meetara-lab/vectorstore-mental_health huggingface dataset:
●	 Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on interpersonal and life events that impact mood and vice versa. IPT aims to help people improve their communication skills within relationships, form social support networks, and develop realistic expectations to better deal with crises or other issues that may be contributing to or worsening their depression.

For more information on psychotherapy, including what to look for in a therapist and how to find one, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/psychotherapies.

Medication Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. They work by changing how the brain produces or uses certain chemicals involved in mood or stress. 

Antidepressants take time—usually 4−8 weeks—to work, and problems with sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood lifts. Giving a medication a chance to work is important before deciding whether it is right for you.
Treatment-resistant depression occurs when a person doesn’t get better after trying at least two antidepressants. Esketamine is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment-resistant depression. Delivered as a nasal spray in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, the medication acts rapidly, typically within a couple of hours, to relieve depression symptoms. People will usually continue to take an antidepressant pill to maintain the improvement in their symptoms. Another option for treatment-resistant depression is to combine an antidepressant with a different type of medication that may make it more effective, such as an antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medication. 

All medications can have side effects. Talk to a health care provider before starting or stopping any medication. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/medications.
All medications can have side effects. Talk to a health care provider before starting or stopping any medication. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/medications.

Note: In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 years may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. The FDA advises that patients of all ages taking antidepressants be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.

Information about medication changes frequently. You can learn more about specific medications like esketamine, including the latest approvals, side effects, warnings, and patient information, on the FDA website at www.fda.gov/drugsatfda.
Brain stimulation therapy Brain stimulation therapy is an option when other depression treatments have not worked. The therapy involves activating or inhibiting the brain with electricity or magnetic waves.

Although brain stimulation therapy is less frequently used than psychotherapy and medication, it can play an important role in treating depression in people who have not responded to other treatments. The therapy generally is used only after a person has tried psychotherapy and medication, and those treatments usually continue. Brain stimulation therapy is sometimes used as an earlier treatment option when severe depression has become life-threatening, such as when a person has stopped eating or drinking or is at a high risk of suicide.
The FDA has approved several types of brain stimulation therapy. The most used are electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Other brain stimulation therapies are newer and, in some cases, still considered experimental. You can learn more about these therapies at www.nimh.nih.gov/braintherapies.

Natural products The FDA has not approved any natural products for treating depression. Although research is ongoing and findings are inconsistent, some people report that natural products, including vitamin D and the herbal dietary supplement St. John’s wort, helped their depression symptoms. However, these products can come with risks, including, in some cases, interactions with prescription medications.
Do not use vitamin D, St. John’s wort, or other dietary supplements or natural products without first talking to a health care provider. Rigorous studies must test whether these and other natural products are safe and effective. How can I take care of myself?

Most people with depression benefit from mental health treatment. Once you begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even if you don’t feel like doing them, they can improve your mood. 

Other things that may help: ●	 Try to get physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your mood. ●	 Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time. ●	 Eat regular, healthy meals. ●	 Do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait. ●	 Connect with people. Talk to people you trust about how you are feeling. ●	 Delay making important life decisions until you feel better. Discuss decisions with
people who know you well.

●	 Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.

How can I find help for depression?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has information on ways to get help, find a health care provider, and access treatment at www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp. You can also find tips to help prepare for and get the most out of your health care visit at www.nimh.nih.gov/talkingtips. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has an online tool to find mental health services in your area at https://findtreatment.gov.

How can I help a loved one who is depressed?

If someone you know is depressed, help them see a health care provider or mental health professional. You also can: ●	 Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. ●	 Invite them out for walks, outings, and other activities. ●	 Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take
prescribed medications.

●	 Make sure they have transportation or access to therapy appointments. ●	 Remind them that, with time and treatment, their depression can lift. Clinical trials

Clinical trials are research studies that look at ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. These studies help show whether a treatment is safe and effective in people. Some people join clinical trials to help doctors and researchers learn more about a disease and improve health care. Other people, such as those with health conditions, join to try treatments that aren’t widely available.

NIMH supports clinical trials across the United States. Talk to a health care provider about clinical trials and whether one is right for you. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/clinicaltrials.

For more information
For more information

Learn more at www.nimh.nih.gov/health. For information about various health topics, visit the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus resource at https://medlineplus.gov.

Contact us

National Institute of Mental Health Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications 6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Phone: 1-866-615-6464 Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov Website: www.nimh.nih.gov En español: www.nimh.nih.gov/espanol

Reprints

The information in this publication is in the public domain and may be reused or copied without permission. However, you may not reuse or copy images. Please cite the National Institute of Mental Health as the source. Read our copyright policy to learn more about our guidelines for reusing NIMH content at www.nimh.nih.gov/copyright.

National Institute of Mental Health

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 24-MH-8079 Revised 2024
National Institute of Mental Health

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 24-MH-8079 Revised 2024

[Table Data]


[Table: table_1_1] | Col0 | Col1 | Col2 | | --- | --- | --- | | Depression National Institute of Mental Health | | | | | | |
[Table Data]


[Table: table_1_1] | Col0 | Col1 | Col2 | | --- | --- | --- | | Depression National Institute of Mental Health | | | | | | |



[Table: table_2_1] | Col0 | Additional types of depression can occur at specifci points in a woman’s life. Pregnancy, the postpartum period, the menstrual cycle, and menopause are associated with physical and hormonal changes that can bring on a depressive episode in some people. ●Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, that occurs in the weeks before menstruation. ●Perinatal depression occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. It is more than the “baby blues” many new moms experience after giving birth. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/perinataldepression. ●Perimenopausal depression afefcts some women during the transition to menopause. Women may experience feelings of intense irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment. | Col2 | | --- | --- | --- | | | | |
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics

From the NATIONAL INSTITUTE of MENTAL HEALTH 

What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder?

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a condition in which children or adolescents experience ongoing irritability, anger, and frequent, intense temper outbursts. The symptoms of DMDD go beyond a “bad mood.” DMDD symptoms are severe. 

Youth with DMDD experience significant problems at home, at school, and often with peers. They also tend to require mental health care services, including doctor visits and sometimes hospitalization. Additionally, these children are at an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression in the future. 

DMDD can be treated. If you are concerned that your child may have DMDD, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider.

Did you know?
DMDD can be treated. If you are concerned that your child may have DMDD, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider.

Did you know? 

DMDD was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013. The DSM is used to assess and diagnose mental disorders. For more information on DMDD, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/dmdd. 

What are the signs and symptoms of DMDD? 

Children or adolescents with DMDD experience: • Severe temper outbursts (verbal or behavioral), on 

average, 3 or more times per week 

• Outbursts and tantrums that have been happening 

regularly for at least 12 months 

• Chronically irritable or angry mood most of the day, 

nearly every day 

• Trouble functioning due to irritability in more than 

one place, such as at home, at school, or with peers

Youth with DMDD are diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 10. To be diagnosed with DMDD, a child must have experienced symptoms steadily for 12 or more months.
Youth with DMDD are diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 10. To be diagnosed with DMDD, a child must have experienced symptoms steadily for 12 or more months. 

Over time, as children grow and develop, the symptoms of DMDD may change. For example, an adolescent or young adult with DMDD may experience fewer tantrums, but they may begin to exhibit symptoms of depression or anxiety. For this reason, treatment may change over time, too. 

Children with DMDD may have trouble in school and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with family or peers. They also may have a hard time in social settings or participating in activities such as team sports. If you think your child has DMDD, seeking a diagnosis and treatment is essential.

What is the difference between typical and severe irritability?
What is the difference between typical and severe irritability? 

All children can become irritable sometimes. It’s a normal reaction to frustration. Children experiencing severe irritability (as observed in DMDD) have difficulty tolerating frustration and have outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation at hand. These outbursts occur more often and are more severe than expected for children their age. 

For example, a parent tells the child to stop playing a game and do their homework. Any child might be frustrated or annoyed. But a child with DMDD may become extremely upset and emotional and have an intense temper outburst with yelling or hitting. A child with DMDD experiences these intense temper outbursts a few times a week. How is DMDD diagnosed?
If you think your child may be experiencing symptoms of DMDD, talk to your child’s health care provider. Describe your child’s behavior, and report what you have observed and learned from talking with others, such as their teacher or counselor. 

An evaluation by your child’s health care provider can help clarify problems underlying your child’s behavior, and the provider may recommend next steps. You can also ask your health care provider for a referral to a mental health professional with experience working with children and adolescents. DMDD symptoms also can occur at the same time as other disorders associated with irritability, such as attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety disorders. An accurate diagnosis is vital for effective treatment.
For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of children, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/ childrenandmentalhealth. If you need help identifying a provider in your area, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has an online tool at https://findtreatment.gov that you can search by location. For more information on how to find help for you, a friend, or a family member, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.

How is DMDD treated? 

DMDD is a relatively new disorder; few DMDD-specific treatment studies have been conducted. Current treatments are primarily based on what has been helpful for other childhood disorders associated with irritability, such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and anxiety disorders.
Treatment for DMDD generally includes certain types of psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) and sometimes medications. In many cases, psychotherapy is considered first, with medication added later. However, at times, providers recommend that children receive both psychotherapy and medication at the start of their treatment. 

NIMH is funding studies focused on improving these treatments and identifying new treatments specifically for DMDD. Parents or caregivers should work closely with their child’s health care provider to make treatment decisions that are best for their child. 

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targets the relationship between thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and is often effective in treating anger and disruptive behavior. Researchers at NIMH are also using CBT to help children increase their ability to tolerate frustration without having an outburst. This therapy teaches coping skills for controlling anger and ways to identify and relabel the distorted perceptions that contribute to outbursts.

Parent training teaches parents or caregivers more effective ways to respond to irritable behavior, such as anticipating events that might lead a child to temper outbursts and working ahead to avert them. Training also emphasizes the importance of predictable and consistent responses to a child’s outbursts and rewards for positive behavior.

To learn more about psychotherapy, visit www.nimh. nih.gov/psychotherapies. 

Medication
To learn more about psychotherapy, visit www.nimh. nih.gov/psychotherapies. 

Medication 

Currently, there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating children or adolescents with DMDD. However, health care providers may prescribe certain medications—such as stimulants, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics—to help relieve your child’s DMDD symptoms. 

All medications have side effects. Monitor and report your child’s side effects and review the medications frequently with your child’s health care provider. Visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov/drugsatfda for the most up-to-date information on medications, side effects, and warnings. medications for treating irritability associated with autism, and they are sometimes used to treat DMDD. However, because these medications can cause unwanted side effects, they’re usually only tried when other approaches haven’t worked.
Seek additional support and professional help. 

Parents and caregivers may be able to find resources and encouragement through their local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org/findsupport), the National Federation of Families (www.ffcmh.org), Mental Health America (www.mhanational.org), and other organizations. 

Communicate regularly and effectively with your child’s health care provider. 

For tips to help you prepare for your child’s appointment, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/talkingtips. For additional resources, including questions to ask your health care provider, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website at www.ahrq.gov/questions.

• Stimulants are often used to treat ADHD, and 

research suggests that stimulant medications also may decrease irritability in youth with DMDD.

• Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat
• Stimulants are often used to treat ADHD, and 

research suggests that stimulant medications also may decrease irritability in youth with DMDD.

• Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat 

irritability and mood problems that children with DMDD may experience. One small study suggests that citalopram (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant), combined with the stimulant methylphenidate, may decrease irritability in youth with DMDD. Please note: Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth, who should be monitored closely by their health care provider.

•

Certain atypical antipsychotic medications are used to treat children with irritability, severe outbursts, or aggression. The FDA has approved these

Tips for parents and caregivers 

Being a parent or caregiver for a child or adolescent with DMDD can be stressful and overwhelming. To help build a supportive environment for you and your child, you may want to consider the following:
Learn as much as you can about the disorder. 

Talk to your child’s health care provider or mental health professional. Ask questions about treatment options, including risks and benefits. You can find additional information about DMDD (including the latest news, videos, and information about clinical trials) at www.nimh.nih.gov/DMDD. 

Talk to your child’s teacher, counselor, or school psychologist. 

Together, you may develop strategies, plans, and accommodations to help your child thrive in school. For more information, check out www. nimh.nih.gov/childrenandmentalhealth. 

Find ways to manage your stress. 

Take practical steps to manage your stress to avoid the risk of negative health effects. For tips, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/stress. What are clinical trials and why are they important?
Take practical steps to manage your stress to avoid the risk of negative health effects. For tips, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/stress. What are clinical trials and why are they important? 

Children are not little adults, yet they are often given medications and treatments that have been tested only in adults. Research shows that, compared to adults, children respond differently to medications and treatments, both physically and mentally. The way to get the best treatments for children is through research designed specifically for them. 

Clinical trials are research studies that look at ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. These studies help show whether a treatment is safe 

and effective in people. Some people join clinical trials to help doctors and researchers learn more about a disease and improve health care. Other people, such as those with health conditions, join to try treatments that aren’t widely available.
NIMH supports clinical trials across the United States. Talk to a health care provider about clinical trials and whether one is right for your child. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/clinicaltrials.

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For more information

The information in this publication is in the public domain and may be reused or copied without permission. However, you may not reuse or copy images. Please cite the National Institute of Mental Health as the source. Read our copyright policy to learn more about our guidelines for reusing NIMH content at www.nimh.nih.gov/copyright. 

NIH Publication No. 23-MH-8119 Revised 2023

MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) https://medlineplus.gov https://medlineplus.gov/spanish (en español) 

National Institute of Mental Health Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications 6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Toll-free: 1-866-615-6464 Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov www.nimh.nih.gov
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Seasonal Affective Disorder

From the NATIONAL INSTITUTE of MENTAL HEALTH 

What is seasonal affective disorder?

Many people go through short periods when they feel sad or unlike their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. Many people feel “down” or have the “winter blues” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter and feel better in the spring when longer daylight hours return.

Sometimes, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer, known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Other people experience depressive symptoms during the spring and summer months, known as summer-pattern SAD or summer depression. Summer-pattern SAD is less common. 

What are the signs and symptoms of SAD?

SAD is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4−5 months out of the year. The signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with depression as well as disorder-specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern versus summer- pattern SAD. 

Not every person with SAD experiences all the symptoms listed below. Learn more about signs and symptoms of depression at www.nimh.nih.gov/depression. 

Symptoms of depression can include:

 ● Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day,
Symptoms of depression can include:

 ● Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day, 

nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks ● Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism ● Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness ● Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness ● Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities ● Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down

 ● Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions ● Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes ● Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment

 ● Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

For winter-pattern SAD, additional symptoms can include:

 ● Oversleeping (hypersomnia) ● Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates, 

leading to weight gain

 ● Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)