Does your loved one have depression or just a bad case of the blues? Depression is a common mental health disorder. Even so, it’s not always easy to recognize in others, particularly someone close to you. Moreover, depression can present differently from person to person so it’s tough to make general assumptions. On top of all that, once you’ve … [Read more...]

You may be surprised to learn that depression is the leading cause of disability across the globe. You may be shocked to learn too, that at least half of the people with depression are not responsive to existing treatments. As you can imagine, this crisis is the focus of ongoing research. One area of study points to the presence of … [Read more...]

Male depression is often overlooked and under-discussed. The reasons for this are varied. First, this mood disorder is more common in women. In addition, men are less likely to seek a diagnosis for what they’re feeling.  Women are about twice as likely to struggle with a depressive disorder. But four times as many men die each year by suicide. … [Read more...]

When you talk about your “new normal,” are you speaking in hopeful terms? Or is there a sense of resignation, sadness, and powerlessness that comes with thoughts about your life and future right now? A  global health crisis, economic shutdown, and widening social division can have that effect. Recently, the "COVID-19 and Life Stressors … [Read more...]

Whatever your political persuasion, you may be feeling powerless in the run-up to the election. If so, you are far from alone. This has been an incredibly challenging year for so many pandemic-related reasons. When you factor in months of civil unrest and a looming presidential election, it can become overwhelming. Identifying and accepting … [Read more...]

Everyone knows the feeling. You hit a rough patch and just don’t feel like yourself. Others notice you’re in a funk but you put on a brave face and vow to push through it. But depression and loneliness do not work that way. Especially in a year like 2020, you cannot afford to push down your emotions and tell yourself things will be better … [Read more...]

Symptoms of Depression These are some common symptoms of depression: Feelings of hopelessness Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy No interest in planning for the future Difficulty concentrating Persistent sadness Feeling empty Loss of interest in sex Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain … [Read more...]

In a New York Times article (April 26,2016) entitled "Treating Pregnant Women for Depression May Benefit Baby, Too," writer Nicholas Bakalar discusses a study showing the health risks for babies whose depressed mothers weren't medicated, and the physical benefits for the babies of depressed women who took anti-depressants during their … [Read more...]