During the darker days of winter, more people report feeling depressed and tired. For many, it’s a normal response to less sunlight, but for others, it can be a clinical form of depression called seasonal affective disorder. To help understand the difference between the winter blues and SAD, APA asked psychologist and SAD expert Kelly [...]
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. About Depression We all feel unhappy and listless every now and then. And we have all felt down or even desperate at some point in our lives. These phases are a normal [...]
Loss of energy. Inability to concentrate. Sleeping all day. If you only experience these feelings during the winter, you may not think they're a problem. But they could actually signal a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Other SAD symptoms include the following: Carbohydrate craving Weight gain Excessive sleeping Increased premenstrual [...]
How much control do you have over your negative feelings? According to research, a lot more than you might think. In fact, there is always more than one way to view an event, and how you view any situation has a lot to do with how you then feel. Your views also influence your actions. [...]
Depression is not a natural part of growing old but rather a medical condition that should be treated aggressively. Depression in older adults, or in anyone, should not be thought of as normal. Some groups are at higher risk, but the average older person is not depressed any more than a young person. Depression is [...]
In 2007, over 34,000 Americans committed suicide, making it the tenth leading cause of death. At one person every 16 minutes, it’s a national tragedy, but one each of us can help prevent. Depression is the major underlying cause of suicide. Understanding and recognizing the warning signs of depression, and suicidal behavior, are helpful in [...]
Many teen suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and appropriate intervention is conducted. The reasons No two teenagers are alike, but there are some common reasons they consider suicide. Many teens who attempt suicide do so during an acute crisis in reaction to some conflict with peers or parents. Such conflicts are [...]
More Americans now commit suicide than die in car crashes, making suicide the leading cause of injury deaths, according to a new study. In addition, over the last 10 years, while the number of deaths from car crashes has declined, deaths from poisoning and falls increased significantly, the researchers report. "Suicides are terribly undercounted; I [...]
More than 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a diagnose-able mental disorder, most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder. Warning signs of suicidal feelings, thoughts, or behavior Many of the warning signs of possible suicidal feelings are also symptoms of depression. Observations of the following behaviors may be helpful in [...]