By Akash Goel
CNN Medical News Intern

Happiness is perhaps the most fundamental pursuit of human nature. If happiness does indeed serve as life's benchmark, shouldn't there be an adequate way to measure a nation's collective emotional health? Peter Dodds and Chris Danforth, two researchers from the University of Vermont, think so.

They are combining traditional mathematics with computer assisted data mining to create what they call a digital "hedonometer." The team analyzed nearly 10 million sentences gathered from 2.3 million blogs using the site wefeelfine.org beginning with the words "I feel" or "I am feeling." The team also examined written cultural artifacts such as song lyrics since the ’60s. They then numerically assigned a happiness score to the statements based on previously derived metrics from linguistic studies.

According to their methods, last year’s Election Day was the happiest in four years, and the day of Michael Jackson's death was one of the unhappiest.

"What we hope is that the signals picked up by our ‘hedonometer' will become of the dashboard of indicators we use in making public policy, business decisions, and so on." said Dodds, professor of mathematics and lead researcher of the study.

"While financial indices such as GDP, the many stock market numbers, consumer confidence, unemployment rates, etc., are all important and useful, we think there's great merit in measuring a more human aspect of society: our collective mood."

They hope their methods will serve as a novel and real-time canvassing tool to access the way events and policy decisions affect our national consciousness. Current methods, which are largely survey based, are limited by sample size and bias–people tend to misreport their feelings in research settings.

"When we directly ask people how they're feeling, we have naturally complicated their response," explained Dodd. "People might reasonably wonder why you're asking them these questions and what sort of response is expected."

What is attractive about this research is that their data streams are unfettered and unfiltered. They are also able to mine Web-scale data sets, an output of millions of bloggers.

While these mega data sets are the study’s strength, they may also be its Achilles’ heel. The team seems to be making broad observations about a nation’s emotions based on text from bloggers, a somewhat homogenous demographic. For example, the study automatically excludes the emotional states of people who don’t have access to a computer.

Dodd acknowledges that although bloggers tend to be younger and more highly educated than average, they are reasonably reflective of ethnic diversity. This demographic “selection” problem is a pitfall inherent to all human behavior research studies because researchers are dependent on those participants who are willing to volunteer. In this case, the participants are those willing and able to document their feelings online.

Harvard psychology researcher Matt Killingsworth and creator of the Web site trackyourhappiness.org identifies one caveat when trying to determine trends based on indiscriminate text.

"While people may be much more likely to use positive words such as 'love' on Valentine's Day," he argues, "that doesn't necessarily mean that people are vastly happier on February 14 than they were on February 13."

While evolving trends in song lyrics may serve as interesting fodder for conversation, Killingsworth also suggests that they may be a misleading indicator of happiness.

"Even if typical song lyrics are much more negative in 2009 than they were 30 or 40 years ago, this doesn't necessarily mean that people are much less happy today," he said. "In fact, what data we have suggests that happiness in the U.S. is about the same as it was 30 or 40 years ago."

While the utility of digital happiness trends may not be immediately obvious - they may be illustrative and communicative of our wants and needs just as any other language.

"Blogging and tweeting leave electronic signatures of ourselves," said Dodd. "Over time, these signatures may be as informative as the much more immediate communication of body language."

Do you blog to share emotions? Do you think that blogs serve as a good indication of a nation's emotional health?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Jennifer Pifer-Bixler
CNN Medical Senior Producer

My husband just got back from a long trip. And while I missed him terribly (hi honey, in case you are reading!), I have a confession: There was an upside to his absence. I went on a "girlfriend-palooza." From dinners to extended phone calls, it was nice spending quality time with friends. Now don't get me wrong, we have an active “couple” social life. But ladies, let's be honest, there is something different about just hanging with the girls. Laughing and dishing can do wonders for your mood.

Reseachers at the University of Michigan say there is some science behind the high we can get from hanging out with friends. Here's how they figured it out: The researchers took saliva samples from 160 female college students. Then, the women were put in pairs. One group performed an emotionally neutral task: proofreading a botany manuscript together. Then the other pairs played a “get-to-know-you” game, where they shared intimate information with each other. Afterwards, both sets of pairs played cards together on the computer. Then they gave another saliva sample. And here's what researchers found: The women who spent time talking and getting to know each other had higher progesterone levels. Other research has found that progesterone acts kind of like anti-anxiety medication, according to lead researcher, Dr. Stephanie Brown. On top of that, the study also found higher levels of progesterone were linked to a greater willingness to sacrifice for another person, even if it could mean danger to them.

Researchers say this study could help explain the connection between biology and social behavior. "These links may help us understand why people in close relationships are happier, healthier and live longer than those who are socially isolated," says lead researcher, Dr. Stephanie Brown.

I want to know what you think. Do you find hanging out with your girlfriends makes you feel better? Also – this study didn't look at guys- but I would be curious to know from our male readers – does your mood improve after hanging out with your friends?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Caitlin Hagan
CNN Medical Associate Producer

One of my good friends recently went through an unexpected breakup. I'll spare you the details but suffice it to say it was not a pretty situation. But my friend is a strong person. A little time being sad and a few girls' nights were all she thought she needed to bounce back and feel happy again. But months went by and things didn't get any easier. I remember talking to her one night over dinner, when her sadness and anger gave way to frustration. She couldn't wait to stop being sad, she said. When would she be happy again?

What is the difference between sadness and depression? I posed that question to Dr. Paula Bloom, a licensed clinical psychologist. Bloom says it's all about your ability to function. Are your emotions interfering with your daily life? "It's OK to be sad or angry and have some of those feelings, but when you're affected physically, when you have changes in your appetite or your weight, or difficulty sleeping or focusing...or you experience memory problems, that's when it becomes something more serious."

A person with depression may isolate from the world around him or her. Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist and clinical director of the Mind-Body Program at Emory University, described how unproductive emotions, meaning negative emotions, can make a person a magnet for more negativity. As a person with depression withdraws, he or she begins to make bad choices, stop exercising, or indulge in unhealthy vices such as drinking, smoking, or eating poorly. She may avoid social situations, argue with family or co-workers, and fail to stand up for herself when she normally would.

In this tough economic climate, difficult events such as losing a loved one or ending a relationship may be compounded by stress, anxiety or anger triggered by financial difficulties. Job loss can also mean health insurance loss, and a person confronted with unemployment and depression may feel that therapy or antidepressants are not affordable options. But there are steps you can take to help your mood that don’t cost a thing. A change in lifestyle is one of the most effective ways a person can battle depression By eating healthy, exercising, socializing, and trying to get regular sleep, a person can become less isolated and better equipped to manage his or her emotions. Most cities have community mental health centers that offer services at a discounted rate. And for anyone really needing to speak with a therapist, Bloom encourages people to contact a doctor and try to negotiate lower fees. Many mental health professionals are willing to work with patients at a reduced rate.

Have you ever been depressed? What did you do about it?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Caleb Hellerman
CNN Medical Senior Producer

It’s only been three weeks but it feels like a lifetime since we aired our documentary, Addiction/Life on the Edge. That’s how it goes in the news business, especially when a global swine flu outbreak grabs the headlines.

But I can’t ignore the fascinating calls and emails we got in response to “Addiction” – including doctors who watched with colleagues, and a man who said he watched in the rec room of a rehab program, with 90 percent of the other residents.

I found it especially heartbreaking to read notes from people whose children are struggling with drugs or alcohol. Linda Frisciaro wrote about her 25-year-son, who beat an addiction to crack (“I thought we conquered the world when he stopped, and there was no better feeling than that…”) but soon was battling an addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers. (“He called me about a year ago, crying and weeping, saying ‘Mom, please help me.’ It took him about 45 minutes to get out those couple words….”)

My heart goes out to Frisciaro and anyone in her position; I can only hope their stories have happy endings and the addicts come to realize how fortunate they are to have someone who didn’t quit on them.

A number of people wrote to emphasize the link between addiction and disorders like depression and bipolar illness. We mentioned this briefly in the documentary, but it might have been worth making a stronger point.

I also got an earful from people who read my article about medications that might be used to treat addiction. A sample:

Joan: “I agree that the disease is complicated, and a pill won't solve every problem. There are many reasons and life situations for a person to drink, but if this can help, why not make it available?”

Fred: “I give this guy about a year of working in this bar and he'll be blackout drunk once again. Trust me. I know. Naltrexone is not the silver bullet.”

I’d like to re-emphasize: no one particular treatment will work for everyone. And the research on medication is clear: it works best when used in combination with therapy, not when you just take a pill and plop down in front of the TV.

One of the most interesting emails came from Dr. Howard Wetsman, a psychiatrist in New Orleans, who wrote, “I can’t agree with your theory about the medications profiled not fitting in with current treatment. In fact I know of many residential settings that use both naltrexone and topiramate in the context of stopping drug or alcohol use.” Some colleagues fear that use of medication ignores an addict’s underlying suffering, but it’s not a business consideration, says Wetsman. “Far from having a profit motive to be against medication, they would actually bring more people into their programs if they offered medication as part of the treatment. These are caring professionals that want to provide good treatment. While I disagree with their stance, I can’t find fault with their motives.”

You can read all the posted comments here and here.

We’d like to report more stories about addiction and possible treatments. What would you like to hear more about?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Karen Denice
CNN Medical Senior Producer

As a medical producer I’ve become a bit of a de facto health adviser to my family. Usually it’s about knee pain or headaches, minor stuff. Unfortunately a few weeks ago it was major – my mother was feeling fatigued, coughing frequently and her heart ached. I was worried, but thought it might just be grief. Her brother had died suddenly just days before and anyone who has dealt with the death of a loved one knows it feels like your heart is physically breaking.

Marie Denice and Karen Denice

I’m lucky that my parents are great “empowered patients” and so now in their 70s they work hard to remain in good health. So after some prodding, my mom went to her doctor, who didn’t like the sound of things and sent her to a cardiologist. The cardiologist already had a baseline EKG for her, so when he did another he knew something was wrong. My mom called. “The doctor said I had a heart attack,” and she was going in the next day for an angiogram. Those words still shock me.

Luckily, rational thought returned, and I remembered a story we’d done a couple of years ago on a condition called "broken heart syndrome". It looks like a classic heart attack with an abnormal EKG, chest pain, fatigue etc., but doctors have discovered it is far less damaging to the heart. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that found stress cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, can occur when someone, often older women, receive shocking news. The emotional impact of that news can set off a powerful chain reaction – adrenalin and other stress hormones surge – stunning the heart. While this syndrome is still a bit of a mystery, the good news is, doctors believe that, unlike a heart attack, there is usually no long-term impact on the heart.

I e-mailed my mother the study and other articles, hoping this is what she had, hoping there was no damage to her heart. But her angiogram would tell the tale – showing any blockages or damage. Thank goodness, she came out with a clean bill of health and the doctor diagnosed stress cardiomyopathy. Phew!

Days later she went back to her primary care physician to tell him the good news and brought the research I’d sent her. The doctor had never heard of broken heart syndrome. This is an important point for everyone who comes to CNNhealth and is a health consumer. In this state of health care, primary doctors often don’t have time to read all the medical journals and research out there. So, empower yourself and if you suspect your symptoms are something other than what they say – speak up and talk it over with your doctor.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Ann J. Curley
CNN Medical Assignment Manager

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The familiar question entered my mind as I was reading a study in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association regarding diabetes and depression. Why? Because the study found that patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing depression and patients with depression have a higher risk of diabetes.

Lead study author Sherita Hill Golden, M.D. of Johns Hopkins University says her research involved two analyses of data generated by a study looking at heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The study involved over 5,000 men and women, ages 45 to 84.

First the researchers looked at people who began the study with symptoms of depression, but did not have diabetes. Those people had a 42 percent higher risk for developing diabetes during a three-year follow-up. Golden speculates that behaviors associated with depression, such as overeating, smoking, and not exercising, help to trigger the diabetes.

A second facet of the study looked at patients in whom type 2 diabetes was diagnosed, who had no symptoms of depression. Those patients showed a 54 percent higher risk for depression during the three-year follow-up period. Golden believes that the stress of managing diabetes can lead to depression for some patients. Although this study focused on type 2 diabetes, Golden says that depression is also common among type 1 diabetics.

Health care providers and patients must be aware of the double-edged sword of diabetes and depression. Identifying and treating both is critical. It’s important to understand that depression, when untreated, can lead to behaviors that can lead to, or worsen diabetes, because people eat poorly and don’t exercise. But there are many treatment options for both conditions that can keep patients healthy and happy.

Do you have diabetes or depression? Are you concerned that one might lead to the other? What are you doing to take care of yourself?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Yvonne Lee
CNN Medical Producer

The first time I began to associate sleeplessness with depression was after my aunt died. I was 8 years old and living in Los Angeles. My grandmother came to stay with us while the funeral preparations were made. I remember walking into my room and seeing her staring at the wall, eyes red and swollen. My sister and I slept on the floor next to her bed to keep her company. Several times during those few weeks, I woke up in the middle of the night and I'd see my grandmother wide awake, staring at nothing but the wall again. She barely spoke and stayed in bed, even during the day.

At least 80 percent of depressed people experience some form of insomnia, according to David N. Neubauer, M.D, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center – whether it's difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The link between the two has been well established. Recently, a study published in the journal SLEEP suggests that insomnia is more than just a symptom of depression; it actually increases your risk of getting it. People with insomnia that lasted more than two weeks were one and a half to two times more likely to develop depression.

I experienced insomnia right after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. I was based at CNN's Washington bureau and for months, I couldn't sleep.

I would drive to work absolutely exhausted and numb. Because I lived in Arlington, Virginia, I had to drive past the Pentagon on my way to work. It was an ugly reminder of what how many lives were lost that day.

I worked at the Pentagon on weekends to produce live shots with our reporter. Whenever I walked in, it smelled as if something had been burnt, like you had just put out a campfire.

I didn't realize I was depressed until I saw my doctor and he told me to see a counselor. He prescribed anti-depressants – which did help me get some sleep – until I could get past what happened. Eventually, I felt better and went off the drug and was able to fall and stay asleep.

Have you ever experienced insomnia and later developed depression?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Chief Medical Correspondent

Wouldn't it be great to know if you were likely to develop Alzheimer's disease? I think about it all the time, especially when I forget something, lose my keys or lose my train of thought, which really seems to happen more and more lately. Truth is, everyone does that from time to time, and it often has no relationship to developing dementia. But researchers think they have found something that may serve as a warning sign. Depression. While it has long been believed that people with Alzheimer's become depressed because of the mind-robbing effects of the disease, there is now some evidence to suggest that it is, in fact, the other way around. Depression may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's.

After tracking 917 retired Catholic priests and nuns, researchers found those with symptoms of depression at the beginning of the study were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. (read study)   A different study found that those with depression were 2.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's and if you developed depression before the age of 60, you were actually 4 times more likely to develop it.

The big question, of course, is why.  Well, after doing some digging, there is no easy answer.  However, consider this: People with depression often release lots of cortisol because of the stress of their depression, and it is believed that cortisol by itself could cause damage to the vital connections in the brain that are responsible for memory.

There is no question that as our population ages, more people than ever will develop Alzheimer's disease. Besides better treatments, one of the biggest goals for researchers is earlier detection. 

As a neurosurgeon, I am fascinated by this and I am curious:  If you know, or have known anyone with Alzheimer's disease, did you see any early clues that signaled future Alzheimer's disease?

Editor's Note:  Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.