The Darkness of Depression

29.04.2010 The Darkness of Depression, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Certain Anti-Depressants May Also Reduce Cardiac Risk

A recent news release from the American Physiological Society indicates that people taking a certain type of anti-depressant called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) [for example, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa] may actually have a second benefit of reducing potential heart problems.

According to the article, the researchers noted that the medication “may help protect cardiovascular health by slowing the clumping of blood platelets, thus reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries and blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke.”

Article available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638424

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

01.03.2010 The Darkness of Depression, The Heaviness of Weight Management No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Chicken or the Egg?: Obesity and Depression

In a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) multi-study, researchers found a significant link between obesity and depression.  “We found bidirectional associations between depression and obesity: obese persons had a 55 percent increased risk of developing depression over time, whereas depressed persons had a 58 percent increased risk of becoming obese.” Available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636477

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

22.02.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Be Happy for Your Heart’s Sake

A Columbia University study shows that happiness can potentially reduce the risk of heart problems.  The authors found, “For every point on the happiness scale, people were 22 percent less likely to have a heart problem.”  As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/18/happiness-helps-when-it-comes-to-the-heart/

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

05.02.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Growing Depression….Stop the Takeover!

A Columbia University shows that untreated mild depression can grow into much more.  Remember, be aware of your symptoms, talk to your health care provider, and stop depression from taking over.  The article is available at http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=635574 Let me know if you have any questions.

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

21.01.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Weather and Mood

Well, as it has been windy and pouring rain here in San Diego, CA I’ve been thinking about mood and weather.  How does weather affect our well-being?  Do you find that you’re tired during a rainy day?  How is your mood during the winter vs the summer?  What do you think about S.A.D [Seasonal Affective Disorder].  Now, just to get you thinking…I thought of a couple articles/abstracts for you regarding this concept:

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137259?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=3

(2) http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=93481

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

13.01.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

The Darkness of Depression

Depression is a mental health condition which involves negative, lethargic, and self-loathing thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that may significantly interfere with everyday functioning.  Approximately 20 million people in the U.S. have symptoms of depression.