About half of Americans with severe depression take some form of complementary therapy. Supplements such as St. John’s wort and folic acid are popular, but taking them does carry some risk.
Pain, anxiety, and depression often coincide because the parts of the brain and nervous system that handle sensations and touch interact with those that regulate emotions and stress.
There is growing evidence that the immune system’s response to inflammation may be linked to depression. Research is examining whether combining antidepressant medication with an anti-inflammatory may be more effective for certain patients.
There is growing evidence that certain antidepressant medications may interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize the drug tamoxifen, which is prescribed to some women for breast cancer treatment.
Women are more likely than men to develop depression, seasonal affective disorder, or bipolar disorder. Researchers have examined genes, hormones, stress, and other factors in an effort to find an explanation for the discrepancy.
A study of treatment for depression in adolescents found that cognitive behavioral therapy and medication achieved results, but were more effective when combined.
Mental health clinicians traditionally viewed sleep disorders as a symptom of a psychiatric disorder, but research suggests that in some patients sleep issues may be a cause of the disorder.
In contrast to phobias like social anxiety disorder, which are related to specific situations, people with generalized anxiety disorder experience debilitating worry about anything, or nothing.
Women who experience severe premenstrual symptoms may have a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Antidepressants may relieve these symptoms and, depending on the person, can be taken intermittently instead of daily.
Many people being treated for depression do not experience relief from their symptoms after taking just one medication. Augmentation, typically with either a second medication or psychotherapy, is usually the next step in treatment.