Helping others might be the last thing a socially anxious person wants to do—but new research suggests it’s can actually help them relax. Canadian researchers found that acts of kindness reduced the urge to avoid social situations faster than social exposure alone.
The riskiest time for maternal depression isn’t the newborn stage—it’s four years later. A large Australian study found depressive symptoms were more common at the four-year mark than at any point in baby’s first year, especially among first-time mothers.
Joining a group won’t cure depression by itself—but truly identifying with one might. Australian researchers found that patients who came to see a support group as “us” were far less likely to remain depressed a month later.
