• Due to what researchers are calling a “genetic switch,” depression and stress have the capacity to shrink brain volume, which can lead to emotional and cognitive impairment.
• Depression has been found to be the strongest driver of suicidal thoughts among soldiers and veterans.
• Brain scans of hoarders reveal abnormal activation in areas that process error monitoring, weighing the value of things, assessing risks, unpleasant feelings and emotional decisions.
• Women may be most at risk for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder when their estrogen levels are low.
• Long-term alcohol abuse affects the brains of men and women differently.

Heather Rudow is a staff writer for Counseling Today. Email her at hrudow@counseling.org.