The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected the Alkermes Plc’s depression treatment initiative ALKS 5461, citing lack of sufficient clinical evidence to support the effectiveness of the drug. The Dublin-based drug manufacturer has been asked to conduct further clinical trials to establish the utility of the antidepressant. The latest announcement by the FDA […]

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a widely researched area among adult women, but there are limited studies to address PPD among adolescent mothers. Despite declining significantly since its peak in 1991, teen pregnancies and birth rates for American teens aged 15-19 are among the highest of industrialized economies. Adolescent motherhood is linked to a range of […]

“Mass gun shootings. Looming nuclear war. Fear of terrorist attacks. Global warming. Humanitarian crises and refugees. Volatile political climate in the United States and globally.” In these tumultuous times characterized by an endless stream of negative news, children and adolescents are among the worst affected individuals. The overexposure to tragic or disturbing national and global […]

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued guidelines on Feb. 26, 2018, recommending screening for depression for adolescents aged 12 years and older, so that the problem can be nipped in the bud with timely treatment. The latest guidelines have been drafted by a team of mental health experts who expressed deep concern over the […]

In what appears to be among the deadliest mass shootings in American history, 17 people were killed and many more injured in a firing spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb.14, 2018. As per police reports, the suspect has been identified as Nikolas Cruz (19), a former student who was […]

Tyler Hilinski, 21, a quarterback at Washington State University (WSU), was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 16, 2018. His death, caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, was ruled an apparent suicide. While police refrained from disclosing the contents of the suicide note found beside his body or attributing a motive […]

Although beauty pageants have their fair share of critics and advocates, many young contestants consider them to be life-changing experiences which help them feel empowered. Teen girls consider  taking part in a beauty pageant as a rite of passage. And there are teens like the 17-year-old Tracy McQuiston from Wahpeton, North Dakota, who want to […]

Depression is increasing at a striking rate among adolescents in the United States. While depression can strike people of all age groups, income levels and education, adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to factors, such as family economics, cyberbullying and problematic social media use. A recent study, led by a Rutgers University-Camden researcher, suggested that black […]

Depression appears to be an increasing problem among all Americans, but the increase has been conspicuously higher among adolescents and younger teens. A recent study, led by Renee D. Goodwin from the department of epidemiology at the Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH), analyzed trends in depression prevalence among the population of the […]

Depression can have myriad effects on anyone irrespective of age, gender, race or economic status. Now, a new study has revealed that major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) affect the bone metabolism in older teens and young adults. The study has found that the severity of MDD […]