Medical Daily (2/18, Baulkman) reports that a large study published Thursday in the scientific journal Addiction found “cigarette smokers with depressive symptoms, such as feelings of guilt and helplessness, had a higher motivation to quit smoking, but were more likely to relapse within the first month.” The Daily says this creates a “catch-22,” as quitting smoking creates risks of depression. The CDC is cited indicating tobacco smoking is “the leading preventable cause of death” in the US.

Related Links:

— “Smokers With Depression Have A Higher Motivation To Quit, But More Likely To Relapse,” Jaleesa Baulkman, Medical Daily, February 18, 2016.

The NBC News (2/18, Fox) website reports that “more Americans than ever are overdosing on anxiety” medications. Researchers found that while the amount of filled prescriptions for anxiety medications has tripled from 1996 to 2013, the number of overdoses quadrupled over the same time period.

Related Links:

— “Anxiety Drug Overdoses Have Quadrupled Over Last Two Decades, Study Finds,” Maggie Fox, NBC News, February 18, 2016.

The Huffington Post (2/18, Pearson) reports that antenatal depression “affects roughly 15 to 25 percent of expectant mothers,” and is not given as much attention as postpartum depression. Meanwhile, “the DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association’s official manual of mental disorders, does not recognize antenatal and postpartum depression as separate things, instead including them both under the umbrella of ‘major depression’ with a specifier of ‘peripartum onset.’”

Both conditions “can be closely intertwined,” however. “Women who are depressed or anxious during pregnancy are 50 percent more likely than the general population to struggle postpartum,” said clinical social worker Kate Kripke, founder of the Postpartum Wellness Center of Boulder.

Related Links:

— “We Need To Talk More About Depression During Pregnancy,” Catherine Pearson, Huffington Post, February 17, 2016.

Medscape (2/17, Brooks) reports that “a sense of meaning in life may be a critical factor in curbing suicidal thoughts in older adults.”

Related Links:

— Medscape (requires login and subscription)

HealthDay (2/17, Mozes) reports, “Nearly four in 10 people who seriously consider suicide end up recovering long-term, achieving a mental state that’s free of suicidal symptoms or thoughts,” a study published online Jan. 26 in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior suggests. After examining “nearly 2,900 formerly suicidal men and women,” researchers also found that “chances of recovery are more than seven times greater when a patient has a close confidant to trust and count on.”

Related Links:

— “Many Suicidal People Make Long-Term Recovery, Study Shows,” Alan Mozes, HealthDay, February 17, 2016.