Tips for Beating the Blues
Feeling low or sad? Try some easy ways to improve your mood and rejuvenate your body.
Help for Clinical Depression
Depression is a complex disease, but there is hope. Learn how to treat depression with talk therapy, antidepressants and more.
How to Lower Your Stress Levels
A completely stress-free life typically isn’t realistic. But you can do a lot to lower your stress with these tips.
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.
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How Stress Affects Your Body
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Is it Sadness or Depression?
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Depression Symptoms by Age Group
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Ask an Expert
Daniel Becker, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
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?
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?
Daniel Becker, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
I can't tell if my son (age 14) is just being a teenager or if his symptoms might be early signs of a mental health problem. He's not doing as well in school, is overly sensitive to comments, sleeping more, and binging on junk food.
You are correct, in framing your question, to suggest that the vicissitudes of normal teenage development can often appear as emotional or behavioral problems. Adolescence is a period of development when young ... continue reading about I can't tell if my son (age 14) is just being a teenager or if his symptoms might be early signs of a mental health problem. He's not doing as well in school, is overly sensitive to comments, sleeping more, and binging on junk food.
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?
Palpitations are frequently caused by anxiety. On the other hand, anxiety can be caused by palpitations. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is causing what.Typically, if you have no history of heart di... continue reading about I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?
Daniel Becker, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
I come from a long line of insomniacs who struggle to put together more than three hours of sleep at once. I've heard that chronic insomnia that runs in families can be an indicator of Type 2 Bipolar Depression. What are your thoughts?
Bipolar II disorder is a major mood disorder characterized by a history of one or more major depressive episodes, as well as one or more hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes - co... continue reading about I come from a long line of insomniacs who struggle to put together more than three hours of sleep at once. I've heard that chronic insomnia that runs in families can be an indicator of Type 2 Bipolar Depression. What are your thoughts?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?
I am sorry for your losses.Cardiomyopathy can be a serious condition. In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath, patients can have dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, edema, and in some cases hepatic or kidne... continue reading about I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Daniel Becker, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
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?
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