A rainbow image of the brain reminds viewers about how addiction and depression may share brain circuitry

Addiction and Depression May Share Brain Circuitry

Depression and addiction often go together. While about 10 percent of the general population will develop a substance use disorder, in people diagnosed with depression that number is around 30 percent. The connection between substance use and depression is complicated. Depression can lead to addiction as a form of self-medicating and addiction can also lead… Continue Reading Addiction and Depression May Share Brain Circuitry

A woman hugs a pillow to her face as she thinks about how deep brain stimulation may relieve depression symptoms

Deep Brain Stimulation May Relieve Depression Symptoms

Depression affects about 16 million Americans every year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. While many people with depression can be treated effectively with medication and psychotherapy, as many as 30 percent of people don’t respond well to conventional treatment. A new study shows promise for treating severe depression with deep brain electrical… Continue Reading Deep Brain Stimulation May Relieve Depression Symptoms

A woman leans against a wooden board and wonders how long do drug cravings last

6 Beliefs that Keep You From Seeking Help for Depression

Depression affects more than 16 million American adults every year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, disturbed sleep, physical aches, slow movements, poor concentration, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide or death. Depression is inherently unpleasant and pretty much everyone with depression… Continue Reading 6 Beliefs that Keep You From Seeking Help for Depression

A woman caresses her dog on a beach after she hears that a recent study shows adopting a pet can reduce symptoms of depression

Recent Study Shows Adopting a Pet Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression

Depression affects more than 16 million American adults every year and is the leading cause of disability in the world. Symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, slow movements, poor concentration, anxiety, and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression is typically treated with some combination… Continue Reading Recent Study Shows Adopting a Pet Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression

A woman sits in a chair with a cup of tea and wonders if bipolar disorder is different in men and women

Is Bipolar Disorder Different in Men and Women?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by both episodes of depression and episodes of mania, or less intense manic episodes called hypomania. During a depressive episode, someone typically exhibits all the classic symptoms of depression, including sadness, hopelessness, lethargy, sleep disturbances, aches, poor concentration and memory, and thoughts of suicide or death. The manic episodes, on the… Continue Reading Is Bipolar Disorder Different in Men and Women?

A woman holds her face in her hands as she tries to remember 5 tips for dealing depression at work

5 Tips for Dealing with Depression at Work

According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people worldwide struggle with depression, making it the leading cause of disability in the world. While depression is sometimes completely debilitating, meaning some people can’t even get out of bed, most people with depression continue to work and meet other responsibilities despite feeling chronically irritable,… Continue Reading 5 Tips for Dealing with Depression at Work

A patient tries to convince her patient that depression isn't all in her head

Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 3: Changing Our Approach to Treatment

This is the third of three posts based on the work of writer Johann Hari, whose search for answers about his own depression led to his book Lost Causes: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression–and the Unexpected Solution. In the first part of this series, we looked at the problems with the serotonin model of… Continue Reading Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 3: Changing Our Approach to Treatment