News

Mortality rates in Scotland are substantially higher than they are in England and Wales - the so-called "Scottish effect." New research suggests that loss of life related to problem drug use accounts for a significant portion of the higher death rate.

Viagra, a popular anti-impotence pill, may help some women on antidepressants have better sex, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

Study suggests sildenafil may reduce sexual dysfunction for women taking antidepressants

The results of a study in the current issue of the journal Stroke suggest that there is an association between depression and an increased risk of having a first stroke in elderly patients.

Stillbirths, infant deaths caused one in 10 docs to consider giving up practice, survey says

But giving mice on the wagon an antidepressant restored brain's ability to make new cells

Finding could help advance individualized medicine for psychiatric patients

Scientists have located an area in the brain that fails to "kick-in" for people with obsessive compulsive disorder and those at risk of developing the condition.

After a serious injury, some teenagers suffer from depression and anxiety that can eventually interfere with their daily lives, researchers have found.

People who die from pesticide poisoning are more likely to suffer changes in nerve responses and severe weakness in their neck and limb muscles in the days before they succumb, experts have found.

CDC survey found heart patients report lower quality of life, poorer outlook

Visual impairment alone does not significantly increase the risk of suicide, but it does seem to do so when it is associated with poor health, according to a report in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

A regimen that integrates treatments for high blood pressure (hypertension) and depression is better than the usual care for improving the outcomes of both conditions, according to the results of a pilot trial.

Studies suggest an increased fracture risk in people who take the medications

Pegylated inteferon cut risk 15% but did not reduce overall mortality rates

Anti-seizure drugs for treating epilepsy carry an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, but not enough to warrant a black box warning, a U.S. advisory panel concluded on Thursday.

Patients with depression that doesn't respond fully to drug therapy may gain some relief with multiple courses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive treatment that alters the electrical activity of the brain through the use of magnetic fields, Boston-based researchers have shown.

Poor aesthetic outcome after lumpectomy linked to depression, fear, study finds

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials will seek a strong "black box" warning for epilepsy drugs cautioning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, an agency spokeswoman told Reuters on Monday.

But certain subset did show raised risk for psychiatric disorders, study finds

And the risk seems bigger if certain painkillers are used, study says

Psilocybin may help treat patients with cancer, depression, drug abuse, study says

Factors that increase their risk

St. Jude Medical Inc said on Thursday that the first patients had received its pacemaker-like implant as part of a clinical study of whether deep brain stimulation will help people with severe depression.

Actress Heather Locklear, famous for roles on television dramas "Dynasty" and "Melrose Place," has checked into an Arizona medical facility for psychological treatment, her spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

A study in the June issue of Diabetes Care suggests that enhanced treatment of depression in diabetic patients improves their depression outcomes without an increase in long-term costs when compared with the costs of usual care.

Less affluent individuals had more advanced disease and were less likely to receive needed treatment

A U.S. Department of Justice investigation into whether GlaxoSmithKline PLC withheld data about the suicide risks of the antidepressant drug Paxil is widening, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Over 33,000 people took their lives in Japan last year, topping 30,000 for the tenth consecutive year despite a government campaign to reduce what is one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

Rates were higher among less-skilled and those with lower incomes, study finds

People being treated for type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for depression, according to a new report, and individuals with depression have a moderately increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And doctors need to be aware of the connection, study says

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley asked U.S. regulators on Thursday to investigate whether drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc withheld data about a risk of suicide linked to its anxiety disorder drug Paxil.

If the scent of burning incense helps you relax, a new animal study may help explain why.

Study finds disorder shrinks brain cells much the way alcohol, Alzheimer's do

A new study of Medicare beneficiaries with glaucoma demonstrates that vision loss is associated with a greater risk of depression, nursing home admission, and femur fracture.

They're more likely to smoke, abuse drugs, alcohol, study finds

It eased anxiety, corrected belief that reliving memories must be avoided, study concludes

The U.S. Army on Thursday said suicides among active duty troops in 2007 had reached the highest level on record, due partly to the stress caused by deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

LIMA(Reuters Life!) - Residents of Peru's famously foggy capital should leave town once a week to see the sun and exercise frequently to combat seasonal depression, the Andean country's Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Actress Kirsten Dunst, who starred in the "Spider-Man" movies, says she checked into rehab earlier this year because she was suffering from depression, not battling drugs or alcohol.

For pregnant women diagnosed with major depressive disorder, treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce depressive symptoms, according to the findings of a small clinical trial.

New research indicates that asthma is significantly linked to suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, but after accounting for mental health conditions and smoking, the association is markedly weakened.

Problem-solving therapy could also make a difference, study shows

A study in the May 28 issue of JAMA reports that in the year following a stroke, patients who received the medication escitalopram (Lexapro) or participated in a problem-solving therapy group had a lower risk of depression compared to patients who received placebo.

Among kidney transplant recipients, depression doubles the risk of kidney failure, return to dialysis therapy, and death, new research indicates.

Depression increases the risk of stroke in people with heart disease, results of a Dutch study indicate.

Use of isotretinoin, the active ingredient in the acne drug Accutane, apparently more than doubles the risk of depression, according to results of a study.

The results of a pilot study suggest that antidepressant therapy with Celexa during treatment for head and neck cancer reduces the risk of depression and diminishes the impact of cancer treatment on quality of life.

Anxiety over disability, discomfort may be driving factor, study suggests

Stress levels comparable to those seen in returning Afghanistan war veterans, study says

Physical ability may not be the only factor determining whether a person returns to work after suffering a stroke. Psychiatric factors, such as anxiety and depression, also appear to impact return-to-work, suggest findings from a study conducted in New Zealand.

They're 4 to 5 times more likely to suffer symptoms, but trained counselors could help

Poor levels also cause increase in serum parathyroid hormone readings, study says

After hospital, they're twice as likely to be injured, so prevention strategies are key

Women who get at least 3.5 hours of leisure-time activity each week are less likely to be depressed, research from Australia shows.

Rare disorder can lead to muscle spasms, fever, sweating and nausea, study finds

More than 2 million U.S. teenagers have suffered a serious bout of depression in the past year, including nearly 13 percent of girls, according to a federal government survey released on Tuesday.

Women who suffer from "dysfunctional voiding" -- like having to urinate often and having difficulty voiding -- experience a greater degree of depression and anxiety compared to women without these symptoms, research suggests.

It's more than just a case of the blues

The risks of developing Alzheimer's disease differ between the sexes, with stroke in men, and depression in women, critical factors, according to a French study.

Suicide victims who were abused as children have clear genetic changes in their brains, Canadian researchers reported on Tuesday in a finding they said shows neglect can cause biological effects.

Study say figures are most likely too conservative

Circuits involved with depression, bipolar disorders could receive more targeted treatment

Suicide attempts are "not uncommon" among people with anorexia nervosa, and the risk appears to be significantly higher among those who purge rather than just restrict the amount they eat, Dr. Cynthia M. Bulik and colleagues report.

Findings could one day lead to better treatments for depression, experts say

Older people with low blood levels of vitamin D and high blood levels of parathyroid hormone are more likely to be depressed, Dutch researchers report.

Same kind of palliative care may be needed, researcher says

In men with epilepsy, sexual function does not seem to be significantly related to testosterone levels, according to UK researchers.

Migraine is commonly associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia, a new study shows.

Scientists have unravelled how a horse tranquiliser and hallucinogenic night club drug known as "Special K" can ease depression, researchers said on Friday.

Aerobic workouts, counseling therapy boosted physical ability, lessened melancholy

Chronic pain patients who are satisfied with their level of social support are less depressed and more likely to take active steps to cope with their pain, Spanish researchers report.

Saying 18 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day, a lawyer representing veterans' groups asked a federal judge on Wednesday to order the government to provide better mental health care.

U.S. troops who seek psychological care after combat will no longer face the possibility of losing their security clearances, a major policy shift that may lead more military members to seek needed help.

The popular antidepressant Prozac may help slow multiple sclerosis, according to a Dutch study showing that people who took the drug had fewer of the brain lesions that are a hallmark of the incurable disease.

French study finds depression, stroke key factors in progression toward dementia

In theory, modern Britons have it all. They've never been as healthy or prosperous, but they have been happier -- as testified by a rash of first-hand accounts of depression that have hit the shelves this year.

In one-on-one interviews with 700 Americans, roughly 23 percent reported loaning their prescription medications to someone else, and 27 percent reported borrowing prescription medications.

In one-on-one interviews with 700 Americans, roughly 23 percent reported loaning their prescription medications to someone else, and 27 percent reported borrowing prescription medications.

Helping women who suffer from depression during pregnancy could reduce their risk of remaining depressed after giving birth and, in turn, reduce the level of stress they experience in early parenthood, Australian researchers report.

Two of the largest and longest studies so far show a "brain pacemaker" can effectively treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), researchers said on Friday.

Minimally invasive therapy improves symptoms for treatment-resistant patients, study finds

Review finds patients had less severe depression but no change in mania symptoms

Mechanism unclear, but nursing home study says risk greatest week after meds begin

Saffron, a spice known for flavoring Mediterranean cuisine, might also offer an antidote to premenstrual syndrome, a small study suggests.

Supportive group therapy diminished depression almost as much as drug treatments

Prozac, the popular antidepressant, might also be an effective treatment for adults with a "lazy eye", according to new research.

About 300,000 U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, but about half receive no care, an independent study said on Thursday.

Study finds no negative impact on children's cognitive development

Research may explain antidepressants' effectiveness

Just one in five adults, 55 years and older, who commit suicide are using antidepressants at the time of their death, according to a report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

As many as one in five women in the United States suffers from postpartum depressive symptoms, according to results of a new survey.

Researchers speculate that insulin problems could damage blood vessels in the brain

People with a history of depression, especially if it begins early in life, have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a report in the current issue of the journal Neurology. The risk does not appear to be influenced by structural changes in the hippocampus or amygdala - areas of the brain affected by the disease.

And some parents may unsuspectingly contribute to their child's sleep problems, researchers say

But exact nature of the association isn't clear, study finds

French study in rats finds olanzapine changes metabolism in weeks

According to a study published in the April 8, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people who have had depression are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than people who have never had depression.

Individualized, long-term counseling appears to reduce the burden and depressive symptoms felt by caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.

Persistent insomnia may perpetuate depression in elderly patients receiving standard care by primary care providers, according to study findings reported in the journal Sleep.

In the wake of the recent Northern Illinois University shooting and the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, the trend of taking harsh disciplinary actions against students with mental illnesses is on the rise. Learn about how this series of events is impacting students, and find out what they are doing about it.

At-risk patients need care to avoid heart disease, cancer, task force report says

When it lasts 2 weeks or more, it predicts major episodes, study finds

Hope is that Acomplia might help fight coronary disease

Prevents return to work almost as often as physical disability does, study shows

Those accepted early on by friends grow up healthier than those rejected, study says

More people likely to take their lives in the spring, doctors say

Music therapy can help reduce anxiety and improve physical health

Study finds quality of life suffers, but mental acuity may actually improve

Weight-loss drug not approved in U.S. may block brain receptor among some users

Could lead to quick blood test that would show whether an antidepressant is working

Study finds long-lasting increased risk of death, but no clear explanation why

Three times more likely to have mood disorder than those with higher hormone levels

49% carried second baby within 2 years of the first, study finds

Review finds little difference in effectiveness of 5 drugs currently available

Studies have shown that stroke often leads to depression, but the evidence from those studies has been mixed as to whether depression could lead to stroke. Now, according to a study published in the March 4, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, psychological distress, but not depression, may increase the risk of stroke.

Study finds blood can used to diagnose severity of bipolar illness

Here are some warning signs

But some mental-health experts dispute the findings

Teenagers whose initial drug treatment fails to combat depression, which happens in 4 out of 10 cases, can be helped by switching medicine and adding psychotherapy, a U.S. study published on Tuesday said.

Study finds that if first antidepressant doesn't work, try a second and add psychotherapy

Antidepressant medications appear to help only very severely depressed people and work no better than placebos in many patients, British researchers said.

While people with rheumatoid arthritis often feel depressed, few discuss this with their doctors, according to a new report.

Older adults who are simultaneously hostile and depressed may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Study also found IBS 2 times more likely in people with depression

Study found slowed information-processing, increase in depression, anxiety

Findings show trainees 6 times more likely to make mistakes

Older women are more prone to depression and are more likely to remain depressed than are older men, a study shows.

One-third of seventh-graders experiments with drinking alcohol before their 13th birthday, according to a new study published in Pediatrics.

The largest study of suicidal behaviors ever conducted has found that 9.2 percent of the world's population has contemplated suicide, but fewer than 3 percent actually make an attempt.

A new study provides strong evidence that being bullied can cause children to develop depression and anxiety.

Study found their male peers were better off in this regard

Persistent depression is associated with worse physical health a year after heart attack or severe chest pain -- known by the umbrella term "acute coronary syndrome" (ACS), researchers from Canada report.

A new study suggests that older adults with a history of depression may live a shorter life than those without the disorder -- but past battles with post-traumatic stress disorder may not carry the same risk.

Those with poor balance, dementia, vision loss most in peril, group says

Smokers who have depressive symptoms during hospitalization for a heart attack will have a harder time kicking the habit, a new study shows.

U.S. regulators on Friday said the smoking cessation drug Chantix (Pfizer Inc.), known generically as varenicline, appears increasingly likely to be linked to serious psychiatric disturbance and called for stronger label warnings.

- increases the risk of serious bleeding, according to findings from a Dutch study.

Sex, age, education, mental health and marital status underpin findings of 17-nation study

As many as 121 U.S. soldiers may have committed suicide in 2007, a record number if confirmed, according to Army statistics released on Thursday.

Agency will ask drug makers to put warning labels on entire class of medicines

U.S. health officials alerted doctors on Thursday that medicines used to treat epilepsy and psychiatric disorders may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Study found age 44 marked the peak of depression for people around the globe

A combination of genes and neglectful parenting may make some young people more vulnerable to major depression, new research conducted in northern Russia suggests.

Middle age is truly miserable, according to a study using data from 80 countries showing that depression is most common among men and women in their forties.

It can cause unpleasant side effects

Changes in a gene that protects the brain from foreign substances may affect whether commonly used antidepressants work -- and a simple test could help doctors prescribe the right drug, researchers said on Wednesday.

German researchers identify 11 variants that seem to influence outcome

Bright light therapy can relieve depression in some women with bipolar disorder, a study shows.

Patients with depression at the time they are hospitalized for a stroke are more likely to be discharged to institutional care than their non-depressed counterparts, results of a study hint.

Male babies with a short birth length run more than double the risk of a violent suicide attempt as an adult, according to a Swedish study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health for February.

An anti-smoking drug sold by Pfizer Inc will carry more prominent warnings that patients be monitored for unusual activity including agitation, depression and suicidal behavior, the company said on Friday.

Post-concussion symptoms of depression may stem from an underlying neurological abnormality caused by the concussion, results of a Canadian study suggest.

Short-term treatment with selegiline, administered through a skin patch, or "transdermal system," does not impair sexual function in patients with major depressive disorder, the results of a clinical review published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggest.

Major depression is "highly prevalent" among diabetic patients, according to findings published in the medical journal Diabetes Care.

Researchers unclear on whether it's reluctance to submit or reluctance to publish negative findings

Study finds moms with persistent depression, anxiety more likely to have children with airway disease

Young children of mothers with chronic anxiety and depression are at increased risk of developing asthma, findings from a long-term, population-based study indicate.

They're also more apt to die within a year, but education had protective effect, study found

Major depression is "highly prevalent" among diabetic patients, according to findings published in the medical journal Diabetes Care.

A regular brisk walk may help women going through menopause improve their mental well-being, a new study suggests.

Those 40 to 65 twice as likely to find either symptom fuels the other, study suggests

New research indicates that anxiety and depression are risk factors for major heart-related events among patients with stable coronary artery disease.

What may be behind unhappy feelings after giving birth

Recent warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding treatment with paroxetine and other antidepressants in young people have had a modest effect on usage of these agents, new research shows.

Study finds drop in SSRI prescriptions for children and adults

Depression can cause many to skip their medicines, experts note

A program can be implemented primary care practices to reduce the mortality among older diabetics who also have a diagnosis of depression, U.S. researchers report.

But marriage quality had no effect on working men's stress, study found

- a non-invasive technique that excites neurons in the brain by magnetic pulses introduced through the scalp -- is a safe and effective non-drug treatment for depression, a study shows.

Take time to relax and keep hassles in perspective, experts advise

The season is stressful, but simple steps can help you cope

The two conditions often occur together, scientists note

Children who have long, frequent or aggressive temper tantrums may be at risk of depression or disruptive disorders, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

The two conditions are sometimes closely linked, research suggests

Suggestions that may help

Despite some research findings that suggest depressed patients who don't respond to treatment with antidepressant drugs have poor rate of remission with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), this appears not to be the case, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Depression appears to somewhat heighten the risk of breast cancer, but it has no significant association with lung, colon or prostate cancer, according to a review of the medical literature conducted by Dutch researchers.

The U.S. Congress, prodded by the deadliest shooting rampage in modern American history, passed legislation on Wednesday to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.

The death rate from injury in the United States is rising this decade after declining since the late 1970s, spurred by increases in accidental poisonings and suicides, health officials said on Thursday.

Docs need to educate that drugs such as morphine are more than just a last resort

Elderly may be especially prone to depression this time of year, experts say

This suggests a link between the illness and depression, anxiety disorders, researchers say

Boys, especially, were also more likely to 'act out', study found

Mood, anxiety disorders hit almost half of New Orleans residents in months after the disaster, study found

Exercise seems to increase the production of naturally occurring brain chemical with antidepressant effects in mice, researchers reported Sunday.

Immediate relatives (brother, sister, mother, father, son or daughter) of patients with Parkinson's disease are at increased risk for developing depression and anxiety disorders, especially if the disease develops before the age of 75, according to a report in published Monday.

Teenagers who have ever been sexually abused appear to have a higher suicide risk than their peers, but their families may be able to make a difference, a large study suggests.

Major depression occurs very frequently among patients with chronic headaches, researchers report.

Depression should be added to the conditions that lead to osteoporosis in women, conclude the authors of a new study.

Black and Hispanic adults with depression may not do as well on drug therapy as whites do, a study suggests.

Finding could aid efforts to prevent osteoporosis, researchers say

Uninfected children of HIV-infected mothers should be screened and followed up long-term for psychiatric problems, pediatricians from New York recommend, based on their experience.

Obese teenage girls may be more likely than their thinner peers to develop depression or anxiety disorders as adults, a study suggests.

Older adults who've suffered a bout of major depression at any time in their lives appear to face an elevated risk of heart disease, new research suggests.

The characteristics of young patients who commit acts of deliberate self-harm vary widely, but the risk of suicide is very high in this population, UK investigators report.

Three months after giving birth, many women still have fatigue, headaches and other symptoms related to childbirth, a new study shows.

Patients taking the Sanofi-Aventis anti-obesity drug Acomplia, known generically as rimonabant, have well over double the risk of depression and anxiety, researchers said, adding to the bad news for a drug already linked to suicidal thoughts.

The addition of the antipsychotic drug risperidone, sold in the U.S. under the trade name Risperdal, reduces the symptoms and increases the response to antidepressant therapy in patients who have not responded to other treatments, researchers report in the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Experts caution against prescribing drug to patients who are already depressed

Giving eyeglasses to nursing home residents in need of vision correction improves their quality of life and reduces depression, a new study shows.

Simple intervention boosted vision, eased depressive symptoms, study found

It is not uncommon for expectant mothers to feel anxious and depressed, new research shows, and these feelings can have serious consequences for mom and baby.

One in 10 suicides in New York City involve visitors to the Big Apple, a phenomenon known as "suicide tourism," according to research presented yesterday at the American Public Health Association meeting in Washington, DC.

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is elevated in infants with parents who have been hospitalized for psychiatric illness or substance-abuse disorders, according to a new study.

New research suggests that fluoxetine (Prozac) plus cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for teens with depression and substance use disorder. However, the findings also suggest that much of the benefit can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy alone.

A drug that boosts levels of the brain's own "bliss" chemical can help reverse symptoms of depression in rats, U.S. and Italian researchers reported on Monday.

New research shows that husbands and wives caring for a spouse with advanced cancer are at high risk for suffering from depression and identifies those who may have the greatest risk.

U.S. regulators have rejected the experimental drug gepirone extended release to treat adults with major depression.

The use of a breathing treatment called continuous positive airway pressure may improve depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Study also found that post-traumatic stress disorder had a 'protective' effect

A drug from the class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil, added to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Motrin, Aspirin or Celebrex, can interact to increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a report in current issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

In a postmortem toxicology study of a group of adults who committed suicide in New York City, researchers found that most were not taking antidepressants.

Imagine receiving a big chunk of cash in the future. Or winning a prize.

The antidepressant drug mirtazapine (sold under the trade name Remeron) may relieve depression in patients who have had a heart attack, without causing any cardiac side effects, according to findings published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

Symptoms of postpartum depression appear to be reduced by any psychosocial therapy, with women opting for this treatment doing better than those who try to struggle through with no treatment at all, findings of a study review suggest.

Research in psychiatrically ill children and adolescents suggests that those with depression, anxiety and other so-called "internalizing" disorders are more likely to have allergies.

Family breakups take a toll on adolescents, who have high rates of psychological and social problems, including substance abuse, behavioral disorders, anxiety and depression, according to a report in the journal Pediatrics

Older adults suffering from depression may perceive their health to be worsening more quickly, speeding the need for nursing home care, a study suggests.

Among elderly patients who have recovered from an episode of major depression, maintenance treatment with antidepressant drugs is superior to placebo in preserving the improvements in health-related quality of life, according to a recent report.

Inhaling household solvents such as cleaning products or glue -- so-called "huffing" or "bagging" -- appear to be linked to an increased risk of attempting or thinking about suicide among incarcerated teens, study findings suggest.

Among people who have undergone so-called bariatric surgery for obesity, death rates are higher than seen among other people of the same age, new research shows. In particular, deaths due to suicide and coronary heart disease are higher than might be expected normally.

Child care workers, home health care aides and other people who provide personal services have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers, according to a new survey to be published on Monday.

Family therapy may be more effective than simply increasing the dosage of an antidepressant drug when a patient with severe depression suffers a relapse during long-term treatment, new research suggests.

And the danger rises if the drugs are used with certain painkillers, study finds

May include feeling worthless, not eating

Small study involving Chinese undergraduates showed significant benefit.

Just a third of U.S. adults feel comfortable discussing it.

Among patients who have had a heart attack and subsequently develop depression, a lack of response to antidepressant treatment signals a high risk of another cardiac episode, according to a secondary analysis of data from Myocardial Infarction and Depression-Intervention Trial (MIND-IT).

High anxiety, low control double recurrent heart attack risk, study finds.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, the adult on-set variety, depressive symptoms -- even if they do not meet criteria for major depressive disorder -- is associated with poor adherence to self-care, according to results of a study published in Diabetes Care.

Seasonal affective disorder sets in in the fall, experts say.

Primary care physicians do not consistently ask their depressed patients about suicide, according to new research.

Among patients who have had a heart attack and subsequently develop depression, a lack of response to antidepressant treatment signals a high risk of another cardiac episode, according to a secondary analysis of data from Myocardial Infarction and Depression-Intervention Trial (MIND-IT).

As people age, they experience shrinkage in the part of the brain responsible for inhibiting appropriate behavior -- which may explain why your great-aunt asks embarrassing questions about your weight and older people seem to have fewer qualms about making racist remarks than younger individuals do, an Australian researcher suggests.

People who feel chronically stressed on the job may face an increased risk of depression, a large study suggests.

A marked fall in antidepressant use occurs when women first learn that they are pregnant, according to a report.

There is no indication that legal physician-assisted suicide, which is practiced in Oregon and the Netherlands, has a disproportionate impact on patients in vulnerable groups, according to a report in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

A combination of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac) and a type of psychotherapy called cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) appears to be the safest, most effective way to treat moderate-to-severe depression in adolescents, according to a study published today.

This strategy beat out either therapy alone, researchers found

Patients who become depressed after a major heart-related event, such as a heart attack, have a significantly higher risk of dying than those who are not depressed, a study finds, but cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training can substantially reduce depression and the associated mortality.

Doctors need to be more proactive in diagnosing the condition, study says.

Adults 65 years of age or older with self-inflicted injuries are more likely than their younger counterparts to be hospitalized, according to a report released Thursday.

A study of doctor-assisted suicide in the Netherlands and Oregon counters the argument that making it legal may lead to more of these deaths among vulnerable groups like the disabled, although it did find some evidence for this among people with AIDS.

Someday, DNA tests might spot those most at risk, experts say.

A work-based outreach and care program to help company employees with depression improves not only clinical well-being but also workplace productivity, a study shows.

Study found significant improvement in symptoms and productivity.

Actresses posing as depressed, distraught were seldom questioned, study found.

After a miscarriage, depression appears to decline during the following year, but many women and their partners continue to feel anxiety more than a year later, study findings suggest.

Regular exercise may work as well as medication in improving symptoms of major depression, researchers have found.

Study finds it's often a key factor in the decision

Listening to patients is key to helping them feel better, researchers say

Depression is more damaging to everyday health than chronic diseases such as angina, arthritis, asthma and diabetes, researchers said on Friday.

Global study finds it takes bigger toll than other chronic conditions.

From 2003 to 2004, suicide rates in US youth between 10 and 24 years of age rose by 8 percent -- the largest single-year increase in 15 years, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report in Thursday's edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Following the US Food and Drug Administration's warning about the possible risk of suicide among teens when they're treated with antidepressant drugs known as SSRIs, the rates of diagnosis and treatment of depression among adults have declined significantly, according to a new report.

China has ordered universities to keep individual psychological health records for each incoming new student amid rising concern over campus suicides, state media reported on Wednesday.

Teenagers who've survived childhood cancers may be more likely than their siblings to be depressed or anxious, have attention problems or show antisocial behaviors, researchers report.

But initial research involved only rats; clinical trials involving people are next step.

It cannot be assumed that an antidepressant has lost its effectiveness if a patient relapses while continuing on the medication, because the medication may never have been effective in the first place, according to study findings reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Adolescents whose parents are infected or have died from HIV/AIDS cope significantly better emotionally if they have a strong social support system in place, according to research published today in the American Journal of Public Health.

Finding could help head off post-partum depression, study suggests.

Helping children slim down may mean helping parents, study finds

Treatment with a light-emitting diode (LED) device is effective for seasonal affective disorder, according to a report in an August 7th online release from BMC Psychiatry.

1 in 5 report symptoms of anxiety, depression once back home

Patients with age-related macular degeneration, a frequent cause of vision loss in the elderly, are less likely to develop depressive disorders in the short-term if they're taught problem-solving skills, new study findings suggest. However, the benefits don't seem to be maintained over time.

Antidepressant drug use during pregnancy, but not depression itself, is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and lower fetal age at delivery, according to results of a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The number of suicides in the U.S. Army rose last year to the highest level since the Gulf War, with almost a third in war zones, according to data released by the military on Thursday.

The results of a major review of published research that examined the relationship between depression and level of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet suggest that omega-3 fatty acids have antidepressant effects. However, the researchers point out that the quality of the studies means it's still too soon to say definitively that omega-3s can treat depression or bipolar disorder.

Experts suggest a shutdown on such pitches to the public.

The boss of a Chinese toy manufacturing company involved in a Mattel recall after its products were found to contain excessive lead levels has hanged himself, Chinese media reported on Monday.

Women who get cosmetic breast implants are nearly three times as likely to commit suicide as other women, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

Elderly people who display "self-neglect" behavior often suffer from common age-related ailments like depression, heart problems, and dementia, a new study shows.

A mother's anxiety or depression during pregnancy may affect her child's sleep patterns early in life, a new study suggests.

Bad feelings may help spur chronic inflammation, study suggests

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who have a type-D personality -- that is, a propensity to experience negative feelings without sharing them with others -- are at increased risk for impaired quality of life and depression, regardless of the severity of PAD, research shows.

Adults with depression who are treated with a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have a lower rate of suicide attempts, the results of a new study indicate.

Mothers of young children with moderate to severe eczema report higher stress levels than mothers of children with diabetes or profound deafness, findings from a small study suggest.

Men with high levels of hostility, anger and depression show increases in a key marker of inflammation over time, which may put them at greater risk of heart disease, a new study shows.

Group psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depressed adolescents who have been affected by war and who live in camps for displaced persons, according to the results of a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Medication ketamine shows promise as rapid-action booster, researchers say

The media frenzy surrounding a celebrity suicide may lead to a spike in suicide attempts, with people who have previously attempted suicide being especially susceptible, researchers from Taiwan report.

Working for long periods in the harsh and unforgiving conditions near the North and South Poles often causes people to suffer a stew of psychological symptoms dubbed "polar madness," scientists said on Wednesday.

Girls who discuss their problems extensively with friends may be at increased risk of developing depression and anxiety symptoms, a new study suggests.

Children born after less than 26 weeks of pregnancy have more mental and social problems at 11 years of age than do their full-term schoolmates, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics. The good news is that the problems are seldom severe.

Children born after less than 26 weeks of pregnancy have more mental and social problems at 11 years of age than do their full-term schoolmates, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics. The good news is that the problems are seldom severe.

Finding could explain why some women are more vulnerable to the condition

Mouse study suggests boosting the substance might fight mental ills

President Nicolas Sarkozy is concerned about a spate of suicides at French car factories and wants a conference with unions and employers to discuss stress at work, his spokesman said on Thursday.

European regulators said on Thursday that the obesity pill Acomplia (Sanofi-Aventis SA) should carry stronger warnings to reflect the risk of psychiatric side effects.

Regular exercise may improve depression symptoms in people who've failed to get better with antidepressant medication, the results of a small study suggest.

Treating people with depression -- by means of either medications or psychotherapy -- leads to a drop in suicide attempts, according to a new report.

When mothers suffer from depression, their children are more likely to develop behavioral problems -- but fathers can prevent this from happening, new research suggests.

Results of a new study confirm an association between folate levels and depression.

A desire for hastened death is uncommon among patients with advanced cancer, despite considerable levels of pain and emotional distress, new research suggests.

For some people, chronic insomnia may be a sign of broader mental health problems like depression and anxiety, according to a new study.

Rat study could reveal why the illness varies so much between patients

Within 2 years after the October 2003 FDA public health advisory about the risk of suicide in children taking a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), significant reductions in rates of diagnosis and antidepressant treatment of childhood depression occurred, researchers report.

People newly diagnosed with epilepsy have an especially high risk of suicide and doctors should keep an eye on them, Danish researchers reported on Monday.

A survey of oncologists and palliative care specialists reveals that occupational stress is common in these fields, according to a report in the journal Clinical Medicine.

Finding suggests drugs' benefits for depressed people outweigh any potential for harm.

Depressed older women appear to lose bone at a faster rate than their non-depressed counterparts, new research shows.

There's only a very small increase in birth defect risk, two studies show.

The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft and Paxil, for treatment of depression is associated with abnormally rapid bone loss in men and women age 65 and older, according to two reports in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

2 studies turn up similar results in both women and men.

Canadian patients showed declines in emotional health one year later, study found.

While studies have linked depression to a higher risk of death from heart disease, new research suggests that it may contribute to deaths from a range of causes.

Men who did not have good relationships with their siblings in childhood are more likely to develop major depression as adults, a new study shows.

Contrary to the prevailing belief, it is nearly as likely that major depressive disorder will develop into a generalized anxiety disorder, as the reverse pattern, according to a study published in the June issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. Moreover, the lifetime prevalence of both anxiety and depression has probably been underestimated.

U.S. regulators should reject a proposed weight-loss pill called rimonabant, also known as Zimulti - the Sanofi trade name, because of concerns it may increase suicidal thinking and depression, an advisory panel unanimously said on Wednesday.

While steroid abuse has traditionally been associated with athletes, troubled teenage girls appear to be at risk as well, according to a new report.

Male US military service veterans are more than twice as likely to commit suicide compared with their peers who never served in the armed forces, a new study shows.

Worry, anxiety or depression may lead to mild cognitive impairment, study says.

Obese patients who took rimonabant, sold by Sanofi-Aventis SA under the trade name Zimulti, for weight loss were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or actions, U.S. drug reviewers said in an analysis released on Monday.

Older women who take certain antidepressants are at increased risk of fracturing a bone, but it's not clear whether the association is due to the drugs, depression itself, or some other factor, according to a new report in the Harvard Women's Health Watch.

The Indian army is giving its soldiers psychology lessons to counter a rise of suicides and murders brought on by stress, its top psychologist said on Friday.

For depressed older adults who do not respond to an adequate dose of an antidepressant drug -- or respond but relapse -- adding a second antidepressant may improve their recovery, a new study shows.

Japan set a target on Friday for cutting its suicide rate, one of the highest among industrial nations, by more than 20 percent over the next decade.

In one large study, 10 percent of fathers reported symptoms.

The number of Japanese who killed themselves edged down last year but stayed above 30,000 as it has for nearly a decade, with suicides among the elderly rising to account for more than a third of the total, police said on Thursday.

Brain scans showed boost in valuable brain chemical, study says.

Low levels of the hormone testosterone in women with anorexia nervosa are associated with anxiety, depression and bone loss, Harvard researchers told attendees of the Endocrine Society's 89th annual meeting, in Toronto.

They include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease; finding could revolutionize medicine, expert says.

Don't try to get through it alone

Boys who are regular smokers by age 14 are four times as likely as their peers who haven't picked up the habit to kill themselves before they reach age 34, Finnish researchers report.

High school girls who have recently experienced dating violence and boys who have a history of being sexually assaulted are at increased risk of attempting suicide, a new study of New York City public school students shows.

Euthanasia proponent Dr. Jack Kevorkian, dubbed "Dr. Death" for assisting in some 130 suicides, vowed on Sunday he will no longer help people end their lives, even if they come to him in desperation.

It provides a big boost to their emotional health, study finds

Studies examine link between Migraines and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in returning Iraqi vets.  

Jack Kevorkian, the controversial U.S. assisted suicide advocate dubbed "Dr. Death" by critics, was released on Friday morning from a Michigan prison.

Persistent smokers appear to be at increased risk for becoming depressed compared to never smokers, results of a long-term study of Finnish twins suggest. On the other hand, this association was not seen in individuals who stopped smoking many years ago.

The exact nature of the link isn't clear, study's authors say.

Hypnotherapy, antidepressants can all work, experts say.

Young adults who grow up in poor, unstable homes face an increased risk of depression, but high-quality daycare during their early years can counteract the effects of a disadvantaged environment, a new study shows.

When it comes to depression therapy, minorities are more likely than whites to prefer counseling to medication, according to a large U.S. survey.

Psychotherapy and support groups do not prolong the survival of cancer patients, according to a report in the Psychological Bulletin.

Sense of injustice raises heart attack risk, study finds

Previous research has shown that depression is associated with an increased risk of mortality in older adults; and now new research indicates that this risk can be reduced through primary care-based depression intervention.

When all variations of bipolar disorder, or the entire "bipolar spectrum disorder," are considered, the estimated lifetime prevalence in the general population is approximately 4 percent, investigators report in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

And only about 40% of patients receive proper meds, study finds

Living in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood may help shield older men from depression, a new study suggests.

Almost half have at least one psychiatric disorder, study finds

Headache sufferers twice as prone to PTSD or depression, study finds.

All antidepressants should carry new warnings about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 during initial treatment, U.S. health officials proposed on Wednesday.

Women who recover from depression with the help of psychotherapy alone can stay well for as long as two years with monthly "maintenance" therapy, a new study shows.

Potential suicide risk would extend to 24-year-olds.

Teenagers who suffer from near-daily migraines may have a higher-than-average risk of depression, anxiety and suicide, research hints.

The blood pressure-lowering drug prazosin reduces trauma nightmares and sleep disturbances in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study.

Japan's government on Friday pledged to cut the country's suicide rate -- one of the highest among industrialised nations -- by 20 percent in 10 years in a proposal that suggested more support for the poor and depressed.

Depression, chronic pain can contribute to alcohol abuse, financial difficulties, study finds.

Too often, doctors may blame mood change on impact of diagnosis, experts say.

Many people with diabetes also feel depressed, which is thought to interfere with their ability to regulate their blood sugar levels well. However, improvements in depressive symptoms don't lead to better control of glucose levels, according to a new report.

The swings in mood from depression to mania that afflict people with bipolar disorder can be tempered with drugs such as lithium, but adding an antidepressant drug to ease the depression component is not helpful, new research suggests.

Children with asthma may be at increased risk of certain behavioral, emotional and developmental problems, particularly if the asthma is severe, the results of a new study suggest.

Elderly people who are depressed are more likely to become diabetic than those who are not, according to a study that suggests depression may play a role in causing the most common form of diabetes.

Poor mood may lead to less exercise, worsening diet, researchers suspect.

Family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy has little effect on many of the aspects of the bereavement following the suicide of a spouse or other family member, Dutch physicians have found.

The benefits of drugs that treat depression in children and teens far outweigh the risk of suicide, and U.S. regulators should revise strict warnings that may have scared off some doctors and patients, researchers said on Tuesday.

Patients treated with drugs for bipolar disorder benefit greatly from the addition of intensive psychotherapy, according to findings published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

The imbalance of fatty acids in the typical American diet could be associated with the sharp increase in heart disease and depression seen over the past century, a new study suggests.

Largest review of its kind finds benefits outweighing risks.

Five people were found dead in a parked car in Japan on Monday, the latest suspected case in the Japanese phenomenon of group suicides among people who meet online.

It may help patients with severe depression and other disorders, study finds

In people suffering from recurrent major depressive disorder, treatment with lithium reduces the risk that they'll commit or attempt suicide, according to a new study

The prolific author and cultural icon Kurt Vonnegut, who suffered from depression, passed away on April 11 at the age of 84.  Members of the depression, bipolar and schizophrenia community discuss the impact Vonnegut's writing had on their lives, and the significance of celebrities opening up about their battles with mental health conditions.

When a parent suffers from depression, children are more likely to need costly health services like emergency room visits, and less likely to get preventive healthcare, according to a new study.

For rail engineers like Pat Smith, death is an inevitable part of the job.

A regular run through the park may improve not only heart health but also mental health, a study suggests.

Mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders and depression, are common in women who smoke during pregnancy and may be part of the reason they do so, researchers have found.

Suicide rates among people of all ages are higher in states where more homes have guns, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

Combining psychotherapy, delivered over the telephone, with medication seems to improve the outcome of depression treatment, research shows.

Suggestions on how to get through it

Legislation in the UK to reduce the availability of paracetamol (acetaminophen) is only partially responsible for the recent decline in the rate of suicide by paracetamol poisoning, British investigators report. Instead, they propose in the online medical journal PLoS Medicine that these changes may reflect similar patterns in the overall rate of suicide.

Faced with harsh and cold parenting, some children are more likely than others to develop antisocial behavior, such as delinquency and aggression, researchers found, based on in-depth studies of 720 families with at least 2 children between 9 and 18 years of age.

The number of children and adolescents who are prescribed newer antidepressants known as SSRIs has decreased substantially in the U.S. since the release of public health advisories linking these drugs with a raised risk of suicide in young patients, investigators report.

They're more likely to visit emergency rooms, specialists, study finds.

Bad tempered and depressed men are more likely to end up with heart disease, diabetes or hypertension but a better attitude can lower their risk, according to a new study.

Findings from a small study suggest that combining an antidepressant with an anticonvulsive drug, a type of drug normally used to treat epilepsy, may be an effective treatment for patients with depression plus dysphoric mood, such as anger or hostility.

A Japanese man was sentenced to death Wednesday for killing three people he met through an Internet site for group suicides in 2005, a local court spokeswoman said.

Stick to mood stabilizer alone, major new study suggests.

Canada has ordered changes to the labeling on Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu drug to mention reports that some Japanese teenagers taking the medicine had tried to commit suicide, the health department said on Tuesday.

The Netherlands may ban hallucinogenic "magic" mushrooms after a teenage tourist died jumping from a bridge after taking the drug. Dutch Health Minister Ab Klink on Tuesday ordered a special study into the mushrooms and their effects, after a majority of parliamentarians said they were in favour of a ban, the Dutch news agency ANP reported.

Doctors need to pay more attention to patients' mental health, study suggests

The antidepressant Lexapro does not appear to be an effective treatment for people suffering from kleptomania, according to the first controlled study to look at drug treatment for the disorder. But a few patients in the small study did get better while on Lexapro, also known as escitalopram.

Study finds patients report satisfaction, better adherence to meds

Infants of depressed mothers show "quite dramatic" increases in positive responses after their mothers complete a 5-week course designed to help them better interpret and respond to infant behavior, even though the course had no apparent effect on depression.

Research with mice offers first insight into possible connection.

Rates of PTSD and other conditions doubled in the years after the attacks, study found

Spouses and other family members who care for someone with Lou Gehrig's disease may suffer worsening depression and quality of life over time, according to a study published Monday.

Among depressed older adults, use of an SSRI antidepressant like Prozac may lead to apathy, even though it relieves symptoms of depression, clinicians in Canada report.

Research suggests that a "substantial minority" of American adults are reluctant to let their children interact with children who suffer from depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Family caregivers face higher risk of depression than the patient, study finds.

Impaired cognitive function is common and often permanent following stroke. However, new study findings suggest that treatment with antidepressants may help stroke sufferers recover brain function and improve psychological and social capacities.

Rat finding suggests link between anxiety, depression

People with the three conditions are 30% more likely to die, study finds.

By interfering with normal activities, chronic pain can impede recovery from depression in older adults, according to findings reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

They are more likely to develop severe, intractable illness, study finds

Study finds more than 50% of subjects likely to die or be hospitalized for condition

Study suggests counseling can minimize fear of deformities, physical limitations

An "auto-antibody" may impact brain function, research shows

A third study replicates finding that chromosome 2 region plays a vital role

Researchers find the bereaved do go through stages, but not necessarily as expected.

Fish oil may contain toxins, so supplement dose rules should be followed, analysis shows

It may contribute to hardening of the arteries, study suggests.

Low birth weight and a history of child abuse, together, are especially harmful, study finds

Two gene studies could help bring new treatments, experts say.

Common drug outperformed psychotherapy in trial.

Patients should have bone tests before taking SSRIs, study suggests.

They're being increasingly prescribed for psychiatric disorders such as depression, dementia.

Experts say targeting follow-up care can ease depression, fear in patients

Finding underscores need for quick access to counseling, study says

Researcher says mental state can influence course of pain management

Study suggests different treatments needed to target specific nocturnal disturbances

Spotting it, stopping it a tall order for health-care professionals, experts say.

Depression in older relatives just as treatable as any other form, expert says

'Black box' warning on suicide risk may be extended beyond children.

Patients with specific DNA were 40 percent more likely to respond, study found

The risk is highest in first months after birth, study finds.

Initial costs are more than recouped over time, study finds

New study could help clear up confusion around SSRI drugs such as Prozac.

Their rate of psychiatric disorder is half those of native-born Americans, study finds

Birth defect risk must be balanced against need for depression treatment, experts say