Focus On: Treatments for Depression

Focus On: Depression

Depression, Stress and the Risk of Heart Disease

In recent years, depression and stress have emerged in the discussion of the impact of psychosocial aspects on coronary heart disease. Several studies indicate that these factors result in risk elevation comparable to hypercholesterolemia and hypertension.

Family Therapy in the Treatment of Depression

When a family member is diagnosed with depression the whole family is affected. Additional family and marital stresses imposed on the patient with depression can add to the severity of depression and affect long-term remission rates. In order to ensure the best possible success in treatment, the therapist should integrate the family into the patient’s treatment.

How Quickly Do Antidepressants Begin to Work?

Is there such a thing as a placebo effect? If so, at what point does the drug effect really occur? How do we distinguish between the two?

Understanding the Role of Sigma-1 Receptors in Psychotic Depression

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown effective in the treatment of depression with psychosis. This efficacy appears to correlate with the SSRIs’ level of affinity at the sigma-1 receptors in the brain. What role does the sigma-1 receptor play in psychotic depression? Based on this role, are there implications for other treatments?

Where Research Paths Converge: Improving Treatments for Depression

By 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide. As the importance of depression as a public health problem has been reinforced, research efforts have followed different paths. Read about some of the latest developments.

Depression as Co-Pilot: Clinical Implications of Hepatitis C and Interferon/Ribavirin Treatment

Hepatitis C is a common cause of chronic liver disease, often leading to immunosuppressive therapy and hepatic transplantation in some cases. Comorbid substance use disorders may complicate treatment for both the hepatologist and psychiatrist. Comprehensive assessment of psychiatric illness and psychopharmacological management may be critical.