News and features related to depression

1. Is living alone bad for your mental health?
   

   Modern living means more people are living alone. The number of people who live alone has doubled in the past 30 years, and now one person in every three in the UK lives on his or her own. There’s been some research in the past that has suggested that living alone could be linked to an increased ris

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2. Working long hours more than doubles depression risk
   

   26th January 2012 - People who regularly work 11 hours or more each day are more than twice as likely to experience a major episode of depression than colleagues who put in a standard eight hour day, a new study has found. The risk remained largely unchanged even after factors like smoking, alcohol

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3. Taking antidepressants during pregnancy raises newborn blood pressure
   

   Research suggests as many as one pregnant woman in four experiences some of the symptoms of depression. Personal experiences can often play a role in the development of depression and it can be triggered by upheaval and stressful changes in your life. There are good treatments for depression, and an

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4. Sharp rise in antidepressant prescriptions
   

   30th December 2011 - Prescriptions for antidepressants have jumped by almost 28% in the last three years, according to new figures. Experts say that the number of people given antidepressants has been increasing over the years, but that the country's economic woes are taking a toll on people's menta

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5. 25 ways to find joy and balance during Christmas
   

   Feeling down during the festive season can be tough, especially since you seem so out of step with the world. Everyone else seems to be beaming, ruddy-cheeked, bursting with Christmas spirit. You’re feeling wretched and exhausted. But here’s something to cheer you up the next time you’re stuck in a

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6. Foods that boost your mood and fight winter weight gain
   

   Neither stress nor weight gain have to make your winter any more miserable this year. Here are tips about eating habits and food that can boost your mood when a stressful situation strikes. You’ll feel calmer, and be trimmer, throughout the chilly season until the warmer weather and brighter days co

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7. Talking treatments may cut sick leave and health costs
   

   Lots of research shows that talking treatments can help people cope with depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental health problems. One of the best-studied treatments, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), involves working with a therapist to recognise unhelpful or negative thoughts and rep

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8. Can coffee perk up your mood long term?
   

   Coffee is the world’s leading source of caffeine, a stimulant known to boost alertness, as well as feelings of energy and well-being. Although these caffeine perks are fleeting, researchers have wondered whether the stimulant might also have longer-lasting effects on mood. Some studies have suggeste

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9. Are newer antidepressants riskier for older people?
   

   Depression is common among older people and many are treated with antidepressants. The most widely used are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) and citalopram (Cipramil). SSRIs are a newer class of antidepressant. Doctors often prescribe them

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10. Making music may ease depression
    

    1st August 2011 - Encouraging people with depression to participate in music therapy sessions could help their recovery, according to researchers in Finland. A study of 79 people of working age found that their depressive symptoms improved when they were given the opportunity to make music in additi

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