Unemployment, Chronic Pain and Depression Can Be Inextricably Connected

After relationship difficulties, unemployment is the most likely thing to push someone into a bad depression. This isn’t surprising, since work is often a significant source of an individual’s sense of worth and self-esteem. For many, depression first shows up in physical symptoms, such as headaches, gastrointestinal distress, and sexual dysfunction.

When Depression Hits the One You Love

By Colette Dowling, LMSW

Little is more disconcerting than the peculiar twilight zone of a conversation with someone who's depressed. It can be like dangling expectantly at the top of a seesaw while the other person sits at the bottom, refusing to budge. You call out, you wave your arms, but there he (or she) sits, grim-faced and non-communicative.

Finding Your Way Back From Depression and Anxiety

By Susan Pazak, Ph.D.

Whatever you have been through, whatever symptoms you may be experiencing, can be addressed and modified by first identifying how you view your current circumstance or situation. If you sincerely desire change, seek out the necessary help to assist in the process.

Depressed About Feeling Depressed...

By John Fishbein, Ph.D.

Depression is like emotional quicksand. The more you struggle and fight to get out of it, the deeper you sink. One reason you may get stuck feeling depressed is that you don't realize there are two levels or layers of depression.

Is Your Partner Depressed? Here's How to Cope

By Leslie A. Zeigler, MSW

There are a lot of articles and books written to help the depressed person. However, very little has been written to help those closest to them. If you are now living with a depressed person, you also need specific help with coping with the illness.

Men and Depression

Depression and other mood disorders cross all national, cultural, ethnic, and gender boundaries. Research shows the majority of Latinos fail to recognize the symptoms of depression. The National Institute of Mental Health is launching a new effort in their "Real Men Real Depression" campaign to inform the Latino community about depression and to encourage men who are depressed to seek help.

Depression and Parkinson’s Disease

People with depression who have Parkinson's disease have a different symptom profile than those without Parkinson's. The Parkinson's profile includes higher rates of anxiety, sadness without guilt or self-blame, and lower suicide rates despite high rates of suicidal thoughts. Hormonal imbalances such as hypogonadism and hypothyroidism, which can cause depressive symptoms, need to be looked at carefully in these individuals.

Stress and Depression

When it comes to stress, some people experience prolonged emotional, behavioral, and hormonal responses that eventually lead to depression. A form of counseling called cognitive therapy, in which an individual learns to temper their very personal responses to stress, can provide significant help.

Stories of Depression--Do Any of These Personal Accounts Sound Like You?

Are you feeling really sad, tired, and worried most of the time? Are these feelings lasting more than a few days? If your answer is "yes," you may have depression. About 19 million Americans have depression. It can happen to anyone, no matter what age you are or where you come from. Depression can make it very hard for you to care for yourself, your family, or even function adequately at work. But, there is hope. Depression can be treated and you can feel better.

Recovering From Depression

Many famous people have struggled with depression--Abe Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Georgia O'Keefe, Ernest Hemingway, Rod Steiger, and Mark Twain, to name just a handful. However, if you're one of the 15 million Americans suffering from symptoms of depression at this very moment, it probably doesn't matter much to you how common the condition is or how distinguished other victims of depression may be--you just want the sadness to lift so that you can feel like yourself again.

Avoiding Weight Gain While Taking Antidepressants

Antidepressant medications can return a quality of life stolen by depression, but these medications are not without side effects. One such side effect — weight gain — affects about a quarter of patients who use antidepressants.

What illnesses often co-exist with depression?

Studies have shown that people who have depression in addition to another serious medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have co–existing depression.

Mourning the Death of a Spouse

Andrew, age 73, felt like the wind had been knocked out of him when his wife died. He began sleeping all day and staying up at night watching TV. Meals were mostly snacks like cookies and chips. He knew it wasn't healthy, but he didn't know what to do. Across town, Alice woke up in a panic. It had been 5 weeks since Jeff, her husband of 41 years, died. She cared for him during his long illness. How was she going to cope with the loneliness?

More Americans Seeking Help for Depression

At some time in their lives, more than 16% of Americans--as many as 35 million people--suffer from depression that's serious enough to warrant treatment. New studies indicate that one important reason why people with depression fail to receive the help they need is that many turn to their family doctors, who often don't treat depression aggressively enough.

Depression and Diabetes

Depression can strike anyone, but people worldwide with diabetes--more than 16 million here in the U.S. alone--may be at greater risk. In addition, individuals with depression may be at greater risk for developing diabetes. Treatment for depression can help people manage symptoms of both disorders.

Heart Disease & Depression are Common Companions

While it's estimated that 1 in 6 people will experience an episode of major depression at least once in their life, the number rises to one in 2 for people with heart disease. Knowing what the symptoms of depression are and getting help at the very first signs of the condition can prevent untold emotional pain--and could also protect your heart.

Both Grief and Anxiety Can Lead to Depression

Grief and anxiety usually catch us off guard--and, in many cases, risk leading to depression. It's always a good idea to take the time to become more familiar with the symptoms of depression so you'll know what to look for, both for yourself and for those whom you care about.

Unemployment and Depression

When you’re in the throes of depression, it becomes harder to get another job, putting into play a cycle of defeat and despair that can only make your depression deepen. Instead of getting help for their symptoms of depression, too many too frequently try to make themselves feel better by "self medicating" with alcohol or drugs. This clearly makes things worse.

Students: Are You Concerned That a Friend's Recent "Down" Behavior Might Be Depression?

The high school and college years can be complicated and demanding. So, it isn't surprising that from time to time you or one of your friends feels "down" or discouraged. But what about those times when a friend's behavior and outlook on life seems to remain depressed for weeks?

What Every Woman Should Know About Depression

Depression is a pervasive and impairing disorder that affects both women and men--however, it seems women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men. Researchers continue to explore how special issues unique to females--biological, life cycle, and psycho-social--may be associated with women's higher rate of depression.

The Link Between Depression and Heart Disease

Depression can strike anyone. However, research over the past two decades has shown that people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression than otherwise healthy people and, conversely, people with depression are at greater risk for developing heart disease.

Encouraging Depressed Moms to Seek Treatment for Themselves

Despite all signs encouraging mothers to prioritize their own mental health, many suffer from untreated depression while managing treatment for their children's emotional or behavioral problems.

Re-shaping Negative Thoughts Shields At-Risk Teens from Depression

At-risk teens exposed to a program that teaches them to counteract their unrealistic and overly negative thoughts experienced significantly less depression than their peers who received usual care.

Adolescents with Depression Not Harmed in Studies Using Placebo

According to an analysis of data a study published January 15, 2009, in the American Journal of Psychiatry, teens with depression who initially are randomly assigned to placebo treatment (inactive pill) during a trial are no more likely to experience harm or have a diminished response to subsequent active treatments than teens who are initially randomized to active treatment.

Depression Patients’ Brain Circuitry Makes Them Vulnerable to Relapse

"The subjects in remission from depression experienced symptoms qualitatively similar to those they had during major depressive episodes," said Dr. Drevets. "Our findings suggest that depression is associated with persistent vulnerability for developing such responses to reduced dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmission."

New Therapies Show Promise for Vascular Depression for the Elderly

Researchers see new treatments on the horizon for a type of depression related to blood vessels that affects the elderly, and have discovered why some elderly people fail to respond to current medications.

Gene Variations and Depression

For what appears to be the first time in humans, scientists have detected an interaction between genes that may help prevent brain changes that increase vulnerability to depression.

Genetic Variants May Alter Developmental Effects of Extreme Childhood Distress

Study's results suggest that genetic differences in CRH-mediated neurotransmission may change the developmental effects that childhood abuse can have on the stress hormone system – developmental effects that can later raise the risk of adult depression.

Workplace Depression Screening, Outreach and Enhanced Treatment Improves Productivity, Lowers Employer Costs

According to an in-depth study published September 26, 2007, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “It is in the interest of workers’ health and the company’s bottom line to ensure depressed employees are effectively treated.”

In 2nd Try to Treat Depression, Cognitive Therapy Generally As Effective As Medication

According to results of a trial published in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, switching to or adding cognitive therapy (CT) after a first unsuccessful attempt at treating depression with an antidepressant medication is generally as effective as switching to or adding another medication.

History of Childhood Abuse or Neglect Increases Risk of Major Depression

People who were abused or neglected as children have an increased risk of major depression, which often begins in childhood and has lingering effects as they mature.

Experimental Medication Offers Relief for Depression in Just Hours

In a preliminary study, individuals with treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom relief in as little as two hours with a single intravenous dose of ketamine, a medication usually used in higher doses as an anesthetic in humans and animals.

Switching to a third antidepressant medication may provide essential help with treatment-resistant depression

Nation's largest real-world study of treatment-resistant depression shows that patients had a moderate chance of becoming symptom-free when they switched to a third antidepressant medication, following two previously unsuccessful medication attempts.

For Anorexics, Antidepressant No More Effective Than Placebo in Reducing Risk Of Relapse

A new study has concluded that the antidepressant medication Fluoxetine (Prozac) is no more effective than placebo in preventing relapse among patients with anorexia nervosa.

New Strategies Help Depressed Patients Become Symptom-Free

A new study shows that people whose depression is resistant to initial treatment can achieve remission — the virtual absence of symptoms — when treated with a secondary strategy that either augments or switches medications. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of different treatment strategies for those who did not become symptom-free after initial medication.

Gene Influences Antidepressant Response

According to a new study, whether depressed patients will respond to an antidepressant depends, in part, on which version of a gene they inherit. Having two copies of one version of a gene that codes for a component of the brain's mood-regulating system increases the odds of a favorable response to an antidepressant by up to 18 percent.

Stopping Antidepressant Use While Pregnant May Pose Risks

Women in a recent study who stopped taking antidepressants while pregnant were five times more likely than those who continued use of these medications to experience episodes of depression during their pregnancy.

Initial Results Help Clinicians Identify Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression

A new effectiveness trial study on depression asks tougher questions than traditional efficacy trials. Effectiveness trials measure symptom reduction and patient function, and also take into account the often untidy realities clinicians face. For example, if a patient is not responding adequately to an initial medication in 4 or 6 weeks, what is the next best treatment option?

Actor-Patients’ Requests for Medications Boost Prescribing for Depression

Critics of direct-to-consumer marketing fear the advertisements lead to over-prescribing, while proponents believe they can serve a useful educational function. A new study addresses this issue of over- or under-prescribing.

What Causes Depression?

Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other nongenetic factors. Studies of brain chemistry and the mechanisms of action of antidepressant medications continue to inform our understanding of the biochemical processes involved in depression.

Depression, Bone Mass, and Osteoporosis

Scientists report a strong association between depression and osteoporosis. The literature suggests that depression may be a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, a progressive decrease in bone density that makes bones fragile and more likely to break.

Depression and HIV/AIDS

People with HIV, their families and friends, and even their physicians may assume that depressive symptoms are an inevitable reaction to being diagnosed with HIV. But depression is a separate issue that can and should be treated, even when a person is undergoing treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Routine Screening For Depression Advised

An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from depression--and, because as many as half of all cases of this very common mental disorder are missed and still others are mistreated, a federal task force has recommended that all adults be screened for depression during their regular doctor visits.

Worried That Someone You Care About Is Showing Signs Of Depression?

Are you concerned about someone in your family, or maybe a friend of yours, and wonder if their recent behavior is an indication of depression? While you want to do whatever you can to make them feel better, are you unsure of just what to say or what to do that will help them the most?

Depression in the Workplace

Depression is not a passing mood. It is not a personal weakness. It is a major--but treatable--illness. No job category or professional status level is immune, and even a formerly outstanding employee can be affected. The good news is that, in more than 80% of cases, treatment is effective.

Women Hold Up Half the Sky

Mental health disorders affect women and men differently--some disorders are more common in women, and some express themselves with different symptoms. Scientists are only now beginning to tease apart the contribution of various biological and psychosocial factors to mental health and mental disorder in both women and men.

Moving Beyond Stigmas

According to findings in a just-released study, perceived stigmas surrounding mental health issues and available treatment not only keep sufferers of mental health disorders from getting the professional help they need, but the stigma-induced fears of being judged, criticized or discriminated against prevent many from confiding their concerns to even their closest friends.

Combination Treatment for Psychotic Depression Holds Promise

A combination of an atypical antipsychotic medication and an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be more effective in treating psychotic depression than an atypical antipsychotic alone.

Depression Linked to Bone-Thinning in Premenopausal Women

Premenopausal women with even mild depression have less bone mass than do their nondepressed peers. The level of bone loss is at least as high as that associated with recognized risk factors for osteoporosis, including smoking, low calcium intake, and lack of physical activity.

Depressed Adolescents Respond Best to Combination Treatment

Depression in teens is a serious illness that can and should be treated aggressively. According to results from a major study published in the October 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication appears to be the most effective treatment for adolescents with major depressive disorder—more than medication alone or psychotherapy alone,

Depression Can Leave Molecular Scar

A new study provides insight into how chronic stress triggers changes in the brain that are much more long-lived than the effects of existing antidepressants.

Depression Gene May Weaken Mood-Regulating Circuit

A brain scan study suggests that a suspect gene may increase susceptibility to anxiety and depression by weakening a circuit for processing negative emotion. People with the depression-linked gene variant showed less gray matter and weaker connections in the mood-regulating circuit.

Important New Insight Into How Antidepressants Work

Results from a just-released study suggest that strategies aimed at stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis could provide novel avenues for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders.

How a Common Gene Influences Memory

Researchers searching for a possible brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) connection with the memory problems and hippocampal changes of Alzheimer's disease, depression and normal aging have shown that a common gene variant influences memory for events in humans by altering a growth factor in the brain's memory hub.

The Link Between Depression and Cancer

As with other serious illnesses, such as HIV, heart disease, or stroke, cancer can be accompanied by depression and can affect mind, mood, body and behavior. Treatment for depression helps people manage both illnesses more effectively.

Chances of Beating Depression Diminish as Additional Treatment Strategies Are Needed

A study published on November 1, 2006, concludes that a patient with persistent depression can get well after trying several treatment strategies, but his or her odds of beating the depression diminish as additional treatment strategies are needed.

Mutant Gene Linked to Treatment-Resistant Depression

A mutant gene that starves the brain of serotonin, a mood-regulating chemical messenger, has been discovered and found to be 10 times more prevalent in depressed patients than in control subjects. Patients with the mutation failed to respond well to the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressant medications.

Depression Traced to Overactive Brain Circuit

New research has found that an emotion-regulating brain circuit is overactive in people prone to depression — even when they are not depressed. Additionally, since brain function appears to be disregulated even when individuals suffering with depression are in remission, they need to continue long-term treatment beyond the symptomatic phase of their illness.

Gene More Than Doubles Risk of Depression Following Life Stresses

Among people who suffered multiple stressful life events over 5 years, 43 percent with one version of a gene developed depression, compared to only 17 percent with another version of the gene, say researchers.

New Research Finds Depression During Pregnancy is Common

A common assumption has been that pregnancy is predominantly a time of emotional well-being and that women are protected from depression during those months--but this newest study indicates that over 10% of women suffer from depression (a very treatable condition) during pregnancy, the same as at any point in their lives.

Thinning Tissue in Right Half of Brain Signals Increased Risk of Inherited Depression

Some types of depression run in families, and certain changes in brain structure and function have been observed in people with the disorder. However, until recently, scientists have been unclear on the exact relationship between these brain changes and depression.

Suicidal Thinking May Be Predicted Among Certain Teens with Depression

"Because the suicidal events tended to happen early in the treatment process, interventions that address safety, emotion regulation and family conflict should be some of the first to be implemented."