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The British government must acknowledge that thousands of soldiers who served in the 1991 Gulf War are suffering serious illnesses as a direct result, a heavyweight inquiry concluded on Wednesday.…

Children with autism have inflammation in their brains, although it is not yet clear whether the inflammation actually causes the condition, researchers said on Monday.

Tests on the brain tissue…

A commonly used antidepressant appears to help kids with social anxiety disorder, which causes them to become extremely distressed by ordinary social situations, new research shows.

The investigators found that kids…

After being treated with standard medications, patients who undergo a type of counseling called cognitive behavior therapy have a much lower rate of relapse compared with those who receive standard follow-up care,…

Have you ever felt sick to your stomach during a test? Have you had days when you were so loaded down with homework that you had trouble sleeping? Have you ever been so…

Is depression common in women?
Yes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 19 million people in the United States - 1 in 10 adults - experience depression each year.…

What is depression?
When doctors talk about depression, they mean the medical illness called major depression. Someone with major depression has symptoms like those listed in the box…

How to Get Help
Sometimes when people feel sad, they say they are “depressed.” But depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a medical illness. Someone with “major” depression has…

Do people who have Alzheimer’s disease become depressed?

Yes. Depression is very common among people who have Alzheimer’s disease. In many cases, they become depressed when they realize that their memory and ability…

What does depression have to do with my heart attack?

As many as 65% of people who have a heart attack report feeling depressed. Women, people who have been depressed before, and…

What is dysthymic disorder?
Dysthymic disorder, or dysthymia, is a type of depression that lasts for at least 2 years. Some people suffer from dysthymia for many years. Their depression is…

What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. This condition is also called manic-depressive illness. It may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Bipolar…

What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in…

What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medicines used to help people who have depression. Most people with depression get better with treatment that includes these medicines.

What is depression?
Depression is a medical illness, like diabetes or high blood pressure. People don’t choose to be depressed. It’s not because they’re weak or “crazy.” Depression affects more than…

What conditions does electroconvulsive therapy treat?

Electroconvulsive therapy (also called ECT) may help people who have the following conditions:

What medicines are used to treat ADHD?
Some medicines used to treat attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are called psychostimulants. Some of these drugs are methylphenidate (brand names: Concerta, Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (brand names: Dexedrine,…

What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling illness that may be caused by abnormal amounts of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters control our thought processes and…

What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the name of a group of behaviors found in many children and adults. People with ADHD have trouble paying attention in school, at…

What are the signs of ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children with ADHD may have hyperactive behavior, a lack of attention and difficulty concentrating. Most children with ADHD…

What is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD, is the name for a group of behaviors found in many children and adults. People who have ADHD are hyperactive or distracted…

What is autism?
Autism is a brain disorder. People with autism have trouble communicating and interacting with other people. A child with autism may seem very withdrawn, may not make eye contact…

What should I know about my teenager’s emotional health?
The teenage years are a time of transition from childhood into adulthood. Teens often struggle with being dependent on their parents while…

What are nightmares?
Nightmares are scary dreams. Most children have them from time to time. One out of every 4 children has nightmares more than once a week. Most nightmares…