Caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant in the world. It has been used for centuries to help invigorate the senses and energize the body. Many people use coffee, tea, energy drinks or caffeinated soft drinks as a way to boost energy and...
A variety of reasons can lead to depression in kids, just as it does for adults. Unique factors sometimes involve children and spotting them may help avoid depressive symptoms later on in life. Children with depression may show signs, such as loss...
Genes play a large role in determining physical characteristics like gender and eye color. They also have a hand in determining a person's vulnerability to a particular health condition. While scientists do not know the exact mechanism that...
Moods can be influenced by events, situations, biology and seasons. When sadness and depression interfere with daily living, it's time to seek treatment. Treatment should be advised by a professional. Options include counseling, medication and...
It has been said time and time again that teenagers are, by nature, defiant in their behavior. New parents think nervously about the day their little ones will reach the teenage stage. Often, however, defiant behavior in teenagers is caused by...
The preliminary cause of major depression stems from exposure to long-term stress. A doctor will evaluate the symptoms reported by a patient and possibly speak to family before making a diagnosis and prescribing the best course of treatment....
Depression describes a medical condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that interfere with daily activities in life. Although many factors contribute to the onset of depression, it involves biological changes in...
Mental and behavioral disorders affect as many as 25 percent of people at some point in their lives, according to the 2002 World Health report, with most attributed to depression. Medications that treat depression are effective but can have...
Major depression is the top cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Your risk of developing this mental health condition increases if you are obese, especially if you...
Some essential fatty acids, or EFAs, owe their claim to fame to their beneficial effect on brain health. Now, some evidence suggests that lacking certain EFAs is linked with depression and possibly suicide ideation and attempts. Although larger...
Exercise is a natural way for people to boost their moods and relieve stress. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 14-million Americans suffer from depression. If you are one of them, adding exercise to your daily routine may...
When viewed from a psychological perspective, aggressive behavior is usually first diagnosed in childhood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, aggressive or defiant behavior exists when a child becomes...
Once depression sets in, it can be very difficult to find your way back to a non-depressed state. That is because depression is a complex psychological state brought on by lifestyle choices, nutritional factors, sleep deprivation, chemical...
Tryptophan, also known as L-tryptophan, is an essential amino acid, which means you must obtain it from your diet, as your body can't manufacture it. L-tryptophan is needed for many different functions in the body, including the production of the...
The herb gotu kola, or Centella asiatica, has been used to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions by traditional and Ayurvedic healers for thousands of years. In recent years, there is growing interest in the role this herb may play in...
Taurine is an amino acid that your body produces from two other amino acids: methione and cysteine. A variety of important health processes rely on taurine, including cholesterol and blood sugar control and nervous system regulation. Taurine is...
If you eat spinach regularly, chances are the antioxidants, nutrients and phytochemicals found in spinach leaves will have a positive effect on the health of your brain. The spinach plant, also known as Spinacia oleracea, has been used as a...
Bipolar disorder is described as a chronic brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and/or activity levels. A person with bipolar disorder may be extremely happy and energetic one minute and severely sad and tired the next,...