What Is Depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable.
Depression
Learn about depression, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and answers to your questions.
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Media Advisory: With Fewer Daylight Hours, Time Change and Colder Weather Coming, New APA Polling; Experts Available on Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring.
June Issues of APA Journals Feature New Research on Treatment for Depression and Psychosis and More
The latest issues of two American Psychiatric Association journals (The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services) are now available online.
Women’s History Month: The Rise of Reproductive Psychiatry
During Women’s History Month, we invite you to reflect on the history of women’s mental health and the rapid advancement of the field of reproductive psychiatry over the past several decades. While our understanding of women’s mental health has thankfully progressed from Hippocrates’ attribution of psychological distress to a “wandering uterus,” much of this development has been surprisingly recent.
Rumination: A Cycle of Negative Thinking
Rumination involves repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings and distress and their causes and consequences. The repetitive, negative aspect of rumination can contribute to the development of depression or anxiety and can worsen existing conditions.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Often Interconnected
Chronic pain and mental health disorders often occur together. In fact, research suggests that chronic pain and mental health problems can contribute to and exacerbate the other.
October Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Look at Factors Influencing Depression and PTSD, Guidance on Handling Drugs Laced with Fentanyl, and More
The latest issues of three of the American Psychiatric Association’s journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services and The American Journal of Psychotherapy are now available online. The October issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry is focused on research devoted to understanding factors influencing depression, PTSD, and suicidal behavior.
Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care for Spanish-Speakers
An estimated 14% of the U.S. population speaks Spanish at home, and 16 million Spanish speakers have limited English proficiency(1). In addition to the potential barrier of lack of language services, recent research has identified other factors contributing to inequities in access and outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients, including perceived discrimination, and mistrust and privacy concerns.(2)
May Issues of APA Journals Feature Research on Better Depression Care, Improving Mental Health in Disaster-Affected Communities, School-Based Prevention Efforts, and More
The latest issues of three American Psychiatric Association journals (The American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services and Focus) are now available online.
October Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover Diabetes and Depression Connection; Schizophrenia Treatment; Mental Health of Community College Students and more
The October issues of two of the American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services are available online. The American Journal of Psychiatry is the most widely read psychiatric journal in the world. The October issue presents findings that extend and validate salient results from previous studies relevant to clinical psychiatry. Among the research featured:
Social Connections Key to Maintaining Mental Well-being
Positive social connections have consistently been shown to support mental health and well-being. New research finds that social support is also key to coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has upended life for most of us, and the uncertainty, economic strain and isolation have left many struggling with stress, anxiety or depression.
September Issues of APA Journals Cover Depression Risk Factors and Treatments, Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Treatments and the Evidence for School-Based Services
The latest issues of two American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services, are now available online. The September issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry brings together research on depression, both therapeutic insights and contributing risk factors, and an overview and look at the promise of noninvasive brain stimulation.
Two New Studies in American Journal of Psychiatry Explore Risk Prediction for Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
Two new studies examining mental health risks postpartum were published online today in the American Journal of Psychiatry in conjunction with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month and the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). One study sought to estimate the risk of postpartum depression in people without a history of depression, and the other looked at the familial contribution to the risk of postpartum psychosis. Researchers from both studies were on hand to disc