Depression

A cardinal feature of depression, like other mental health conditions such as anxiety or trauma, is difficulty with memory: remembering, recalling, and—sometimes in severe cases—recognizing people, things, tasks, memories, events, and to-dos. Often, people with depression will have great difficulty remembering where things in the house or at work may…

Research supports that spirituality can help improve symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. Engaging in spiritual practices changes the prefrontal region of the brain; additionally, it serves as a shield against stress. When we turn to our spiritual nature, or focus on a higher power, we become more…

Sometimes, symptoms of depression are accompanied by signs of aggression, which can signify agitated depression. Agitated depression isn’t a distinct depression type, but rather a clearer explanation for cases of depression that also include acts of aggression. Symptoms include your normal depression symptoms, like depressed mood and lack of interest…

Depression is characterized by, well, a depressed state. Those who develop the condition present this state of despair as well as a loss of interest or pleasure in day to day life. The remaining characteristics can vary… and be mistaken for another illness entirely—the flu. This makes distinguishing the difference…

Teens and other young individuals overuse the term depression: they say they’re “depressed,” when they’re anything but perfectly happy. This is a problem, as it blurs the line between being experiencing normal emotions and being clinically depressed. The answer to this problem is to help young people understand that life…

Instead of setting New Year’s resolutions, I set New Month’s resolutions. So, rather than brainstorming a few different goals to tackle throughout the year, I set one main goal to tackle each month. In January, I set a fairly simple goal of journaling each night. In February, I (regrettably) challenged…

If you’re anything like me, you don’t take change or rejection well… which means you probably don’t take breakups so well. I mean, who does? Breakups—whether you’re the one who has initiated the split or not—aren’t fun. In fact, they’re the very opposite of fun: they’re emotionally, mentally, sometimes even…

An estimated 350 million people around the world suffer from depression, making this illness a leading cause of disability. Some of these individuals experience depressive thoughts or feelings after a loved one has passed; some after going through a bad breakup; and others for no apparent reason at all. The…

Depression is a crippling mental illness, which leaves many of its sufferers feeling lonely, unmotivated, empty, and generally unhappy. Fortunately, these individuals can combat this disorder and its harrowing effects by undergoing therapy and/or taking medication… but what about their loved ones? Depression doesn’t just hurt those who are diagnosed…

Two of the most important people in my life are diagnosed with depression. Some days they’re happy and a joy to be around—others, they’re miserable and can’t be bothered. While I understand it’s the depression talking, I’m still human, and sometimes can’t help but wonder: Why are they being so…

Depression Portrait: Seasonal Affective Disorder Emily’s mood darkened. She lost touch with her closest friends. She mixed up the names of the kids she worked with. And at home, she found herself watching way too much television: not her old favorite smart dramas and Comedy Central programs, but reality shows…

Depression on Halloween? You might be wondering, “Who’s depressed on Halloween?” That’s a good question. The answer: Many people are depressed on Halloween.