Depression Archives

2. Types of Depression

Jul 24, 2018 · Alison Palkhivala · Depression

Depression is a complex condition that comes in many forms. To help tease apart the different ways in which depression can manifest and to help clinicians choose the right treatments, the condition is classified into several different types. This chapter describes each type of depression and the specific signs and … Read More

1. Causes of Depression

Jul 24, 2018 · Alison Palkhivala · Depression

Depression is so much more than just feeling down in the dumps. It is a complex condition that has an impact on your mind and body. It has many causes, several of which may work together to produce a constellation of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms. This chapter outlines the … Read More

From The Editor

Jul 23, 2018 · Alison Palkhivala · Depression

Most people know at least something about depression. Whether or not it was called depression at the time, depression is so common today that almost everyone has had some personal experience, perhaps as part of one’s own challenges or those of a loved one, a neighbor or a colleague. As … Read More

Biological Clock May Be Cause of “Sundowning”

Jun 25, 2018 · Diane Muhlfeld · Depression

Researchers at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) may have discovered a cause of the early-evening agitation, aggression, and confusion that occur among dementia and Alzheimer’s disease patients, known as “sundowning.” It is hoped the findings will provide the groundwork for future pharmacological interventions in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients … Read More

Newsbriefs: Chronic Knee Pain & Depression Risk; Menopause & Memory Skills; Serious Life Events & Aging

May 30, 2018 · Jay Roland · Depression

Chronic Knee Pain Associated with Higher Depression Risk Knee pain that accompanies osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 13 percent of women and 10 percent of men over the age of 60 in the U.S. This type of chronic knee pain can limit your mobility and your ability to take care of … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Gender’s Effect on Depression; Money Worries & Cognition; Lowering Blood Sugar

May 22, 2018 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Depression

Q: Is it true that men have different symptoms of depression than women? A: While both men and women are vulnerable to many of the same symptoms of major depression—e.g., loss of pleasure in formerly enjoyable activities, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness—a recent study has found that men may be … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Electroconvulsive Therapy; Chewing Gum & Brainpower; COPD & Stroke Risk

May 21, 2018 · UHN · Depression

Q: My doctor wants me to have electroconvulsive therapy for my severe depression. How does this procedure improve mood? A: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment in which measured pulses of electricity are applied through the skull to the brain of an anesthetized patient, causing convulsions that are intended to help … Read More

Alternative Treatments: Are They Helpful for Mood Disorders

May 21, 2018 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Depression

Many people with mood disorders and anxiety turn to complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) such as dietary supplements, meditation, massage therapy, and other treatment approaches for help with their mental dis-tress. But how well do these approaches work? We asked MGH’s David Mischoulon, MD, PhD, Director of Research and Alternative … Read More

Taking Aim at Treatment Resistant Depression

May 18, 2018 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Depression

As many as half of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have treatment resistant depression (TRD). TRD is characterized by a failure to achieve complete remission of depressive symptoms following at least six to eight weeks of treatment with at least one course of antidepressant medications. The plight of these … Read More

Depression Research Leads to Promising Discoveries

May 14, 2018 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Depression

Researchers at MGH and elsewhere are hard at work looking for ways to ease the distress experienced by people with major depressive disorder (MDD), and some are reporting impressive preliminary results. Among their achievements, scientists have created the first blood test that can quickly and accurately diagnose MDD, and discovered … Read More

Depression

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