When you hear the term “post-traumatic stress disorder” (PTSD), you may think of military veterans who have had front-line combat experience. But the majority of PTSD patients have never been in the military, and they aren’t male: Research suggests that about twice as many women as men experience PTSD at … Read More
The drug ketamine has a long and controversial history. It was developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic that was widely used in the Vietnam War and in the 1980s became an illicit party drug. But its future may be as a much-needed rescue for people with treatment-resistant depression. And … Read More
Depressive symptoms can develop after any number of major life events: divorce, the death of a loved one, financial woes, retirement, or even a cross-country move away from family or friends. But an especially common trigger for depression is a diagnosis of heart disease, cancer or another chronic illness. One … Read More
One of the symptoms of depression is a loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies that were once enjoyed. This is often true for both men and women and can lead to lethargy, sadness, and social isolation. But there are also some unique differences in how men and women … Read More
Lung Cancer Linked to Severe Depression About one-third of people newly diagnosed with the most common form of lung cancer suffer from depression, according to a small study published in the journal Lung Cancer, Nov. 21, 2019. The study included 186 people who had been recently diagnosed with advanced non-small cell … Read More
Q: What’s the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? A: Dementia isn’t a specific disease, but a set of symptoms that affect memory and thinking skills to the point that they interfere with daily life. Dementia has many causes. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common one. AD is characterized … Read More
If you have been prescribed antidepressants, but you’re not experiencing a change in mood or a softening of symptoms, you may have a common condition known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The definition of TRD varies, depending on who’s defining it, but it applies to people whose symptoms have failed to … Read More
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Can Help Curb Depression. After pooling data from 26 trials, researchers reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry that a variety of anti-inflammatory medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), were 52% more effective in reducing the severity of major depression than placebo. NSAIDs, omega-3 fatty … Read More
In this month’s issue, we’re looking at how frigid winter temperatures increase the risk of stroke. Cold weather also has been linked to a raised risk of heart attack, and more frequent and severe lung disease symptoms. But winter also can impact your mood. I suffer from the “winter blues” … Read More
For general information about depression, contact the following organizations: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry www.aacap.org 202-966-7300 3615 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20016-3007 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org info@afsp.org 888-333-AFSP (2377) 120 Wall St., 29th Floor New York, NY 10005 American Psychiatric Association www.psych.org apa@psych.org 202-559-3900 800 Maine Ave., … Read More
