Could ‘body clocks’ play a role in depression? Study proposes a new ‘circadian’ subtype | Live Science

October 22, 2026October 21, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Some people with depression sleep far more than average, wake up exhausted, habitually stay up late, and experience mood shifts with the seasons. A new study suggests that these symptoms may cluster in a distinct subtype of depression that’s tied to the body’s internal clock.

While research has long linked a scrambled circadian rhythm to a risk of mood disorders, neuroscientists are now proposing that these disruptions define a specific form of depression that they call “circadian depression.” First conceptualized in 2021, the body-clock subtype may affect about 1 in 4 people with severe, recurrent or persistent depression, the researchers estimate.

In their new study, published Wednesday (Oct. 21) in The British Journal of Psychiatry, the team identified the subtype in about 2,600 people out of over 11,000 evaluated.

What Is Mental Health? | Live Science

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

We often hear the term “mental health” used in reference to conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. But really, “mental health” refers to our overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being, both in and outside the context of named conditions, according to MentalHealth.gov, a resource curated by the U.S. government.

Our mental health impacts how we think, feel, and behave; it shapes how we perceive the world, make decisions, and handle stress when it comes our way.

Experts told Live Science a few ways that everyone can check in with their mental health on a daily basis. They also emphasized that no one should be ashamed or scared to seek help from friends, family, or mental health professionals when times are tough.

What Makes the Newly Approved Drug for Depression So Different? | Live Science

March 7, 2019March 6, 2019 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

On Tuesday (March 5), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a ketamine-like nasal spray for patients with depression who haven’t responded to other treatments.

But what makes this newly approved treatment so different?

The drug, called Spravato and made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, contains the active ingredient esketamine. This substance has the same molecular formula as ketamine but a different chemical structure. (In other words, it contains the same type and number of elements but in a different configuration.) Ketamine is typically used as an anesthetic, but it’s also been used as an illicit party drug.

8 Pieces Of Advice That Are Useless To People With Depression | Life Hack

August 12, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Depression is often seen in completely different lights by those who have suffered from it and those that have no. If you’re fortunate enough not to have encountered depression in your life, it can be difficult to help despite your best efforts. The advice lovingly provide are often ineffective due to the misunderstandings they contain.

If you really wish to help people with depression, you must develop a deeper understanding of the condition. This is the only way you can help guide your loved ones out of the darknesses. Avoid using these common pieces of advice which unknowingly cause more harm than good.