Depression: A Guide for the Perplexed

Trauma

Loss, Trauma, and the Book of Job

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on February 19, 2026

Personal Perspective: The Book of Job, an exploration of loss, rage, and meaning-making, reflects much of what happens in therapy.

Personal Perspective: The Book of Job, an exploration of loss, rage, and meaning-making, reflects much of what happens in therapy.

Spirituality

Is Something Missing in Your Therapy?

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on February 15, 2026

Many people in therapy have a quiet sense that something important is not being addressed—like meaning, faith, or spiritual feelings.

Many people in therapy have a quiet sense that something important is not being addressed—like meaning, faith, or spiritual feelings.

Stress

Free Resources for Restorative Self-Care

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on December 28, 2025

The remarkable impact of body-mind practices on emotional well-being cannot be overstated.

The remarkable impact of body-mind practices on emotional well-being cannot be overstated.

Authenticity

Cultivate AI—Authentic Intelligence—to Be Your Best Self

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on December 1, 2025

How technology, social pressure, and depression distance us from our true selves—and how psychotherapy helps restore authenticity, emotional intelligence, and meaning.

How technology, social pressure, and depression distance us from our true selves—and how psychotherapy helps restore authenticity, emotional intelligence, and meaning.

Stress

5 Ways to Avoid Family Feuds This Thanksgiving

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on November 23, 2025

Are you worried about family tensions flaring over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holiday get-togethers? Try these five steps to keep the peace.

Are you worried about family tensions flaring over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holiday get-togethers? Try these five steps to keep the peace.

Depression

Are You Stressed or Depressed?

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on November 3, 2025

Are you “holding on,” but barely? Chronic stress—from caregiving, job loss, financial worries, or family pressures—can quietly turn into depression if left unaddressed.

Are you “holding on,” but barely? Chronic stress—from caregiving, job loss, financial worries, or family pressures—can quietly turn into depression if left unaddressed.

Depression

Achieving Your Potential Despite Depression

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on October 6, 2025

People who are depressed often feel hopeless and helpless. Yet over and over, my patients see that, with treatment, meaning and purpose are within their grasp.

People who are depressed often feel hopeless and helpless. Yet over and over, my patients see that, with treatment, meaning and purpose are within their grasp.

Psychopharmacology

8 Things to Expect When Starting Antidepressants

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on April 4, 2025

The more prepared you are for what to expect after starting psychiatric medication, the better your chances of sticking with the treatment and experiencing its benefits.

The more prepared you are for what to expect after starting psychiatric medication, the better your chances of sticking with the treatment and experiencing its benefits.

Depression

With So Many Depression Treatments, Why Are Some Suffering?

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on November 22, 2024

There is a wide array of psychotherapies, mind-body practices, and medications avaiable to treat depression. So why are people still suffering?

There is a wide array of psychotherapies, mind-body practices, and medications avaiable to treat depression. So why are people still suffering?

Loneliness

The Important Difference Between Loneliness and Depression

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on August 18, 2024

Feeling sad and lonely is natural from time to time. But if you can't muster up the energy to take steps to conquer your loneliness, chances are depression may be at play.

Feeling sad and lonely is natural from time to time. But if you can't muster up the energy to take steps to conquer your loneliness, chances are depression may be at play.

Therapy

It's Never Too Late to Heal the Pain of the Past

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on June 18, 2024

I've seen, over and over again, that it's never too late to work through, reframe, and overcome painful parts of one's past.

I've seen, over and over again, that it's never too late to work through, reframe, and overcome painful parts of one's past.

Therapy

The Benefits of Humor in Therapy

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on March 28, 2024

Humor is an underappreciated element in psychotherapy—one that can reduce anxiety, increase perspective, and strengthen the psychotherapeutic relationship.

Humor is an underappreciated element in psychotherapy—one that can reduce anxiety, increase perspective, and strengthen the psychotherapeutic relationship.

Depression

How Do I Know if I'm Depressed?

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on January 30, 2024

Everyone sings the blues sometimes, so how do you know if you're really depressed and need help? Here's how to read your signs and symptoms.

Everyone sings the blues sometimes, so how do you know if you're really depressed and need help? Here's how to read your signs and symptoms.

Depression

Treating Depression: Why Are There So Many Drugs?

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on January 19, 2024

Here's an overview of the seven classes of drugs used to treat depression that can help clear up confusion about the many medication options.

Here's an overview of the seven classes of drugs used to treat depression that can help clear up confusion about the many medication options.

Sleep

The Connection Between Sleep Problems and Depression

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on December 4, 2023

Are your sleep problems causing your depression? Or are you suffering from depression and that is leading to sleep problems? The good news: you can remedy both.

Are your sleep problems causing your depression? Or are you suffering from depression and that is leading to sleep problems? The good news: you can remedy both.

Anxiety

Being Thankful in an Age of Anxiety

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on November 23, 2023

Staying calm, being grateful, and enjoying the holidays are more challenging when world news is frightening. Here are 7 steps to ease anxiety and access appreciation in life.

Staying calm, being grateful, and enjoying the holidays are more challenging when world news is frightening. Here are 7 steps to ease anxiety and access appreciation in life.

Depression

How to Treat Seasonal Depression

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on September 22, 2023

The signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are often confused with the winter "blahs." There's no need to settle for a depressed mindset in fall and winter.

The signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are often confused with the winter "blahs." There's no need to settle for a depressed mindset in fall and winter.

Depression

How to Tell When Antidepressants Are Starting to Work

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on August 13, 2023

Look for small early signs that show antidepressants are beginning to work. They generally bode well for a successful treatment of depression.

Look for small early signs that show antidepressants are beginning to work. They generally bode well for a successful treatment of depression.

Depression

Drugs for Depression: Answers to 6 FAQs

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on June 27, 2023

It’s common for depressed individuals to express concern about taking antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs. Here are my responses to common questions patients ask.

It’s common for depressed individuals to express concern about taking antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs. Here are my responses to common questions patients ask.

Depression

From Depression to Self-Actualization and Happiness

Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on April 21, 2023

Seeing people emerge out of the hell of despair and become new, emboldened versions of themselves is exhilarating.

Seeing people emerge out of the hell of despair and become new, emboldened versions of themselves is exhilarating.