Depression Videos

The difficulty of accurately diagnosing mental illness and the repercussions of not doing so. Can new technology that looks inside the brain better identify types of mental illness?

Dr. Kovacs shares her perspective on the recent controversy over antidepressants and children.

According to Dr. Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, researchers have typically failed to recognize the extent to which mental illnesses in adults begin in children.

Dr. Maria Kovacs identifies the signs and symptoms that can help determine whether or not a child is suffering from depression.

Dr. Kovacs explains how advances in brain imaging techniques are allowing researchers to work toward prevention - and not just treatment - of childhood depression.

Larry King shares his personal experience coping with depression after undergoing heart surgery, and offers advice for staying informed, supporting others, and fighting stigma.

Depression Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. Symptoms of depression are often subtle and unrecognized both by patients and physicians. The brain contains a network of interconnected nerve cells called neurons. The junction between the neurons is called the synaptic junction. The transmission of impulses from one neuron to another is facilitated by chemicals called neuro-transmitters. The impulse triggers the release of neurotransmitters from one neuron, which cross the synaptic junction and attach themselves to the receptors in the adjacent neuron sending the message through. Later the neurotransmitter returns to the initial neuron via the reuptake channel. One of the causes of depression is believed to be the depletion of the amine neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine. The anti depressant drugs increase the availability of neurotransmitters at the synaptic junction by blocking the reuptake channel.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) community members share their stories and discuss how treatment, medications and support have helped them cope and recover.

Mary Wallace, on the importance of staying informed to provide the best support a depressed loved one: "Depression is a mental illness, and if you understand it, it just makes it so much easier to deal with - and you stop blaming yourself." 

“In this day and age a depressed person can get help, which wasn't true not too long ago. And that's the hard part, to go out and find the help. That's the big trick."

Mary Wallace describes how she found solace in seeking therapy for herself and forming a caregiving support group of others who were going through similar experiences.