Have you ever had a conversation with someone when all of a sudden they interjected with a comment or story that was completely unrelated to what you were talking about? That person may be suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or what is better known as adult ADHD. Most of the 4.4% of the adults in the United States who suffer from ADHD use medication to help them get by, but a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that adding cognitive behavior therapy may reap more benefits. …

Maybe you should start blaming your brain for your tummy ache. A study conducted at the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain at McGill University focused on the morphological changes in brain regions of women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Interestingly, the scientists found a reduction in the regions of the brain associated with  pain relief, which may be in part why cramping can be so severe for some people with IBS. The study sample consisted of women between 19 and 63 years of age: 56 women had IBS …

New research from Japan may help cheer up young adolescent boys dealing with symptoms of depression. In a recent article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, researchers found that increased intakes of fatty fish were associated with fewer depressive symptoms in teenage boys aged 12 to 15. Similar results were not seen for teenage girls, however. Fish such as salmon, trout, and whitefish are good sources of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA. Fatty fish, such as sardines, mackerel, yellowtail, and tuna are especially high …

People who suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD), which is characterized by unstable and volatile relationships, self destructive behavior, emotional instability and rapidly shifting emotions, like angry outbursts, appear to benefit more from a treatment approach that combines modified interpersonal psychotherapy and antidepressants rather than just antidepressants alone. The combination of interpersonal psychotherapy and drugs had shown promising results for people with major depression and borderline personality disorder, but researchers at the University of Turin, Italy, wanted to find out if the technique would work with people who suffer with …

We all know that “you are what you eat,” but do you also sound like what you hear?  Well, you’ve heard it here first: a new two-part study finds that people are prone to imitating the speech that they hear. While it may not be too surprising to find out you talk like your friends, your speech also changes to mimic the accent of strangers. Researchers from the University of California, Riverside decided to put this theory to the test.  For their first experiment, these experts chose two graduate students …

Q: I have a 14 year old son and we argue a lot about chores and house rules. Do you have any tips on how I can improve our communication? A: Adolescents are moving towards independence, more interested in peer relationships and going through many physical, cognitive and hormonal changes. As your child transitions into adulthood, how you two communicate is going to change and this transition can be frustrating for both of you. Your teen may be more defiant and complain of you interfering with their independence. This is …

Forget biting your nails: if you’re feeling some anxiety, try spitting. We thought the eyes were the window to our soul, but maybe it’s really our tongue. A recent review of eight studies examined scientists’ use of saliva to read stress levels. Saliva contains cortisol, a hormone that kicks in when the body is under strain to increase both blood sugar and pressure, while simultaneously saving energy by slowing the digestive, reproductive, and immune systems.  Researchers hope to use these cortisol samples to more accurately determine stress levels. One of …

Everyone knows that if you sprain your ankle or have a headache, you can take acetaminophen to relieve the pain. After all, it is one of the most popular over-the-counter drugs for physical pain relief. But what if it could help emotional pain too? According to a study published in Psychological Science, scientists have shown that acetaminophen may indeed relieve emotional hurt as well, particularly the pain associated with social rejection. A research team lead by Dr. C.N. DeWall conducted two experiments to demonstrate this amazing effect. In the first, sixty-two …

Ever catch yourself lamenting “If I only had more time!”?  What would you do with this extra time? Absolutely nothing? Doing nothing is a romantic notion, but we hope for the sake of your happiness you stay busy. People are happier when they are busy. According to a new study from the Association for Psychological Research, people are uncomfortable with idleness, and prefer to stay busy as long as that busy activity is justified by a purpose. The study tested two hypothesis. First was that people who had any reason, even …

Having a baby is an exciting, life-changing event, but for many women it signals the beginning of the blues. About 13 percent of new moms struggle with postpartum depression in the year following the birth of their child. New research shows that such depression can be prevented by training health visitors to assess and support these women after childbirth. University of Leicester Psychiatry Professor Terry Brugha led the prevention study. 1474 women were part of the intervention and 767 women were in the control group. Researchers found that mothers who had …

While puberty used to occur around age 15 or 16, it has been occurring at younger ages over the last few decades. New research shows that girls in the U.S. are developing earlier than ever, a possible trend that is associated with a number of health risks. The study was led by Dr. Frank Biro of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The subjects included over 1,200 6- to 8-year-old girls in Cincinnati, New York and San Francisco. As part of the study, researchers used a standard measure of breast development to …

You buy based on the brand, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. Brand identity, is part of your identity. A research study illustrates that the brands and styles we choose reveal more about us than most people realize. If you are are willing to drop $1200 on a purse there’s a reason. You know that most people may assume that it is a simple purse, but those “in the know” will recognize that your bag with its signature stitching costs a very pretty penny. Consumers often make …

Could your ears be prejudice? A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology suggests that there may be a more specific reason why you don’t believe everything you hear, your ears may only trust people that sound like you. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that statements made by someone with a foreign accent were perceived as less truthful than those made by a fellow native speaker. To prove the theory the researches set up two experiments. The first experiment tested their overall theory of whether trivia statements …

The psychological benefits of physical exercise have been well documented, but few studies have specifically researched the possible mental health benefits of Tai Chi.  However, a recently published article has concluded that Tai Chi may improve your emotional well-being. The article, which appears in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, mentions that the popularity of Tai Chi has spread worldwide over the past two decades. According to the Patience Tai Chi Association, Tai Chi is “slow-motion, moving meditative exercise for relaxation, health and self-defense. The authors of the article reached their conclusions by analyzing …

What is Borderline? Is it when someone almost has a mental disorder? The word “borderline” can be confusing, but the disorder stands alone and is not tied to another diagnosis. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is under the umbrella of personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV-TR), the text used by mental health professionals to diagnose patients. Personality disorders develop in early adulthood, affect most areas of a person’s life, are long standing and are part of their personality. This is different from someone with a phobia, one …

What if a brain scan could determine whether you should be a doctor or an actor? We might stop asking kids “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Instead, we’d know from a brain scan which career path is the best choice for our children. Recent research suggests that brain imaging may be able to pinpoint our intellectual strengths and steer us toward our future careers. In the study, scientists had 40 individuals seeking career guidance undergo brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry …

Making a call to an old friend may be the healthiest part of your day today. We know social contact is important to health, but could it add years to our lives? A new study on baboons provides more evidence in support of the link between friendship and long life. University of California anthropologist Joan Silk and colleagues studied female chacma baboons at a game reserve in Botswana. Between 2001-2007, each baboon’s regular grooming partners were identified and monitored. The researchers found that baboons who maintained the same partners over …

Though anxiety disorders are known to take a toll on our mental health, some of them may have an impact on our physical health as well.  A recent study followed up with patients who received treatment for at least one anxiety disorder to determine their “health-related quality of life.”  While some disorders had a negligible impact on an individual’s health, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an anxiety disorder with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) showed a significant effect on one’s quality of health. Three researchers from Brown University used data obtained …

A recent research study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, found that living and adapting to a foreign culture can enhance your creativity. If you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a far away country, start packing. Turns out listening to people around you talk in a language you’ve never heard of while you try a dessert with an exotic flavor you’ve never tasted before, is really great for your brain health. The study ran three experiments. The first experiment on forty-three participants (18 male, …

Do you know a child or teen who is coping with anxiety and depression?  A recent study published in Child Psychiatry and Human Development explored specific characteristics of youth having both disorders. Not surprisingly, kids with both anxiety and depression are more likely to have dysfunctional families, according to research. As part of the research, 200 children and adolescents aged 7-17 and their parents participated in the study, through Temple University’s anxiety disorder clinic. All of the young people were seeking treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, or social …

In addition to numerous physical consequences, just one night without sleep can affect your mental health.  According to recent research from the University of Arkansas, just one sleepless night is shown to increase a person’s anxiety and depression.  Although previous research has confirmed that stable sleep habits are important in battling depression, this study demonstrates that mentally healthy adults are susceptible to the effects, as well. Researchers selected 102 healthy Arkansan adults as their test subjects, most of whom were affluent white people in their early twenties. Of the original …

A new study examining the Self-Discrepancy Theory, which predicts emotional outcomes based on the differences between self-concept and the actual self, may provide another reason why some people suffer from depression. Self-Discrepancy Theory  was developed in 1987 by Edward Tory Higgins, a psychology professor at Columbia University. The theory states that people have the following three concepts of themselves: Ideal self: This is the person who you would like to become, including reaching your highest goals. Ought self: This is the person who you should be, or ought to become, …

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” may be some sage advice.  While plenty of research has connected worry to anxiety, its relation to depression has only recently been explored.  A team of Korean psychologists found that people who worry are prone to show signs of depression, particularly when they ruminate extensively. A more clinical way to describe worry is Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU).  People who suffer from IU “regard ambiguity as stressful, frustrating, and anxiety provoking, and believe that uncertain situations should be avoided.”  Additionally, they overreact to the possibility of something …

Humans with the trichotillomania disorder have been known to pull their hair until it creates bald spots, while others pluck off their eyebrows and eyelashes or yank their hair until abrasions erupt. Now, researchers studying mutant genes in mice have found a link that someday could help people suffering from compulsive disorders such as trichotillomania, an obsessive disorder that leads to compulsive hair pulling. A team from the University of Utah School of Medicine discovered that mice with mutations in the Hoxb8 gene groomed themselves twice as much as other …

Why is depression twice as common in women compared to men? Despite many years of academic study, the answer remains uncertain. But a team of eight researchers at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia have now identified the chemical that causes the apparently greater stress sensitivity in women. The study, which involved male and female lab rats, revealed that this chemical behaves differently in females than in males. The researchers are confident that the results of this study can lead to more effective treatments for all types of stress-related illnesses. This …

People who suffer from insomnia and other sleeping disorders also report higher rates of anxiety. A team of researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine conducted a study on rats in which they administered different doses of eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zolpidem (Ambien) — the most commonly prescribed drugs for treating insomnia — to monitor their effects on sleep and anxiety. The researchers performed their experiment on 56 adult male rats.  Head surgery was performed on the animals to implant electrodes designed to monitor the rodents’ brain waves and muscle movement. …

When someone is trying to kick an addictive habit, cravings are the biggest barrier to recovery. According to a recent study out of Penn State, those cravings can actually multiply and cause a relapse if an addict ignores stress, say behavioral scientists. Fifty-five college students in active recovery from substance abuse participated in the study. The students used Palm Pilots to describe their daily cravings in a digital journal. They also recorded negative social experiences, such as hostility, insensitivity, and ridicule, along with the coping strategies they used. A statistical …

If you’re feeling blue, you may want to examine your diet. A new study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 are associated with a lower likelihood of depression in older adults. The study focused on 3503 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP). Researchers examined subjects’ dietary consumption of vitamin B6, B12 and folate and the incidence of depression over approximately 7 years. The risk of developing depression dropped 2% for every …

A recent study published in Children and Youth Services Review validates previous research findings that suggest participation in youth development organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs makes children and adolescents less likely to engage in problem behaviors.  The authors, Dawn Anderson-Butcher and Scottye J. Cash, cite previous studies that conclude that participating in such programs deters and prevents “alcohol and drug use, juvenile delinquency, violent crime, school dropout and failure, and teenage pregnancy.”  The authors also cited research studies that specifically credit Boys & Girls Clubs and their programs …

If you’re one of the 14.8 million Americans who are affected by depression, new research gives more credibility to the idea that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish, fish oil supplements, flaxseeds and walnuts) may alleviate some of your depression-related symptoms. A Canadian study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry is the largest double-blind, randomized control trial ever conducted on depression and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Many studies have previously shown promising outcomes, but were not conclusive because they studied so few participants.  This study however, sampled over 400 …

Even under ideal circumstances, adolescence is a turbulent time. Furthermore, mourning the death of someone close is especially challenging during teen years. Recent research from the University of Melbourne’s School of Music suggests that music therapy can help adolescents cope with grief after experiencing the loss of a loved one. This is great news, since many mental health experts believe that bereavement during this critical time increases a teenager’s vulnerability to mental health problems.Music therapy is a clinical technique that involves participation in musical activities, such as listening to favorite songs, …

We all talk to ourselves from time to time, especially when facing a challenge.  Reciting self-affirmations can help us focus our thoughts and persevere.  New research shows that it is not only what you say, but how you say it that impacts your ultimate success. A team of professors from the University of Illinois and University of Southern Mississippi decided to look at how the ways of phrasing self-motivation impact the outcome.  They hoped to determine whether asking a question of oneself would be more helpful than making an assertion …

Did you know that regular workouts actually reduce cellular aging caused by stress? A new study has found that even a moderate amount of exercise protects telomeres, or the strips of DNA that cover the ends of our chromosomes. During stress, telomeres shrink and cause our cells to age. This aging can lead to health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Eli Puterman of the University of California in San Francisco led the study, which appears in the online journal PLoS ONE. He and his colleagues found that just …

Tortured artists not only create great art, but also children who are prone to be similarly tormented artists.  Psychiatry experts at Stanford University determined that parents with bipolar disorder are likely to pass creativity along to their offspring.  Previously, researchers noticed that people with bipolar disorder tend to be highly creative, but by exploring familial connections, this study marks the first detection of a probable genetic link between creativity and bipolar disorder. The study followed 40 family units that included at least one parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder, as well …

Not only does meditation improve your mental health, it may also reduce the physical sensation of pain.  New research demonstrates that people who regularly meditate have more control over the pain they experience. While meditation has previously been demonstrated to have positive benefits, researchers at the University of Manchester acknowledge that many people have attributed these results to the placebo effect.  However, these same researchers hypothesized that since meditation requires “focusing on the internal feeling of breathing and other body sensations” perhaps this power could be utilized to dull one’s …

The debate about health care reform was vicious and now that the bill has passed, tempers have subsided and we are left asking ourselves, “how and when will this affect me?” Health care reform will make some helpful changes in access to mental health. Below is a summary of the new changes. Mental Health Parity (January 1, 2010)- Under the Wellstone-Domenici Parity Act, insurance companies must provide the same coverage for mental illness and substance abuse as any physical illness. This means they can no longer charge higher co-payments or set …

According to the nearly 40% of households in the United States own at least one dog.  There is a reason for all of this puppy love: our four-legged friends just may serve as a natural antidepressant.  Dog owners, especially single adults and women, are less likely to experience feelings of depression thanks to their relationships with their canines. Although general pet ownership has previously been proven psychologically advantageous, Krista Marie Clark Cline of the University of Missouri-Columbia wanted to determine whether dogs specifically are the source of similar benefits. While …

We’ve all heard of Empty Nest Syndrome, and yet it’s not actually a clinical “syndrome.” Empty Nest Syndrome is a term used to describe the sadness you may feel if your child is getting married, going away for college, or even leaving for sleep over camp. The spiral of sad emotions that get set off can lead some parents into a severe clinical depression. Though it was thought that Empty Nest Syndrome was felt harder by women, because fathers today are equally involved in their children’s lives they also suffer …

The ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have shed light on the unfortunate reality of war’s effect on the mind. Studies have shown that upon returning from battle the number of soldiers afflicted by post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to by its acronym PTSD, is steadily increasing. For those struggling with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR may be an effective treatment to reduce the distressing affect and memories, allowing for a fuller life. More and more clinicians are being trained in EMDR and if you are suffering from a …

I get panic attacks, what can I do to get rid of them? Panic attacks are common (2.4 million suffering from them regularly) and very uncomfortable to say the least. A panic attack is a sudden and overwhelming sense of fear, coupled with body symptoms like racing heart, shallow breathing, sweating, numbness in the limbs, dizziness, and feelings of unreality, going crazy or dying. Even though they are unpleasant, the good news is that they will always pass, you won’t “go crazy” and they are not medically dangerous. So what …

Exercise is strongly associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a protein that protects neurons from damage caused by stress. Exercise helps your body naturally produce more BDNF.  BDNF plays an important role in brain development and help neurons grow and develop. Author, Jon Rately wrote a book on the brain and is famous for explaining BDNF as “Miracle-Gro for the brain.“ Expression of BDNF is controlled by the BDNF gene, and people who are genetically predisposed to lower  BDNF expression have a tendency towards depression. …

Growing old involves a variety of life stressors that can result in depression, but getting active may be the answer. A study led by Dr. Holly Blake at the University of Nottingham found that both aerobic exercise and resistance training could improve mood in older people with depression. Symptoms of depression in older people are often overlooked and untreated. Increased fatigue, irritability, and confusion caused by depression may appear to be a “normal” response to the challenges of aging. However, depression is never a normal part of life at any …

Do you look around at the happy couples around you holding hands and laughing, and wonder why that’s not you?  Do you wonder why your romantic relationship always seems to have problems?  A study from The Association for Family Therapy collected data to examine how your perception of relationships in general and your perception of yourself can affect couple relationship dynamics.  The study of 266 community individuals uncovered some expected and surprising results. First, the degree of romantic attachment you feel with your significant other is positively associated with how …

Those stuck indoors all day have even more reason to get outside: recent research shows that outdoor activity helps to ward off depression as well as improve your general mental health. The positive effects of exercise have been thoroughly documented over the years. Researchers at the University of Essex investigated whether working out in nature, which they refer to as “green exercise,” would increase the benefits.  Green exercise will perk up your life  “by reducing stress levels, enhancing mood, and improving self-esteem.” Interestingly enough, outdoor effects were first noticed indoors …

For many people who suffer from chronic pain, depression is an unfortunate consequence.  However, recent research shows that people in comforting relationships are more likely to avoid depression.  In spite of the physical pain some people feel, support at home can help alleviate the additional burden of emotional pain. Researchers in Australia tracked 99 people who received treatment at one of two pain clinics.  The majority of these subjects suffered from pain in their lower backs or limbs.  Both before and after their treatment, participants filled out surveys by answering questions …

Sibling rivalry could take on a whole new meaning.  A study led by Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Study of Adult Development at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, found that poor sibling relationships in childhood may be a predictor of major depression in adulthood. Getting along with siblings is a significant challenge of growing up. Brothers and sisters help us learn how to negotiote with others, work in a group, and play together.  Of course, we also have some of our worst conflicts and difficult experiences with our siblings. Sibling rivalry …

I get so anxious for job interviews and I worry so much. What can I do to feel more relaxed? Now that the recession is lifting and the job market is opening up, people are starting to get more job opportunities. The interview process is emotionally taxing, particularly in today’s economic climate. An extended period of unemployment can create financial burdens and other turmoils. These various pressures can make the interview process scarier, because more seems to be at stake. First, being nervous for an interview is normal and can …

Sweet, creamy, comforting chocolate may be delicious, and even good for the heart, but new research shows it may not be good for the soul.  Researchers studied chocolate consumption of nearly 1,000 men and women over a one-month period, giving groups of participants varying amounts of chocolate in one-ounce servings. The first group consumed five ounces, the second eight ounces, and the third, 12 ounces. Those who consumed the most chocolate showed signs of major depression, while those in the middle group showed signs of possible depression. The lowest-consuming group …

Want to boost your mood without diet, exercise, or pills? Perhaps, you should consider volunteering. Helping someone else may be just the natural anti-depressant you need to help boost your mood.

It seems every few weeks a new story hits the headlines exposing a politician for some misstep in his personal life that contradicts the “family values” campaign on which he was elected.  Perplexed by these double standards, a team of professors from the Netherlands and Illinois conducted a series of five experiments and found that when everyday people are put into positions of power, they are prone to increased moral hypocrisy. The five experiments the professors devised ran through different morality-testing scenarios such as stealing a bicycle and evading taxes.  …

According to statistics, 50% of students who attend college drop out or fail out. Though there are a variety of reasons this number is so high – including financial – scientists have learned that certain types of depression directly relate to lower grade point averages and higher dropout rates. University of Michigan’s Daniel Eisenberg led the study, which surveyed 2,800 students online. Students answered questions about a variety of mental health issues, and completed a follow-up survey two years later. Many students could function fine in school, depending on the …

When you’re depressed, you don’t feel like doing much of anything, especially the most important or the most pressing things. So you put things off, but you blame yourself for not doing them. Then your self-criticism and the weight of your growing to-do list add to your depression! So it’s a vicious cycle…depression leads to procrastination which leads to depression which leads to…. The research on procrastination suggests that you are more likely to put things off if you have low confidence in your ability to succeed at what you’re …

Recently a patient of mine, who suffers from depression, was very anxious about her  upcoming 40th birthday party. Birthdays can produce anxiety in lots of people, and for this patient the added pressure of wanting the perfect party was causing her to excessively worry. She agonized and obsessed over every detail of the party, from the music to the catering. Worse, she began to obsess on things outside of her control. Would her guests have fun? Would her friends get along?  Her worrying began to preoccupy her, so that instead …

Every couple encounters difficulties. Holding on to patterns of blame, denial, and avoidance can perpetuate marital struggle.  If you think your marriage is in trouble, a new study proves therapy can help even the rockiest relationship. UCLA’s Andrew Christensen, lead author of the study, provided one year of regular therapy sessions to 134 consistently unhappy married couples in their 30s and 40s. In the longest, most comprehensive assessment of its kind, follow-up sessions were held every six months for five years after stopping therapy. Couples received one of two kinds …

The boogie monster that haunts women is real, and it’s called cellulite. The fear of getting fat plagues even healthy normal-weight women. It is a fear, apparently, that men do not share. Psychologists at Brigham Young University discovered women who project healthy body images may have a hidden fear of becoming overweight. As part of their research on improving treatment for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, Mark Allen and Diane Spangler scanned the brains of women with eating disorders against a control group of normal-weight women with a …

For those suffering from recurring panic attacks or mild to moderate depression, a new kind of internet-based therapy may be just as effective as traditional group-based therapy, a study suggests. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping us understand how irrational (and sometimes unconscious) thoughts can lead to negative feelings and behaviors. Long known to be an effective treatment for both panic disorder and depression, CBT can be difficult for some patients to obtain because of limited access or resources. With internet-based CBT therapy, the patient undergoes an online self-help program …

The famous 1960′s “Marshmallow Experiment” performed by Walter Mischel is a historical study about pre-school children’s ability to delay gratification. Mischel put children alone in a room with a marshmallow and promised the children a second marshmallow if they could wait patiently until he returned to the room. Sitting alone in a room with a delicious marshmallow was an impossible task for many of the children. Years later in a follow up study, the children who had successfully waited to eat their marshmallow turned out to have higher SAT scores and …

It isn’t just your mother who tells you that good things come to those who wait: your brain does, too!  According to new scientific research by Dr. Jan Peters and Christian Büchel, the human brain is wired to help encourage you to make decisions with larger long-term rewards instead of instant gratification. Peters and Büchel investigated how the brain operates during reward-based decision-making processes.  They found that while people are prone to choosing quicker rewards over delayed incentives, their subjects possessed the ability to override their initial urges and make …

If you have never tried to quiet your mind with meditation then you are in for a surprise: your mind is a very noisy place. Brain waves are the electrical movements in our brain, and they always happen, even when we sleep. However, the frequency range of our brain waves fluctuates. Most of us during our waking moments have fast moving beta waves coursing through our brains.  To slow down our thoughts, many western doctors are turning to the East and are encouraging the practice of meditation for their patients. …

Young girls who are at high risk of depression might be impaired in their ability to respond to pleasure and reward, even if they haven’t had any symptoms of depression.A defining characteristic of depressive disorder is a weakened experience of pleasure. New research, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, indicates that girls who are at an elevated risk of depression exhibit abnormal brain patterns when presented with the prospect of receiving a reward. The study, led by Ian H. Gotlib, professor of psychology at Stanford University, sought to assess whether …

We’re all familiar with the scenario: a deadline for a big project is looming, but rather than tackling the job head-on we procrastinate. We’ll do anything, from watching television to cleaning, to avoid starting the “big project.”  This avoidance causes other emotions such as guilt and anxiety. Procrastination is a common problem, and experts believe that there’s more to it than just laziness or a poor work ethic. It is widely believed among psychologists that procrastination can be a symptom of depression—people who become depressed often lose their sense of …

You might recognize that anxiety is often accompanied by depression, but did you know there is a biological link between the two?  Using mice, scientists may have determined exactly how stress and anxiety can lead to depression in the brain.  The research, led by Stephen Ferguson at The University of Western Ontario, may allow for new and improved treatments for anxiety, depression, and other related disorders.  This is good news since depression and anxiety are considered the most common cause of chronic illness. The scientists’ research determined precisely how stress, anxiety, …

My friend told me he beats the winter blues by heading to a tanning bed to get his sun. My friend was not diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but like most people the short winter days bum him out.Seasonal Affective Disorder is the technical term for the sadness some people experience in relationship to the changing of the seasons. One of the most effective ways to treat S.A.D. is with light therapy

The “gift” of gab may be happiness. A team of psychological scientists from the University of Arizona eavesdropped and dissected daily conversations made throughout the day by both happy and unhappy people. The paper, published in the February 2010 issue of Psychological Science. reports that “the findings demonstrate that the happy life is social rather than solitary, and conversations run deep rather than superficial.” Study participants were hooked up to a tiny device that tracked their conversations every 30 seconds for 12.5 minutes over the course of four days. Then …

It may turn out that investing all that time on facebook and blogging might have adverse affects on your mental health.  In a recent study out of the UK published in the journal of Psycopathology, it was revealed that excessive internet usage may be linked to depression. This new form of “internet addiction” may be adversely affecting young people (ages 16 and up) for the escapism that the internet allows. In a survey of 1,319 people aged 16 to 51, about 220 were classified as “internet addicted”, which is considered …

If you are worried about your worrying, take heed. Researchers led by Gregory Miller from the University of Illinois have published a new study entitled “Co-occurring Anxiety Influences Patterns of Brain Activity in Depression” in the journal Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience looking at how anxiety can affect those suffering from depression. The study focused on the different types of anxiety: anxious arousal, which can lead to panic, and anxious apprehension, otherwise known as worry. The subjects were classified based on their diagnoses: depression alone, anxiety alone, or a combination …

If parents need another good reason for helping their daughters manage stress and depression, a new obesity link study seems to demand it. It’s no secret that obesity is a major health issue in America, and according to the CDC “childhood obesity has more then tripled in the last 30 years.” Overweight girls are more likely to remain obese in adulthood; plus they are at a higher risk for developing various health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Being overweight can be emotionally devastating for a young girl …

Botox, Restilin, facelifts, mole removal, eyelash extensions, lip plumping, the procedures are endless, but for some no amount nip and tuck will ever make them feel better. Close to 1 to 2 percent of the population struggles with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. BDD is a serious condition where people obsess on a particular physical flaw. The doctors may say they are underweight, but ask an anorexic suffering from BDD and they may only be able to see the fat.  People with BDD may not want to look in the mirror, they may …

When we were kids we couldn’t wait to tell people our age, we even counted our age in half-years. The older we get the less we like to be defined by the year of our birth, and there is an entire beauty industry banking on our desire to look young. There may be a reason we cling to our younger self, turns out we may have been happier then.  According to research conducted by David G. Blanchflower and Andrew J. Oswald, happiness if it had a shape would be the …

As with most forms of depression, there are no blood tests to confirm Postpartum Depression for new moms.  Ilona S. Yim, PhD, from University of California, lead research out of University of California that may someday be able to help new moms predict whether they are at risk for Postpartum Depression with a simple blood test. Yin’s study uncovered that a higher level of the hormone pCRH was found in the placenta of the moms in her study who did develop postpartum depression.  More research is needed to determine whether …

If your antidepressant drugs are no longer effective in treating your mild depression, you are part of the growing anecdotal evidence questioning the efficacy of mood-stabilizing drugs. On average, 40 percent of those taking depression medication discontinue treatment. Side effects have been one cause of non-adherence, particularly with the older Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), but less so with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that now comprise 50 percent of antidepressants prescribed. The loss of effect of depression medication is a more common cause of non-adherence in all forms of antidepressant …

Antidepressant medication can be a lifesaver for those who are suffering daily from depression symptoms. However, when you choose to take antidepressants to improve your mood, you’re also opening yourself up to a list of side effects that can be just as depressing. Making a comparison of depression medication side effects can help you choose the right one for you. Once you’ve selected your depression medicine, you can use these tips to help you overcome some common side effects. According to Everyday Health, the most common antidepressants on the market …

If you are one of the approximately 13 million Americans struggling with depression, your options for treatment have increased dramatically over the past 2 decades. The release of Prozac (fluoxetine) in 1988, with its favorable side effect profile and high efficacy rate in clinical trials, offered hope to depression sufferers and spawned a meteoric rise in the use of antidepressants.  The media hype surrounding this development did much to erase the social stigma associated with depression medication and, seemingly overnight, Prozac became a household word.  Antidepressants are now the most …

Detecting depression seems like it should be easy, but depression often goes unnoticed. Life moves rapidly. Kids, work, household chores may act as distractions. But when feelings of depression strike, depending on severity, they becomes impossible to ignore. According to WebMD, signs of depression include appetite changes, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and mood shifts like agitation or thoughts of suicide. Everyone experiences depression differently. Depression in Women Compared to Men Women are more likely to display depressive symptoms than men, according to data from the CDC. Although many theories …

Anxiety is one of the most common ailments we hear about in today’s America.  Thirteen year old boys and girls and even younger children are being treated for a variety of anxiety-related disorders. If you or someone you love is being or should be treated for anxiety issues, remember that you are not alone.  To understand the need for anxiety depression treatment, one must first come to understand the illness. When you mix the insecure and unstable emotions of anxiety with the devastating effects of depression, things can become much …

The statistics are alarming: major depressive disorder affects 14.8 million American adults and is the leading cause of disability for people ages 15-44. Disheartening, yes, but not in light of the fact that depression is not a terminal illness. It is treatable. Unfortunately, many people allow it to go on for far too long, or even worse, ignore it altogether. The big tragedy is that only 2 out of 3 sufferers will seek medical advice.  This is a very dangerous proposition, as two thirds of all suicides are due to …

Although women are diagnosed with depressive disorders more often than men, many experts say that depression in men is more common than previously believed.  About six million (or seven percent) of adult males suffer from depression each year. Depression is prevalent enough in men that a Web MD article listed depression and suicide as one of the six top health threats to men.  Although men with depression are less likely to seek help and are more likely to deny or minimize their symptoms,  suicide is the eighth leading cause of …

Depression has many faces. There is the one that makes it difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning, the one that causes you to read the same sentence numerous times and still not retain it, and then there’s that one that refuses to allow you out for an evening with friends. Depression’s ugly faces are easy to recognize. The causes of depression, however, like to keep us guessing. In this article you will learn many of the reasons for depression. Being informed about the roots of …

If you or a loved one suspect you may be suffering from Clinical Depression, you may find yourself overwhelmed and confused. This article is designed to walk you through the warning signs of Clinical Depression, a definitive diagnosis and what it will mean in the days ahead, as well as the effects that Clinical Depression will often create in ones life. We will finish by illustrating various methods of treatment for this complex, yet curable disorder. To begin, let us look at the American Psychiatric Association’s reference on mental health …

The Name May Change but the Symptoms Remain the Same Although the term reactive might not be as widely used as it once was, depression of this type continues to be a challenging problem for many patients caught up in its grasp. More commonly referred to nowadays by such terms as neurotic or situational depression, or labeled adjustment disorder, the symptoms can be painful and overwhelming, often leaving patients in a state of hopeless despair. What makes reactive depression different from other types of depression is that there tends to …

In 1994 I was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. What a shock! I quickly set out to learn as much as I could about my illness. Here’s an overview of what I found out: Depression is widespread: about 18.8 million adult Americans suffer from the various types in any given year. Depression can affect nearly every aspect of life. Suffering and pain afflict not only the ill person, but also their loved ones. Imagine living every day with an extremely negative person. The good news is that much of …

When you get online and do a basic search for information about depression, you’ll be bombarded with hundreds, if not thousands, of different listings. Each will claim to be the best and to offer the information that you need, but that’s not always the case. There are many types of free resources online that sufferers and their loved ones can benefit from, and knowing them and how to use each one is critical. Personal blogs and websites: These are a great resource for finding empathy or someone to relate to. …

I had a cat that watched the ceiling fan, and I never understood why. Then I went through a divorce, and I came to understand the fascination. If you look at it a long time, it appears to start spinning in the opposite direction. If you close one eye and open the other alternately, it appears to move across the ceiling and back. This may sound odd to many people (especially those who don’t have ceiling fans) but the fan is not the point, and neither is the ceiling. The …

Do these three statements sound familiar to you? “I feel like I could sleep 23 hours a day and still not have enough rest.” “I eat ALL the time.” “My arms and legs feel like they are made of lead.” If they do, you may be suffering from a form of depression known as atypical depression. Depression is a common mood disorder, affecting nearly 17 million Americans. Far more than simply feeling blue, depression can negatively impact your life to such a degree that it becomes difficult to perform the …

There’s a fine line between grief and reactive depression disorder. One is a natural reaction after a trauma and the other may need a little more intervention. A rose by any other name As the name implies, reactive depression disorder is a reaction to some outside stimulus. It’s a type of exogenous depression—it comes from outside forces—in contrast to endogenous depression, which comes from biological changes inside your body. By definition, reactive depression disorder isn’t usually associated with major depression. In fact, it’s also referred to as an “adjustment disorder …

The feeling of isolation is common for those suffering from depression. However, according to the World Health Organization, depression sufferers are not alone. There are more than 20 million people in the US working through the common experiences of depression. Perhaps less surprising, those 20 million people have many things in common—risk factors. Depression is complex, far reaching, and much more than merely being sad. It is something that can strike anyone at any time and is completely separate from a person’s emotional strength or intelligence.  Although the exact causes …

Insomnia has always been a symptom of depression, but research shows that the two are more closely related than people thought. Recent studies have shown that insomnia can be a harbinger of depression, often starting weeks before the onset of other depression symptoms. Sleep deprivation can also increase the length of severity and depression. If you’ve been diagnosed with insomnia depression, you may actually be able to offset the effects of depression by focusing your treatment on insomnia. Insomnia and Depression: Working Hand in Hand to Limit Your Life Insomnia …

Depression in people over 65 years old is one of the most often overlooked illnesses in the United States today. Even mild depression in the elderly can lead to suicide if not diagnosed at an early stage. How many times have you heard someone say of their elderly loved one, “She is just slowing down?” or, “He has his good days and his bad days?” One reason elderly depression is not diagnosed is that the observed symptoms are believed to be related to the aging process, a sometimes dangerous misconception. …

Please write here – will show on FYI home page, newsletters, etc. with link to full articleSome suffer depression and anxiety. Dr. Thomas Marra explains, “You have no energy to do things but seemingly boundless energy to feel panic, dread, negative anticipation about the future, and the sense that your world as you previously knew it has changed.” Those suffering depression anxiety carry the heaviest burden.

If you have symptoms of depression that have persisted during the course treatment, then you may have treatment-resistant depression. Many people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) feel that they have failed in treatment and that their situations are hopeless, which can worsen the severity of their depression.  If you have TRD, don’t blame yourself. You many have more treatment options than you realize. TRD can be defined as depression that is resistant to common treatment options, which usually includes psychotherapy and one antidepressant. If you have tried at least two different …

Coping with depression is an issue faced by a growing number of Americans today, and with the prevalence of antidepressant ads on TV a veil of fog has been blown around more homeopathic methods of treatment. Fortunately, there are several well-regarded methods that help relieve depression symptoms so you can get on the road to recovery. Treating depression without medication is a simple process of taking small steps every day toward a larger goal. There are two small steps that can be taken immediately to help alleviate depression symptoms. The …

Whoever has experienced depression knows what a dark and dreary place it is to visit.  Once depressed it no longer appears to be a temporary destination but soon becomes a place that is not so easy to escape from.  That is why going to a depression treatment center is an ideal way for many depression patients to reorientate themselves once they have gotten lost in depression. A top depressive clinic is often a way back into life for some people.  Many of the best treatment centers are located in beautiful, …

Surfing the net for depression forums, skeptic that I am, I scroll to the last words on the page—the disclaimer: Information should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for medical advice from a health professional or doctor. But don’t we take it for granted that talking helps? John Suler in The Psychology of Cyberspeace says, “One of the powerful advantages of cyberspace as compared to the ‘real’ world is that people with similar concerns easily can find each other and form meetings.” He points out that cyberspace …