Tag Archives: depression

29Oct/26

Hidden Drivers of Depression in Zambia

October 29, 2026Healthcare1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Abnormal psychology, Anxiety, Anxiety disorders, Articles, depression, Generalized anxiety disorder, Health, Major depressive disorder, Mental health, Psychiatric diagnosis, Psychiatry, RTT, South Africa, Zambiaadmin

Beyond Individual Risk: How Community Context and Structural Inequalities Shape Mental Health Across Zambia

Thu, July 29 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — National epidemiological evidence from the 2024 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) demonstrates that approximately 8.2% of Zambian adults aged 15–59 years—or roughly one in twelve people—screen positive for probable depression, probable anxiety, or both. Utilizing validated screening tools including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), the study establishes a national baseline for a population where epidemiological evidence was previously scarce. Symptom prevalence shows a distinct age trajectory, rising steadily from 4.2% among adolescents aged 15–19 to a peak of 11.5% among adults aged 40–44. While Zambia’s overall baseline is moderate compared to regional neighbors such as South Africa (where probable depression reaches 25.7%), it reflects a substantial mental health burden that remains largely undetected and untreated due to severe healthcare workforce constraints, structural low priority, and widespread social stigma. Continue reading →

25Nov/25

Critical Thinking: There is a thin line between genius and insanity

November 25, 2025DevelopersArtificial intelligence, Bipolar disorder, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Computational neuroscience, Concepts in aesthetics, Creativity, Creativity and mental health, depression, Mental disorder, Mental health, Mind, Mood disorders, Scotland, United Kingdom, Walesadmin

Nov. 25, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — This phrase, “There is a thin line between genius and insanity,” is a compelling and long-standing stereotype that suggests a close connection between exceptional creativity and mental illness.

While it’s a popular idea, modern research indicates that it’s an oversimplification. There isn’t a single “thin line,” but rather a complex, non-linear relationship where certain traits and genetic factors are sometimes shared between highly creative individuals and those with specific mood disorders. Continue reading →

06Oct/22

Vegetarians more likely to be depressed than meat-eaters – possible reasons

October 6, 2022ReasearchArticles, Brazil, Chris Bryant, Climate change mitigation, Creative Commons, depression, Diets, Ethical theories, Ethics, Human behavior, India, Intentional living, Meat, Psychiatric diagnosis, United Kingdom, Vegetarian nutrition, Vegetarianismadmin

Chris Bryant, University of Bath

Vegetarians have around twice as many depressive episodes as meat-eaters, according to a new study.

The study, based on survey data from Brazil, chimes with earlier research that found higher rates of depression among those who forgo meat. However, the new study suggests that this link exists independent of nutritional intake.

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20Jul/22

Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – new study

July 20, 2022HealthcareAntidepressant, Antidepressants, Biology of bipolar disorder, Biology of depression, Branches of biology, chemical imbalance, Creative Commons, depression, Drugs, Hydroxyarenes, Joanna Moncrieff, Major depressive disorder, Mark Horowitz, Mood disorders, noradrenaline, Psychoactive drugs, RTT, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Serotonin, Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, SHUTTERSTOCK, United Kingdomadmin

Joanna Moncrieff, UCL and Mark Horowitz, UCL

For three decades, people have been deluged with information suggesting that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain – namely an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin. However, our latest research review shows that the evidence does not support it.

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