Helping people who are depressed to quit smokingPeople with depression can quit smoking with the right support, says new research examining a Quitline Victoria program, the first program in Australia to focus on smokers with a history of depression, writes Rebecca Gordon.
Depression
Those who judge judges, lawyers need a lesson in depression
We need our legal profession to consist solely of stable, sane and depression-free individuals.
A soldier’s toughest mission: coming home
After months away at war in Iraq or Afghanistan, many US soldiers struggle with the transition back to home life. The NY Times interviews soldiers struggling with survivor guilt, injury and children they barely know.
Pobjie: welcome to the crumple zone
To say depression has only just wrapped me in its loving embrace would be wrong. I’ve been falling into that pit off and on for most of the last 20 years. But it was this year that everything came to a head, writes Ben Pobjie.
Avalanche, depression and Leonard Cohen
Previously well known for writing “music to slit your wrists,” the dark genius of Leonard Cohen has transformed into life-affirming music. Like Cohen, Chris Johnston has battled with depression, and has found some solace in the musician’s songs.
Depression, drugs and sport: the AFL backlash is on
The AFL’s three-strike illicit drugs policy appears set to drive a wedge between the clubs and the league.
Why I’m glad that I suffer from horrible depression
Depression is a heart-breaking, soul-destroying disease. But it’s not all bad. One man tells of how his battle with depression allows creativity and a chance to actually feel something.
Andrew Robb: the black dog stayed for years before I got help
For more than four decades Coalition front-bencher Andrew Robb lived with depression and did not seek help. He writes for Crikey on the miserable low and how Tony Abbott will improve mental health care.
Crikey Clarifier: Can sneezing really help treat depression?
MP Andrew Robb said he’d look at the sun to make himself sneeze to release endorphins and help his depression. But does looking at the sun make you sneeze, and more importantly, does it change your mood?
Estrogen: the debate of the raging hormones
Hormone replacement therapy was the thing to do once the hot flushes and stress menopause began, until suddenly HRT was hitting the news as a major health risk. But how bad is estrogen?
The upside of depression
Charles Darwin suffered terrible depression, but did his illness help, rather than hinder, his research? asks Jonah Lehrer, in a fascinating investigation into the positives of the black dog.
Robb’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the coalition
Parliamentary downtime means our politicians are dispersing to all four corners of the globe. But it’s Andrew Robb’s unexpected departure due to a depressive illness that is the most concerning.
Oakes: Robb’s Black Dog fight
In a rare case of political honesty, Lib MP Andrew Robb opens up to Laurie Oakes about the depressive illness that’s forced him off the front bench.
Tired? Eat too much? Irritable? Congrats, you’re depressed.
In 1994 the American Psychiatric Association published its fourth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders (DSM). Here, you’ll find the worryingly popular one-size-fits-most measure for Depressive Disorder.
The black dog: sometimes it’s impossible to get out of bed
It’s almost impossible to get out of bed when the Black Dog, as Winston Churchill called depression, visits. It’s when nights become about paranoia and obsessing, writes Greg Barns.
Over diagnosis, wrong treatments: the mess of depression
Mental health issues — particularly depression and the increase in its over diagnosis — are turning young men into “the canaries in the coal mines of our toxic culture”, writes Miranda Devine.
Unpicking claims in the media about suicide and depression
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has been making some big statements lately about depression and suicide, following the deaths of several young people in Geelong. How damaging are his claims?
BeyondBlue finally pays attention to long-neglected group
Whether it’s neo-natal, indigenous, or rural mental health , BeyondBlue has been almost relentless in its efforts to reach groups who are at risk. Except one.
Report on depression gene faulty
It turns out a 2003 study that claimed a single gene helps determine one’s risk of depression may have been premature in its findings.
The soul-destroying lives of boys in the bush
While gender roles have changed considerably, the male ego remains more dependent upon occupation, writes Tanveer Ahmed.This is surely more pronounced in country areas.
Re-writing the Great Depression
Economists look back to the Great Depression and find that everything we think we know about it is wrong — but this could be good news.
Political snippets: Naming electorates after Australian Idols
Richard Farmer uncovers a unique name suggestion for a new seat in Queensland, and questions Rudd’s Afghanistan exit strategy.
Global disaster? Please explain
No-one can possibly know how long the current recession will last or how deep it will go.
Food companies get frugal
The packaged-food industry has long touted itself as recession-proof. But strapped consumers are shattering that assumption, setting off a frenzy in the nation’s supermarket aisles and cooking labs.
