Verified by Psychology Today

Charting the Depths

Reflections on the science of depression.

Depression
Depression is Your Problem Whether You Like It or Not

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on December 3, 2012

Even if you haven't experienced it directly, depression may be hitting you, right in your pocketbook.

Even if you haven't experienced it directly, depression may be hitting you, right in your pocketbook.

Depression
Notes from Ground Zero in America's Depression Epidemic

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on March 9, 2012

A few months ago, I posted about the epidemic of depression on America's college campuses. Here, two college students offer their opinions about why.

A few months ago, I posted about the epidemic of depression on America's college campuses. Here, two college students offer their opinions about why.

Depression
Flourishing After Depression: How What We Don't Know Hurts Us

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on March 7, 2012

The long run outcome of deep depression is typically cruel: Depression leaves a dull hangover of residual symptoms in its wake. Episodes of deep depression are prone to recur. Yet a subgroup of sufferers beats these odds.

The long run outcome of deep depression is typically cruel: Depression leaves a dull hangover of residual symptoms in its wake. Episodes of deep depression are prone to recur. Yet a subgroup of sufferers beats these odds.

Depression
Left in Limbo

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on December 14, 2011

In many ways the most awkward phase of depression is when the worst has passed, when a depressed person is better, but not fully well.

In many ways the most awkward phase of depression is when the worst has passed, when a depressed person is better, but not fully well.

Depression
Back from the Black: Why Do Early Improvers Improve?

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on November 15, 2011

Roughly 1/3 of people in a depressive episode show a rather substantial and early improvement in their depression. What's their secret?

Roughly 1/3 of people in a depressive episode show a rather substantial and early improvement in their depression. What's their secret?

Depression
Improvement in Depression: Now or Never?

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on September 30, 2011

We know quite a bit about why and how people fall into depression. From negative thinking to stressful environments to poor ways of coping to gloomy temperaments, falling in is no great mystery. But why and how do people pull out of depression?

We know quite a bit about why and how people fall into depression. From negative thinking to stressful environments to poor ways of coping to gloomy temperaments, falling in is no great mystery. But why and how do people pull out of depression?

Depression
Why Do Depressed People Lie in Bed?

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on June 3, 2011

A perfectly able-bodied person can't bring him or herself to rise out of bed. How does this happen?

A perfectly able-bodied person can't bring him or herself to rise out of bed. How does this happen?

Depression
Pssst, Post-Natal Depression Is Just Depression

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on May 31, 2011

For sure, parents can become depressed after the birth of a child. And not just mothers. Fathers too.

But does this mean that post-natal depression should be recognized as a unique syndrome?

For sure, parents can become depressed after the birth of a child. And not just mothers. Fathers too.

But does this mean that post-natal depression should be recognized as a unique syndrome?

Depression
Is Depression Worse for Humans?

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on April 21, 2011

Are there human-specific pathways into depression that explain our species' special vulnerability?

Are there human-specific pathways into depression that explain our species' special vulnerability?

Depression
The Curious Conservation of Human Happiness

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on March 30, 2011

One of the bedrock findings in the epidemiology of depression is that having depression at one point in time predicts having more depression in the future. Now it appears there's an opposite side of the coin....

One of the bedrock findings in the epidemiology of depression is that having depression at one point in time predicts having more depression in the future. Now it appears there's an opposite side of the coin....

Depression
Is Minor Depression Minor?

Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. on January 21, 2011

Why the label minor depression is something of a misnomer.

Why the label minor depression is something of a misnomer.