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

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.
Related Videos
Anxiety and Stress During Covid-19 Crisis
Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, talks about handling anxiety during a crisis and demonstrates ways to relax.
Breathing and Centering Exercise to Calm Stress
Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, leads a meditation exercise via audio recording.
5-Minute Loving Kindness Exercise
Listen to Ange Stephens, MA, LMFT, as she leads a short mindfulness session on loving kindness.
Ask an Expert
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?
Daniel Becker, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
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?
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.
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?
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
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?
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?
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?
More Resources

Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.

Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.

Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.