More than 16 million American adults had a major episode of depression in the last year, and that figure appears to be growing. Symptoms of depression include sadness or depressed mood, fatigue, sleep disturbances, such as sleeping too much or too little, changes in weight, slow movements, aches, inability to focus, feelings of hopelessness, and…
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a relatively new way of treating major depression. In TMS, a doctor or technician uses a powerful electromagnet to stimulate a part of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or DLPFC. The DLPFC is responsible for many executive functions, such as helping yourself and others, making…
Occasional anxiety is a useful emotion. It alerts you to danger, it encourages you to prepare for important events, and it gives you energy and focus to perform at your best. However, if you always feel anxious, or you get too anxious, anxiety can be debilitating. Too much anxiety can interfere with your life and…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD is a condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and behaviors. The popular conception of someone with OCD is that she keeps a meticulously clean house, arranges everything by color, size, or place in the alphabet, and simply must straighten an unlevel picture. In reality, OCD can take many different forms. The…
Most people are aware that many women suffer from postpartum depression. In the months after giving birth, many women become deeply depressed and even suicidal. This is caused by a combination of massive hormonal changes, constant anxiety, too much stress, and too little sleep. Postpartum depression affects about 10 to 15 percent of mothers within…
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people alternate between extremes of depression and elevated moods. Someone with bipolar disorder may barely get out of bed for months, then spend days or weeks with lots of energy and little need for sleep. Bipolar is a difficult condition to live with, both for the person who…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a dangerous or frightening event. We often associate PTSD with combat veterans, but most people who suffer from the condition are civilians. PTSD can be caused by a physical or sexual assault, an accident, such as a car wreck, a…
Bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression, is a condition characterized by alternating depressive and manic episodes. Nearly six million American adults struggle with bipolar disorder. It is a difficult condition that often leads to problems with work and relationships. It also frequently leads to addiction. More than half of people with bipolar…
Everyone worries sometimes, but if that worry is excessive, persistent, or irrational, it can harm your health. Anxiety has been linked to a number of health problems, including digestive issues, heart disease, pain, headaches, insomnia, and frequent illnesses. Anxiety can also lead to depression and addiction. However, there are healthy ways to manage anxiety. Here…
Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes. It’s normal to feel anxious before a test or a job interview, but if you feel anxious most of the time and about relatively minor things, you may have an anxiety disorder. Signs of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, phobias, constant worry, and insomnia. Anxiety isn’t just unpleasant or inconvenient. It…
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