You are wondering if you need help for your anxiety and depression. There are many different anxiety and depression scales or questionnaires that you can fill out. These scales ask questions about your current mood that can illuminate what is...
To diagnose depression, several tests or gauges can be used. It is important that the individual see a doctor to rule out any medical conditions or complications that could be causing the symptoms. Then a mental health professional can obtain a...
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feeling sad or down, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, changes in sleep, low energy, changes in weight or appetite, feelings of guilt, concentration difficulties, indecisiveness, and...
Early intervention is critical for a child with clinical depression. The surgeon general estimates that 5 percent of children ages 9 to 17 have major depressive disorder. Depression is a serious condition that can increase the risk of suicidal...
Atypical depression is a common type of depression, named due to the opposing symptoms that occur in clinically diagnosed major depressive disorders. Work Psych Associates Incorporated notes that the symptoms of atypical depression begin in...
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, sleeping too little or too much, excessive fatigue, changes in weight or appetite, concentration difficulties, and thoughts about suicide or...
Fish oil deficiency has been associated with depression, suicidal tendencies, anger and aggressive behavior. The active components of fish oil that have been studied for their benefits in helping to alleviate negative moods are the omega-3 fatty...
Psychotic depression, also known as major depression with psychotic features, refers to a debilitating mental illness in which you experience symptoms of depression and psychosis (reduced contact with reality), according to Medline Plus.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that each year 6.7 percent of all Americans over age 18 suffer from severe depression and 1.5 percent suffer from mild depression. If you have a case of the "blues" that has dragged on for months,...
Psychological tests fall into a multitude of categories, with many different kinds of tests. There are tests that are typically found in a school setting, clinical settings and hospital settings, all of which measure different aptitudes. These...
Psychologists primarily use tests to supplement or assist in various phases of treatment. Test results are used along with clinical discussions to help you move from one phase of treatment to the next. Tests that measure symptoms provide a picture...
There are several paper-and-pencil or computer assessments used often for depression and many less well-known or particularized assessments. These assessment instruments must be interpreted by mental health professionals familiar with the scoring,...
Assessment of depression is a matter of gathering relevant information, compiling it into a summary of functioning in various life domains and then comparing this summary to criteria established by the American Psychological Association. When...
Perimenopause is the reproductive stage before menopause. During perimenopause, the body decreases the amount of estrogen it produces, leading up to a cessation of menstruation. As a result, perimenopausal women can develop depression, which the...
Screening for depression is an important first step in getting treatment for people who are depressed. Primary care physicians and mental health professionals use a number of brief surveys and interviews to assist in making a depression diagnosis....
Assessment tools for depression need to address the key components of the condition, including depressed mood, hopelessness, decreased interest in activities, psychomotor retardation, sleep disruption, fatigue or loss of energy, diminished ability...
Life coaches, success gurus and others tout the benefits of positive thinking--optimism and staying focused on the positive aspects of a situation or experience. Cognitive therapy is an approach within cognitive-behavioral therapy--or CBT--and...
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population. This disorder is marked by the inability to recognize the difference between what is real and unreal, to think logically, to have normal...
Renowned for its role in bone and muscle health, calcium also plays an important part in nervous system function and may help regulate mood. If you aren't getting enough dietary calcium and suffer from mood swings, depression, PMS or anxiety, ask...
Fish oil, found in greater concentrations in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel than in non-oily fish, provides a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. The claimed benefits of fish oil are varied, and while many of them have yet to be proven...
Psychological tests and assessments for psychological disorders are many. There are tests for specific disorders, and larger tests giving scores on different scales that give symptom or diagnostic scores. Sometimes examiners must interpret several...
Fructose malabsorption is a under-recognized condition that is highly prevalent in people with irritable bowel syndrome or diagnosed with functional gut disorders. If you have fructose malabsorption, you cannot absorb fructose well, a sugar that...
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is an adrenal hormone that serves as a precursor to both the male and female sex hormones. Because this substance is structurally close to testosterone and low levels of it are linked to mood disorders, there is a...
Nearly 16 percent of Americans have depression at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness or despondency that can last more than...
Vitamin D, commonly referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," plays an important role in your health. It is the only vitamin that can be made by the human body from sunshine. Research is suggesting a strong link between vitamin D status and basic...
Unipolar depression, also known as major depression, is one of the disorders in the depression spectrum. Dr. Arthur Schoenstadt, author of the article "Depression Statistics," states that 17.1 million adults in the United States (8 percent of the...
Individuals with drug and alcohol problems are assessed using a combination of techniques that determine the extent and type of substance-related problems. The information obtained is used to create a comprehensive assessment. The results from...
