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Mental Health

Whether you’re blue, depressed, anxious or addicted, get help—now—to ease your mental distress and restore balance.

6 Ways to Build Health, Joy and Energy

Find creative ways to boost your body, mind and spirit and get on a path to better health.

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.

    Featured Articles

    Stressed woman

    How Stress Affects Your Body

    Learn the details of how stress takes a toll on your physical health.

    Woman drinking coffee in bed

    Is it Sadness or Depression?

    When does feeling bad signal clinical depression? Learn the signs and symptoms.

    Father hugging sad son

    Depression Symptoms by Age Group

    Learn how the signs of depression and triggers differ in children, teens, adults and seniors.

    View All Mental Health Articles

    Your Toolkit for Everyday Mental Health

    Scout by Sutter Health™ is a 12-week digital experience supporting resilience and mental health for youth ages 12-26 and their caregivers. This interactive evidence-based toolkit includes tips, activities and resources.

    Sign Up

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    Ask an Expert

    Daniel Becker

    Daniel Becker, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    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

    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

    Daniel Becker, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    I'm 33, with two wonderful kids, but my life is falling apart when it comes to my relationship with my husband. I don't want to be around him because he's so controlling. I cry a lot, my head pounds, I'm dizzy and I have body pain. Is this depression?

    You appear to be under a great deal of stress, both in your interpersonal life and with respect to physical symptoms. Some of the symptoms that you mentioned - such as dizziness and pain - can be associated wit... continue reading  about  I'm 33, with two wonderful kids, but my life is falling apart when it comes to my relationship with my husband. I don't want to be around him because he's so controlling. I cry a lot, my head pounds, I'm dizzy and I have body pain. Is this depression?

    Daniel Becker

    Daniel Becker, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    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?

    Daniel Becker

    Daniel Becker, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    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.

    Junaid H. Khan

    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?

    Catherine A. Madison

    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?

    Daniel Becker

    Daniel Becker, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    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?

    Caroline Schreiber

    Caroline Schreiber, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    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?

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