NIMH Pages about Depression

Overview of Depression…

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Publications about Depression

Depression and Parkinson's Disease

This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including Parkinson's disease.

Depression and Stroke

This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including stroke.

Depression and Osteoporosis

This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including osteoporosis.

Depression and HIV/AIDS

This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including HIV/AIDS.

Depression and Chronic Pain

This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including chronic pain.

More Publications about Depression

Science News about Depression

Ethnic Disparities Persist in Depression Diagnosis and Treatment Among Older Americans

Science Update • January 26, 2012
Older racial and ethnic minorities living in the community are less likely to be diagnosed with depression than their white counterparts, but are also less likely to get treated, according to a recent NIMH-funded analysis published online ahead of print December 15, 2011, in the American Journal of Public Health.

Interventions Show Promise in Treating Depression Among Preschoolers

Science Update • November 17, 2011
A new psychosocial approach shows promise in helping preschoolers with symptoms of depression function better and learn to regulate their emotions, according to an NIMH-funded study published online ahead of print October 31, 2011, in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Brain Chemical Linked to Joylessness Provides Insight Into Teen Depression

Science Update • October 06, 2011
Depressed teens with anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in a key mood-regulating region of the brain, according to an NIMH-funded study published online October 3, in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

New Neurons in Adult Brain Buffer Stress

Science Update • August 16, 2011
New neurons growing in the adult brain help buffer the effects of stress, according to a new study in mice.

For Minor Depression, Study Shows No Benefit Over Placebo from St. John’s Wort, Citalopram

Science Update • July 22, 2011
An extract of the herb St. John's Wort and a standard antidepressant medication both failed to outdo a placebo in relieving symptoms of minor depression in a clinical trial comparing the three. The results of this study, consistent with earlier research, do not in support the use of medications for mild depression.

More Science News about Depression

Posts about Depression

December 06, 2011

Antidepressants: A complicated picture

Posted by Thomas Insel

Dr. Insel discusses the complicated nature of research on the efficacy antidepressants.

February 10, 2011

How Does Memory Work? The Plot Thickens

Posted by Thomas Insel

Rapid progress in understanding how memory works – from the molecular to the behavioral level – holds promise for improved treatment of memory components of mental disorders.

December 23, 2010

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Events and Advances of 2010

Posted by Thomas Insel

10 breakthroughs and events of 2010 which are changing the way we approach mental disorders.

October 28, 2010

Spotlight on Postpartum Depression

Posted by Thomas Insel

Dr. Insel summarizes NIMH’s research efforts to better understand and treat postpartum depression.

October 07, 2010

Brain Scans – Not Quite Ready for Prime Time

Posted by Thomas Insel

Despite promising advances as a research tool, brain imaging is not quite ripe for clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Meeting Summaries about Depression

Closing the Gaps: Reducing Disparities in Mental Health Treatment through Engagement

September 12, 2011 – September 13, 2011
Bethesda, Maryland
In September 2011, the Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health (ORDGMH) in the Office of the Director and the Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) at NIMH convened a workshop, “Closing the Gaps: Reducing Disparities in Mental Health Treatment through Engagement.” This workshop brought together thought leaders from a range of fields—epidemiology, psychology, psychiatry, social work, and community-based services and intervention research—and representatives of key federal agencies to discuss the role of engagement in reducing mental health treatment disparities.

Fresh Perspectives in Perinatal Depression Research: Psychosocial Interventions and Mental Health Services

October 05, 2010 – October 06, 2010
Rockville, Maryland
On October 5-6, 2010, the NIMH Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) convened a workshop to provide the growing number of early-stage perinatal depression psychosocial intervention and services investigators with the opportunity to discuss research strategies consistent with public health needs and NIMH priorities.

Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care

May 07, 2009 – May 08, 2009
Bethesda, Maryland
A two-day meeting convened in May 2009 educated participants on essential components of care for women with perinatal mood disorders

Research Roundtable: Heterogeneity in Child and Adolescent Depression

February 18, 2008 – February 19, 2008
Washington, DC
The purpose of this workshop was to discuss empirical evidence for sources of heterogeneity in child and adolescent depression, evaluate the significance of known heterogeneity, and identify promising research directions in this area.

Benefits, Limitations, and Emerging Research Needs in Treating Youth with Depression

February 06, 2006 – February 07, 2006
Washington, DC
On February 6 and 7, 2006, experts in child and adolescent depression met in Washington, DC to review the state of the science of the treatment of youth depression and discuss approaches to further research.

More Meeting Summaries about Depression