Depression

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.

Clinical Depression: Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Depression is a clinical condition that, contrary to popular opinion, cannot simply be overcome with time and it needs to be treated.

How is Depression in Children Diagnosed?

Genes and Depression

Causes of Depression

How Does Your Diet Affect Depression?

Depression and Sleep Length

Situational Depression: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Food Insecurity and Depression

Prisoner Depression and Low Mood

Treatment Options for Children with Depression

Intrusive Thoughts and Depression

Treatment of Depression

See more featured articles »

Depression Diagnosis

Link Between Chronic Illness and Depression

How Can I Tell if My Child is Depressed?

5 Facts You May Not Know About Depression

Can Depression and Anxiety Occur Together?

Depression in children

Antidepressants and Weight Changes

Symptoms of Depression

The Science Behind the Winter Blues: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

Supporting Children with Mental Health Disorders

Ghrelin and Depression

Contributing Factors to Post-Adoption Depression

Latest Depression News and Research

Study links child behavior stress and lower self-regulation in parents

Any parent will tell you that raising a child isn't easy. While the experience can be filled with joy and love and fulfilment, emotional, financial and marital stress will present challenges to any family.

22 Oct 2025

Cannabis and tobacco co-use linked to shifts in brain's 'bliss molecule'

People who use both cannabis and tobacco show distinct brain changes compared to those who use cannabis alone, according to a new study led by McGill University researchers at the Douglas Research Centre.

21 Oct 2025

Genetic inflammatory signature defines depression subtypes and treatment response

Researchers led by Prof. Alessandro Serretti at Kore University of Enna have identified a genetic inflammatory signature that defines specific depression subtypes and influences how patients respond to antidepressant medications, according to new peer-reviewed research published today in Genomic Psychiatry.

21 Oct 2025

Exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviors induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets

Researchers led by Professor Yvonne Nolan at University College Cork have identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioral effects of consuming a Western-style cafeteria diet.

21 Oct 2025

Leveraging the microbiome to promote healthy living and aging

From probiotic pills to skincare products to dedicated meal plans, the microbiome is all the rage in the health and wellness space.

21 Oct 2025

Tailored deep brain stimulation offers new hope for hard-to-treat epilepsy

Doctors and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC have developed a new treatment for epilepsy patients who don't respond to medication and aren't candidates for surgery. Their approach, published today in Nature Communications, uses deep brain stimulation (DBS) that is tailored to each patient's unique brain wiring.

21 Oct 2025

Researchers link postmenopausal status to increased dry eye risk

Many symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, are commonly associated with the menopause transition. One of the lesser-known symptoms that worsens in midlife is dry eyes. A new study suggests that postmenopausal women exhibit a higher prevalence of dry eye disease than perimenopausal women.

21 Oct 2025

Transdermal hormone therapy offers potential reduction in anxiety and depression

Hormone therapy–oral and transdermal–remains the most effective treatment for such bothersome menopause symptoms as hot flashes and is generally considered safe for most patients. A new study shows that risk profiles are different based on how the hormones are administered.

21 Oct 2025

How age influences the perception of ambiguous facial expressions

Do you find it easy to perceive people you meet as happy and positive? Or are you vigilant and look for signs of dissatisfaction and anger in their facial expressions?

17 Oct 2025

Post-COVID smell loss linked to brain changes in key olfactory regions

Findings indicate significant brain changes in COVID-19 patients with smell loss, suggesting links to emotional well-being and olfactory processing.

17 Oct 2025

Family conflict and peer pressure drive teen mental health risks

A new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis provides some answers.

16 Oct 2025

Exploring the link between leaky blood-brain barrier and major depressive disorder

Women are affected by severe depression twice as often as men. The reasons for this have not yet been fully clarified.

16 Oct 2025

World's largest-ever clinical trial launched to test treatments for Parkinson's disease

The world's largest-ever clinical trial of treatments to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease has launched, led by researchers at UCL and Newcastle University.

16 Oct 2025

Caring-healing approaches strengthen resilience and emotional recovery in cancer survivors

As cancer survivorship rises, many people living with or beyond cancer face lasting physical and emotional challenges – particularly anxiety and depression, which affect about 30% of this population. Emotional distress is often unspoken, leading to fear, despair, and diminished quality of life.

16 Oct 2025

LGBTQ+ adolescents face higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use

New research from the University of Delaware finds that LGBTQ+ adolescents in Delaware face strikingly higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use compared to their peers.

15 Oct 2025

Pets comfort the lonely, but relying on them too much may backfire

This study found that pet ownership does not directly improve well-being but may indirectly enhance it by reducing loneliness, particularly among individuals living alone. However, over-reliance on pets as substitutes for human relationships can increase loneliness and lower well-being.

15 Oct 2025