Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting over 50 million people a year, and leading to moderate or severe impairment in daily living. Risk factors for both anxiety and depression include family history of any type of mental illness, exposure to severe trauma as a child or adult, poverty, high stress, low social supports and drug or alcohol abuse— all of which are unfortunately far too common across Baltimore City. Women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and/or depression— conditions, which often present together. There is also a growing incidence of teenage depression and women in their reproductive years are at further risk. Seven of every 10 single black mothers suffer from depression and one of every five pregnant women suffer with depression or anxiety. Yet, only 10 percent of these women receive treatment. Anxiety can interfere with daily activities by producing feelings of nervousness, restlessness, fear and … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk About Depression and Anxiety in Women
Depression and treatment
A push for mental health care at colleges: Depression and anxiety ‘really eat up our kids’
By CALmatters | April 28, 2018 at 9:01 am By Felicia Mello, CALmatters When student leaders from 23 California State University campuses came together last fall to set priorities for the academic year, improving campus mental health services received more nominations than any other issue. It beat out even that perennial concern, tuition costs. Cal State Student Association president Maggie White said she’s not surprised. “We’re seeing wait times at counseling centers that are exceeding two or three weeks, people turned away after a few appointments because they’ve exceeded the maximum allotment, and students not feeling comfortable going to counselors because no one looks like them or reflects their experience,” White said. Sign up for The Localist, our daily email newsletter with handpicked stories relevant to where you live. Subscribe here. As the stigma attached to mental health care fades, California students are increasingly clamoring for more … [Read more...] about A push for mental health care at colleges: Depression and anxiety ‘really eat up our kids’
Understanding depression and the gender gap
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression and depression can occur at any age.Some mood changes and depressed feelings occur with normal hormonal changes. But hormonal changes alone don't cause depression. Other biological factors, inherited traits, and personal life circumstances and experiences are associated with a higher risk of depression. Here's what contributes to depression in women.Puberty Hormone changes during puberty may increase some girls' risk of developing depression. However, temporary mood swings related to fluctuating hormones during puberty are normal and these changes alone don't cause depression.Puberty is often associated with other experiences that can play a role in depression, such as emerging sexuality and identity issues, conflicts with parents or increasing pressure to achieve in school, sports or other areas of life.After puberty, depression rates are higher in females than in males. Because girls typically reach puberty … [Read more...] about Understanding depression and the gender gap
CBS News Logo Is it possible to heal depression and anxiety with yoga?
Today's treatments for depression and anxiety leave much to be desired. Pharmaceuticals may help the symptoms, but they can also have negative side effects like weight gain and decreased sexual desire that may cause people to abandon medication altogether. As cases of depression and anxiety increase throughout the world, research is being conducted to find more sustainable and accessible treatments. "Despite modern advances in psychopharmacology, and the development of so many integrative forms of psychotherapy, we haven't made a significant dent in this epidemic of emotional illness," says clinical psychologist and yoga teacher Bo Forbes. Forbes is the founder of Integrative Yoga Therapeutics, a system that specializes in the therapeutic application of yoga for anxiety, insomnia, depression, immune disorders, chronic pain, and physical injuries, as well as athletic performance. She is currently participating in research with neuroscientists Dave Vago and Norman Farb at the Mind & … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Is it possible to heal depression and anxiety with yoga?
Knitting should be prescribed on NHS to lower blood pressure, reduce depression and slow dementia
Prescribing knitting could save the NHS millions of pounds, a new report suggests, because it lowers blood pressure, reduces depression and slows the onset of dementia. The organisation Knit for Peace carried out a widespread literature review looking at the health benefits of the traditional craft after receiving testimonials from their 15,000 volunteers about how the hobby had improved their lives. They discovered that knitting is as relaxing as yoga, distracts from chronic pain, such as arthritis, boosts wellbeing, brings down blood pressure and keeps the mind sharp. It also reduces loneliness and isolation and allows older people to feel as if they are still useful to society. In Britain, the NHS spends more than £2 billion each year on blood pressure treatments, and around £300 million on antidepressants. Dementia costs the country £26 billion while the health service spends billions annually tackling chronic pain. So prescribing knitting could be a cheap way to … [Read more...] about Knitting should be prescribed on NHS to lower blood pressure, reduce depression and slow dementia