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
I only drink a glass or two of wine a day, but I have a very hard time giving this up. Does that mean I'm an alcoholic?
Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are not the same thing, but both are commonly thought of as “alcoholism”. Alcohol dependence is defined by physiologic dependence on alcohol from consistent, hea... continue reading about I only drink a glass or two of wine a day, but I have a very hard time giving this up. Does that mean I'm an alcoholic?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is there a test to confirm if you are bipolar? And would you have symptoms from birth or does it develop?
Bipolar disorder is an episodic mood disorder, the hallmark of which are manic episodes - characterized by grandiosity, distractibility, increased activity, excessive involvement in indiscreet activities, racin... continue reading about Is there a test to confirm if you are bipolar? And would you have symptoms from birth or does it develop?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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
Can you become addicted to over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM?
Sleep loss is a problem for millions of Americans. But sleeplessness doesn't have to be a way of life. Regarding over-the-counter products, the active ingredient of over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM, ... continue reading about Can you become addicted to over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?
Depression is a common occurrence after stroke, and can occur in approximately 20-60 percent of stroke patients, depending on which research study you look at. The depressive symptoms may be in addition to the ... continue reading about My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Karen Pantazis, M.D.
Sutter Amador Hospital
My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?
It is not unusual for patients who take pain medication and are depressed due to chronic pain to have diminished interest in sex. It could be due to the medications, the depression, the chronic pain, diminished... continue reading about My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What are your thoughts on the long-term use of SSRIs like Prozac? I have OCD and think I'll probably need it for the rest of my life.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that typically begins early in life - and which, for most afflicted individuals, has a chronic fluctuating course. Exacerbations of this disorder are o... continue reading about What are your thoughts on the long-term use of SSRIs like Prozac? I have OCD and think I'll probably need it for the rest of my life.
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