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Losing a beloved pet is one of the most difficult experiences a pet owner can face. Pets provide companionship, comfort, and unconditional love, and their absence can leave a deep emotional void. Coping with this loss takes time, patience, and self-compassion. While grief is a personal journey, there are steps you can take at home to help process your emotions, honour your pet’s memory, and begin healing. This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Grieving is a personal experience, and everyone copes differently. If you are struggling with prolonged or intense grief, consider seeking support from a licensed counsellor or mental health professional.
Symptom recognition, self-awareness, and practical steps to moving beyond prolonged grief.
This study reveals that prenatal depression and anxiety impair infant sleep through distinct biological pathways. Depression was associated with elevated f
For patients with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder, clinicians should consider use of a non-trauma-focused therapy such as interpersonal psychotherapy.
Darla Tyler-McSherry of Ask In Earnest describes the way grief does not follow an expected path. She shares insight she gained from a recent funeral.
Research has failed to demonstrate that depression is caused by a deficit in central serotonin activity. Umbrella reviews show no consistent association between serotonin markers and major depressive disorder (MDD), and routine clinical practice does not measure serotonin before treatment. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) produce statistically significant but modest improvements over placebo in pooled analyses that include multiple antidepressant classes, with benefit concentrated in patients with severe depression and diminished in mild-to-moderate cases. SSRIs do provide meaningful relief for some patients and remain an important treatment option, particularly when access to psychological therapies is limited. Emerging mechanistic models suggest that SSRIs act less by correcting a chemical imbalance and more by reducing negative affective bias and modestly enhancing neuroplasticity, creating a window in which psychosocial and behavioral interventions can take hold. Because SSRIs are linked to common adverse effects, including sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleep disturbance, their routine use as a universal first-line treatment warrants re-examination. Recent international guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) now prioritize psychological therapies, structured exercise, and combination approaches over antidepressant monotherapy for non-severe depression. This editorial proposes a pragmatic, patient-centered framework for general internists that accounts for real-world access barriers, screens for reversible contributors, offers evidence-based non-pharmacological options where feasible, and repositions SSRIs as adjuncts or facilitators rather than default interventions.
Researchers tracked over 300 young adults for a month to see how depression symptoms interact. They discovered that specific feelings, like anhedonia and sadness, act as central hubs that are strongly linked to a wider array of mental and physical symptoms.
When you have severe recurrent depression, everyday family stress can feel like it’s making your depression worse. Learn how to set boundaries and expectations with family and how to take better care of yourself.
Marilyn was just five when she first encountered grief. Now 18, the teenager says she's been to more funerals than birthday parties.
Pet bereavement: Debate grows on animal grief
Studies have found that the relative risk of dying is highest immediately after experiencing loss, especially for six months, because of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
People who wore a cooling cap for 30 minutes experienced reduced depressive symptoms and altered types of brain waves, according to a new study by Penn State researchers.
Having an end-of-life plan before your pet needs it can provide comfort when the time comes.
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Grief is a universal human experience, but sometimes it can be complicated. Author Ethan Joella explores the complexities of grief in his latest novel, "The Top of the World."
The death of a loved one is one of life’s most painful experiences. For most people, grief gradually eases. While they may still mourn the loss, the ache shrinks with time. But what if the grief doesn’t fade? What if the pain only intensifies and impacts not just emotions, but also physical health? A groundbreaking study from Denmark is raising important questions about the long-term consequences of persistent, intense grief, and the answers might surprise you.The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, shows that bereaved people with persistently high levels of intense grief used more healthcare services and were more likely to die within 10 years.
Researchers are investigating whether inflammation explains why some people don't respond to antidepressants—and what that could mean for future care.
Brain Entrapment Study: Discover how depression affects brain patterns, leading to cognitive rigidity. Mount Sinai's research unveils why transitioning between mental states is difficult in depression, causing a sense of being 'stuck'.
Recognizing that June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, we are challenged to look at PTSD not only as a clinical disorder, but as a form of traumatic grief. It is the body, mind, and spirit carrying profound losses that have not yet found a safe place to be fully mourned. After a traumatic […]
In a personal essay, one writer recalls the emotions surrounding the third Sunday in June, and how he learned to
Depression is treatable, but finding the right treatment can be a challenge. Here, three people share the very different paths they took to feel better.
The booming industry of pet hospice is teaching people how to face the loss of their beloved companions—even when saying goodbye feels impossible.
Walking doesn’t have to be intense or long to improve your mood. Experts weigh in on how much and how often you need to walk to keep your spirits high.
RIP.ie launches Grief Diaries, a new series inspired by the response to our Parting Words podcast. Share your personal reflections on loss in a safe, supportive space where real stories help others feel less alone. | rip.ie
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern in the United States, affecting many women after childbirth and contributing to adverse maternal and infant outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize current evidence on the epidemiology, risk factors, and management of PPD, with particular attention to emerging therapeutic and digital care approaches. A systematic search of major databases identified 25 eligible studies published between 2010 and 2026. The findings indicate that PPD remains prevalent, with disparities strongly associated with race, socioeconomic status, and access to care. Risk factors are multifactorial and include prior mental illness, low social support, unintended pregnancy, and psychosocial stressors, with growing evidence also pointing to genetic contributions. Symptoms may emerge at different stages of the postpartum period, underscoring the importance of ongoing screening rather than a single assessment. While psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy remain the foundation of treatment, newer strategies such as telehealth, mobile health applications, and wearable technologies show promise in improving early detection and access to care. Overall, addressing PPD requires integrated, equitable, and patient-centered approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
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When Family Seems to Worsen Depression
Depression and family
Please also review AIHCP's Grief Counseling Program