How to Recognize Depression and Anxiety in Young Athletes and How to Help

• Anxiety, Children and Youth, Depression, Patients and Families

Youth sports can be an incredibly rewarding experience for kids, teaching them valuable life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and hard work. However, youth athletes also can struggle with anxiety and depression. As a parent, knowing the signs of these conditions can help you support your child's well-being. In this blog, we'll explore how to recognize depression and anxiety in young athletes and offer guidance on how to best help your child.

New Research: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Reduced Risk of Late-Life Depression

Maintaining a Mediterranean-type diet may protect against symptoms of depression in later life, according to new research presented here at the American Psychiatric Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting.

FDA Approves Novel Depression Treatment

• Depression, Patients and Families

Last month, esketamine nasal spray became the first treatment for depression with a new mechanism of action approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) was approved in the late 1980s. Esketamine (sold as Spravato) has the potential to be extremely useful for people who have not responded to other treatments. Used in combination with an oral anti-depressant, it can take effect much faster than many common antidepressant medications. However, it comes

What is Perinatal Depression (formerly Postpartum)?

Peripartum depression is a serious, but treatable medical illness involving feelings of extreme sadness, indifference and/or anxiety, as well as changes in energy, sleep, and appetite. It carries risks for the mother and child.

A Few Phone Calls From Trained Volunteers Can Make a Difference for People with Depression

• Depression, Older adults, Patients and Families

New research finds that volunteers who make a few empathetic phone calls can significantly improve others’ loneliness and depressive symptoms among adults. This type of program could help address the significant shortage of mental health professionals and improve mental healthcare, the study authors suggest.

Study Supports Effectiveness of New Fast-Acting Antidepressant, Esketamine Nasal Spray

New research supports the effectiveness and safety of esketamine nasal spray in treating depression in people who have not responded to previous treatment. The research will be published online today in the American Journal of Psychiatry. This study is one of the key studies that led to the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of esketamine nasal spray, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for use in people with treatment-resistant depression.

Media Advisory: With Fewer Daylight Hours, Time Change and Colder Weather Coming, New APA Polling; Experts Available on Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring.

Computer-Assisted Treatment and Mobile Apps for Depression

• Depression, Patients and Families

Technology is increasingly assisting us in many aspects of our lives, and mental health treatment is no exception. Research continues to show the benefits of computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) for treating depression and the potential of mental health mobile apps to help.

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.

October Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Look at Factors Influencing Depression and PTSD, Guidance on Handling Drugs Laced with Fentanyl, and More

The latest issues of three of the American Psychiatric Association’s journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services and The American Journal of Psychotherapy are now available online. The October issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry is focused on research devoted to understanding factors influencing depression, PTSD, and suicidal behavior.

Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care for Spanish-Speakers

• Diverse populations, Patients and Families, Public awareness

An estimated 14% of the U.S. population speaks Spanish at home, and 16 million Spanish speakers have limited English proficiency(1). In addition to the potential barrier of lack of language services, recent research has identified other factors contributing to inequities in access and outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients, including perceived discrimination, and mistrust and privacy concerns.(2)

Women’s History Month: The Rise of Reproductive Psychiatry

• Depression, Patients and Families, Women

During Women’s History Month, we invite you to reflect on the history of women’s mental health and the rapid advancement of the field of reproductive psychiatry over the past several decades. While our understanding of women’s mental health has thankfully progressed from Hippocrates’ attribution of psychological distress to a “wandering uterus,” much of this development has been surprisingly recent.