stress is often the behind-the-scenes culprit.

You've seen him or her at work: aggressive, racing against the clock, competitive, always multitasking. The typical type A personality type. Recently, experts have examined whether personality type plays a role in workplace stress. They found personality type did, and didn't, correlate to stress. You've seen him or her at work: aggressive, racing against the clock, competitive, always multitasking. The typical type A personality type. Recently, experts have examined whether personality type plays a role in workplace stress. They found personality type did-and didn't-correlate to stress.

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. What is Hoarding? Hoarding is an illness that not only affects the hoarder but their loved ones as well. Hoarding is considered to be an excessive collection of items; however, the person who only has an extensive collection of baseball cards or Star Wars collectibles would not fall into this category.

If your child is the victim of a bully at school or in your neighborhood, did you realize that the effects may be taking a toll not just on his psyche but also on his health, too? For years parents have told kids who were bullied to stand up for themselves and fight back. But now the experts recognize that this advice may not be enough to help children at the mercy of their peers. For years parents have told kids who were bullied to stand up for themselves and fight back. But now the experts recognize that this advice may not be enough to help children at the mercy of their peers. As a result, the victims of bullying may end up suffering a variety of ill effects later in life.

Temperature, sunshine, humidity, and barometric pressure influence how we feel physically and how well we perform mentally. Despite skeptics, many scientists believe weather is an important factor in mood and mental functioning. Temperature, sunshine, humidity, and barometric pressure influence how we feel physically and how well we perform mentally. Despite skeptics, many scientists believe weather is an important factor in mood and mental functioning. It's difficult, however, to determine the full impact of weather since people in industrialized countries such as the U.

Several new therapeutic methods exist that are designed to help teens learn healthier ways to cope with emotional stress. Self-mutilation, better known as cutting, is a problem that affects many teenagers. The behavior is much more common among girls than boys. If you find that your teen has been harming herself, there is help available. Several new therapeutic methods exist that are designed to help teens learn new ways to cope with emotional stress.

About six million men in the United States suffer from depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While the stigma of mental health disorders is fading, some men are still reluctant to talk about, or seek help for, depression. Terry Bradshaw. Jim Carrey. Billy Joel. Winston Churchill. Abraham Lincoln. In addition to being famous and successful, these men—and many others—share another important characteristic: they all suffered from depression. About six million men in the United States suffer from depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

It's important to recognize that all these emotions are normal and to understand that working through them is vital to your mental health. Only those who have lost a loved one can appreciate the complex and intense gamut of emotions a death can trigger. It's important to recognize that all these emotions are normal and to understand that working through them is vital to your mental health.

Current surveys indicate that approximately seven percent of teens throughout the United States admit to being gang members. Further, approximately 20 percent of teens personally know someone who has been killed or injured by gang members. Many parents are concerned with the influence that gangs can have on their teenagers. It seems as though gang violence and gang membership have increased over the years. Current surveys indicate that approximately seven percent of teens throughout the United States admit to being gang members.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches patients strategies, and provides tools, for dealing with stress and unhealthy thoughts. Unlike traditional therapy, which can last for years, CBT is generally a short-term treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, became a household word in the 1970s, thanks to the Bob Newhart show, a sitcom starring therapist and his loony cast of patients. Of course, in real life, there's nothing funny about mental illness. However, psychotherapy--especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-is effective for treating depression and other mental health disorders.

It’s difficult to watch someone you care about hurting. Here are a few tips to help you cope when a loved one is self-medicating. If you have friends or family members who are depressed, you may have noticed that they try to feel better by self-medicating, using alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal narcotics to relieve the feelings of helplessness that depression triggers. Self-medicating can exacerbate depression and increase the risk of substance abuse or addiction.

Recent studies have raised concern about the safety of antidepressants in women who are, or hope to become, pregnant. Recent studies have raised concern about the safety of antidepressants in women who are, or hope to become, pregnant. The type of antidepressants in question are SSRIs--selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. Although scientists are not exactly sure how SSRIs work, they appear to block the body's ability to reabsorb serotonin, which improves mood.

With Facebook, Twitter,and chat rooms, we are connected to each other like never before, thanks to the Internet and social media sites. But is all this connectedness a good thing? With Facebook, Twitter,and chat rooms, we are connected to each other like never before, thanks to the Internet and social media sites. But is all this connectedness a good thing?  Teens at Risk for Depression Internet addiction is becoming a real and growing problem and mental health experts say there is a close relationship between Internet addiction tendencies, social media, and depression--especially in younger people.

Forensic psychologist Debra Warner, Psy.D., examines how you perceive yourself and the world around you can affect your overall health. In order to enjoy and make the most out of our lives, we should strive to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. Due to the strains in our economy today, many people are finding it difficult to eat well and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a result, many people do not eat healthy and get little exercise.

In yet another example of the inseparable link between mental and physical health, medical experts are noting the increase in depression among people who are obese, especially as they age. In yet another example of the inseparable link between mental and physical health, medical experts are noting the increase in depression among people who are obese, especially as they age. Depression affects 10 to 25 percent of population in the United States and often goes hand in hand with anxiety and other mental health disorders.

Is your city getting you down? Find out if where you live made our list. Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Depressed? Did you ever think that where you live could be making you miserable? According to experts, environmental factors can have a major impact on your mood. And if you live in a dangerous place or a city known for high stress levels, it's possible that your location could be dragging you down, too.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often considered a cold weather issue. Rarely are we given insight as to why it's remedied in the springtime. Here, the insight you're looking for. Those who suffer from SAD during the winter months are reported as having many of the same signs as an individual diagnosed with depression. These common symptoms include feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest and/or pleasure in the individual's usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, and inability to concentrate.

Every marriage has challenges even among the most healthy, well-adjusted adults. When you add a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder into the mix, it can really strain a relationship. If you or your significant other has bipolar disorder, you can still make your relationship work. Every marriage has challenges even among the most healthy, well-adjusted adults. When you add a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder into the mix, it can really strain a relationship. If you or your significant other has bipolar disorder, you can still make your relationship work.

Considering 10 to 25 percent of the population experiences depression at some point, it’s not surprising that this disorder takes a toll on marriage. Considering 10 to 25 percent of the population experiences depression at some point, it's not surprising that this disorder takes a toll on marriage. In fact, research suggests that one spouse in 50 percent of all distressed couples is clinically depressed.

Many people suffering from depression or anxiety seek alternative treatments such as herbal remedies. The root of the Kava plant is an example of an herb used to treat anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are more prevalent than you might believe, and include a range of conditions such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The common thread among anxiety disorders is an overwhelming fear or persistent anxiety that interferes in a person's daily life.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 67.5 percent of individuals released from state detention facilities are arrested again within three years. The reason for the repeat behavior is that offenders often lack appropriate strategies for coping with problems in some or all of these areas: employment, substance abuse, marital or family counseling, social activity, emotional support, attitude changes, and education. With rising rates of juvenile delinquency among conduct disordered youth, juvenile detention facilities are experiencing increasing populations while offenders struggle with recidivism. Recidivism refers to the tendency of offenders, after release from detainment to relapse into criminal behavior and return to prison.

Breathe. Relax. Bring yourself back to awareness. Follow these three key steps so you can begin to gain control again. Pounding heart. Sweating. Nausea. Chest pain. Feeling weak. If you’ve felt these symptoms, chances are you’ve experienced a panic attack. Panic attacks are frightening, disruptive—and more common than you might think. At least six million Americans have had panic attacks and experts estimate that 28 percent of us will experience a panic attack in our life.

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. In the 1997 movie As Good As it Gets, Jack Nicholson's character displayed numerous quirky habits. He ate at the same table in the same restaurant each day, brought his own plastic utensils, engaged in an elaborate process of locking his front door, and skipped over cracks in the pavement.

Forensic psychologist Debra Warner explains how love and passion can give way to depression and how you can negotiate a balance between your relationship and your emotions. It can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing a current relationship to some romantic ideal and feeling dissatisfied if what you have doesn't compare to what you think it should be. With that dissatisfaction you can experience some depression.  However, you should understand that there are different t types of love that match an individual's needs.

If you have children, be aware of the symptoms of anxiety. According to researchers, the prevalence of anxiety disorders in young people is rising, putting youth at risk for long-term mental and physical health problems. It's normal to feel anxious from time to time when faced with a stressful or unknown situation. However, prolonged anxiety is not normal. Anxious children worry excessively about punctuality, catastrophic events, and performance at school or sporting events.

We all know that little saying, "the only constant in life is change?" Well for those who suffer from anxiety, change can be a big problem. We all know that little saying, "the only constant in life is change?" People suffering with anxiety don't like this saying very much. Those who suffer from anxiety like routine and consistency. This way, they're comfortable. A certain amount of anxiety in life is normal—moderate amounts of anxiety before an important event may enhance our performance.

If you're prescribed antidepressants, you may have a few questions concerning how long you should keep taking them. Here, the answers to your most pertinent questions. One of the first questions many patients ask when they start taking antidepressants is how long they will have to take the medication. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. In fact, Rush University Medical Center is conducting a study to evaluate how long people should take antidepressants to prevent the onset of new episodes of depression.

Sometimes you know what you need to feel better and other times you think you know. Find out when you need to rethink you treatment habits. Does this scenario ring familiar? You feel blue or anxious, so you fix yourself a drink or two in the hopes that it will make you feel better. Sounds harmless enough and for the average person, it probably is. However, if you suffer from depression or anxiety, this can cause more harm than good.

Anxiety and depression symptoms often go hand in hand in adolescents. Yet when it comes to addressing these issues, it's best to consider them as two distinct diagnoses that may just happen to co-exist. Does your child seem overly anxious or depressed? If so, these are two serious conditions that are important to take seriously. Anxiety and depression symptoms often go hand in hand in children and adolescents. Yet when it comes to addressing these issues in young patients, the latest research suggests that rather than treating both problems as one illness, it's best to consider them as two distinct diagnoses that may just happen to co-exist.

Taking part in a healthy marriage may make you happier in all aspects of your life. Think about this next time you and your spouse are in an argument. Despite all your squabbling and minor skirmishes, marriage is actually good for you. That's the result of a study of 34,493 people in 15 countries over a 10 year period. The study was based on surveys conducted by the World Health Organization's World Mental Health (WMH) which appeared in the journal Psychological Medicine.

Is loneliness contagious? According to recent studies, it is. Researchers say that loneliness can spread through social networks like the common cold. In other words, people can "catch" the emotional states they observe in others. The data from the current study came from the famous Framingham Heart Study, a longitudinal study that followed the same group of people over 10 years.

After more than a half century, publishers are re-releasing the landmark book, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale. Is the idea of positive thinking just a great topic for selling books, or does it really improve your mental well being, especially when it comes to depression? Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health found that depression shares a circuitry in the brain with optimism, the tendency to look on the favorable side of things. We know that optimism positively affects our mental and physical health. People who are depressed, in contrast, tend to be overly pessimistic.

If your doctor recently diagnosed you with depression, you probably have many questions about what to expect from treatment. Here’s what you need to know about the most frequently used treatment options. Medication Scientists categorize the different types of depression medications based on how they affect the chemicals in your brain. Before writing a prescription, your physician will evaluate your symptoms, family history and general health conditions to select the most appropriate medication.

The three leading causes of death in young people are accidents, homicides, and suicide. Find out about the underlying health causes and how these deaths can be prevented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three leading causes of death in young people, ages 15 - 24, are (in order) car accidents, homicides, and suicide. Addressing the health problems underlying these causes can be an important step in preventing these unnecessary deaths.

How one's parents can have a direct effect on a child's behavior—including his outlook on the world around him. There is a great deal of discussion among parents and parenting experts regarding parenting styles. A parenting style is a general description of how a particular parent interacts with his or her children. Parenting styles are made up of two major components that act together.

Repressed emotions don’t just go away, they lay dormant in the body taking up our energy and setting the stage for physical ailments, illnesses and disease, say experts in mind/body medicine. Most of us have heard the term "emotional baggage," and admittedly carry some around. We spend our time keeping busy with work, friends, socializing, cleaning, daily tasks, shopping--anything to avoid having to face or feel our emotions that we are carrying around from past painful experiences or traumas.

Studies show increased loneliness in America. Find out how to cope with loneliness through 7 healthy strategies. Americans are lonelier than ever. In a study conducted by Eastman Kodak Company earlier this year, researchers found that sex in ten participants felt they have fewer meaningful relationships than they did five years ago, and 67 percent of those surveyed felt there is more loneliness in today's society than there used to be.

Sure, how we eat affects us physically. What you may not know, however, is how your eating habits can affect your mood. Most people understand that there is a strong relationship between eating habits and physical health. Many, however, often overlook the connection between mood and eating habits. Our eating habits are affected by our moods and our moods are in turn influenced by our eating habits in a continuous cycle.

Experts talk about the blurring of the distinction between normal sadness and depression. The unexpected loss of a job, the collapse of a marriage, or the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness all sound like very good reasons to be sad. Although feeling sad is never pleasant, researchers have shown that many instances of normal sadness--the kind that descends after you lose a job or get dumped--are being misdiagnosed as depression.

Good health ups the odds that you and your partner will have a better time in bed. It's hard to get revved up for sex if you're not feeling well. Before you start blaming your less than vigorous libido on getting older or becoming disinterested in your partner, take a long, hard look at your health profile. Medications used to treat...

While it's normal to feel anxious from time to time, if you have ongoing anxiety that's interfering with your work, relationships, and daily activities, it's time to do something about it. Try out 10 tips to get relief. There's no denying that we live in a busy time. With the technological advances in communication, our lives along quickly and the demands on us are seemingly always high. Today, more than 40 million Americans are reported to be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

Postpartum depression is a common, and troublesome, occurrence. Psychologist Debra Warner explores the issue in her weekly column. Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman's life. For many women however, pregnancy is marked by a struggle with depression. Research estimates that nearly 20 percent of pregnant women contend with depressive symptoms. Warning signs of depression can be especially difficult to spot during pregnancy because some of them resemble normal issues experienced by expectant mothers.

The risk of suicide increases directly with the number of times a child or adolescent moves, says a recent study. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in teens are depression, substance abuse, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors.

A new study shows that enjoying a little dark chocolate on a regular basis may lower your stress level. Not only have studies shown that eating dark chocolate can lower the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, relieve pain, and protect from skin cancer, a new study reports that eating dark chocolate may actually reduce your level of stress. In the study conducted by researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and published in the Journal of Proteome Research, researchers looked at the effects of eating 1.

Find out how communication breakdowns can cause real emotional issues down the road. Studies have shown that men and women have very different communication styles.  Some experts have even gone so far as to describe these different styles as completely different languages. Many authorities attribute communication differences to disparities in the way that men and women think.

How much of a cause for concern is it when children lie? Parents are often concerned when their children lie. And while it is important to teach children the value of truthfulness, it is perhaps equally imperative to remember that lying among young children is normal. Parents need to be no more concerned about lying than they would be about any other behavior that they want to discourage children from committing.

Almost five percent of all American children are diagnosed with this disruptive disorder. Conduct disorder is a disruptive behavioral disorder that occurs in approximately five percent of children and adolescents. The condition is characterized by aggressive or destructive behavior. For example, children with conduct disorder may physically harm other people or animals.

Research shows that we are most likely to feel depressed when we reach middle age. We've all heard about the "midlife crisis" so often that it has become cliché. Men buy the red convertible sports car and cheat on their wives with younger women, and women decide they are tired of cooking, cleaning and taking care of everyone else aside from themselves and jet out on their own.

What happens after the presents are opened, the eggnog is finished, and all the relatives have gone? You don’t have to lose yourself to the post-holiday blues this year. Try out some proven strategies to keep post-holiday happiness alive. After the holidays many of us feel a bit of a let-down when the parties are over, family and friends have gone, and the gifts are all unwrapped and put away. We spend weeks, even months, preparing for the holiday, and now it's come to an abrupt end. Although we may long for the holiday cheer of the recent weeks, we don't need to lose ourselves to post-holiday blues.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) youth face distinct challenges both in school and out. It is important for parents and educators to understand the high levels of stress that LGBT youth feel and to be able to recognize warning signs associated with that stress. In school, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) youth express concern for their safety. Over two thirds of LGBT youth, report feeling unsafe because of their sexual orientation and nearly half feel threatened due to their gender expression.

Antidepressants are a common choice of treatment for adults with moderate to severe depression. Studies show that although antidepressants may not cure depression, they can reduce depression symptoms. But are antidepressants right for you? The use of antidepressants in the United States has skyrocketed over the last two decades. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, adult use of antidepressants almost tripled between 1988-1994, and according to a study conducted by Dr.

Research shows that eating carbohydrates can provide an instant mood lift because they trigger the release of serotonin, the “feel-good hormone”. If you reach for the potato chips, pastries, cookies, candy or ice cream when you are feeling down, you're not alone. People tend to crave certain foods when they are feeling blue. Research shows that many people eat (or overeat) carbohydrates in an attempt to try and make themselves feel better--and there is a reason for it.

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. While dementia is most commonly thought of in relation to Alzheimer's disease, it can also be caused by a number of other medical circumstances. Dementia is a degenerative condition, which means that it continues to worsen over time. The exact symptoms of dementia vary depending on the cause of the condition; however, loss of memory is commonly the first and most obvious sign to appear.

Studies show that overweight women were at a greater risk of antisocial, paranoid, and avoidant personality disorders. According to new research published in Psychosomatic Medicine, overweight and obese women are more likely to have antisocial personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and extreme social phobia than their leaner peers. Dr. Jitender Sareen of the University of Manitoba and his colleagues suggest in their report that obesity in women could cause antisocial and paranoid personality disorders and vice versa.

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! Would you like to inspire thousands by sharing your story? There are no better, more inspiring stories than those that are personal. At QualityHealth, we understand that you, our readers, have your own tales that are both unique and powerful, but most importantly, can serve as an inspiration to others.

Culture is a defining aspect in many people's lives. Sometimes one's culture can have a profound effect on the type of treatment one receives. Culture is a major identifying characteristic of individuals. Cultural norms influence our perceptions of the world and, in particular, our interpretations of the others' actions. The success of social interactions often depends on the cultures of the people involved.

Do the holidays take a toll on your mood year after year? Put into practice some proven tools to combat holiday depression and you could make this holiday season one of the best ones yet. Holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, right? So why does the depression rate soar at this time of celebration? If the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past, tune into the some of the tools below to combat holiday depression this season.

Men who feel stressed at work are at a greater risk of having a stroke. Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Furthermore, stroke is the third most common cause of death in the country. Studies show that high blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke with various lifestyles factors increasing this risk, such as obesity, lack of exercise, diet, drug use, alcohol, smoking and stress.

Stress affects millions of people in the US every year. If untreated, stress can cause serious health problems and speed-up the aging process. Health professionals encourage patients to integrate natural stress busters into their daily routine to reduce stress and improve their quality of life. Your shoulders tighten, your heart races, your mind spins, your palms sweat, your stomach twists, and you have difficulty sleeping. Unfortunately, this is far too familiar for far too many. If left unchecked, some serious health problems can occur. Studies show that prolonged or severe stress can weaken the immune system, strain the heart, damage memory cells in the brain, and deposit fat at the waist rather than the hips and buttocks, says Bruce S.

A recent study shows a link between a Mediterranean diet and a decrease in depression. Research has proven many times over that what you eat can have a major impact on your mood. Now research is showing that eating a Mediterranean diet--a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish--can reduce the risk of depression. ...

Studies show a daily routine may make a big difference for people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from emotional highs (mania) to emotional lows (depression). Most people who have bipolar disorder take daily mood-stabilizing medicines to control their symptoms. But medicine isn't the only solution.

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. Although there is some evidence to suggest that there's a correlation between panic disorders and mitral valve prolapse (MVP), a common heart valve abnormality, there's no definitive proof linking the two health problems. The mitral valve is one of the heart's four valves and consists of two flaps that allow the flow of blood from the heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle).

If you are depressed, antidepressants aren’t the only solution. Depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. It ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Doctors say that for most forms of depression, symptoms improve with psychological counseling, antidepressant medications, or a combination of the two.

Health professionals warn against using tanning beds or booths to relieve seasonal affective disorder symptoms. In the midst of the winter seasonal affective disorder period--generally October to March--you may be tempted to take drastic measures, such as getting UV rays from a tanning bed or booth. Some studies suggest that tanning can improve mood when you're struggling with SAD.

Family ties may boost your risk for depression. Mental disorders or illnesses tend to run in families. Last year a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology revealed another familial connection. People with a sibling suffering from a mental illness or disorder are more have a higher risk of developing depression at some point in their lives.

Shopping to cope with depression may provide temporary relief, while causing long-lasting damage to your health and finances. Few people haven't indulged in a little retail therapy on occasion. However, if you suffer from depression you may be more at risk for compulsive shopping, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research Compulsive shopping is becoming a national epidemic, with consequences that range from financial difficulties, to health problems, family conflicts and poor self esteem.

New treatment for depression may be possible based on study that shows how this mood disorder affects areas of brain involved in pleasure. It's common knowledge that depression can cause less enjoyment and interest in previously enjoyed activities. Recently, a study revealed that this mood disorder actually affects the function of certain areas of the brain responsible for enjoyment. In the study published in NeuroReport, researchers observed the brain activity in 16 recently depressed people and 15 healthy people.

Suffering from fibromyalgia? Learn more about the risks of depression and what you can do to protect yourself from this mood disorder. About 30 to 40 percent of people who have fibromyalgia also suffer from depression, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). The link between the two conditions is not clear, and health professionals believe that depression in fibromyalgia is often poorly treated.

New study marks Wednesday as the most likely day for people to attempt suicide. It wasn't that long ago that Monday was considered the most likely day for people to attempt suicide. Now, a new study suggests that hump day, Wednesday, is the deadliest day for suicides. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and appears online in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Stress at work is linked to depression which can increase absenteeism and affect your income. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and how to reduce stress in your workplace. For millions of Americans work stress is an all-too common reality. And it's seemingly getting worse. Technology such as cell phones, emails, and text messaging increasingly causes job stress to spill over into our personal lives. In some cases, this leads to severe illnesses, including depression.

Researchers find more evidence that creativity and mood disorders are linked. Creative types such as Van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway, and John Coltrane are known as much for their genius as for the mood disorders they experienced. Several studies have identified a connection between creativity and mental illness, particularly depression and bipolar disorder, formally referred to as manic depression.

Here's what you can do to stay emotionally healthy during this important period of your life. Women deal with tremendous changes during their 40s and 50s. Kids leave home, their parents become more dependent, and career goals may change.  And then there's menopause. Approximately 75 percent of women experience symptoms in the years leading up to their last period.

A family history may make a person more likely to commit suicide. Find out what increases—and decreases—the risks. Last year nearly eight million Americans considered attempting suicide--many of them young adults. Suicide rates are increasing, and several recent studies have confirmed that there's a family connection. In a Danish study, a family history of suicide more than doubled the likelihood that a person would commit suicide.

Every fall, millions of Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a form of major depression. As the long days of summer fade away with the warm weather, many of us start to feel blue. But, that sinking feeling may not be just a normal reaction to the approaching chill of winter - for millions, it's a form of major depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

Study shows that people suffering from depression who have memory problems are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. If you suffer from depression you've probably noticed that your memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. Now, new research conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) indicates that having these two conditions can increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Learn more about this important connection. Doctors aren't sure why, but depression is much more common in heart disease patients than in the general population. In fact, people with heart disease run twice the risk of depression, according to a study published in the April 2009 issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics and reported in Science Daily.

New research has made critical correlations between asthmatics and suicide risk. If you suffer from asthma, you know that coping with the condition can be extremely challenging. But can you imagine ending your life as a result of having this condition? While this may sound very extreme, some of the latest research has found that there is a real link between asthma symptoms and suicidal tendencies.

Persistent nightmares and sleep problems when you have depression may make you more prone to thoughts of suicide. A recent study found that frequent nightmares could predict symptoms of suicide in patients seeking emergency psychiatric evaluation. The findings were presented at SLEEP, 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Sleep disorders such as nightmares are quite common in people who have depression, which is one of the leading risk factors for suicide.

New research shows that a weight loss program improves mood in obese patients with depression. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, loss of pleasure or interest in activities, and even thoughts of death or suicide. Some estimates indicate that depression and other mood disorders are more common among people who are obese--affecting about 25 percent of this group.

Study shows that nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more at risk for depression. Learn how to avoid secondhand smoke and improve your overall health. You probably already know that secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer, trigger asthma attacks, and increase your risk of allergies, respiratory irritation and infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Now, a study presented at the annual American Psychomatic Meeting shows that smoking can make you more likely to suffer from depression.

Once widely considered an inhumane practice, electric shock therapy finds increasing support as a treatment for depression. Six days after receiving electric shock therapy for depression, renowned writer Ernest Hemingway killed himself. He'd suffered severe memory loss after the treatment. Although mental health professionals are well aware of the severe side effects associated with this electric shock therapy, some regard it as one of the best treatments for severe depression, especially when antidepressants and counseling are not effective.

You have the power to change your attitude for the better. It's not easy to be around people who are downers. But if you're the type who sees the bad in everything, you might be hurting more than just your social life. Several studies have revealed that those who think positive actually live better and longer than those whose glass is perpetually half empty.

Read on to learn more about the role that genes play in depression and what you can do to keep the disease at bay. Having a family history of depression doesn't mean you'll definitely become depressed. And just because everyone in your family is relentlessly upbeat doesn't mean you'll never experience a bout of depression yourself. But people with parents, grandparents, siblings or other blood relatives who've suffered from depression have a higher risk of suffering from the disease.

People aren’t judged for having cancer or multiple sclerosis or any other number of diseases. But depression is a different story. People aren't judged for having cancer or multiple sclerosis or eyesight problems or any number of other diseases and disorders. But hearing that someone suffers from depression may lead others to believe that something is wrong with that person or that he or she is "crazy" or "weak.

Can a few cups of green tea each day actually cure your mental woes? With green tea being mentioned as a panacea for so much of what ails us, from cancer to heart disease, it's no wonder that it's touted in some circles as an antidote to depression. But does this impressive beverage actually have an impact on clinical depression? Can you cure yourself of depression simply by steeping some tea several times a day? Probably not.

A new study suggests that your bedtime may be closely tied to the state of your mental health. Whether you're tucked into bed before the 10 o'clock news or like to putter around until the wee hours of the morning, you probably never thought your nocturnal habits had any connection to your risk of depression. But a new study suggests that your sleep preferences may be closely tied to the state of your mental health.

Here’s what to do if your depression feels like it just won’t go away. Dealing with depression is never easy, but for sufferers of dysthymia, also known as long-term depression, the emotional pain can seem never ending. According to the American Psychiatric Association, dysthymia is depression that lasts most of the time for at least two years.

Can this perennial plant help lift your mood? For more than 2,400 years, the herb St. Johns wort, also known as hypericum perforatum, has been used medicinally. While originally people ingested the plant to treat problems such as arthritis pain, menstrual cramps, and gastrointestinal bugs, in more modern times it's been employed as a depression cure.

How safe is this controversial treatment? And does it really work? Get the facts here. Even before the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was released more than 30 years ago, electroconvulsive therapy-or shock therapy-was falling out of favor as a cure for depression. And once the movie was released, people had a hard time seeing the treatment as anything but cruel and inhumane.

When most of us think of depression, it calls to mind a persistent feeling of gloom and despair. And while that is the scenario for most depression sufferers, it is by no means the case for all of them. When most of us think of depression, it calls to mind a persistent feeling of gloom and despair—one that doesn't quit no matter what happy events are occurring in a person's life. While that is the scenario for most depression sufferers, it is by no means the case for all of them.

Coping with a diagnosis of depression could certainly be difficult. Here, tips to get you moving in the right direction. You've just been diagnosed with depression. While it may be a relief to finally have a name for the feelings you've been having, hearing the word "depression" may also conjure up some pretty negative images. Are you crazy? Doomed to feel bad for the rest of your life? The only person who feels this way? What's the next step to take? The first thing to do is remind yourself that you are far from alone.

Did you know that depression is not always solely about life events or brain chemistry gone awry--that a malfunction of your thyroid gland can also cause depression or anxiety? The thyroid, a small gland located in your neck, secretes thyroid hormones that control your energy level and other bodily functions. So it's no surprise that the symptoms of an out-of-whack thyroid glad can mimic those of mental illness. The most common form of thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism.

Your children may find it hard to understand this complex condition. Here, tips to help you answer their questions. It can be hard for children to grasp that depression is a true medical disorder. After all, you're not in the hospital, you're not hooked up to tubes and wires, and no bones are broken. But your children can certainly sense that something is wrong with you, and you may be looking for some way to talk to them about depression—in a way they'll understand.

Being a new mom is tough. If you're feeling bummed instead of elated over your bundle of joy, know that you're not alone—and that there's help. There's no doubt about it, having a baby is a life changing experience. It's exhausting, demanding and requires all the resources a woman can muster. Add to that the physical and hormonal changes birth causes, challenges of breast feeding, and extreme sleep deprivation and it's no wonder many new mothers get bummed out.

While we often assume that an emotional crisis precipitates a bout of depression, that's not always the case. For a significant number of people, chronic physical pain can bring on depression. Chronic pain is not the same as the pain you may experience after stubbing your toe on the bed frame or banging your arm against the wall. In most cases, an over-the-counter pain reliever can get rid of that problem in a matter of minutes, and the aftereffects last only a few days.

Depression--it’s not all in your head and it does matter. It's understandable that a chronic illness such as Crohn's can make you feel depressed. The occasional blue days are normal and we all experience them from time to time. When depression becomes severe or prolonged, however, it can negatively affect symptoms caused by other existing illness, such as Crohn's disease.

See what the studies are saying. Depression is a real illness that causes real suffering. But depression sufferers who are married or in committed relationships don't suffer alone. People living in close quarters are quite sensitized to each other's moods and actions, and when one spouse spends most of his or her time depressed, with the attendant complaining, moping, worrying, criticizing, crying or complete withdrawal, it's not surprising that the other spouse's emotional state will be negatively affected as well.

Learn more about this controversial treatment. Although it sounds like something out of a science-fiction movie, deep-brain stimulation actually is a relatively new treatment for depression and other conditions involving the brain. Performed as part of clinical trials at accredited universities and centers, it is still in the experimental stage and, as such, remains controversial.

It's bad enough that you have asthma, but to make matters worse, do you also have to suffer from a variety of other illnesses? The Link Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, making them more sensitive to a host of triggers that can cause them to become inflamed and make you cough, wheeze and experience chest pain. If you regularly grapple with the discomfort...

Learn about this key connection. If you're at all familiar with depression and its causes, you may have heard talk about serotonin. But what exactly is this substance found inside our bodies? It turns out that serotonin juggles multiple roles. It not only plays a part in depression but helps regulate our sleep patterns, appetites, blood-vessel tone, body temperature, secretion of certain hormones, and our perception of pain.

How can depression lead to suicide? Find out here. Many of us don't think of depression as a life-threatening illness in the same way we do cancer, but it's important to remember that in severe cases, depression can lead to suicide. And suicide cuts across all age, gender, racial and socioeconomic lines.

Learn more about this over-the-counter dietary supplement. S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is an over-the-counter dietary supplement that's a synthetic version of a compound found naturally in the human body. Besides being used to treat osteoarthritis and liver disease, some practitioners have recommended it to treat depression.

Despite magazine covers shouting at us that 40 is the new 30, and that life gets better as we get older, recent research bears out the theory that middle age can be a time of discontent. Does just hearing the words "midlife crisis" conjure up a tired old stereotype? Maybe a forty- or fifty-something man who ditches his family sedan for a flashy sports car and his wife for his young secretary? While this example may be a cliché, there's certainly some truth to the idea that middle age is when we start taking a hard look at ourselves and our satisfaction with our lives.

It's a frustrating fact that the very medications people take to help lift their mood can also create distress by causing sexual difficulties. It's a frustrating fact that the very medications people take to help lift their mood and feel better often create distress by causing sexual difficulties. People who previously enjoyed a satisfying sex life may suddenly experience problems, or sexual problems that were considered minor before now are major ones.

Learn how these two conditions are connected and what you can do combat them. Although researchers aren't entirely sure what causes depression, it's believed that environment plays a role along with genetics. And it stands to reason that if an environment is causing repeated stress, a susceptible person may eventually begin feeling depressed.

Learn what to expect from aromatherapy treatment. Aromatherapy, or the practice of using essential plant oils to improve physical and psychological well-being, is not new. Devotees claim that people have been using plants to heal for thousands of years, before traditional medicine was available. But while essential oils may smell good and feel even better when used on the body during a massage, for example, does aromatherapy as a treatment actually work? The answer depends on what you expect aromatherapy to do for you.

Learn more about the link between the two. If you've been on an antidepressant and you think your clothes are getting tighter, you're not imagining it. Research has shown that many people add pounds when they're on antidepressants. And certain antidepressants, such as a class of medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), are more likely to cause weight gain than the newer, more popular selective serotinin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

If you're not getting enough B12 in your diet, your entire well-being may be paying the price. You may pop a vitamin pill (or several vitamin pills) daily to keep your body strong and healthy. But did you know that certain vitamins can also be good for your mental health--and that the lack of them may affect your mood? Vitamin B12 in particular has an important link to depression.

Learn more about caffeine's effect on your state of mind. Caffeine is often thought of as an upper, not a downer. And it's true that the substance, found in large amounts in coffee as well as tea, soda, sports gels and other foods, is a stimulant. People who eat or drink caffeine often experience a perk-up in mood and become more productive.

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease and what you can do to protect yourself. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America. It kills more people each year than cancer. Depression, an underrecognized and undertreated disease in the medical population, may be contributing to this worrisome public health threat.  Origins of The Idea In 1628 William Harvey, an English physician, defined the circulatory system as we know it and proposed a link between the heart and the mind as it pertains to health.

Learn what steps you can take when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. The National Mental Health Information Center reports that the number of children and families affected by mental, emotional and behavioral disorders is significant, estimating that one in five children has a mental health disorder that is identifiable and treatable.

Find out how more D in your diet can help your mental health. Studies have shown that vitamin D is effective in treating seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. Additional research is needed to provide a concrete link between vitamin D treatment and improved conditions in other types of depression. That being said, evidence exists that major depression is associated with low vitamin D levels and that depression has increased in the last century as vitamin D levels have fallen.

Learn why having a support system is so vital to your emotional health. When you're feeling depressed, sometimes the last thing you feel like doing is reaching out to other people. But experts agree that regular contact with a supportive network of friends can do wonders for your mental health—and your health in general.

Find out if simply expressing your feelings with a professional can help alleviate depression. For people with depression, sometimes talking it out with a counselor is all that's needed. Being able to express sad feelings to an impartial expert can give relief, and a trained professional can help sufferers pinpoint the roots of their problems and steer them to appropriate solutions.

Some simple lifestyle changes can keep you feeling healthy and happy. While some mood disorders have a genetic or neurological basis (recent research shows a link between depression and changes in the brain's right cortex), others are caused by problems in your environment or difficult life circumstances. Can you change the way you live and prevent depression from occurring? Absolutely.

We've long heard this explanation: but is it true? Anyone who's watched television in the last few years has seen the ads for antidepressants that maintain depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. Take this little pill, they imply, and your brain's hormones will magically rebalance themselves-and you'll feel fine again.

Learn how the environment around you can significantly impact your mood. Can your physical surroundings exacerbate or contribute to depression? Some experts believe they can. While living in a pristine mansion won’t necessarily make a sad person into a happy one, and many poor people seem quite content in small apartments and houses, studies indicate there is a link between how we live and how we feel.

Learn how a furry (or scaly) friend can help lift your spirits. Want to lift yourself out of the doldrums? It may be as simple as finding the right furry (or scaly) friend. Studies have shown that owning or interacting with animals has a host of health benefits, from physical to mental, and that everyone from young children to seniors can benefit.

Some simple exercises can bring about inner peace and tranquility. Many people think of breathing as something that just comes naturally, in order to keep us alive. But did you know that your breathing can change depending on your mood? And that by changing your breathing, you can actually improve your mood? When you’re depressed, your respiration is likely to be very shallow.

Learn how a furry (or scaly) friend can help lift your spirits. Want to lift yourself out of the doldrums? It may be as simple as finding the right furry (or scaly) friend. Studies have shown that owning or interacting with animals has a host of health benefits, from physical to mental, and that everyone from young children to seniors can benefit.

More than 200 million days of work are missed each year due to employee depression. Get the whole story here. Since Americans spend so much of their lives working, it makes sense that depression affects people on the job well as outside of work. In fact, clinical depression is a very costly illness for businesses. According to the organization Mental Health America, more than 200 million days of work are missed each year due to employee depression, mostly by women, not to mention lost productivity at work and the measurable costs of treatment.

Learn how this age-old practice can help ease your symptoms. Did you know that you can ease your depression simply by using your mind? Meditation can help you chase away sadness, hopelessness, and negative thoughts. Originally used to help people better understand the mystical and sacred, in today’s world meditation is often used to reduce stress and restore calm and peace in our lives.

The disease can wear a very different face on men than it does on women. Far from being a “female” condition, depression is something that affects men as well—to the tune of about 6 million a year, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. But men often experience depression very differently than women do.

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. Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and stiffness of the joint, and in extreme cases disfiguration and joint destruction. One of the main symptoms is chronic pain. Chronic pain is a key risk factor for depression, which affects more than 19 million Americans.

When it comes to treating depression, is there a better option? In a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry a group of individuals suffering from depression was treated with either medication, cognitive therapy or a placebo. Cognitive therapy, as defined by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is an empirically supported treatment that focuses on negative patterns of thinking in an attempt to reprogram the inner message into a more positive one that doesn't deride the patient and drive them into depression.

Depression has been linked to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and depression share a circular relationship: In some cases, heart disease can bring about depression, with an estimated one in six heart-attack sufferers facing clinical depression after the event, which can increase their mortality rate to 17 percent.

Here's what you need to know about this crucial topic. Are you pregnant and feeling confused, afraid, sad, stressed or depressed? According to the American Pregnancy Association, 10 to 20 percent of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. And of those women, a quarter to half will suffer from severe depression.

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. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels quickly return to normal. These hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum depression Researchers think the dramatic change in hormone levels may lead to depression.

Is medication necessary, or is talking it out enough? Depressed? Feeling blue or just down right despondent? The good news is that depression, even the most severe cases, is a highly treatable disorder. As with any disease early detection is helpful in increasing the effectiveness of treatment and preventing a recurrence or relapse.

If you’re thinking of moving, these cities might not be the best for your mood. Most depressed, saddest, or worst city in the country-labels that any city hardly covets; however, each year, numerous surveys and studies cast an unwanted spotlight on cities with the worst standards of living. Depending on which data you rely on and the focus of the reporting agency, the cities may vary.

Learn how fitness can have a positive effect on your mind. Although exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing when you're down in the dumps, research shows that it can definitely help. Exactly how exercise boosts your spirits isn't fully known, but there's evidence showing it increases neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood.

From causes to treatments, learn more about this common problem. If you've got a "grumpy old man or lady" in your life, he or she may be depressed. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF), depression affects 15 percent of Americans seniors. Depression is a serious illness characterized by a combination of symptoms that disrupt normal living.

Some simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve your mood. If you're feeling down, it can be an effort just to get through the day. While major depression generally isn't something you can alleviate on your own, and you should speak to your doctor about any symptoms you're having, some simple lifestyle changes may be enough to banish a mild case of the blues: Exercise.

The nation's costliest conditions rack up a combined tab of more than $500 billion a year. What's the cost of poor health? A lot more than you may think. The nation's 10 most expensive medical conditions cost about $500 billion to treat in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, they can also be a time of stress and depression. Find out how you can avoid the holiday blues. Many of us will attend or host a winter holiday party this season. We have to balance normal work and home demands with special holiday events and shopping for gifts. Festive lights, warm fires, and family gatherings are common during the holidays, but unfortunately so are stress, anxiety, and sometimes, depression.

Learn about the four classes of antidepressants, from their indications and efficacy to possible side effects. If you're among the 17 million Americans suffering from depression, a condition in which prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness interfere with the ability to function normally, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the alphabet soup of medications--SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, TCAs, MAOIs--from which to choose.

Feelings of depression are significantly more common in people with chronic back pain. Find out more about how to manage your pain and your emotions. Chronic pain and depression are two of the most common health problems Americans face. What's more, studies have found that these two conditions are often linked, afflicting the same sufferers. Close to 6 million American adults report suffering from back pain, and studies have shown that depression is four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in those without.

When you've been wronged, can you forgive and forget, or do you need to exact revenge? Many of us love good revenge stories—tales in which victims ultimately become victors by wielding vengeance on all who've wronged them. But in real life, retribution isn't always all it's cracked up to be. In fact, according to experts, letting go of revenge fantasies may be one of the best things you can do for your health.

Gain a spouse...and gain weight, too? Learn why tying the knot can contribute to unwanted pounds. You may have heard of the freshman 15-those inevitable pounds college students are likely to gain in their first year. But what about the newlywed 30? In a recent University of North Carolina study, which tracked 1,200 couples over a five-year period, married people gained six to nine pounds more than their single counterparts.

Find out how to control your excessive spending. Americans just love to spend money. The average American has about five credit cards. Our national debt is more than $10 trillion. A political campaign spent a reported $150,000 on a vice presidential candidate's wardrobe. Because of our culture, it can be easy to laugh off or ignore excessive spending habits.

From war to human trafficking, these 10 spots are the most dangerous on the planet. Looking for exotic and exciting getaway? While the ten places on this list certainly meet those criteria, none of them will provide the kind of relaxing reprieve you had in mind. These locations are often war-ravaged and suffer from problems such as government corruption and human trafficking.

We all feel a little bummed from time to time, but could your diet be the cause? Find out here. In our modern American society, anxiety, stress, and depression can play a large role with respect to work, relationships, and money. In fact, 33.9 percent of adults report having poor mental health, according to the Kaiser Family Health Foundation. Many people eat when they're depressed, but few realize that what they eat may be at the cause of their woes.

Some shades are calming, others inspire conversation. Find out how colors can improve your surroundings and your mood. Have you ever wondered why a clear blue sky puts you in a good mood? Or how the off white walls of your office seem to put you to sleep? Studies show that colors have a profound affect on our emotions. Marketing companies and advertisement campaigns have long used color schemes to sway our mood in one direction or another.

A sense of humor and perspective can help you maintain your dignity—even in the most humiliating circumstances. You mistakenly sent a scandalous email about your love life to your entire company. Your mother-in-law accidentally walked in on you in the bathroom. You received an award, then tripped and fell on your way to the podium. Some embarrassing scenarios are unavoidable, while others can be prevented.

Follow these tips to start improving your self-worth. Your confidence not only affects how you see yourself; it also impacts the way in which others view you. Positive self-esteem isn't an overnight acquisition, but there are steps you can take to immediately boost your self-esteem. Get on the right track with these 10 important strategies: Surround yourself with friends.

Skepticism and pessimism can wreak havoc on your health. Here, how to make some important attitude adjustments. We all know someone who is deeply cynical: a friend, a relative, or perhaps even ourselves. A cynic is someone with an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, who usually doesn't hide their feelings from anyone. In fact, cynics seem to be almost compelled to make others feel negative about their own lives as well.

As it turns out, heartbreak may be more than just a metaphor. You've seen the movies, read the books, and heard the stories of love and loss of people not being able to go on without their significant others. But is there really such a thing as a broken heart? A growing body of research suggests that the emotional trauma of losing someone you love may lay the groundwork for a genuine medical condition.

Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms. Some 10 million Americans are suffering with bipolar disorder. Also known as manic-depression, the disease is characterized by intense periods of elevated mood, or mania, alternating with periods of depression. Sufferers may seem euphoric one minute and despondent the next.

Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full? Your answer could have major effects on your health. They're like night and day: Optimists manage to maintain a sunny outlook, even in the worst of times; pessimists assume the darkest possible outcomes, even when things are going their way. Which one are you? A growing body of research suggests that your answer could affect not only your attitude, but also your health, success, and longevity.

Everyone worries from time to time, but too much worrying can affect your health. Here, 10 ways to stop stressing. Did you forget to turn off the lights? Weren't you supposed to call your friend? What ever happened to your high-school yearbook? For many of us, worrying just seems like a natural part of our daily lives. But experts warn that too much worrying can affect your emotional and physical health.

Nearly 7 percent of Americans suffer from depression, but the disease is often misunderstood. Here, we separate fact from fiction. Persistent feelings of hopelessness, mood disturbances, sleep problems, weight gain or loss these are just some of the symptoms that characterize clinical depression. Also known as major-depressive disorder, the condition affects approximately 14 million Americans each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

An ever-growing topic among psychologists, emotional intelligence can play a significant role in your job, your relationships, and your own self-worth. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a hot topic these days. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and why is it so important? According to Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, while intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measurement of cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence is more difficult to quantify.

The way you view your body can affect your health. Follow these tips for an instant body-image boost. At some point, most of us have wished that we were thinner, more muscular, or better looking. After all, in today's world, we're constantly bombarded with images of celebrities and models. After a while, many people want to be like them or even believe they're happier because of the way they look.

Follow these basic strategies to manage your time more efficiently in the coming year. As the end of each year approaches, we tend to think back over the past 12 months and wonder, Where did the time go? Many of my clients have difficulty answering this question. It seems as if they never had enough time during the past year to get things accomplished.

Parkinson's disease doesn't have to keep patients from living full and active lives. Follow these seven tips to help manage your symptoms. Parkinson's patients spend more than $5 billion on treatment each year. Drug treatments have improved so much that doctors are now less likely to recommend surgery to people with Parkinson's. These tips can help you manage your symptoms and maintain an active lifestyle, but it's important to consult with your doctor, too.

A national survey recently examined 21 major occupational categories and found that people who change diapers, tend to the elderly, and wait tables have the highest rates of depression, while the lowest rates occur among engineers, architects, and surveyors. Are you a daycare worker, caregiver, or full-time waitress? If so, you may be at a higher risk of becoming depressed. A national survey recently examined 21 major occupational categories and found that people who change diapers, tend to the elderly, and wait tables have the highest rates of depression, while the lowest rates occur among engineers, architects, and surveyors.

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). For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But for some, the season can bring on feelings of intense stress and sadness. In fact, 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).

Research points to a complex combination of known factors. As with many mental illnesses, schizophrenia remains, to some extent, shrouded in mystery. There is no single cause for the disease, but experts have long believed that it can be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Rather...

Schizophrenia affects millions of Americans, but the illness and its causes are often misunderstood. Here, we dispel the disease's most common myths. Although the word schizophrenia is less than 100 years old (the term was first coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911), most experts believe the disease dates to antiquity. Back then, there were no diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, and even now the disorder and its causes are often misunderstood among the general population.

According to some researchers, a four-legged friend can add years to your life. It's no secret that people rely on their pets for love, companionship, and a sense of security. After all, the iconic American family traditionally includes a mom and dad, 2.5 kids, and a pet of some kind. But as it turns out, the benefits of having a pet go far beyond camaraderie and protection; a four-legged friend can actually boost your health and, according to some researchers, lengthen your life by about seven years.