Topic description and stories

Woman looking at the floor reflected in a window

Deep brain stimulation successful for one in two patients with treatment-resistant severe depression and anxiety

18 Nov 2025

Deep brain stimulation – implants in the brain that act as a kind of ‘pacemaker’ – has led to clinical improvements in half of the participants with...

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Depression linked to presence of immune cells in the brain’s protective layer

01 Sep 2025

Immune cells released from bone marrow in the skull in response to chronic stress and adversity could play a key role in symptoms of depression and...

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‘Teen-friendly’ mindfulness therapy aims to help combat depression

18 Nov 2024

Researchers have developed a mindfulness therapy tailored specifically to appeal to teenagers to help them cope with increasing levels of depression...

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Magnetic field applied to both sides of brain shows rapid improvement for depression

28 Oct 2024

A type of therapy that involves applying a magnetic field to both sides of the brain has been shown to be effective at rapidly treating depression in...

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Illustration of a tired African American mother crying

Genetic study points to oxytocin as possible treatment for obesity and postnatal depression

02 Jul 2024

Scientists have identified a gene which, when missing or impaired, can cause obesity, behavioural problems and, in mothers, postnatal depression. The...

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Person standing on white digital bathroom scale

Feeling depressed linked to short-term increase in bodyweight among people with overweight or obesity

10 Jan 2024

Increases in symptoms of depression are associated with a subsequent increase in bodyweight when measured one month later, new research from the...

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Simple blood test can help diagnose bipolar disorder

25 Oct 2023

Researchers have developed a new way of improving diagnosis of bipolar disorder that uses a simple blood test to identify biomarkers associated with...

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A group of people standing around a table with plates of food

Healthy lifestyle can help prevent depression – and new research may explain why

11 Sep 2023

A healthy lifestyle that involves moderate alcohol consumption, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, healthy sleep and frequent social...

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Man looking out of window

Scientists explain emotional ‘blunting’ caused by common antidepressants

23 Jan 2023

Scientists have worked out why common anti-depressants cause around a half of users to feel emotionally ‘blunted’. In a study published today, they...

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Pandemic restrictions aggravating known triggers for self-harm and poor mental health among children and young people

10 Mar 2021

Experts have issued a stark warning about the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.

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Robotic dogs and laughter therapy: 10 ways to combat loneliness and isolation while social distancing

17 Feb 2021

Robotic dogs, laughter therapy and mindfulness are some of the ways that might help people – particularly the elderly – cope with loneliness and...

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Digital support

10 Feb 2021

Research published today shows how digital providers are coming together to support the mental health needs of millions of users unable to access...

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