Depression results when brain chemicals also known as neurotransmitters are out of balance.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons”. They are present throughout the body and are required for proper brain and body functions. Serious health problems, including depression and anxiety, can occur when neurotransmitter levels are too high or too ( Read More…)
Depression and Brain Chemical Levels
March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Electroconvulsive Therapy For Depression
March 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
For cases in which medication and/or psychotherapy does not help alleviate a person’s treatment-resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be useful. ECT, formerly known as “shock therapy,” used to have a negative reputation. But in recent years, it has greatly improved and can provide relief for people with severe depression who have not been able ( Read More…)
Psychotherapy for Depression
March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Several types of psychotherapy—or “talk therapy”— can help people with depression.
Some regimens are short-term (10 to 20 weeks) and other regimens are longer-term, depending on the needs of the individual. Two main types of psychotherapies-cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT)-have been shown to be effective in treating depression.
By teaching new ways of thinking and ( Read More…)
Depression and St. John’s Wort, What About It
March 20, 2010 By 2 Comment
The extract from the herb St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a bushy, wild-growing plant with yellow flowers, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Europe, it is used extensively to treat mild to moderate depression. In the United States, it is a top-selling botanical product.
To address increasing American interest ( Read More…)
FDA warning on antidepressants
March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children ( Read More…)