Depression

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.

Clinical Depression: Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Depression is a clinical condition that, contrary to popular opinion, cannot simply be overcome with time and it needs to be treated.

Intrusive Thoughts and Depression

Depression and Sleep Length

Causes of Depression

Situational Depression: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Can Depression and Anxiety Occur Together?

Prisoner Depression and Low Mood

Supporting Children with Mental Health Disorders

Antidepressants and Weight Changes

Treatment of Depression

The Science Behind the Winter Blues: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

Ghrelin and Depression

See more featured articles »

Contributing Factors to Post-Adoption Depression

Depression Diagnosis

Symptoms of Depression

How Can I Tell if My Child is Depressed?

5 Facts You May Not Know About Depression

Food Insecurity and Depression

How is Depression in Children Diagnosed?

Depression in children

How Does Your Diet Affect Depression?

Genes and Depression

Link Between Chronic Illness and Depression

Treatment Options for Children with Depression

Latest Depression News and Research

Preoperative factors predict persistent opioid use after surgery

For many Americans, a routine surgical procedure serves as their first introduction to opioid pain medication.

5 Feb 2026

Brain connectivity fingerprints differ in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating condition that affects more than 246 million people worldwide, yet scientists have struggled to identify consistent brain markers that could improve diagnosis and treatment.

5 Feb 2026

Hormonal contraceptives show differing heart risks among stressed women

Antonia Seligowski, PhD, of the Neurocardiac Effects of Stress & Trauma Laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham, is the senior author of a paper published in JAMA Network Open, "Hormonal contraceptive use, stress disorders, and cardiovascular and thrombotic risk in women."

5 Feb 2026

How personality and social media support together relate to anxiety levels

Emotional support perceived through social media was statistically associated with lower anxiety among U.S. young adults, particularly females, in a large cross-sectional survey study. Personality traits, including openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and lower conscientiousness, predicted greater perceived online emotional support, although causal direction remains unclear.

5 Feb 2026

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

5 Feb 2026

Maternal perinatal depression linked to autistic traits in toddlers

A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression - psychological distress occurring during pregnancy or postpartum - elevates the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls.

5 Feb 2026

Severe pregnancy sickness doubles postpartum depression risk

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may elevate postpartum depression risk, suggesting the need for early detection and tailored maternal support.

5 Feb 2026

Post-thrombectomy alteplase linked to better stroke outcomes

Giving the clot-busting medication alteplase at the site of a blocked brain artery after blood clot removal may increase the number of patients who fully recover, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Emotional pain often outweighs fear in post-traumatic stress disorder

New research is challenging the long-held view of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a fear-based disorder. In a new study, 68% of trauma-exposed individuals reported that emotional pain (guilt, shame, sadness, loss of joy) impaired their daily functioning more than fear.

4 Feb 2026

Neurological Long COVID hits harder in some countries than others

A global study reveals significant variations in neurological Long COVID symptoms, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare responses across countries.

4 Feb 2026

WHO addresses the mental health impacts of neglected tropical diseases

A major new World Health Organization publication sets out, for the first time, a practical, evidence-based package of care to address the mental health impacts of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the stigma that can prevent people from seeking care and participating fully in society.

4 Feb 2026