Between 2009 and 2017, rates of major depression among 20- to 21-year-olds more than doubled.
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Some have called reports overblown, with others going so far as to call it a myth. But the data that continues to emerge tell a different story.
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Diseases like psoriasis and lupus are linked with a heightened risk of mental health disorders in younger adults.
New genetic research could help identify those most at risk of suicide.
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It is clear nature and nurture are factors in suicidal behaviour. But how they interact now needs to be investigated further.
A new body of research suggests that infections in childhood, along with antibiotic use, could impact the bacteria in our intestines and raise risks of mental health challenges in later life.
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Research using massive databases – such as the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register – is enabling a whole new understanding of the links between life history, the gut and mental health.
One in 3 people with severe depression do not respond to treatment.
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A safety committee convened by the FDA has declared esketamine safe for severe depression. But isn’t this drug the same as ketamine, an illegal street drug? A medical anthropologist explains.
Putting on a mask doesn’t make depression any easier.
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Almost half of people with depression don’t appear as sad as you’d expect, but are at a particularly high risk of suicide.
When girls in Kenya fall pregnant, they must often deal with stigma, fear and shame.
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Mental health care for teen mothers is not part of routine health facilities in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Perfectionism often develops in childhood, is impacted by parenting and can lead to mental health struggles in later life.
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New research shows that perfectionism has increased dramatically over the last 25 years, and that perfectionists become more neurotic and less conscientious as time passes.
Eating a healthy diet fuels our brain cells, fights inflammation and helps produce the chemicals that make us happy.
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Medication and talking therapies are key to treating depression but eating a range of nutritious foods can also play a role in boosting our mood.
Currently only half of people with depression access potentially adequate treatment, according to one research study. Digital devices could help.
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Using smartphones and wearable devices to identify mental health symptoms and deliver psychotherapy will allow more people to access quality care, according to one psychiatrist.
Struggling to be positive.
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A neuropsychologist explains the underlying brain mechanisms which stop people managing their emotions.
Body ideals can often lead gay men into feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem and depression. The photographer captioned this image, ‘You just want to go in the fetal position and you kind of feel alone.’
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In this photography-based research project, gay men document their struggles with body image, and challenge current beauty standards.
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Not much is known about the long-term consequences of cerebral palsy, especially on mental health.
The amount of light your eyes can process might be one of the reasons why some people are more likely to experience SAD.
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One study found that people with brown eyes were more susceptible to the disorder.
Many young people don’t recover from depression, and exercise can help prevent it from developing in the first place.
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Research indicates exercise is effective for improving mood and preventing the development of depression in young people.
Mental health clinics exist in South Africa’s public health sector, but children with ADHD often never reach them.
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School children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have limited access to care in South Africa’s education and health sectors.
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With the exception of anger, women experience emotions more intensely and share their emotions more openly with others.
Up to 80% of women experience PMS.
Studies show oestrogen protects against depression and psychotic symptoms. So falls in the hormone, as happens before menstruation, can lead to depressive and other symptoms of mental illness.
Clinical research has established exercise as a safe and effective intervention to counteract the adverse physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia is the first to recommend exercise as part of regular cancer care.
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From weekend walks with your doctor to free gym memberships, there is a global movement afoot.
Antidepressants bring in almost $17 billion a year for the pharmaceutical industry, and yet science shows their benefit to be small. Natural therapies such as diet, exercise, light therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy are just as effective.
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These four “natural” therapies for depression have rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific studies to support their use.