Current Studies
We are currently conducting several studies on depression. We are interested in certain proteins in the blood that may be signs of depression. We are also interested in decision-making in depressed adults. Our current studies will allow us to address these questions. Both of these studies provide compensation and are accepting depressed individuals as well as healthy volunteers. The decision-making study also includes treatment for depression. Please click below for information about current studies, which include:
We are also conducting a study evaluating the effectiveness of a new treatment for major depression. This study is for those who have undergone prior treatment but have not gotten better. As part of this study, we are examining the efficacy of low-field magnetic stimulation (similar to an MRI) for reducing depressive symptoms.
For all of our studies, participants will receive a psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, and laboratory tests at no cost.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in our depression study, please click here to fill out a questionnaire. Once it is received, you will be contacted by a member of our staff. You can also contact us directly at 404-778-MOOD(6663).
What is Clinical Depression?
Clinical depression is more than the typical feelings of sadness that occur in response to negative events. Clinical depression includes emotional, cognitive (thinking), physical, and behavioral symptoms that last longer than two weeks. Emotional symptoms include sadness, irritability, and anxiety, as well as decreased enjoyment and interest. Cognitive symptoms include ideas of worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness, as well as difficulties with concentration and memory. Hopelessness can lead to suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Physical symptoms, such as decreased energy and sleep and appetite changes, can initially be mistaken for a general medical condition. Behavioral symptoms include crying, irritable behavior, social withdrawal, and decreased activity and productivity.
Clinical depression can present with varying degrees of severity and length. It is a common illness that causes marked distress and interferes with relationships and work functioning. Clinical depression affects people of all ages, women more than men. There is some evidence that clinical depression, if left untreated, may complicate or worsen general medical conditions, such as heart disease.
We are also conducting a study evaluating the effectiveness of a new treatment for major depression. This study is for those who have undergone prior treatment but have not gotten better. As part of this study, we are examining the efficacy of low-field magnetic stimulation (similar to an MRI) for reducing depressive symptoms.
For all of our studies, participants will receive a psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, and laboratory tests at no cost.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in our depression study, please click here to fill out a questionnaire. Once it is received, you will be contacted by a member of our staff. You can also contact us directly at 404-778-MOOD(6663).
What is Clinical Depression?
Clinical depression is more than the typical feelings of sadness that occur in response to negative events. Clinical depression includes emotional, cognitive (thinking), physical, and behavioral symptoms that last longer than two weeks. Emotional symptoms include sadness, irritability, and anxiety, as well as decreased enjoyment and interest. Cognitive symptoms include ideas of worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness, as well as difficulties with concentration and memory. Hopelessness can lead to suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Physical symptoms, such as decreased energy and sleep and appetite changes, can initially be mistaken for a general medical condition. Behavioral symptoms include crying, irritable behavior, social withdrawal, and decreased activity and productivity.
Clinical depression can present with varying degrees of severity and length. It is a common illness that causes marked distress and interferes with relationships and work functioning. Clinical depression affects people of all ages, women more than men. There is some evidence that clinical depression, if left untreated, may complicate or worsen general medical conditions, such as heart disease.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by recurrent mood episodes, one of which must have been hypomanic or manic in nature.
Hypomania and mania describe states of elevated or intensely irritable mood, high energy, increased productivity and risky, impulsive behaviors. At other times in their lives, people with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of depression, characterized by profound sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts. Recurring episodes of depression and mania may interfere substantially with quality of life and may lead to occupational, legal, and relationship problems. Unfortunately, many people with bipolar disorder continue to be affected by concentration and sleep problems, even when they are not feeling depressed or manic.
Currently, we are not conducting any bipolar disorder studies.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by recurrent mood episodes, one of which must have been hypomanic or manic in nature.
Hypomania and mania describe states of elevated or intensely irritable mood, high energy, increased productivity and risky, impulsive behaviors. At other times in their lives, people with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of depression, characterized by profound sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts. Recurring episodes of depression and mania may interfere substantially with quality of life and may lead to occupational, legal, and relationship problems. Unfortunately, many people with bipolar disorder continue to be affected by concentration and sleep problems, even when they are not feeling depressed or manic.
Currently, we are not conducting any bipolar disorder studies.
The Mood and Anxiety Program is conducting a study to evaluate an investigational medication for PTSD in men and women aged 18 to 65 who have been experiencing PTSD symptoms for at least one month.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in our PTSD study, please click here to fill out a questionnaire. Once it is received, you will be contacted by a member of our staff. You can also contact us directly at 404-727-4964.
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical or personal harm occurred or threatened to occur. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, rape, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts, nightmares, or memories of their ordeal. They may experience sleep problems, be irritable or easily startled, and have a hard time concentrating. They may also lose interest in their usual activities or feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. Typically, people with PTSD try to avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in our PTSD study, please click here to fill out a questionnaire. Once it is received, you will be contacted by a member of our staff. You can also contact us directly at 404-727-4964.
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical or personal harm occurred or threatened to occur. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, rape, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts, nightmares, or memories of their ordeal. They may experience sleep problems, be irritable or easily startled, and have a hard time concentrating. They may also lose interest in their usual activities or feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. Typically, people with PTSD try to avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event.
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent, senseless, and highly anxiety-provoking thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that intrude into a person’s mind against his or her will. People who suffer from obsessions usually have some awareness that the thoughts are irrational, although they may be scary and seem bizarre. The obsessions may trigger a set of ritualized behaviors (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform repeatedly in order to feel less anxious. Some of the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder include: fear of doing harm, fear of germs or illness, repeated checking or washing/cleaning, and repetitive, time-consuming "rituals."
Currently, we are not conducting any obsessive-compulsive disorder studies.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent, senseless, and highly anxiety-provoking thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that intrude into a person’s mind against his or her will. People who suffer from obsessions usually have some awareness that the thoughts are irrational, although they may be scary and seem bizarre. The obsessions may trigger a set of ritualized behaviors (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform repeatedly in order to feel less anxious. Some of the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder include: fear of doing harm, fear of germs or illness, repeated checking or washing/cleaning, and repetitive, time-consuming "rituals."
Currently, we are not conducting any obsessive-compulsive disorder studies.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a number of different issues (such as relationships, work performance, or safety), lasting for at least six months. This is often accompanied by physical anxiety symptoms such as muscle tension or upset stomach. Individuals with this disorder are often easily fatigued and may experience irritability, as well as sleep and concentration difficulties.
Currently, we are not conducting any generalized anxiety disorder studies.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a number of different issues (such as relationships, work performance, or safety), lasting for at least six months. This is often accompanied by physical anxiety symptoms such as muscle tension or upset stomach. Individuals with this disorder are often easily fatigued and may experience irritability, as well as sleep and concentration difficulties.
Currently, we are not conducting any generalized anxiety disorder studies.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is triggered by social or performance situations in which one may be the focus of attention or evaluated negatively by others. Some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder include: fear of looking foolish, fear of public speaking, fear of making conversation, fear of public places, and fear of meeting new people. There are also physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, or nausea in public places.
Currently, we are not conducting any social anxiety disorder studies.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is triggered by social or performance situations in which one may be the focus of attention or evaluated negatively by others. Some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder include: fear of looking foolish, fear of public speaking, fear of making conversation, fear of public places, and fear of meeting new people. There are also physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, or nausea in public places.
Currently, we are not conducting any social anxiety disorder studies.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic Disorder consists of experiencing panic attacks or fearing recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks can be characterized as out-of-the-blue, tremendous rushes of fear that are quickly accompanied by heart racing, sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, tingling, or nausea. Sometimes people who experience panic attacks even fear they might be dying. When not experiencing panic attacks, people with panic disorder can spend so much time worrying about when their next attack will be that they end up missing out on activities and places they used to be able to enjoy.
Currently, we are not conducting any panic disorder studies.
Panic Disorder consists of experiencing panic attacks or fearing recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks can be characterized as out-of-the-blue, tremendous rushes of fear that are quickly accompanied by heart racing, sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, tingling, or nausea. Sometimes people who experience panic attacks even fear they might be dying. When not experiencing panic attacks, people with panic disorder can spend so much time worrying about when their next attack will be that they end up missing out on activities and places they used to be able to enjoy.
Currently, we are not conducting any panic disorder studies.
Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing alternative therapies and has a high rate of acceptance for symptom management among cancer patients. Massage has been shown in smaller studies with cancer patients to modulate the immune system. The massage for CRF study (click here for flyer information) investigates the effects of massage therapy on CRF among breast cancer survivors. The primary aim of this study is to explore whether a decrease in CRF will increase quality of life among cancer survivors. Participants will receive a physical exam, psychiatric evaluation, and laboratory tests at no cost.
How to participate
If you are interested in participating in our massage for cancer-related fatigue study, please contact the study coordinator at 404-778-2497.
What is cancer-related fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms experienced by people with cancer. It can persist for months or years after cancer therapy is completed and has a negative impact on all areas of function. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) CRF is "a persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive exhaustion related to cancer or its treatment that is not proportional to recent activity" (NCCN, 2011). Fatigue occurs across the spectrum of cancer types and treatments. CRF has a negative impact on all areas of function, including mood, physical function, work performance, social interaction, family care, cognitive performance, schoolwork, and community activities. CRF has been rated as more troublesome and to have a greater negative impact on quality of life than other cancer-related symptoms such as pain, depression, and nausea. CRF can persist for months or years after cancer therapy is completed. With approximately 12 million cancer survivors today in the United States alone, increased attention is being given to quality of life after cancer treatment.
How to participate
If you are interested in participating in our massage for cancer-related fatigue study, please contact the study coordinator at 404-778-2497.
What is cancer-related fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms experienced by people with cancer. It can persist for months or years after cancer therapy is completed and has a negative impact on all areas of function. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) CRF is "a persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive exhaustion related to cancer or its treatment that is not proportional to recent activity" (NCCN, 2011). Fatigue occurs across the spectrum of cancer types and treatments. CRF has a negative impact on all areas of function, including mood, physical function, work performance, social interaction, family care, cognitive performance, schoolwork, and community activities. CRF has been rated as more troublesome and to have a greater negative impact on quality of life than other cancer-related symptoms such as pain, depression, and nausea. CRF can persist for months or years after cancer therapy is completed. With approximately 12 million cancer survivors today in the United States alone, increased attention is being given to quality of life after cancer treatment.