Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy might offer an alternative for people with depression who don't want to take antidepressants long-term, British researchers say. Their study, published April 21, 2015, online in The Lancet, found this new therapy was as effective as antidepressant drugs in preventing a recurrence of depression over a two-year period. "Depression frequently is a [...]
Have you tried and failed to lose weight, quit smoking, or break another bad habit? Perhaps your self-esteem—how you think of yourself—could use a boost. These strategies can help you build your self-esteem and confidence in your ability to achieve your goals and break bad habits. Love and accept yourself for who you are. Do [...]
Each year, one in four adults in the U.S. suffer from a mental health problem. The most common mental health problems are anxiety, substance abuse, and depression. Mental health care can be costly, even for people with health insurance. Medications for these conditions are costly. Also, therapist charges per counseling session vary. Costs depend on [...]
When your life spins out of control, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The American Psychological Association recommends you seek the help of a trained mental health professional if: You constantly worry. You feel trapped. You aren't getting any better with self-help. You feel as if you can't handle things alone. [...]
It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues persist for a significant period of time and interfere with your life, your job or your personal relationships. With all the mental health resources and effective treatments available these days, you don't need to suffer [...]
You know that you should eat healthy foods and get some exercise to feel good and live longer. Another key part to living longer is your mental health. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well-being. For example, even [...]
These “self‐care” tips might help with seasonal depression. See a mental health professional if sadness doesn’t go away or interferes with your daily life: Go to a movie, take a walk, go ice‐skating or do other activities you normally enjoy. Get out in the sunlight or brightly lit spaces, especially early in the day. Try to [...]
Shedding Light on Seasonal Sadness As the days get shorter, many people find themselves feeling sad. You might feel blue around the winter holidays, or get into a slump after the fun and festivities have ended. Some people have more serious mood changes year after year, lasting throughout the fall and winter when there’s less [...]
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs in some people due to decreased amounts of daylight during the winter. That decrease may trigger SAD by disrupting the body's internal clock, causing a drop in levels of a mood-affecting chemical called serotonin, or by altering levels of melatonin, which plays a role [...]
Some people who think they have the holiday blues may actually have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), an expert suggests. "SAD usually occurs in those who already are diagnosed or afflicted with a type of depression. It occurs with the change of the seasons, beginning in the fall and staying with you throughout the cold, dark [...]