Affecting people of all age groups, gender and ethnicity, depression has emerged as one of the most prevalent mental health disorders ailing our society. The disorder is often confused with a feeling of sadness, hindering treatment. In fact, word “depression” is frequently used interchangeably to describe unhappiness or disappointment. Continue reading →

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifetime health condition that causes damaging effects on an individual’s brain and spinal cord. One could develop serious disability, though it could be mild in some cases. The condition can lead to a number of symptoms like loss of sensation, problem with leg and arm movement as well as vision impairment. Continue reading →

A game like football is about team spirit and a zeal to win. The game is not so simple and easy as it may appear or sound. It is made up of pain, injuries, physical training and constant competition, more with one’s own self than competitors. Hence, irrespective of any personal or professional circumstance, a football player has to constantly remain alert, fit and in form. Additionally, it demands a balance between the physical and mental health. Continue reading →

Grapes can be helpful in fighting depression, a team of scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York has found. In a study published online in the Nature Communications in February 2018, the scientists analyzed a couple of novel grape-derived compounds — dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) and malvidin-3′-O-glucoside (Mal-gluc) — that might be used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of the debilitating mental health condition. Continue reading →

Depression is a serious mental disorder that has the potential to change an individual’s outlook toward life. A person suffering from depression unknowingly harbors negative feelings that can go on to transform his/her very personality. However, timely identification of the problem can undo the modifications and help the person lead a happy life. Antidepressants are the first line of treatment for depression, but even doctors are unsure of how the patient will respond because the result of the treatment varies from person to person. To put an end to this uncertainty, a recent study on mice has identified biomarkers that will help understand the treatment response of antidepressants. The researchers have hypothesized that the outcomes in the mouse would be similar to those in humans. Continue reading →

Depression is frightening, a long drop into the deep dark chasm with no end in sight. It can affect anyone irrespective of age, gender, caste or religion and the person may not realize what’s happening. Then one fine day, it completely takes over an individual, who is so drained to even step out of the bed, let alone the house. The loved ones also bear the brunt of the depressed person’s extreme mood swings but only the sufferer knows how difficult it is to live with the condition and feel helpless.  Continue reading →

Carrie and Albert had everything in their life a newly-wedded couple can imagine— countless moments of love, fairytale destination wedding, exotic honeymoon and beautiful memories. However, things started to fall apart after Carrie gave birth to her first child. With increased responsibilities causing immense stress, she had very little time for herself and her sex life took a backseat. Carrie would cringe if Albert made any sexual advances and after a while, he stopped pursuing her completely. Their marriage took a downward spiral. Continue reading →

Shorter days, longer nights, chilly winds and scanty sunlight can cause anyone to feel gloomy and disoriented. If this happens occasionally then it is normal and one can recover soon. However, if this happens like a pattern every year, then one might be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD or seasonal depression is a form of mental illness, which occurs every year around the fall season, and the symptoms get worse during winters. The common symptoms are irritability, loss of interest in daily activities, increased need to stay in bed, craving for carbohydrates, sadness, isolation from the social circle, extreme fatigue and lack of energy. Continue reading →

Dysthymia is a condition in which a person struggles with mild symptoms of depression for at least two years. Though it is not as critical as major depression, it affects nearly 1.5 percent of American adults. Dysthymia symptoms include loss of appetite or binge eating, insomnia or oversleeping, fatigue, feeling low and disoriented, lack of concentration and performance issues at workplace or school. The symptoms can last for several years without the condition being diagnosed. Continue reading →