All antidepressants have the potential to cause physical adverse effects, such as dry mouth, drowsiness, and dizziness. But patients often report psychological and interpersonal effects, too, and the fear of these adverse reactions sometimes leads patients to refuse these drugs. How common are non-physical side effects, such as apathy and feelings of detachment?

Psychiatric disorders account for billions of dollars of costs related to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and treatment each year. Most research in this area has focused on standard DSM diagnoses, but it may be more informative to look instead at psychiatric symptoms, such as insomnia and emotional distress, and their effect on the workplace.

A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation usually includes questions about a patient’s spirituality and religious beliefs, but there is little research to show whether or how spiritual or religious factors may contribute to mental health. A recent study demonstrates that belief in God is significantly associated with better treatment outcomes, although the reasons for this connection remain unknown.

Much research over the past decade has demonstrated the benefits of physical exercise in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Nonpharmacological methods to treat depression include more than just ECT: recent developments include promising strategies like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). Another procedure, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) involves the application of weak direct electrical current to the brain via scalp electrodes, which can be positioned to deliver currents that increase or decrease cortical excitability.