Clinical Depression: Depression is a mental illness that affects 19 million Americans annually. Causes are genetic, environmental, and biological. Symptoms and signs include weight loss, fatigue, crying spells, feeling sad, isolation from family and friends, and thoughts of death or suicide. Treatment may include psychotherapy and medication.
Must Read Articles:
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Understanding Antidepressant Medications
There are many types of depression such as clinical depression, major depression, seasonal affective depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. There are a variety of depression medications, and their effectiveness may vary from patient to patient. Examples of the types of depression medications include atypical antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking any medication. -
Diabetes (Mellitus, Type 1 and Type 2)
What causes diabetes, what tests diagnose it, and what is a good diabetic diet? Learn the signs of being diabetic, the treatments, and the differences between type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) can be caused by heredity, environmental factors, or ethnicity. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) can be caused by high blood pressure, high lipid levels, high-fat diet, high alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, ethnicity, or age. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression occurs in 10%-20% of women after having a baby. Symptoms and signs include frequent crying, sleep disturbance, and weight loss. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication. -
Seasonal Depression (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is tied to seasons of the year. Symptoms include: depressed mood, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and poor concentration. Treatment may incorporate bright-light therapy and antidepressants. -
Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. When a person has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off or greatly decreased. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Stroke symptoms include dizziness, sudden headache, weakness in an arm or leg on the same side, weakness in the muscles of the face, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and more. Treatment of stroke depends on the type and severity of the stroke suffered. -
Substance Abuse
People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. Symptoms and signs of substance abuse include forgetfulness, frequent hangovers, having blackouts, and getting into trouble with the law. Treatment typically involves counseling and prescription medications to control withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. -
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts may be brought about by a sudden, negative change in life circumstances, substance abuse, or even sleep deprivation. Suicidal thoughts are troubling, particularly if they're accompanied by substance abuse or depression. If you or someone you know is considering suicide and are unsure how to deal with it, call a suicide hotline, like 1-800-SUICIDE, to get help.
Featured:
- depressed mood,
- fatigue,
- feelings of worthlessness, and
- poor concentration.
Expert Views and News
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- Antidepressants Are Safe: Final Word?
- Antidepressant Use for Diabetes Patients
- Mediterranean Diet May Keep Depression at Bay
- Anxiety in America: Top Nationwide Worries
- Risk for Recurrent Depression
- Autism, Depression Tied to Prenatal Exposures
- Depression Screening Rates Up, But Still Far Short
- Vitamin D Supplementation May Help Ease Depression
- Depression: Novel Gene Variants Identified
- The Impact of Untreated Depression
- Screen Teens For Depression Annually, Docs Say
- Antidepressants and Diabetes Risk in Kids
- 'Small Dose' Exercise Guards Against Depression
- Loneliness a Risk Factor for Suicidal Thoughts
- Antidepressants Tied to Significant Death Risk
- Antidepressant Use Rising, Especially in Women
- Early-Life Depression Boosts Alzheimer's Risk
- Anxiety Therapy Better for Depression Than CBT?
- Probiotic in Yogurt Improves Depressive Symptoms
- Depression or Early Schizophrenia?
- Postpartum Depression Affects 1 in 9 New Mothers
- Troubling Trend: Depression Rates Rising in Teens
- Ketamine May Treat Migraine, Chronic Pain
- Trove of Depression Genes From Crowd-Sourced Data
- Most Antidepressants Ineffective for Kids
- Ketamine Lifts Depression via Metabolism
- Antidepressants: Varied Effects on Weight
- Parkinson's Drug Highly Effective for Depression
- Talk Therapy for Depression: FAQ
- This Treatment May Help Depression in Older People
- FDA Approves Drug for Schizophrenia, Depression
- Can You Take Antidepressants While Pregnant?
- 'Gut Feelings': More Than Heartburn, Indigestion?
- Antidepressants Linked to First-Time Seizures
- Ways to Treat Depression That Aren't Antidepressants
- When a Parent Dies by Suicide
- Ketamine: The Future of Depression Treatment?
Clinical Depression Topic Guide - Visuals
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Clinical Depression Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
AsenapineAsenapine is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain...learn more »
IloperidoneIloperidone is an antipsychotic medication that is used to treat schizophrenia in adults...learn more »
DesvenlafaxineDesvenlafaxine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant.
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PaliperidonePaliperidone is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years old...learn more »
DuloxetineDuloxetine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SSNRI).
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AripiprazoleAripiprazole is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder (manic depr...learn more »
EscitalopramEscitalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram affects chemicals in the brain th...learn more »
ZiprasidoneZiprasidone is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat schizophrenia and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression)...learn more »
St. John's WortSt. John's wort is an herb also known as Amber, Barbe de Saint-Jean, Chasse-diable, Demon Chaser, Fuga Daemonum, Goatweed, Hardhay, Herbe à la Brûlure, Herbe...learn more »
Citalopram (oral)Citalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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QuetiapineQuetiapine is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old...learn more »
Olanzapine (injection)Olanzapine is an antipsychotic medication that affects chemicals in the brain...learn more »
OlanzapineOlanzapine is an antipsychotic medication that affects chemicals in the brain...learn more »
MirtazapineMirtazapine is an antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder...learn more »
Divalproex SodiumDivalproex sodium affects chemicals in the body that may be involved in causing seizures...learn more »
LamotrigineLamotrigine is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant...learn more »
NefazodoneNefazodone is an antidepressant. It is used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder...learn more »
FluvoxamineFluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Fluvoxamine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people wi...learn more »
VenlafaxineVenlafaxine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) antidepressant. Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may be un...learn more »
Risperidone (oral)Risperidone is a antipsychotic medicine that works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain...learn more »
ParoxetineParoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.
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SertralineSertraline is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that m...learn more »
ClomipramineClomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced...learn more »
TrazodoneTrazodone is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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ImipramineImipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Imipramine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »
FluoxetineFluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant. Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people wi...learn more »
Doxepin (Silenor)This medication guide provides information about the Silenor brand of doxepin. Sinequan and other generic brands of doxepin used to treat depr...learn more »
DoxepinThis medication guide provides information about the use of doxepin (Sinequan or other generic names) to treat depression or anxiety. Silenor ...learn more »
ClozapineClozapine is an antipsychotic medicine works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain...learn more »
AmitriptylineAmitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »
DesipramineDesipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Desipramine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »
NortriptylineNortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Nortriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »
LithiumLithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania...learn more »
Carbamazepine (oral)Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain...learn more »
Bupropion (oral)Bupropion is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. The Zyban brand of bupropion is used to help ...learn more »
Clinical Depression Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Obesity
More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, including at least one in five children. Nearly one-third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society ...learn more »
Weight Loss and Control
Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease that is very difficult to...
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