๑ updated 5/08 ๑

What is Depression?

MedicineNet.com
eMedicine Mental Health
PlanetOut.com
Harvard Medical School's InteliHealth
Lesbian Health Research Center
The Mayo Clinic
FamilyDoctor.org
The National Institute of Mental Health


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Depression Information & Screening
As part of the Campaign for America's Mental Health, this site offers free and confidential screening for depression. There's also a depression symptomology listing, personal stories from individuals with depression, a guide to help people find appropriate professional help and more. Sponsored by the non-profit Mental Health America.

Depression Risk Assessment Screening
It is normal to feel sad or blue from time to time. But if sadness and other negative emotions continue for several weeks or months and mood continues to interfere with the ability to function at home or at work, a person may be suffering from a common and highly treatable medical condition called Clinical Depression.

Understanding Depression
Learn to understand depression and the role that thinking and attitude can play in it. Includes an online depression test, depression symptoms and cognitive therapy information.

Psychology Today: Anxiety & Depression Together
In the world of mental health care, where exact diagnosis dictates treatment, anxiety and depression are regarded as two distinct disorders.

Brain Circuitry Trouble May Explain Depression
Depression may be triggered by changes within a single circuit in a part of the brain known as the hippocampus, according to researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine. Read more in this article featured on the Depression Center of Medicinenet.com, part of WebMD.

Depression Information
This site offers a great selection of articles about depression covering everything from Bipolar Disease to info on medications, treatment and symptomology. Includes links to screening, self-tests, and online support groups.

Child Abuse and Adult Depression: The Harsh Reality
While women are believed to experience depression associated with childhood abuse twice as often as men, no risk factors could account for the difference between the genders. In a study performed by researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women's Hospital, this hypothesis was put to the test. Learn more in this essay from HealthyPlace.com's Abuse Survivors' Community

Childhood Abuse and Adult Depression
Many studies showed a strong relation between molestation in childhood and severe psychological problems in later life. Written by Martin Winkler for Web4Health.info.

Sexual Abuse and Depression: Breaking the Pattern
Before and even during contending with sexual abuse issues, many experience periods of depression that can sometime become quite intense. But this article from YourHealthConnection.com explains how support and counseling can undo and heal the harm. Written by Melanie Haiken.

Rape & Depression
There are many emotional and psychological reactions that victims of rape and sexual assault can experience. One of the most common of these is depression. Depression becomes something more than just normal feelings of sadness when the symptoms last for more than two weeks. Therefore, if a survivor of sexual violence experiences five or more of the symptoms of depression over the course of two weeks they should consider talking to a doctor about what they are experiencing. Learn about these symptoms on this information page, part of the website for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

Depression & Mental Health Emerge as Major Concerns for the Community
A health survey conducted at the Millennium March on Washington revealed that depression and mental health are among the most serious health concerns for gay men and lesbians. An article from HealthyPlace.com's Online Gender Community.

HIV & Overcoming Depression
Depression is one of the most prevalent and under-treated complications of HIV disease. Untreated depression not only can affect quality of life, but it also may compromise HAART adherence, weaken immune functioning, exacerbate chronic pain, and contribute to substance use.

The Psychological Impact of AIDS on Uninfected Gay & Bisexual Men
Dr Walt Odets has practiced psychology in the Bay Area since 1987 and written extensively about survivor guilt of HIV negative men. His book 1994 Life in the Shadows: Being HIV-Negative in the Age of AIDS is a classic and his activism in AIDS education has been tireless. Also read his amazing essay, Survivor Guilt in HIV-Negative Gay Men.

Gay.com: Depression in the Gay Community
This article page from Gay.com's Health section discusses depression related to homophobia and HIV, and offers links about the symptoms of depression, depression in the Gay community, treatment options, Depression and Anxiety self-tests, a FAQ and more.

How Denial of Same-Sex Marriage Impacts Mental Health
As conservative groups push for a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a heterosexual union several psychiatrists are researching and discussing how denial of same-sex marriage impacts on the mental health of GLBTG couples.

Binge Drinking Risk in Depressed Women
In a Canadian study of more than 14,000 men and women, researchers found those with major depression- especially the women- were more likely to report binge drinking.

New Report On Women And Depression
More than 19 million Americans suffer from depression yearly and women are twice as likely as men to experience a major depressive episode.

Women, PTSD & Depression
In this 3 part article, Suite101.com's Cheryl Foote looks at the connection between PTSD and depression in women who have survived traumatic events like child sexual abuse. (Pages 2 & 3).

Depression in Women: Understanding the Gender Gap
A woman's unique biological, psychosocial and cultural factors may increase her risk of depression. Explore more about what lies behind this gender gap in depression. Also see Male Depression: Don't Ignore the Symptoms.

Therapy Prevents Relapse of Depression in Many Women
Most women with recurrent depression may be able to prevent subsequent depressive episodes with monthly maintenance interpersonal psychotherapy.

Chemical & Engineering News: Depression
It may seem unlikely to find depression as the cover story for a magazine that deals with science and technology. But C&E News' Sophie L Rovner keeps the technical lingo at a minimum and humanizes the progress scientists are making in understanding what causes depressive disorders and how various treatments work.

Depression Medical Debate: Therapy or Drugs?
Medications seems to alleviate symptoms faster, but therapy has some advantages in terms of preventing relapse, according to a new study. An article by correspondent Janine Sharell for CNN.com Health News.

Antidepressants: Test shows which may be your best bet
Figuring out which antidepressant may be best has been a matter of trial and error to some extent. But now choosing an antidepressant may be easier thanks to new genetic test.

Depression Do's & Don'ts
Hara Estroff Marano of Psychology Today offers simple, practical suggestions to aid those suffering with depression in daily self-care.

Internet Therapy for Depression
A new study from Australia has found that the internet can offer an opportunity for people with depression to access programs that reduce that personal sense of being stigmatized.

How Psychotherapy Helps People Recover From Depression
American Psychological Association's APA HelpCenter.org is a great the online resource for brochures, tips and articles and information about referrals. Read this article describing the therapeutic approach to overcoming depression.

Depression Stigma Sometimes Deadly
A 2003 report found that only about half of people with depression in the US sought medical treatment. A major obstacle to closing the treatment gap is the stigma that exists against mental illnesses. James Potash, MD, describes efforts to smash through those stigmas in this 3 part article for ABC News. (Don't miss out on Part 2 & Part 3.)

Antidepressants
Learn about depression medications, how and why they're prescribed, side effects, alternatives, and controversies. Part of HelpGuide.org, a free non-commercial health resource.

Suicide Is A Tragic & Preventable Problem
Adverse life events in combination with depression may lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts. Incredibly, suicide deaths statistically outnumber homicide deaths by five to three. Read this article from eMaxHealth about the factors involved that complicate preventing these tragedies.

MedlinePlus: Suicide Attempts Fall After Depression Treatment Begins
A recent study looked at suicide attempts among people who got an antidepressant prescription from their primary care physicians, people who got prescriptions from a psychiatrist and people who started psychotherapy for the treatment of depression.

Drugs.com: Depression Treatment & Medication
A very thorough and comprehensive index of depression treatment options and related medication information.

Depression-Treatment-Guide.com
Provides in depth information and articles on Depression symptoms, support, causes and types of Depression, treatment options, medication, web resources and more.

Depression Treatment Guide
Not to be confused with Depression-Treatment-Guide.com, Depression Treatment Guide is an objective source of information about depression and anxiety treatments. They offer news, a look at alternative treatments such as Yoga, meditation and Light Therapy, information on Depression in specific populations and more.

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