Author: Lance Garrison

The United States base at Tower 22 in Jordan is in the middle of a seemingly unending desert, astride the ancient Damascus-Baghdad Highway near the border with Syria. In January it is cold, often rainy and very bleak. Last month three U.S. service members at Tower 22 were killed by a drone launched by an Iranian-backed militia. Their deaths prompted more than 80 retaliatory strikes by the United States against the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and militias operating in Iraq and Syria.The attack in Jordan was the clear, foreseeable result of our tepid responses to more than 150 attacks against…

Feb. 13, 2024 –When it comes to the germiest objects around, here’s a gross one: Your keyboard may contain more bacteria than a toilet seat. The concentrations and variety of bacteria on a keyboard surface are “disturbing,” said Josh Gordon, who specializes in the intersection of health and the digital world at Geonode, an online data management service. “We’re talking E. coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus, to name a few,” he said. The warmth of our fingers on the keyboard, along with everything from skin cells to food crumbs, creates a “fertile breeding ground” for harmful bacteria, Gordon explained. “Keyboard hygiene is no longer a side note but a…

By Dan Collins, as told to Hallie LevineI’ve been living with major depressive disorder since I was 16.  My moment of critical mass was in the spring of 1991. I was 28 and still living at home. My life revolved around getting up, going to work, and returning to my house. I fell down a rabbit hole of extreme depression and anxiety. I felt like I was being devoured by waves of despair and panic that would never end.I finally ended up at the local hospital’s ER. I was told it would take a few weeks to get me in…

By Natasha Tracy, mental health author and advocate, as told to Kara Mayer Robinson In some ways, MDD can make work more difficult. It may create added stress and make your responsibilities feel more challenging. Hard work, deadlines, and an unfriendly environment may be a struggle. On the other hand, work has the ability to help with some aspects of MDD. Having a routine, social contacts, and supportive people around you can help you manage your symptoms better. Everyone is different and so is each workplace, so it depends on the environment where you work. Here are common challenges you may have at work…

By Bianca Palmisano, as told to Hope CristolI talk a lot about what it means for me to be disabled, both with my friends and in the workplace. So talking about depression is quite common.I do have a physical disability: a hypermobility spectrum disorder. It means some of my joints bend way past a normal range of motion, and I live with chronic pain. But I also consider my mental illness — major depressive disorder (MDD) ­– a disability, and I talk about it as a disability.I think solidarity with this community is important. We support each other and advocate…

By Deborah Serani, PsyD, as told to Hallie LevineWhen it comes to talking about how depression affects relationships, I’m the expert. And it’s not just because I’m a psychologist. I’ve lived with major depressive disorder since I was 19. I not only work on this issue with my patients, but I encounter it in my own life every single day.There’s no doubt that strong relationships can help provide a buffer against depression and lessen the severity of depressive episodes. One study, for example, followed American adults aged 25-75 for 10 years and found that people who reported poor relationships with…

When historians look back on the early days of 2024, they probably won’t recall what, precisely, an elderly Democratic president couldn’t quite remember about the names or countries of other world leaders. They will note what 26 Senate Republicans chose to forget about world leadership.I’m referring to Tuesday morning’s Senate vote on a $95 billion supplemental foreign-aid package, including $60 billion in desperately needed military assistance for Ukraine, along with $14 billion for Israel and $10 billion for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza. The bill must still pass the House, where it faces the opposition of Speaker Mike Johnson…

By Sonja Wasden, as told to Kara Mayer RobinsonI’m a mental health advocate living with major depression.I speak with Fortune 500 companies, women’s prisons, firefighters, police officers, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofit organizations, and media outlets about the importance of mental health.My hope is to break the stigma and let people know they’re not alone and can live a beautiful life despite having mental health challenges.Common Misconceptions About Major Depressive DisorderAn important part of destigmatizing depression is breaking down common misunderstandings. While the perception of major depressive disorder is changing, many misconceptions linger.For example, people often think depression is something you can brush…

By James Giordano, PhD, as told to Kara Mayer RobinsonOver the last 20 years, we’ve seen major strides in the treatment options for major depressive disorder.We now understand that depression isn’t the same for everyone. The idea is to identify and diagnose what’s happening in a person’s neurochemistry so we can target our treatment in a way that works specifically for them.Advances in Evidence-Based TreatmentDrug therapy has come a long way in recent years. We’ve improved the scope and focus of drug therapy by developing more selective or specialized antidepressants and combining them in new ways, with fewer side effects.Drug…

By Ashley Bobo, LCSW, as told to Kara Mayer Robinson  When you have major depressive disorder (MDD), understanding what to expect can help you manage the ups and downs. When someone I work with is newly diagnosed, I spend a lot of time educating them and explaining the trajectory of MDD. Life with MDD is often unpredictable. While you may only have one episode of depression in your life, most people have several episodes. Depression can ebb and flow over time, so it’s important to prepare for it and have a plan.Managing MDD Over TimeWith MDD, every day can be different. There…