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.
Adolescents are at higher risk of depression if they have a parent who is depressed or have had prior depression or exhibited depressive symptoms. Intervention programs are most effective when they target such higher-risk teens.
Survivors of a suicide include the person’s family members, friends, coworkers, and in many cases mental health clinicians. Survivors may struggle with grief and guilt for much longer than those mourning other types of death.
Chronic depression is defined as lasting at least two years. Psychotherapy and treatment with an antidepressant may achieve remission, though long-term maintenance use of medication may be needed to prevent relapse.
Women with a psychiatric disorder who become pregnant must consider any potential risk to the fetus caused by medications, as well as the possible risk of relapse caused by stopping medications.