Mental Health

Reading the news can be stress-inducing at the best of times. When the news is particularly worrying, many of us experience levels of anxiety so high that we can have difficulty coping. So how can we stay (reasonably) anxiety-free when the media bombards us with headlines that spook us? Share on PinterestDoes the news get

People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feel less happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms of depression.

A new, largest-of-its-kind study finds more evidence of the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. The findings may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs. Share on PinterestResearchers have uncovered a new gene that may explain the onset of schizophrenia. The new study appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Elliott Rees, a research fellow at the

Feeling depressed before and during a menstrual period is common. Experts believe that these emotional changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormone levels. Most people who menstruate will experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including moodiness and headaches. However, some individuals can develop more severe symptoms, such as depression and anger. Hormones can

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are both eating disorders in which a person tries to lose weight in unhealthful ways. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 0.6% of adults in the United States experienced anorexia between 2001 and 2003, compared to 0.3% who experienced bulimia. There are essential differences between anorexia and bulimia,

Alcohol can make a person feel depressed and may even trigger or worsen depression. Depression is also a risk factor for using alcohol, since people who feel depressed may use alcohol to ease their symptoms. Several studies, including a 2013 study that used a nationally representative sample, have found that people who drink to manage

A new report has found that more than half of the people with mental health conditions currently confined in Los Angeles county jails would benefit from mental health treatment in specialized community centers instead of incarceration. Share on PinterestThousands of LA jail inmates would benefit from receiving mental health support away from prison, a new

New research shows how the use of a multisensory illusion may help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The new method could bypass the disadvantages of exposure therapy. Share on PinterestContamination fears may cause people with OCD to wash their hands excessively. In 1998, researchers Matthew Botvinick and Jonathan Cohen of the University of Pittsburgh, PA, detailed

Most of us are familiar with the physical health effects of smoking, but can the habit also affect our mental and emotional well-being? A new study suggests that it can, after finding a link between smoking cigarettes and depression. Share on PinterestA new study examines the link between mental health and smoking among students. The

The world has been facing a suicide crisis over the past few years. In the United States alone, tens of thousands of people die by suicide each year. But new research shows that a $1 increase in the minimum wage might prevent thousands of deaths. Share on PinterestAs little as a $1 increase to the

Anxiety commonly causes a change in appetite. Some people with anxiety tend to overeat or consume a lot of unhealthful foods. Others, however, lose their desire to eat when they feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety is a mental health condition that affects 40 million adults in the United States each year. Changes in appetite are

Seven common types of depression are: Major depressive disorder Share on PinterestA person with major depressive disorder may feel guilty, worthless, and hopeless. Major depressive disorder is the classic form of depression. People with major depression experience symptoms that may include: sadness feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness difficulty sleeping changes in appetite fatigue irritability

Anger is an emotion that everyone feels sometimes, but if a person is feeling angry a lot of the time, they may be experiencing depression. In many cases, medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these treatments can help provide symptom relief. In this article, we look at the connection between anger and depression,

Ecstasy — or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) — is a recreational drug that is illegal in the United States. However, some researchers believe that it could aid in mental health therapy. A new study in mice puts this idea to the test. Share on PinterestNew research in mice investigates what gives MDMA its positive effects on sociability.

It’s Christmas Day, and you want to enjoy yourself — that’s only natural. In this feature, we provide some quick tips that will allow you to have the fun you are hoping for without affecting your health too significantly. Share on PinterestChristmas does not need to overturn healthful living completely. The holiday period is, commonly,

Both depression and anxiety can be debilitating. Also, it is not unusual for these conditions to occur together. When this happens, it can be particularly challenging. This article explores how depression and anxiety may be linked, as well as the treatment options available. Share on PinterestA person with MADD may experience symptoms of both anxiety

Eco-anxiety refers to a fear of environmental damage or ecological disaster. This sense of anxiety is largely based on the current and predicted future state of the environment and human-induced climate change. According to a 2018 national survey, almost 70% of people in the United States are worried about climate change, and around 51% feel

Verbal abuse occurs when someone repeatedly uses negative or demeaning words to gain or maintain power and control over someone else. Verbal abuse in itself may not involve physical contact, but it can still cause emotional or psychological harm and progress toward violence. Keep reading to learn more about verbal abuse, including the different types,

Researchers have increasingly been studying the effects of diet and nutrition on mental health. Many of them have noticed that people who follow a standard Western diet, which includes highly processed foods and added sugars, have higher risks of developing anxiety and depression. Although the majority of the research to date has focused on the

Depression is more than just sadness and can be a serious and potentially life threatening illness. Even very young children can develop depression, so parents and caregivers must take the condition seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3.2% of children aged between 3 and 17 in the United States have

New research from the United Kingdom suggests that people who play in a brass band experience a wide array of mental and physical health benefits — partly from playing an instrument, and, in part, thanks to the feeling of inclusion in a group. Share on PinterestBeing in a brass band could bring you many physical

Some people who use hormonal birth control, such as the pill, the patch, or hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), report experiencing depression as a side effect. Research on the topic has mixed results, so the precise link between depressive symptoms and birth control remains unclear. A 2016 analysis suggested a link between the use of hormonal

Depression is a widespread mental health condition. Pregnant women have a higher risk of depression due to increased stress, physical health changes, chemical changes in the body, and other factors. While estimates vary, a 2016 analysis suggests that between 7% and upwards of 20% of pregnant women around the world have depression. The actual rate

An existential crisis may occur when a person frequently wonders whether or not life has any inherent meaning or purpose. A person may also question their own existence within a world that might seem meaningless. Experiencing an existential crisis is common, and it is normal and often healthy to question one’s life and goals. However,

Depression is a condition that negatively affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts, with symptoms persisting for at least 2 consecutive weeks. In 2017, around 7.1% of all adults in the United States experienced at least one episode of major depression. This makes it one of the most common mental health conditions in the

Anxiety and high blood pressure can sometimes go hand in hand. Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may trigger feelings of anxiety. Doctors characterize anxiety as feelings of intense worry or fear. It causes many physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and shallow breathing. Periods of anxiety may also temporarily

Alcohol intoxication refers to a temporary condition that occurs when a person drinks an excess of alcohol at one time. Alcohol intoxication causes physical and behavioral symptoms that range from mild to severe. Severe alcohol intoxication — or alcohol poisoning — is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. Although people can safely consume

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a medical condition that causes a person to experience an overwhelming need for order, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control. People with the condition have an obsessive need to follow rules and regulations, as well as a moral and ethical code from which they will not deviate. In other words,