A man leans against a windowsill and wonders how he can meet his psychological needs

Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 2: Meeting Psychological Needs

This is the second 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 post in this series, we looked at some problems with the idea that depression… Continue Reading Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 2: Meeting Psychological Needs

a doctor studies a medical interface and wonders does alcohol kill brain cells

Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 1: Problems with the Standard Model

This is the first 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. Most of us are familiar with the standard explanation for depression: depression is the result of a… Continue Reading Depression Isn’t All in Your Head, Part 1: Problems with the Standard Model

A woman steps on a scale and wonders how are depression and obesity related

How Are Depression and Obesity Related?

Depression and obesity often occur together and they are a terrible combination. Both are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and shorter life expectancy. There appears to be a chicken-and-egg relationship between the two conditions and each can make the other worse. Here’s how obesity is related to depression. How obesity leads to depression.… Continue Reading How Are Depression and Obesity Related?

A man talks to his therapist and learns why some depression doesn't respond to medication

Why Some Depression Doesn’t Respond to Medication

Depression is the number one mental health issue in the US, with more than 16 million Americans suffering from a depressive episode each year. Symptoms typically include sadness, irritability, lack of energy and motivation, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, physical aches, slow movements, and thought of suicide or death. Depression is typically treated with a combination… Continue Reading Why Some Depression Doesn’t Respond to Medication

A man smiles as he breaks through the 4 lies depression tells you

4 Lies Depression Tells You

By some estimates, as many as 20 percent of Americans will experience a depressive episode at some point in their lives. Depression includes prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and pessimism, along with sleep disturbances, fatigue, aches, slow movements, poor concentration, and persistent thoughts of death or suicide. There are many aspects of depression we are… Continue Reading 4 Lies Depression Tells You

A woman takes a bubble bath after she learns how a warm bath might help with depression

How a Warm Bath Might Help with Depression

Depression affects about 16 million American adults every year. Common symptoms include persistent sadness, fatigue, lack of motivation, disrupted sleep, body aches, feelings of hopelessness, poor concentration, and thoughts of death or suicide. If you experience several of these symptoms for more than two weeks, see a doctor. Depression is typically treated with a combination… Continue Reading How a Warm Bath Might Help with Depression

A man takes off his glasses and hangs his head as he wonders what the difference is between depression and dysthymia

What’s the Difference Between Depression and Dysthymia?

Depression affects about 16 million Americans every year. The World Health Organization calls depression the number one cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms typically include prolonged feelings of sadness, fatigue, irritability, aggression, lack of motivation, disturbed sleep, poor memory and concentration, feelings of hopelessness, physical aches, and thoughts of suicide or death. The symptoms of depression… Continue Reading What’s the Difference Between Depression and Dysthymia?

A scan of the brain reminds viewers of 3 ways depression changes your brain

3 Ways Depression Changes Your Brain

We typically think of depression as mainly a psychological problem with symptoms like sadness, irritability, pessimism, lack of motivation, and anxiety. These are certainly important aspects of depression, but if an episode of depression persists long enough, it may cause physical changes in the brain. Here are some of the effects depression has on the… Continue Reading 3 Ways Depression Changes Your Brain

a group talks about which comes first depression or addiction

What Comes First, Depression or Addiction?

Most people who develop substance use disorders have some kind of dual diagnosis. They don’t just have an addiction; they have an addiction and something else. That ‘something else’ might be an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or schizophrenia. A very common dual diagnosis is addiction and depression. For most… Continue Reading What Comes First, Depression or Addiction?