Mental Health

A new, largest-of-its-kind study finds more evidence of the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. The findings may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs. Share on PinterestResearchers have uncovered a new gene that may explain the onset of schizophrenia. The new study appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Elliott Rees, a research fellow at the

People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feel less happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms of depression.

Reading the news can be stress-inducing at the best of times. When the news is particularly worrying, many of us experience levels of anxiety so high that we can have difficulty coping. So how can we stay (reasonably) anxiety-free when the media bombards us with headlines that spook us? Share on PinterestDoes the news get

Feeling depressed before and during a menstrual period is common. Experts believe that these emotional changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormone levels. Most people who menstruate will experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including moodiness and headaches. However, some individuals can develop more severe symptoms, such as depression and anger. Hormones can

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are both eating disorders in which a person tries to lose weight in unhealthful ways. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 0.6% of adults in the United States experienced anorexia between 2001 and 2003, compared to 0.3% who experienced bulimia. There are essential differences between anorexia and bulimia,

Throughout evolutionary history, fear has helped humans stay safe and thrive. But in the modern world, many fear responses — such as phobias — are, at best, unhelpful and, at worst, debilitating. Yet, accumulating evidence shows that mindfulness practice could help us unlearn these responses. Share on PinterestMore evidence suggests that mindfulness may help us

New research shows how the use of a multisensory illusion may help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The new method could bypass the disadvantages of exposure therapy. Share on PinterestContamination fears may cause people with OCD to wash their hands excessively. In 1998, researchers Matthew Botvinick and Jonathan Cohen of the University of Pittsburgh, PA, detailed

A new report has found that more than half of the people with mental health conditions currently confined in Los Angeles county jails would benefit from mental health treatment in specialized community centers instead of incarceration. Share on PinterestThousands of LA jail inmates would benefit from receiving mental health support away from prison, a new

Alcohol can make a person feel depressed and may even trigger or worsen depression. Depression is also a risk factor for using alcohol, since people who feel depressed may use alcohol to ease their symptoms. Several studies, including a 2013 study that used a nationally representative sample, have found that people who drink to manage

Can diet impact mental health? A new review takes a look at the evidence. Overall, the authors conclude that although nutrition certainly does appear to have an impact, there are still many gaps in our knowledge. Nutrition is big business, and the public is growing increasingly interested in how food affects health. At the same

The world has been facing a suicide crisis over the past few years. In the United States alone, tens of thousands of people die by suicide each year. But new research shows that a $1 increase in the minimum wage might prevent thousands of deaths. Share on PinterestAs little as a $1 increase to the

Most of us are familiar with the physical health effects of smoking, but can the habit also affect our mental and emotional well-being? A new study suggests that it can, after finding a link between smoking cigarettes and depression. Share on PinterestA new study examines the link between mental health and smoking among students. The

Schizophrenia affects millions of people around the world and is a chief contributor to disability. Researchers are still working to uncover all the risk factors that could facilitate the development of this condition. A new study suggests that air pollution may be one of them. Share on PinterestResearchers have found some evidence that exposure to

Anxiety commonly causes a change in appetite. Some people with anxiety tend to overeat or consume a lot of unhealthful foods. Others, however, lose their desire to eat when they feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety is a mental health condition that affects 40 million adults in the United States each year. Changes in appetite are

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses a range of potential physical and emotional symptoms in the weeks leading up to menses (the period). Some females are more likely to experience physical symptoms, whereas others may be likelier to

A new study from the University of California, Berkeley has identified and mapped the 13 subjective experiences that different kinds of music can evoke in people. Share on PinterestResearchers have now mapped the main 13 categories of emotion that music can evoke in us. Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted a

Seven common types of depression are: Major depressive disorder Share on PinterestA person with major depressive disorder may feel guilty, worthless, and hopeless. Major depressive disorder is the classic form of depression. People with major depression experience symptoms that may include: sadness feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness difficulty sleeping changes in appetite fatigue irritability

Anger is an emotion that everyone feels sometimes, but if a person is feeling angry a lot of the time, they may be experiencing depression. In many cases, medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these treatments can help provide symptom relief. In this article, we look at the connection between anger and depression,

Ecstasy — or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) — is a recreational drug that is illegal in the United States. However, some researchers believe that it could aid in mental health therapy. A new study in mice puts this idea to the test. Share on PinterestNew research in mice investigates what gives MDMA its positive effects on sociability.

It’s Christmas Day, and you want to enjoy yourself — that’s only natural. In this feature, we provide some quick tips that will allow you to have the fun you are hoping for without affecting your health too significantly. Share on PinterestChristmas does not need to overturn healthful living completely. The holiday period is, commonly,

Both depression and anxiety can be debilitating. Also, it is not unusual for these conditions to occur together. When this happens, it can be particularly challenging. This article explores how depression and anxiety may be linked, as well as the treatment options available. Share on PinterestA person with MADD may experience symptoms of both anxiety

Sleep and depression can affect each other. Being excessively tired can have a significant impact on a person’s mental well-being, while someone experiencing depression may have trouble sleeping. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), when a person struggles with a sleep disorder, their symptoms of depression are more likely to be severe. This article

Eco-anxiety refers to a fear of environmental damage or ecological disaster. This sense of anxiety is largely based on the current and predicted future state of the environment and human-induced climate change. According to a 2018 national survey, almost 70% of people in the United States are worried about climate change, and around 51% feel

Verbal abuse occurs when someone repeatedly uses negative or demeaning words to gain or maintain power and control over someone else. Verbal abuse in itself may not involve physical contact, but it can still cause emotional or psychological harm and progress toward violence. Keep reading to learn more about verbal abuse, including the different types,

Researchers have increasingly been studying the effects of diet and nutrition on mental health. Many of them have noticed that people who follow a standard Western diet, which includes highly processed foods and added sugars, have higher risks of developing anxiety and depression. Although the majority of the research to date has focused on the

Many people with diabetes also experience anxiety, and they may wonder whether there is a link between the two conditions. Diabetes and anxiety are both among the leading causes of disability in developed countries around the world. In the United States alone, anxiety affects close to 40 million adults. Diabetes is also common, with about

A recent study concludes that people who smoke electronic cigarettes are twice as likely to report clinical depression as those who have never vaped. The correlation was particularly strong among younger people. Share on PinterestA new study identifies a link between vaping and depression. Known as vaping, battery-powered e-cigarettes use heat to deliver an aerosol

Depression is more than just sadness and can be a serious and potentially life threatening illness. Even very young children can develop depression, so parents and caregivers must take the condition seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3.2% of children aged between 3 and 17 in the United States have