Fluoxetine, the active ingredient of Prozac, is an antidepressant drug prescribed for anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. When you stop taking the medication, it is...
Most people care for infants the same way they were raised, in addition to any education and training they may have received. Knowing what to expect from a newborn can help parents prepare for the changes that are common as infants undergo normal...
A form of depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects people during the winter months and eases off during the spring and summer. Individuals with SAD feel down and have little energy during the months with little sunlight. SAD is...
Major depressive disorder is a psychological disorder that includes symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure and changes in weight or appetite. Major depressive disorder is twice as common in women as in men, particularly...
Depression may affect as many as one in eight teenagers, and one in every 33 children, according to KidsHealth, a website maintained by the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media. Depression is a treatable illness. Parents and...
Good relationships can make life more fulfilling and interesting. Bad ones, on the other hand, can be extremely stressful and time consuming. Although good relationships do require work, some relationships are basically unhealthy and will not...
While most people feel anxious from time to time, the Mayo Clinic reports that when anxiety interrupts daily activities and causes severe stress, resulting in adverse consequences, patients may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder....
One possible emotional reaction to stress, especially long-term or severe stress, is depression. When stress depression symptoms start to interfere with your ability to function, it is called Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. According to...
Paranoid schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that can cause individuals to lose touch with reality and behave abnormally. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many types of schizophrenia (see Resources for information on types). Paranoid...
Part of your job as a parent---sometimes the hardest part---is to deal with your child's behavior issues. If the behavior issues aren't too serious, or if they are short lived, you may be able to work things out between you and your youngster. But...
Sex addicts are obsessed with sex and experience uncontrollable urges to engage in sexual activity despite potentially negative consequences. Whether sexual addiction is caused by physiological factors, psychological factors or a combination of...
Compulsive gambling is a progressive illness that can be controlled, but not cured, according to Gamblers Anonymous. Whether you or a loved one has been spending more time at the poker table, placing bets on sporting events or visiting a casino,...
When determining what type of therapy you need for depression, take into account your specific diagnosis, other mental health issues and your personality. You can also discuss different therapy options with a licensed mental health provider. If...
Major depression can be a devastating mental illness that can affect every aspect of a person's life. The extent of that impact can depend upon the severity and type of depression. According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental...
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious mental health disorder that can have significant negative impacts on a person's life. It's characterized by severe highs and lows known as mania and depression to mental health...
When people think of depression they typically think of sadness and lack of energy, but depression encompasses more than this. People who experience depression report feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities,...
When you have a family member who is abusing alcohol and/or drugs, has a gambling problem, an eating disorder or any other addiction that is ruining his life, a family intervention may be needed. The addicted person may or may not want to seek...
According to the Mayo Clinic, anxiety can be a sudden and intense fear that often makes a person feel as if he has no control. Other symptoms may include: a sense of impending doom, hyperventilation, trembling and chest pain. When symptoms persist...
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect around 40 million American adults each year. This number does not include people who feel a normal amount of anxiety when faced with a stressful event. This type of...
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that juveniles account for 16 percent of all violent crimes including murder, forcible rape and aggravated assault. There are numerous theories on what causes teen violence yet no definitive answers....
Depression in children is thought to be as prevalent as it is in adult populations, and the treatment options are generally the same, according to MayoClinic.com. Signs of childhood depression can include lack of energy, unexplained physical...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive, anxiety-provoking thoughts that are temporarily diminished by repetitive behaviors. This neurotic disorder strikes during childhood or adulthood and...
There are many reasons why people decide to undergo therapy or grief counseling. A significant loss, divorce, work problems, sleep issues and excessive worrying are all common reasons why a person might chose to see a therapist. When life's...
If you're battling depression or anxiety, you might be eligible to seek medical help through your current medical insurance. Thanks to 2008 legislation, you might be eligible for even more coverage than you expect. Ask your insurer for a written...
The quest for psychological wellness brings many people to the world of holistic medicine when pharmaceuticals and conventional doctors fall short in providing results that satisfy clients. Natural methods for improving mental well-being are...
Approximately half a million people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. While this condition affects some children and teenagers, most of the people with SAD are adults. Learning about...
Childhood anger is an expected display of emotion, but it can flare out of control, making it a possible symptom of a variety of mental health conditions, including depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, depression in children is as common as...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that attacks the nervous system by wearing away the immune system and the protective coverings of the nerves. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, MS is irreversible and the symptoms can vary in severity,...
A wide range of moods and behaviors that range from extreme depressive lows to energetic manic highs characterizes bipolar disorder. Also called manic depression, the Mayo Clinic reports that screening for bipolar symptoms can be difficult because...