Common Signs of Anxiety and Depression
If painful emotions are affecting your daily life, it might be time to seek support.
How to Lower Stress Levels
Take the edge off of stress with relaxation exercies, mood-lifting foods and more.
Tips for Beating the Blues
Feeling sad or low? Lift your spirits by taking care of all aspects of your well-being.
Help for Clinical Depression
Depression is a complex disease, but there is hope. Learn how to treat depression with talk therapy, antidepressants and more.
What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide
Learn the warning signs, how to lower suicide risk and what you can do to help.
How to Help an Addicted Family Member
When someone you love is addicted to alcohol or drugs, the whole family is affected. Here’s how to help.
Featured Articles
How Stress Affects Your Body
Learn the details of how stress takes a toll on your physical health.
Is it Sadness or Depression?
When does feeling bad signal clinical depression? Learn the signs and symptoms.
Depression Symptoms by Age Group
Learn how the signs of depression and triggers differ in children, teens, adults and seniors.
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Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My mom died a few months ago and dad isn't taking it well. He's lost interest in food, socializing, is not sleeping well, and has guilt about "unfinished business" in their relationship. How can I tell the difference between natural grief and depression?
I am sorry to hear of your recent loss. The relationship between grief and depression is a complex one. The response to any significant loss (including bereavement) may involve intense sadness, changes in sleep... continue reading about My mom died a few months ago and dad isn't taking it well. He's lost interest in food, socializing, is not sleeping well, and has guilt about "unfinished business" in their relationship. How can I tell the difference between natural grief and depression?
Catherine A. Madison, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Memory loss or changes may have multiple causes or impersonators. What are some of them other than stress? Are early onset dementia symptoms recognizable by the person experiencing the symptoms?
Memory loss is something we can all experience. You are correct; it can be caused by stress when our attention is not well focused. Memory loss can also be contributed to by factors such as poor sleep, mood dis... continue reading about Memory loss or changes may have multiple causes or impersonators. What are some of them other than stress? Are early onset dementia symptoms recognizable by the person experiencing the symptoms?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is drinking hard alcohol more likely to contribute to addiction than wine or beer?
The way your body metabolizes alcohol does not change if it is wine, beer or hard spirits. Addiction depends upon the quantity of alcohol that is consumed, not the type. A 12 oz beer has the same alcohol conten... continue reading about Is drinking hard alcohol more likely to contribute to addiction than wine or beer?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Awhile ago my husband complained of a pounding heart. He said it felt like it was thumping against his chest. Tests showed that he was fine and it was probably caused by stress. How can we tell the difference between severe anxiety and a heart attack?
It is often very difficult to differentiate the symptoms of a heart attack from other causes. Even in the Emergency Department, with access to X-rays, EKG's, and fancy lab work, we sometimes cannot be 100 perce... continue reading about Awhile ago my husband complained of a pounding heart. He said it felt like it was thumping against his chest. Tests showed that he was fine and it was probably caused by stress. How can we tell the difference between severe anxiety and a heart attack?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My mother suffered from depression. Should I be worried that I, too, will develop depression as I age?
Depression, like many chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or heart disease), tends to run in families. For most diseases with a heritable component, having a close family member with the illness does not necess... continue reading about My mother suffered from depression. Should I be worried that I, too, will develop depression as I age?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've been taking Norco for post-surgery pain. I'm feeling much better now and wonder how long I should take to go off of the pills? I've been taking three a day and I'm afraid of withdrawals.
You did not mention how long you have been on the Norco but if it is a few weeks or even a month there should be no physical withdrawal from stopping it. You may have well controlled pain because you are taking... continue reading about I've been taking Norco for post-surgery pain. I'm feeling much better now and wonder how long I should take to go off of the pills? I've been taking three a day and I'm afraid of withdrawals.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown? How does it differ from depression or anxiety?
"Nervous breakdown" is a slang term that does not have a precise medical or scientific meaning. Even as slang, it is presently used infrequently. It was perhaps in more common usage during the middle part of th... continue reading about What are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown? How does it differ from depression or anxiety?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 30 and have had depression throughout my life. I'm on antidepressants, but lately I've been very antisocial - staying home or working late. I have a high-stress job and haven't been able to sleep. I also have headaches, mood swings, and weight gain.
I am sorry that you have lately been feeling so poorly. You mention a wide variety of symptoms, some of which often have non-psychiatric causes. For this reason, I recommend that you see your primary care physi... continue reading about I'm 30 and have had depression throughout my life. I'm on antidepressants, but lately I've been very antisocial - staying home or working late. I have a high-stress job and haven't been able to sleep. I also have headaches, mood swings, and weight gain.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?
There is no one answer to treating "menopausal depression". Restoring hormones (HRT) and SSRI antidepressants have both been shown to help with depression in mid-life women. There are other things that have bee... continue reading about What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?
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