Books and Articles — Depression

Internet Overuse May Cause Depression, by Bill Hendrick. WebMD Health News, August 02, 2010.  “Teenagers who are addicted to the Internet are more likely to develop depression or other psychiatric problems than teens who are classified as normal internet users, a new study says.&rdquo

Racism Steers Black Women's View of Depression, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, July 09, 2010.  “A new study suggests African-American women's beliefs about depression and depression care are consistently and systematically influenced by racism.&rdquo

Is Marijuana Use Linked to Depression in Kids, by RedOrbit. American Journal of Epidemiology, July 07, 2010.  “Children and teenagers who smoke marijuana may have an increased risk of developing depression, according to a new stud&rdquo

Worried About a Moody Teen?, by Elizabeth Bernstein. Wall St. Journal, June 29, 2010.  “Everyone warns parents about the drama of the teen years—the self-righteous tears, slamming doors, inexplicable fashion choices, appalling romances. But what happens when typical teen angst starts to look like something much darker and more troubling? How can parents tell if a moody teenager is simply normal—or is spinning out of control? This may be one of the most difficult dilemmas parents will ever face.&rdquo

Is Exercise the Best Drug for Depression?, by Chris Whitehead. Time Magazine, June 19, 2010.  “At his research clinic in Dallas, psychologist Jasper Smits is working on an unorthodox treatment for anxiety and mood disorders, including depression. It is not yet widely accepted, but his treatment is free and has no side effects. Compare that with antidepressant drugs, which cost Americans $10 billion each year and have many common side effects: sleep disturbances, nausea, tremors, changes in body weight. This intriguing new treatment? It's nothing more than exercise&rdquo

Spill Takes Toll on Gulf Worker's Psyches, by Mireya Navarro. New York Times, June 16, 2010.  “Beyond the environmental and economic damage, the toll of the mammoth spill in the Gulf of Mexico is being measured in hopelessness, anxiety, stress, anger, depression and even suicidal thoughts among those most affected, social workers say.&rdquo

UAB Study Confirms Link Between Depression, Abdominal Obesity, by Gail Short. University of Alabama at Birmingham, June 09, 2010.  “A new study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) confirms the relationship between depression and abdominal obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.&rdquo

Having a Baby: Depression Affects New Fathers, Too, by Roni Rabin. The New York Times, May 24, 2010.  “One in 10 new fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression, a condition long thought to affect only mothers, according to a new analysis of dozens of earlier studies.&rdquo

Depression in Young Children, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 20, 2010.  “While childhood depression is a well established diagnosis, research looking at depression in children younger than 6 years old is a relatively new field of study.&rdquo

Tools to Reduce Stigma of Mental Illness, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 14, 2010.  “Researchers have announced a new intervention that can improve the quality of life and self-esteem among persons with serious mental illness.&rdquo

Postpartum Depression: When Moms Feel Out of Control, by Elizabeth Landau. CNN, May 14, 2010.  “It's normal for new mothers to feel overwhelmed and tired, but sometimes those feelings can develop into something more serious. "Baby blues," which do not require medical attention, can include mood swings, sleep problems, irritability, crying, anxiety and sadness in the first couple of weeks after birth. Postpartum depression is more intense and intrusive: Women may lose interest in life, withdraw from family and friends, or think about harming themselves or their children.&rdquo

Changing Thoughts Key to Battling Even Severe Depression, by Jeff Grabmeier. May 12, 2010.  “Moderate to severely depressed clients showed greater improvement in cognitive therapy when therapists emphasized changing how they think rather than how they behave, new research has found.&rdquo

Electromagnetic Stimulation for Depression, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, May 06, 2010.  “A new alternative for depressed individuals who do not respond or tolerate antidepressant medication appears to be in the horizon.&rdquo

'Bad Guy' Actor 'Joey Pants' Takes On Mental Illness, by Stuart Elliott. New York Times, May 03, 2010.  “An actor known for roles as a mobster and a killer pimp is leading a campaign that he hopes will help put a hit on the stigma of mental illness.&rdquo

Caretaking of Family can lead to Depression, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 23, 2010.  “Caring for a relative with dementia can lead to a feeling of overwhelming stress and depression.&rdquo

Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again, by John Tierney. New York Times, April 12, 2010.  “Scientists are taking a new look at hallucinogens, which became taboo among regulators after enthusiasts like Timothy Leary promoted them in the 1960s with the slogan "Turn on, tune in, drop out." Now, using rigorous protocols and safeguards, scientists have won permission to study once again the drugs potential for treating mental problems and illuminating the nature of consciousness.&rdquo

Young Girls at Risk for Depression May Shut Down, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, April 09, 2010.  “A new report finds that young girls at high risk for depression may present a diminished response to pleasure or sadness. The responses occur before symptoms of depression appear.&rdquo

Hello! Your Psychiatrist Will Skype You Now, by Julie Weingarden Dubin. Time, March 22, 2010.

Talk Deeply, Be Happy?, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, March 17, 2010.  “People who spend more of their day having substantive discussions and less time engaging in small talk seem to be happier, a new study found.&rdquo

Depression's Upside, by Jonah Lehrer. New York Times, February 25, 2010.  “Is there an evolutionary purpose to feeling really sad? The persistence of this affliction -- and the fact that it seemed to be heritable -- posed a serious challenge to Darwin's new evolutionary theory. If depression was a disorder, then evolution had made a tragic mistake, allowing an illness that impedes reproduction.&rdquo

Therapy to Quiet Mind Eases Insomnia, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, January 29, 2010.  “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be a remedy for insomnia that is combined with anxiety, depression or chronic pain.&rdquo

New Rules Promise Better Mental Health Coverage, by Robert Pear. New York Times, January 29, 2010.  “The Obama administration issued new rules that promise to improve insurance coverage of mental health care for more than 140 million people insured through their jobs. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, said the new rules guard against “needless or arbitrary limits.” In general, under the rules, employers and group health plans cannot provide less coverage for mental health care than for the treatment of physical conditions like cancer and heart disease.&rdquo

Mental Health: Deficiencies in Treatment of Depression, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, January 12, 2010.  “A new study reports that only about half of all Americans with depression receive care of any kind.&rdquo

Before You Quit Antidepressants ..., by Richard Friedman. New York Times, January 11, 2010.  “The Journal of the American Medical Association study said that for most patients, commonly used antidepressants are no better than a placebo.&rdquo

Blood Lead Levels and Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in US Young Adults, by Maryse F. Bouchard and David C. Bellinger, et al. Archives of General Psychiatry, December 15, 2009.  “Lead is a ubiquitous neurotoxicant, and adverse cognitive and behavioral effects are well-documented in children and occupationally exposed adults but not in adults with low environmental exposure.&rdquo

Postpartum Depression Strikes Fathers, Too, by Richard Friedman, M.D. New York Times, December 08, 2009.  “The effects of postpartum depression in men can be every bit as disruptive as occurs with women.&rdquo

Massachusetts expands mental health parity, by Nan Shnitzler. New England Psychologist, October 15, 2009.

Researchers propose shorter criteria list for depressive disorder, by Ami Albernaz. New England Psychologist, October 15, 2009.

Nutrition: Lower Depression Risk Linked to Mediterranean Diet, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, October 08, 2009.  “A Mediterranean may protect not just the heart, but mental health as well, a new study finds.&rdquo

Depression Is a Dilemma for Women in Pregnancy, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, October 05, 2009.  “A study looked for harmful effects in the use of antidepressants by pregnant women.&rdquo

Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles, by Liz Szabo. USA Today, August 04, 2009.

Staying Sane May Be Easier Than You Think, by John Cloud. Time Magazine, June 22, 2009.

Report on Gene for Depression Is Now Faulted, by Benedict Carey. New York Times, June 17, 2009.  “The celebrated finding that a single gene helps determine one's risk of depression has not held up to scrutiny.&rdquo

Study Clarifies a Depression Risk, by Roni Caryn Rabin. New York Times, June 02, 2009.  “Teaching coping and problem-solving skills prevented depression in adolescents at high risk of developing the condition.&rdquo

Why Antidepressants Don't Live Up to the Hype, by John Cloud. Time Magazine, May 06, 2009.

Depression Tests Urged for Teenagers, by Associated Press. New York Times, March 30, 2009.  “An influential government-appointed medical panel is urging doctors to routinely screen all American teenagers for depression.&rdquo

Welcoming back troubled students, by Linda Wertheimer. Boston Globe, March 23, 2009.  “Brookline High School's Hannah Cummins finds support fighting her depression through a unique program at the school called BRYTE.&rdquo

The Real Face of Mental Health Stands Up to Win the Campaign of Many, by T.R. Johnson. thealternativepress.com, March 23, 2009.

Causal Relationship Between Alcohol and Depression May Start with Alcohol Abuse, by Pauline Anderson. Medscape Medical News, March 10, 2009.  “An association between alcohol abuse and depression has long been recognized, and 1 popular theory was that depressed individuals tend to self-medicate with alcohol. However, researchers are now drawing quite a different conclusion; that it is more likely that alcohol abuse leads to depression than the other way around.&rdquo

TV Time Linked to Depression in Future, by Nicholas Bakalar. New York Times, February 10, 2009.  “Lengthy television viewing in adolescence may raise the risk for depression in young adulthood, according to a new report.&rdquo

An evolving view of depression, by Carey Goldberg. The Boston Globe, January 19, 2009.

Growing Up Bipolar: Max's World, by Mary Carmichael. Newsweek, May 26, 2008.  “Bipolar disorder is a mystery and a subject of medical debate. But for the Blakes, it's just reality.&rdquo

Mood lifting, by Carey Goldberg. Boston Globe, April 21, 2008.  “Growing evidence suggests that exercise is as good for your mental health as it is for your physical well-being. &rdquo

Recognizing adolescent depression and fostering resilience, by Samantha Fields. The Wellesley Townsman, April 03, 2008.

Second Thoughts, by Judith Warner. The New York Times, March 01, 2007.  “Judith Warner blogs about using behavioral drugs for children.&rdquo

For families of depressed, a lifeline, by Stephanie Siek. Boston Globe, February 16, 2006.  “Julie Totten knew her brother was unhappy, but she didn't realize how unhappy until he took his life. &rdquo

Lincoln's Great Depression, by Joshua Shenk. The Atlantic, October 01, 2005.  “This detailed article describes how "Abraham Lincoln fought clinical depression all his life. ... [and how] his condition ... gave him the tools to save the nation." Discusses Lincoln's depressive episodes in 1835 and 1840/41 and how "the suffering he had endured lent him clarity and conviction ... that helped him guide the nation" during the Civil War.&rdquo