What Is Depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable.
Depression
Learn about depression, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and answers to your questions.
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Expert Q&A: Perinatal Depression
Frequently Asked Questions About Perinatal (formerly Postpartum) Depression
A Child’s Home Environment Can Impact the Risk of Developing Depression
New research, published online today in the American Journal of Psychiatry, finds that children’s rearing environment has a meaningful impact on their risk for major depression later in life, and notes the importance supporting of nurturing environments when children are at risk . In the study, authors analyzed the health records of full and half siblings with at least one biological parent with depression who were raised by either their biological parents or in carefully screened adoptive homes
New Recommendations May Help Prevent Depression in New Mothers
Perinatal depression refers to depression that occurs during pregnancy or following childbirth. It affects more than one in nine new mothers and can be harmful not only for the mother, but also for the infant. Despite media attention and celebrities sharing about their experiences with peripartum depression, it very often goes unrecognized and untreated.
Preventing Depression Among At-Risk Youth
Depression is common among adolescents worldwide, affecting an estimated 4–5 percent of adolescents each year. It can lead to serious social and educational difficulties and is also a major risk factor for suicide. Despite effective treatments, only about one in four youth with depression receive treatment. There are effective ways to prevent youth depression, yet few at-risk youths have access to prevention services.
Preventing Depression with an Online Self-help Program
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry in May finds that an online guided self-help program significantly reduced the risk of depression in a group of people at high risk for the mental disorder.
Treating Sleep Problems May Help Prevent Depression
Sleep problems and depression are closely interconnected and have a bidirectional relationship. In The American Journal of Psychiatry, authors David T. Plante, M.D., Ph.D., with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, suggests that there is important “opportunity to prevent depressive episodes using evidence-based treatments for insomnia.” Plante highlights several factors contributing to the potential for broad public health impact.
Be Well at Work: Helping Employees with Depression
A new study highlights the Tufts Be Well at Work program, that helps employees with depression. Published in Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association, the study presents the results from 15 years of research evaluating the occupational, clinical, and economic impact of Be Well at Work.
The Economic Cost of Depression is Increasing; Direct Costs are Only a Small Part
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and can cause tremendous challenge and burden for individuals and families. It also carries a large economic cost. The economic burden of major depressive disorder among U.S. adults was an estimated $236 billion in 2018, an increase of more than 35% since 2010 (year 2020 values), according to research published in early May in the journal Pharmacoeconomics.
Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise for People with Severe Depression
A new study finds potentially long-lasting benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for people who have not responded to other treatments for severe depression. DBS is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease and it is also approved to treat epilepsy, essential tremor (a neurological disorder that causes shaking), dystonia (a movement disorder) and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is being studied to treat other conditions, including treatment-resistant depression.
Participating in Social Groups to Help Manage Depression
Participation in social groups may be an effective way to manage mild to moderate depression, according to a new study from researchers at The University of Queensland, Australia. It can be especially for useful for people seeking to stop using antidepressants, they note.
How Running and Resistance Training Can Help Depression and Anxiety
It is well-known that exercise or physical activity can help support mental health. It can help reduce symptoms, improve working memory and focus, and help prevent cognitive decline. New research points to specific significant benefits for treating depression and anxiety symptoms with running and resistance training. Resistance training, also called strength training or weight training, uses resistance to build muscle strength and anaerobic endurance.