Psychotherapy has been proven effective to treat persons with mild to moderate depression, and, combined with medication, is used to treat chronic or severe mood disorders. Although most people lump all forms of psychotherapy together under the umbrella term of “counseling,” the types of talk therapy vary quite a bit, and are used to meet...

Picnics at the beach. Afternoons by the pool. Three months of summer bliss. Or not. For many people, the summer months are the most difficult. In fact, 10 percent of those diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder suffer symptoms at the brightest time of the year. The summer’s brutal heat, bright light, and long days can contribute to...

There is nothing worse than feeling like a complete utter failure, crying your eyes out, and then a well-intentioned person comes along and says something that, to your ears, sounds like: “You were right! You are, in fact, a loser.” Good intentions or not, the wrong words hurt. Awhile back, I published a piece,  “10 Things Not...

Someone recently said to me, “Your tips are fine for those who struggle with mild to moderate depression. But what about if you can’t get out of bed you’re so depressed? What would you say to those who are really ill? She’s absolutely right. Suggestions to improve one’s mood and to pursue healthy living should...

Depression has long been associated with imbalances of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain that bridge the synaptic clefts and pass messages from one neuron to the next. Particularly the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, have been said to be responsible for depression and symptoms of mood disorders. However, a wave of research point to...