With approximately 20 percent of the population at risk for developing mood problems such as depression and bipolar disorder, finding effective prevention and treatments is a priority. In researching the links between nutrition and mood, both the...
Manic depression, also know as bipolar disorder, is a psychological disorder classified by two distinct mood cycles: depression (the low) and mania (the high). While everyone has highs and lows in their daily lives, manic depressive people...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, which is produced in low levels in the brain. Though only 0.3 percent of the brain's neurons produce this chemical signal, it has powerful effects on mood and behavior. Dopamine is considered...
According the American Psychological Association, the primary symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are persistent and excessive inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These primary...
Up to 20.8 percent of adults in the United States suffer from a serious and debilitating mood disorder. Even if you do not have a mood disorder, it is common to experience depression, anxiety or stress in your daily life. Exercise can help to...
Fish oil is a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, an unsaturated type of fat that is beneficial to cardiovascular health. Fish oil also plays a part in healthy brain functioning, and it appears that people with depression have lower blood...
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (sertraline, fluoxetine and paroxetine) and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) (bupropion), may...
Lyme disease occurs when you are bitten by a tick infected with the bacteria borrelia burgdorferi. It can be diagnosed through a physical exam and blood tests. Early treatment can lead to a cure. If left untreated Lyme disease can lead to serious...
Topamax is an anticonvulsant that is used to treat seizures in patients with epilepsy, as well as treat migraine headaches and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by cycles of manic and depressive episodes...
Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is a medication in a classification of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Effexor works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain, which...
Anxiety is a common mental health complaint. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety disorders strike 18 percent of American adults every year. Many more suffer from less severe but still unpleasant bouts of anxiety. In...
Celexa, the brand name of the medication cialopram, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, antidepressant medication. Celexa may restore the balance of serotonin and improve certain mood problems in people with depression, according...
Valtrex, an antiviral drug, is prescribed for children and adults over the age of 12 who suffer from the symptoms of herpes. It may also be prescribed to treat chicken pox in children who over the age of 2. Effective as it may be in relieving the...
Schizophrenia, a psychological disorder that impairs the patient's concept of reality, affects 1 percent of the world's population, according to the National Institutes of Health. While rare, schizophrenia can begin during childhood, after age 5....
Many factors contribute to your moods, including your stress level, sleep habits, exercise routine, age and dietary habits. Your dietary habits may also influence your moods, in positive or negative ways. If you're experiencing mood problems as a...
Most everyone encounters low moods on occasion. Numerous factors contribute to these experiences, including insufficient sleep, stress, inactivity, dehydration, medical conditions and poor eating habits. A healthy, balanced diet, inclusive of...
Focalin, a brand name version of dexmethlyphenidate hydrochloride, is a stimulant medication prescribed to children to alleviate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD, it...
Pristiq is a medication in a class of drugs known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems, according...
The generic drug venlafaxine, marketed in the United States as Effexor and Effexor-XR, is an antidepressant used to treat major depression. It is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, often referred to by the initials...
A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells occurring in the brain. There are many different types of brain tumors, each causing their own set of symptom and requiring different treatments. Brain tumors that are not cancerous are called benign...
Generic Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a medication in a classification of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) drugs. According to Drugs.com, generic Paxil works by restoring the balance of serotonin, a natural...
Depression is the leading cause of disability among American adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It's not surprising, therefore, that many people take antidepressants. While prescription antidepressants are often...
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects about 250,000 to 350,000 Americans, according to Arthur Schoenstadt, M.D., author of the eMedTV article "Multiple Sclerosis Statistics." MS is a neurodegenerative disease in which the myelin sheath, the covering...
Embarking on an exercise program is a positive step toward a healthier lifestyle. Completing a health assessment and speaking with your doctor if necessary are essential to your decision. Physical assessment questions cover your current condition,...
Effexor XL is a medication in a classification of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SSNRI's. Effexor works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain, which helps to improve...
Mood problems, such as depression and anxiety, are common among people in the United States. Depression affects about 18 million Americans, and about 5 percent of people in the United States suffer from anxiety, according to the University of...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter -- a chemical in your brain that affects various aspects of your mood and behavior. Specifically, dopamine influences the parts of your brain that control body movement, emotions and pleasure-seeking behavior,...
Bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness that produces high and low mood swings. It is broken into several forms. Bipolar I is the traditional form known previously as manic-depressive disorder, and is characterized by long periods of...
Bipolar disorder is a mood disturbance in which an individual experiences episodes of mania, though he may also experience symptoms of depression as well. The presentation of bipolar disorder in children is somewhat different from that of adults....
Chronic fatigue syndrome covers a group of poorly understood diseases of the central nervous system leading to fatigue. Learn about chronic fatigue syndrome, including treatments and symptoms, in this health video.
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights, perhaps due to stress, heartburn, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Chronic insomnia is defined by problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experiencing regular non-restorative sleep....
