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...
MayoClinic.com notes that depression is an illness that relates to the body and mind. Depression is defined as being a chronic illness and as a result, long-term medication is needed to help overcome the condition. Although there are many options...
Depression is far more than sadness, explains Helpguide.org. People who are depressed commonly feel apathetic, empty and lifeless. The feeling of depression takes over day-to-day living, interfering with work, social life, eating and sleep....
Depression is a disorder characterized by a chronic loss of interest in activities that you would usually enjoy and an inability to experience pleasure. Herbal and nutritional supplements may help to relieve your depression by altering levels of...
If you have been taking an antidepressant for an extended length of time, you might be experiencing weight gain. You could ask your doctor to switch you to a different medication; do not just stop taking your antidepressant cold turkey. You can...
Depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that when that sadness doesn't leave and begins interfering with everyday life and relationships, it is considered depression. There is no single...
Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a mood disorder that causes the patient to have shifts between depression and mania. According to the National Institutes of Health, depression symptoms includes sadness, thoughts of death,...
Possible interactions between antidepressants and some vitamins dictate that you should be careful of taking any supplemental vitamins when undergoing treatment with anti-depressant medications because you may negate the action of the...
Depression is a disorder that affects your moods, and the way you feel about yourself and your surroundings. It affects the way you interact with other people, leading to feelings of sadness, anger, loss and frustration with life. The exact cause...
Depression is a common and distressing mental disorder characterized by extreme sadness, fatigue, feelings of hopeless and loss of interest in life. It affects 18 million Americans every year, according to the University of Maryland Medical...
If you are the friend or loved one of a person who is depressed, you might be scared, worried, frustrated or even resentful. According to MayoClinic.com, many people who are depressed don't realize it, and may need help to get appropriate...
If you have a loved one suffering from multiple mental health disorders, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression, you're probably worried and frustrated and wish that he would take medicine to help relieve some of...
Depression is a medical condition with symptoms that include feeling sad, lacking interest in activities, changing sleep and eating patterns, and thinking about suicide or death, according to the American Psychological Association. Attention...
Taking fish oil may affect mood swings and depression, but this could actually provide positive effects. People respond differently to foods and may experience different responses. In some cases, however, fish oil has been shown to stabilize moods...
Health involves more than just a body that functions correctly. It also means staying in a good state of mind. A multivitamin not only assures that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but also that the mind is taken care...
Depressants are substances that slow down normal function of the central nervous system. They include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Alcohol and marijuana are also described as depressants. Barbiturates are prescribed as sedatives under the...
Narcotics and depressants are two types of drugs that have legitimate medical uses but are also highly abusive. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that some abusers start using these medications for pain or anxiety but increase...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, which can affect mood, appetite and sleep. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression and might be relieved by taking a class of anti-depressants known as selective serotonin...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical in the brain, that is involved in sleep, mood, memory and muscle contraction, among other things. Low serotonin levels can lead to depression and fatigue, and though there are medications like...
The levels of neurotransmitters your brain produces directly affects your moods, emotions and physical movements. When you are producing the right amounts of norepinephrine, you feel happier, can control your emotions and generally go about your...
Doctors prescribe Ambien, zolpidem tartrate, to aid insomniacs in getting restful sleep. The sedative is classified as a controlled substance and hypnotic medication that affects brain chemicals that interfere with sleep. Ambien can help those...
Compulsive overeating is characterized by a variety of behaviors: eating until you are uncomfortably full; eating very quickly; eating when you are not hungry; eating alone so that others don't see what or how much you are eating; or feeling...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the highest rate of suicide is in elderly males, and more than four times as many men than women die of suicide in a given year. Although females generally outnumber males when it comes to...
Depressants are a type of drug that diminish activity in the central nervous system. They include alcohol and prescription drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. The Partnership for a Drug-Free American points out that marijuana and...
5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is a chemical your body makes from the amino acid tryptophan, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body uses 5-HTP to make the brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate mood and behavior....
It will probably be necessary to take a regular pain relieving medication when you have fibromyalgia. Many people can manage by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever one or twice daily. However, for those who have more intense pain, a...
Characterized by ups and downs in mood, mood swings may have you feeling happy one minute and sad or angry the next. These changes in mood occur unexpectedly, often with no reason behind the fluctuation. If you find yourself frustrated by your...
Seeds from the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia are used to create 5-hydroxytryptophan, marketed as a supplement to boost mood, reduce anxiety and hot flashes, combat obesity and improve sleep. Some people take it for attention deficit...
The serotonin in the brain is a neurotransmitter that affects mood and depression. Balancing this chemical is often important for improving emotional consistency and alleviating stress. In 2005, 10 percent of Americans were taking...
Postpartum depression refers to the clinical depression that can occur in women after childbirth. Learn more about post partum depression, including symptoms and treatments, in this health video.
Acknowledging the death of a loved one is very difficult. Learn how to get over the death of a loved on from a licensed professional psychotherapist in this video.
Often, those who have ADHD have drug dependency problems. Learn tips for coping with ADHD and other habits in this free video clip from a medical professional.
