Resources  email page print page Basic Information Introduction and Types of Depression Major Depression and other Unipolar DepressionsClassic Symptoms of Major DepressionUnderstanding Mood Episodes in DepressionThe Course of Major DepressionDSM Specifiers for Major DepressionPrevalenceFormal DSM Diagnoses for Other Depressive Mood DisordersSymptoms - Dysthymic DisorderFormal DSM Diagnoses Continued Related Disorders / Conditions Other Conditions Related to DepressionMajor Depression Related Conditions ContinuedMajor Depression Related Conditions ConclusionThe Far Reaches of Depression Historical and Current Understandings Historical Understandings of DepressionHistorical Understandings of Depression ContinuedCurrent Understandings of Major Depression - Biopsychosocial ModelCurrent Understandings of Major Depression - Diathesis-Stress Model Biology, Psychology and Sociology Biology of Depression - NeurotransmittersBiology of Depression - Neuroplasticity and EndocrinologyBiology of Depression - Genetics and ImagingBiology of Depression - PsychoneuroimmunologyPsychology of Depression- Psychodynamic TheoriesPsychology of Depression- Behavioral TheoriesCognitive Theories of Major Depression - Aaron BeckCognitive Theories of Major Depression - Ellis and BanduraCognitive Theories of Major Depression - SeligmanSociology of Depression - Effects of CultureSocial and Relational Factors in Major DepressionLifestyle Factors and Environmental Causes of Major Depression Treatment - Medication and Psychotherapy Treatment: When to Seek Professional Help and Where to Find Help for Major DepressionMeasuring DepressionClinician-Rated and Self-Report Questionnaires/Tests for Major DepressionModes of TreatmentMedications for Major DepressionAntidepressants for Major Depression - SSRIsAntidepressants for Major Depression - SSNIsAntidepressants for Major Depression - With Children, TCAs, and MAOIsMood Stabilizers for Major DepressionNon-pharmaceutical Medical Therapies for Major DepressionPsychotherapy - Evidence-Based Treatments for Major DepressionCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major DepressionCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depression ContinuedInterpersonal Therapy for Major DepressionOther Forms of Psychotherapy for Major Depression - Behavior TherapyOther Forms of Psychotherapy for Major Depression - Psychodynamic TherapyOther Forms of Psychotherapy for Major Depression - Group, Family and Couples Therapy Alternative Medicine and Self-Help Resources Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Major DepressionMajor Depression and St. John's WortMajor Depression and ExerciseMajor Depression and Omega 3 Fatty AcidsMajor Depression Serotonin Precursors: SAMeMajor Depression Serotonin Precursors: 5-HTPLess Well-Studied CAM Remedies For Depression - B-Vitamins and Traditional Chinese MedicineLess Well-Studied CAM Remedies For Depression - Ayurveda and HomeopathySelf-Help Methods for Major Depression Community and On-line Self-Help Resources for Major Depression Depression Reading List Special Issues Further Observations Regarding Major Depression Treatment and Special Issues - SuicideSpecial Issues - Severe Depression, Dual Depression and Dual Diagnosis References Depression Article References More Information Aging and DepressionAntidepressants No Better Than Placebo Says A New Study, But It's Really More Complicated Than That... Blunt InstrumentsBrain Neuroplasticity and Treatment Resistant DepressionComing Out of the Depression ClosetCosmo Magic to Cyclothymic: Highs, Lows and States of FlowDepression and CancerDepression and DiabetesDepression and Heart DiseaseDepression and HIV/AIDSDepression and ParkinsonsDepression and StrokeDepression and WomenDepression, ADHD, Psychotherapy and MedicationDysthymic Disorder SymptomsElliott Smith and the gift of Vulnerability MusicFeeling Good, It's Not Just In the BrainGoing Postal: The Road to Depression and SalvationGuest Editorial: Celeb Feud Brought Up Critical IssuesHelping Children Understand and Cope with Parental DepressionListening to Readers on Prozac, Depression & the Medical System: Part IListening to Readers on Prozac, Depression & the Medical System: Part IIMajor Depression SymptomsMen and DepressionNational Depression Screening Day, Thursday October 8, 2009Older Adults: Depression and Suicide FactsOrganizationsPost Partum Depression and The Importance of SleepReader Feedback on the Depression SeriesRunning On FiftySt. John's Wort FAQStudents and College, A Stressful Time of Life: Parents and Students BewareSymptoms of Depressive DisordersThe Biochemical - Psychosexual Revolution: Getting Up and Close while Being Down and OutThe Existential Crisis, Depression, Anxiety and MortalityThe Liberating and Entangling Webs of Technology, Depression and ProzacThe Long Term Effects of BullyingTop Twelve Tips for Beating (Mostly) Moderate Chronic Clinical DepressionTreatmentTreatment 1 of 2Treatment 2 of 2Unmasking Mental IllnessWebsitesWhat about the "milder" depression: Dysthymic disorder?Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 2Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: What We Can Learn From a Wartime ExperienceWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with James Gordon MD on Mind Body Medicine and His Book 'Unstuck'Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with with Ronald Dworkin, MD, Ph.D. on Artificial Happiness Tests Goldberg Depression Questionnaire Latest News Phone Care Can Help Combat Post-Heart Surgery DepressionClinical Trials Update: Nov. 16, 2009Depression Linked to Immune Response in PregnancyClinical Trials Update: Nov. 12, 2009Health Tip: Symptoms of Postpartum DepressionBrain Stimulation May Ease Treatment-Resistant DepressionClinical Trials Update: Nov. 9, 2009Adjunctive Psychotherapy for Depression StudiedDepression May Blur Memory of Aches and PainsCognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps Overcome Winter BluesPsychotherapy Beats Light Treatment for SADPhone Counseling for Depression Rings With PromiseDepression Often Goes Untreated in Working MomsConstant Light Linked to Symptoms of DepressionOmega-3 Augmentation of Antidepressant EvaluatedSuicidal Thoughts May Vary by AntidepressantImpact of Maternal Depression and Abuse on Children StudiedRecession Adds to Ranks of Americans With DepressionDepression, Anxiety May Raise Odds of ObesityTelephone Care and Therapy Help to Treat DepressionMother's Use of Antidepressant May Carry Risks for NewbornTroubled Minds Can Mean Wider WaistlinesTeens With ADHD, Depression Risk Internet AddictionAntidepressants May Be Linked to Birth ProblemsMediterranean Diet May Help Prevent DepressionAntidepressants Linked to Heart Defects in NewbornsPredicting Postpartum Depression May Be PossibleDrinking, Weight, Depression Linked in Young Women: StudyHealth Care Assistants May Be Useful in Depression CareDepression May Hasten Cancer DeathStudies Explore Genetic Factors Underlying DepressionSevere, Lasting Depression Tied to Heart Patient DeathsDepressed Teens Continue to Suffer into AdulthoodReport Addresses Depression Management in PregnancyDepression's Effect on Pleasure Is RealForeclosures Plunge People Into DepressionSuicide Risk With Antidepressants Falls With AgeCombo Treatment May Ease Depression After StrokeAntidepressant Use in U.S. Has Almost DoubledCan Children Headed for Teen Depression Be Spotted Early?Primary Care Identification of Depression ExaminedGloomy Days Dim Cognitive Powers of the DepressedDepression Poses Pregnancy RisksDepression, Anxiety Bad for the HeartStudy Refutes Depression Gene FindingDrug May Stem Slide Into Alzheimer's for SomeEffects of Depression on Families Need to Be AddressedIf Mom or Dad Is Depressed, Kids Need Help TooEarly Bedtime May Help Stave Off Teen DepressionNew Program May Help Teens at High Risk for Depression Questions and Answers Help Me Please. What is Going On With Me?I'm Afraid I'm Going CrazyI Don't Know What To DoAm I Wallowing in Depression?AngerSexual Abuse and Its Effects on Relationships AfterwardsWhat Is Wrong with Me, Doc? HelpDBSAm I Suffering a Kind of Psychological Problem? Blog Entries Depression, ADHD, Psychotherapy and MedicationKeeping You Sane: Do You Need a Day Out? Exploring the Upside of ADHDHow to Gain Control of Your Mind, Instead of Your Mind Controlling YouWhat You Need to Know about H1N1 and DepressionMindfulness and ADHD: A Tip from Dr. Lidia ZylowskaFreedom from Your Anxious MindThe Existential Crisis, Depression, Anxiety and MortalityADHD - Breaking the Cycle of ShameFeeling Good, It's Not Just In the BrainAre You Wired to Worry? Children, ADHD and Stimulant MedicationNational Depression Screening Day, Thursday October 8, 2009Mental Health: Our Troubled TeenagersDepression and Its MeaningsTeenage Depression and Consequences5 Steps to Emotional Freedom: Placebo or Panacea?Couples Therapy for Robert and Julia (Romeo and Juliet)New Research: Mindfulness-Based Program as Effective as Antidepressant MedicationAnxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 7Students and College, A Stressful Time of Life: Parents and Students BewareAnxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 6Brain Neuroplasticity and Treatment Resistant DepressionWhy People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 5Feeling Stuck? 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TUESDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Depressed people tend to report more physical symptoms than they actually experience, a new study finds.

The study involved 109 women who completed questionnaires designed to assess their levels of neuroticism and depression. For the next three weeks, they kept daily records of whether they felt any of 15 common physical symptoms, including aches and pains, gastrointestinal problems and upper-respiratory issues.

At the end of the three-week period, the women were asked to recall how often they'd experienced each symptom. Those who had a higher depression score at the start of the study were more likely to overstate the frequency of their symptoms.

"People who felt depressed made the most errors when asked to remember their physical symptoms," psychologist Jerry Suls, a professor and collegiate fellow at the University of Iowa said in a university news release. "They tended to exaggerate their experience."

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It's long been believed that a high level of neuroticism -- a general disposition that includes irritability, sadness, anxiety and fear -- is associated with exaggerated reporting of physical symptoms. But the study suggests that a more likely reason is depression.

"For 30 years, the hypothesis has been that neuroticism is behind inflated reports of symptoms," Suls said. "We're saying no -- depression appears to be the big player. We discovered that people high in neuroticism but low in depression are not likely to mis-remember symptoms."

The findings, published online Oct. 15 in Psychosomatic Medicine, are important, Suls said, because symptoms reported by patients play a major role in doctors' diagnosis and treatment decisions.

"Depressed individuals and their physicians shouldn't discount common symptoms because they can indicate serious problems," he said. "However, since we now know that depressed individuals tend to over-remember the frequency of symptoms, it wouldn't hurt to encourage patients to write down their symptoms as they're happening. That way the patient and doctor have an accurate record of what has been going on, rather than relying on memory."

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more about depression.

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