“I have to put on a happy face so my friends and family don’t worry about me.” “I still can’t believe he was depressed. He was always laughing and smiling!” “I can still have a good time with my friends, so what I’m feeling can’t be depression.” Depression is a serious mental health condition, but it isn’t always obvious. Some people laugh, socialize,...[ read more ]
We live in a society that seems obsessed with physical health and weight loss. A majority of people have tried one or more diets to lose weight. People join gyms, juice, and take supplements, all in an effort to optimize their physical health.Sadly, most people don’t give their mental health a second thought.The problem is, no matter how good you...[ read more ]
The first prescription antidepressants were introduced to the American people in the 1950s. Back then, very few Americans were diagnosed with or treated for depression.But times have changed, and today, roughly 13% of the American population takes antidepressants on a daily basis. And as more people are prescribed these drugs, more research is done on them, and a different picture...[ read more ]
You’ve probably heard about the many benefits that nutritious foods can offer for your physical health—for example, eating a healthy diet can strengthen your bones, support your immune system, and lower your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and various other conditions. But did you know that your diet can also affect your mental health? Below, we discuss how your...[ read more ]
Many people are familiar with depression, but only some are aware that there are actually numerous different forms of it. Below, we explore four of the most common types of depression.1. Major Depressive DisorderFor someone to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, they must have experienced at least five symptoms of depression for at least two consecutive weeks, with at...[ read more ]
In many cases, yes, depression can be considered a disability. According to Section 12102(1)(A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person can be disabled if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Under this standard, depression will generally be considered a disability if it substantially affects a person’s daily...[ read more ]
Into each life a little rain must fall is a way of saying every one of us will experience sadness in our lifetime. It is completely normal and natural. But there are some people who feel something deeper and darker than sadness, and they may feel this way despite there being no triggering event such as the loss of a...[ read more ]
October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time when clinicians and their communities come together to spread awareness and combat mental illness. By working together, we can all promote the importance of mental health screenings while reducing the stigma associated with mental health illnesses. Common Symptoms of DepressionThe following are some of the most common symptoms of depression....[ read more ]
Do you experience persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt? Are you feeling fatigued, anxious, restless, or like you can’t focus? Have you lost interest in the activities you once enjoyed, or have your coworkers or loved ones noticed that you’ve been more irritable than usual?If this sounds familiar, you might have depression, a common but serious mood...[ read more ]
Many of us experienced social isolation during the recent pandemic. And none of us will deny that those days and weeks were very hard. Thankfully, the pandemic is over, and life for the majority of us has returned to normal.But for some people, social isolation didn’t go away; it is a part of their “normal” existence.Common Causes of Social IsolationThere...[ read more ]