Mental Health

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

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.

Tips for Beating the Blues

Feeling low or sad? Try some easy ways to improve your mood and rejuvenate your body.

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.

View All Mental Health Articles

Anxiety and Stress During Covid-19 Crisis

Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, talks about handling anxiety during a crisis and demonstrates ways to relax.

Anxiety and Stress During Covid-19 Crisis

Breathing and Centering Exercise to Calm Stress

Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, leads a meditation exercise via audio recording.

Breathing and Centering Exercise to Calm Stress

5-Minute Loving Kindness Exercise

Listen to Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, as she leads a short mindfulness session on loving kindness.

5-Minute Loving Kindness Exercise

Ask an Expert

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.

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?

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?

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

What can I do if my SSRI is causing me to have insomnia? I've been on Prozac for a year (and it's been a huge help with my OCD), but I can't seem to string together more than two hours of sleep at a time.

There are many potential causes of insomnia. If you have not done so already, I would recommend that you speak with your physician in order to determine the most likely cause of your insomnia. If, in the opinio... continue reading about What can I do if my SSRI is causing me to have insomnia? I've been on Prozac for a year (and it's been a huge help with my OCD), but I can't seem to string together more than two hours of sleep at a time.

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?

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?

Daniel Becker, M.D.

Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network

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?