Trevor, a mechanic who worked in his father’s machine shop, was happily married but childless. He began acting quite strangely shortly after his brother had a son. He started to stay up late at night, working alone in his garage. He told his wife, Eunice, that he had invented a motor that could run on Read more
Women are twice as likely as men to surfer from major depression. Between the onset of menstruation and menopause, monthly cycles keep changing the levels of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which can affect how women feel. During the last few decades, there have been rapid social changes in women’s lives as well. Both Read more
Severe, untreated depression can be life-threatening to a child. One in ten children who suffer a major depressive episode before puberty goes on to commit suicide as an adult. Adolescents who have one major depressive episode are three to four times more likely to have another major depressive episode. Adolescents who are depressed are three Read more
Yvonne had never felt very confident. When she was a child, her older brother, Leo, excelled at school and at sports. He was also good-looking and charming, so he had many friends. Both parents, particularly the father, doted on Leo and constantly pointed out his accomplishments to anyone who would listen. Yvonne was quiet and Read more
When Katie was feeling all right, she was fun to be around. About seven days before the onset of her period each month, though, her character changed completely. She became abrasive and cutting, and belittled her husband’s sexual performance and earning capacity. Finally, he said that he couldn’t bear her attacks anymore, and threatened to Read more
‘Post partum’ refers to the first year after childbirth. The levels of the sex hormones fall abruptly at delivery. If you are sensitive to the effects of estrogen and progesterone changes, you may develop mood disorders at this point. Post-Partum ‘Blues’ After your baby is born, you may experience ‘blues’, feeling weepy and sad for Read more
As with depressive illness, we aren’t sure exactly what causes bipolar illness. The causes seem to differ somewhat from those listed for depressive disorders; external upsetting events are not as likely to precipitate an episode. Someone with a bipolar disorder almost always has a close relative who has a variant of the disorder. However, the Read more
No one knows exactly what causes a depressive episode. We do know that genetic makeup and events early in life predispose people to develop depression. We also know that stressful life events can precipitate a depressive episode. Some physical illnesses and medications can increase the chances of developing such an episode. We are rapidly learning Read more
Janice, a forty-four-year-old full-time schoolteacher, visited her doctor’s office complaining of fatigue, difficulty keeping up with the demands of her busy family of three children, lack of interest in sex with her husband, and irritable outbursts that were getting her into trouble at work and at home. ‘Up until six months ago I was feeling Read more
Bob is a retired secondary school mathematics teacher. He and his wife, Betty, who live in East Sussex, have three grown children, but they don’t see them often. Two of their children are working overseas and the third lives in Scotland, and Bob and Betty can’t afford to travel as much as they’d like to. Read more