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Children Benefit When Moms Get Depression Treatment

My Anxiety Rescue

Enhancing Healing from Anxiety with Spirituality

More Than 300 New Medicines
Being Developed for Mental Illnesses

Research Links Television Viewing and Attention Problems in Children

Real People, Real Stories of Overcoming Anxiety and Depression

When Does Hoarding Cross Line into an Anxiety Disorder?

Listen to Dr. Rollin Gallagher M.D. Talk about Depression and Pain

Chronic Depression (Dysthymia): The Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Freedom From Fear''s film, "The Pain of Depression: A Journey through the Darkness" Receives 2008 Voice Awards Honorable Mention

Listen to Real People Talk about Anxiety - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Listen to Real People Talk about Anxiety - Social Phobia

Listen to Real People Talk about Anxiety - Panic Disorder

Listen to Real People Talk about Anxiety - Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Listen to Real People Talk about Anxiety - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Case of Nerves or is it more?

Your Body May Know You Are Depressed Before You Do

Listen to Men Talk about Their Depression

Cut Stress by Anticipating Laughter? A Quick Feel Good Article

Cut Stress by Anticipating Laughter? A Quick Feel Good Article

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) ?

Study Ranks States in Health Issues

Teens With Treatment-resistent Depression More Likely to Get Better with Switch to Combination Therapy

2007 Sharon Davies Memorial Awards Grant Recipients

View The Pain of Depression: A Journey through the Darkness film premiere photo gallery

Most Depressed Employees in the US

Breast Cancer Medication: Tamoxifen Treats Mania Faster Than Some Standard Medications

Depressed Adolescents Respond Best to Combination Treatment

The Pain of Depression: A Journey through the Darkness, New Film Provides Hope for Millions

Managing Your Persistent Fears, Depression, and Every Day Anxieties

New Web Site Urges Teens to Step "Out of the Silence"

Researchers Link Normal Grief to Major Depression

More Than The “Baby Blues” – Anxiety and Depression after Childbirth

Gene Variants Linked to Suicidal Thoughts in Some Men Starting Antidepressant Treatment

Bipolar Spectrum Disorder May Be Underrecognized and Improperly Treated

National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week May 6 - 12, 2007

Cognitive Therapy for Weight Loss

Half of Adults With Anxiety Disorders Had Psychiatric Diagnoses in Youth

Sharon Davies Memorial Award Winners for Mental Health Grants Announced

Experts Speak on Anxiety & Depression, Must See! The Mind In Motion

How to Combat Gift Giving Anxiety

Tackling the Holiday Season - Reducing Anxiety and Stress

When Anxiety and Depression Come Home for the Holiday’s

Psychotherapy Study for Depression in Pregnancy

SSRI s Appear to Decrease Youth Suicide OverAll

Mental Health: Specific Phobias

Anxiety and Depression:TV Mini Series "THE MIND IN MOTION"

Psychiatrist One of Five Chosen for Award - His Technique Transformed the Treatment of Depression.

Helping a Depressed Loved One

Shy Temperament:More Than Just Fearful

Scientists Home In On Gene Linked to OCD

Women are at Greater Risk for Depression Than Men

Therapy can Help Stress-Related Infertility: Study

How You Can Live a Wonderful Life-Even With Anxiety!

Children of Depressed Parents Have More Health Problems

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Read Visitors Responses to Our Current Poll About Pedophilia

Depression in Young Girls Has Later Repercussions

The Fear of Social Contact

Hope for Patients With Major Depression Who do Not Respond to SSRIs or SNRIs

Locate FREE Mental Health Programs and Screenings

Information That Can Help Many Uninsured People Get the Medicines They Need for Free or at Significant Savings

Free Help for Sufferers on National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day, May 3, 2006

MY YEAR IN HELL: A “SHRINKS” STORY
(A Story About His Battle with Anxiety and Depression)

Monday, March 20. between 8 - 9PM (EST), Q&A Session in the Freedom From Fear Online Support Room.

Increasing Use of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Suggests Promising Future

TONIGHT, Monday, March 6, between 8 - 9PM (EST), Q&A Session in the Freedom From Fear Online Support Room.

Mental Health Professionals Needed for National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week, May 4 - 10, 2008

National College Campaign on Anxiety and Depression

Ask an Expert! - This Thursday, January 26 in the Online Chat Room - Dr. Mark Sisti, PhD

Facing Adversity - Lessons From Lincoln

Scrupulosity: Anxiety over Religious Beliefs

Afraid to Socialize

MINDFULNESS
A Coping Skill for Overcoming Anxiety and Depression

New Neighbor Anxiety

New Support for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Anxiety Disorders

1 in 10 Americans Experience Depression

What Do Visitors to Our Web Site Think About "Black Box" Warnings?

Stories of Hope Courage: The Teen Who Would Not Go to School

Cleanliness Rules Germaphobes’ Lives

Resilience Shown in Youth
Protects Against Adult Stress

Teenage Depression

What Do Visitors to Our Web Site Think About
Tom Cruise?

Insomnia Shows Strong Link To Psychiatric Disorders

Mental Illness Exacts Heavy Toll, Beginning in Youth

Eli Lilly offers 100,000 in Educational Scholarships

Gene Testing Could Help Predict Drug Responses

Stories of Hope and Courage: "It's not me, it's my OCD."

Changes in Children's Amygdala Seen After Anxiety Treatment

Researching Anxiety in Teenagers,
Dr. Amy Krain

Free Help Available For Sufferers on National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day May 4, 2005

Emmy Winning Actress Leads Charge to Pair People Battling Depression with Partners

Mutant Gene Linked to Treatment-Resistant Depression

Mental Health Professionals Needed for Mental Health Outreach Program

Treatment of Anxiety Increases, But Some Groups Left Out

Stories of Hope & Courage: How to Get Help When Worry Takes Over Your Life

When the Mind Causes Pain Video



The Pain of Depression: A Journey through the Darkness, New Film Provides Hope for Millions














learn about anxiety and depression from the experts

  • How long should you stay on medication for the treatment of an anxiety disorder?

  • If I take medication, can I get addicted to the drugs?

  • Can I take medications if I am pregnant?

  • If I follow a good treatment plan, what are my chances of success?

  • Will I have to take medicine for the rest of my life to lead a normal life?

  • How can cognitive therapy help me overcome a depressive illness?

    • Q. How long should you stay on medication for the treatment of an anxiety disorder?
    A. How long it takes to treat a patient with medication for an anxiety disorder is still unknown. However, research has indicated, and I have observed in my clinical practice, that the longer a patient is on medication, chances of relapse when the medicine is stopped decreases. I recommend initially the patient should be prepared to stay on medication for one year. I have found with my own patients, even if they are initially concerned with starting medication, they are willing to stay on it for a long period of time because they experience a tremendous improvement with their anxiety disorders and also a much improved quality of life.
    Jack Gorman, M.D.
    Professor of Psychiatry
    Columbia University, College of Physicians and
    Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute
         Q. If I take medication, can I get addicted to the drugs?
    A. The term addiction is an unfortunate one with regard to medication. Addiction means that the person’s whole life centers on obtaining and using drugs. This is definitely not the case with medications used in anxiety disorders. However, some of the medications, such as the high potency benzodiazepines, can produce a physiological dependence. What this means is that when it’s time to go off the medication, they simply have to be withdrawn slowly.
    Donald F. Klein, M.D.
    Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons     Q. Can I take medications if I am pregnant?
    A. In general, it is not wise to take medications when pregnant. Interestingly enough, pregnancy is usually a good period for most anxiety disorders since they often go into remission. There is no clear evidence that medications are actually harmful during pregnancy, it is simply good conservative policy not to be on medication during pregnancy. If the patient simply cannot tolerate being off medication during pregnancy, and they are willing to take medication, then these should be prescribed.
    Donald F. Klein, M.D.
    Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons     Q. If I follow a good treatment plan, what are my chances of success?
    A. I have observed in my clinical practice that more than 70% of patients with anxiety or depression respond positively to treatment with medication, resulting in a reduction of more than 50% of their symptoms. Medication coupled with psychotherapy, particularly cognitive/behavioral therapy, can improve the response rate to more than 80%.
    Eric Peselow, M. D.
    Research Associate, Professor of Psychiatry New York University School of Medicine Director, Medical Advisory Board Freedom From Fear     Q. Will I have to take medicine for the rest of my life to lead a normal life?
    A. It is not clear whether you have to take medicine for the rest of your life. The substantial majority of patients are able to discontinue medication after 6 – 12 months and do well for a substantial period of time. It is true that there is a tendency for recurrence and that repeated treatments may be necessary.
    Donald F. Klein, M.D.
    Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons     Q. How can cognitive therapy help me overcome a depressive illness?
    A. Cognitive therapy is a scientifically tested and empirically validated treatment for depression. This form of therapy can help you to overcome a depressive illness through teaching you how to identify and modify dysfunctional thinking patterns associated with depression as well as increase your problem solving and coping skills in managing life stress. Cognitive therapy has been found to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of a depressive illness.
    Rebecca Hand, Ph.D.
    Instructor of Psychology in Psychiatry Weill Medical College of Cornell University Associate Director Cornell Cognitive Therapy Clinic Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic