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Speech on Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a serious medical condition that can change how you think, feel, and handle daily activities. You might struggle with sleeping, eating, or enjoying things you once loved.

Nobody chooses to feel this way. It’s important to know that it’s not your fault and you’re not alone. Many people experience depression and it’s okay to ask for help.

1-minute Speech on Depression

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about a serious topic today – depression. It’s a strong word that carries a lot of weight. Think of it as a heavy, grey cloud that hangs over a person. It’s not just feeling sad or having a bad day. It’s a sickness that affects your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Depression is often silent. You may not see it, but it’s there. It’s like a person wearing a mask, hiding their true feelings. They may be laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside. It’s important to know this, so we can help people who may be suffering in silence.

Depression is a battle that can be won. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength. Speaking to a doctor, a counselor, or a trusted person in your life can be the first step towards feeling better. There are also medications and therapies that can help lift the grey cloud.

Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. We can all help by being kind and understanding. Let’s make the world a safe place for people to talk about their feelings. Because no one should have to fight depression alone.

Thank you for your attention today. Let’s all work together to understand and defeat depression.

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2-minute Speech on Depression

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Depression is a word we hear a lot, but what does it really mean? Let’s think of it as a heavy, dark cloud that hangs over you all the time. It can make you feel sad, tired, and lose interest in things you once loved. It’s not the same as being upset because you got a bad grade or had a fight with your friend. This cloud doesn’t go away after a few hours or even a few days. It sticks around and can make life very hard.

But here’s the first important thing to know: depression is not your fault. It’s like catching a cold or the flu. It’s an illness and it needs treatment. There’s no reason to feel ashamed if you’re struggling with it. Many people experience it, from all walks of life. Famous people, like artists, athletes, and even presidents, have faced depression. It can happen to anyone at any age.

The next important fact is: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s hard to reach out when you’re feeling so down, but remember, you’re not alone. If you don’t feel good for a long time, tell someone. It could be your parents, a teacher, a friend, or a counselor at school. They can help you find the right person to talk to.

But what if you’re not the one with depression, but it’s your friend or family member? Don’t ignore it. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and get help. Be there for them. Listen without judging. Small acts of kindness can mean a lot to someone who is depressed. It shows them that they are not alone and that people care.

To sum up, depression is a heavy cloud that can make you feel sad and tired all the time. It’s not your fault, and it can be treated. Asking for help is important and shows strength. If you see someone else struggling, be there for them. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. But with understanding, support, and proper treatment, the cloud of depression can lift, and the sun can shine again.

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This Is Not The End – Inspiring Speech On Depression & Mental Health

This is not the end – inspiring speech on depression & mental health.

If you are suffering from depression, please seek help. Talk to someone. Commit to work on yourself. You CAN turn it all around and you DO DESERVE it. Get help in your country:  Help Hotlines For Depression

This Is Not The End. Watch FREE on our YouTube channel:

Transcript: This Is Not The End – Inspiring Speech On Depression

I want you to know that, no matter where you are in life… No matter how low you have sunk… No matter how bleak your situation… This is NOT THE END.

This is not the end of your story This is not the final chapter of your life.

I know it may be hard right now But if you just hang in there Stick it out Stay with me for a little while… You will find, that this tough moment will pass, and, if you are committed to USING this pain, 
using it to build your character, 
finding a greater MEANING for the pain, 
you will find that, in time, 
you can turn your life around, and help others going through the same struggles.

The world right now is in the middle of a mental health crisis.

It’s estimated almost half the population suffers from depression at some stage throughout their life.

Rather than join the cue, it’s important we it’s learn why we get down, and then how we can change it, because believe it or not, we create our own negative feelings and we can also ensure that we turn our lives around and be a positive change for others.

The reason anyone gets depressed always comes down to the CONSISTENT thoughts we think, and the CONSISTENT beliefs we hold.

Let me say that again.

If I believe I am fat, horrible, ugly and unworthy of love, I will most likely become depressed or have depression thoughts

If my thought process is “I must be in a relationship and earn X amount to be happy” I might get depression if I don’t achieve those goals.

The point here is that anyone that is depressed, is so, because there is an external factor that didn’t materialize in their life – 

i.e…. (They have lost something outside of their control, or don’t have something that is out of their control) 

the most common reasons for depression are : a lost a job, relationship break downs or non existence, body image, comparison to others.

The only way out of this is to work on yourself, every day.

In school we are taught how to get a job, but no one teaches us how to live in a state of happiness. 

No one teaches us how important our conscious and unconscious thoughts and associations are. Is our happiness not worth more than a job?

And before you say, happiness won’t pay my bills – happiness WILL pay your bills, when you realize you will be 10 times more energized, focused and take positive action in your life, when you FIRST choose to develop yourself as a priority, and THEN get to all the “stuff” of the world.

I’ve seen some people, who many would consider to “have it all” end their life because they thought they were not good enough. A thought, a belief within them told them they were not worthy. These people that many were jealous of, many envious of, were not good enough.

You must value yourself enough, to take the time EVERY SINGLE DAY to work on you. To engage in something, that will ensure you are a positive influence on the world.

This of course doesn’t mean life will suddenly be perfect. The same life-challenges will show up, but if your mind is strong, if you mind is at peace, your REACTION to the challenging times will be very different.

Your reaction will be HOW CAN I MAKE THIS WORK, not ‘why is this happening to me’

And then others will look to you, not with pity but with HOPE, because your strength will become their HOPE, their strength.

You really can be that powerful. You can ditch the victim story, you can leave the pain behind and FOCUS on how you will react next. How you will react positively.

Read. Read all you can read to get your mind in a positive place. Take steps to ensure you will be in a better position next time – whatever pain you are suffering – how can you ensure it won’t show again – 

Take little steps… and soon you will be at the top of the stair case.

Don’t give up You are worthy You are more than worthy! You deserve to experience how great life can be – and you owe it to the world to be that positive change for others. To inspire others – who will look to you and say – he did it, she did it, and I can do it too.

cropped Screenshot 2023 08 20 at 23.18.57

Informative Speech about Depression

Shrouded in misconception and often silently suffered, depression casts a long shadow over millions of lives, demanding our attention and understanding. This complex mental health condition affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, yet it remains widely misunderstood and stigmatized. To combat this, it’s crucial that we educate ourselves and others about the nature of depression, its causes, symptoms, and available treatments.

Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. The World Health Organization estimates that over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, making it one of the most common mental health disorders globally.

Suffering in silence is a common experience for many individuals with depression, but it doesn’t have to be this way. By raising awareness and fostering open conversations about mental health, we can create a more supportive environment for those struggling with depression and encourage them to seek help.

Causes and Risk Factors of Depression

Depression is a complex disorder with multiple contributing factors. Understanding these factors can help us better comprehend the condition and provide more effective support to those affected.

1. Biological Factors: – Genetics: Research suggests that depression can run in families, indicating a genetic component. – Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are associated with depression. – Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones, such as during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, can trigger depressive episodes.

2. Psychological Factors: – Personality traits: Certain personality types, such as those prone to low self-esteem or pessimism, may be more susceptible to depression. – Cognitive patterns: Negative thinking patterns and distorted perceptions can contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. – Trauma or abuse: Experiencing traumatic events or abuse, especially during childhood, can increase the risk of developing depression later in life.

3. Environmental Factors : – Chronic stress: Prolonged exposure to stressful situations, such as work-related stress or financial difficulties, can contribute to depression. – Loss and grief: The death of a loved one, end of a relationship, or other significant losses can trigger depressive episodes. – Social isolation: Lack of social support and feelings of loneliness can increase the risk of depression. – Substance abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse can both contribute to and exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for identifying individuals who may be more vulnerable to depression and implementing preventive measures or early interventions.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression is essential for early detection and intervention. While everyone experiences occasional sadness or low moods, clinical depression is characterized by persistent symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning. Here are the key signs and symptoms to watch for:

1. Persistent sadness or emptiness: A pervasive feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that lasts for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities: A noticeable decrease in enjoyment or interest in activities that were once pleasurable, also known as anhedonia.

3. Changes in appetite and sleep patterns: Significant weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, or changes in sleep habits, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping.

4. Fatigue and decreased energy: Feeling tired and lethargic, even after adequate rest, and struggling to complete daily tasks due to lack of energy.

5. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt, self-blame, or worthlessness that may not be proportionate to the situation.

6. Difficulties in concentration or decision-making: Trouble focusing on tasks, remembering details, or making decisions, even for minor everyday matters.

7. Thoughts of death or suicide: Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts. It’s important to note that any suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously and require immediate professional intervention.

Other symptoms may include: – Irritability or restlessness – Physical aches and pains without apparent cause – Social withdrawal – Neglect of personal hygiene or appearance

It’s important to remember that depression can manifest differently in various individuals and across different age groups. For instance, children and adolescents may exhibit more irritability than sadness, while older adults might experience more physical symptoms or memory problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression

Proper diagnosis and treatment of depression are crucial for recovery and improved quality of life. While self-diagnosis can be tempting, it’s essential to seek professional help for an accurate assessment and appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic Criteria: Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose depression. The criteria include experiencing at least five of the symptoms mentioned earlier for a minimum of two weeks, with at least one symptom being either depressed mood or loss of interest in activities.

Importance of Seeking Professional Help: Many people hesitate to seek help due to stigma or the belief that they should be able to “snap out of it.” However, depression is a serious medical condition that often requires professional intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent the condition from worsening.

Available Treatment Options: Depression is treatable, and there are various effective options available. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the depression, individual preferences, and other factors. Often, a combination of treatments yields the best results.

1. Psychotherapy: Talk therapy for depression is a cornerstone of treatment. Different types of therapy can be effective, including:

– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to depression. – Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on improving relationships and communication skills to address depression. – Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious thoughts and past experiences that may be influencing current depressive symptoms.

2. Medications: Antidepressants can be an effective treatment option, especially for moderate to severe depression. Common types include:

– Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Such as fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram. – Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Like venlafaxine and duloxetine. – Atypical antidepressants: Such as bupropion and mirtazapine.

It’s important to note that antidepressants may take several weeks to show full effects, and finding the right medication or combination might require some trial and error.

3. Combination Therapy: Often, a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields the best results, especially for more severe cases of depression.

4. Alternative Treatments: For some individuals, especially those with treatment-resistant depression, other options may be considered:

– Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): A procedure that involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain. – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. – Light Therapy: Particularly useful for seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

5. Lifestyle Changes: In addition to professional treatments, certain lifestyle modifications can support recovery:

– Regular exercise – Maintaining a healthy diet – Establishing good sleep habits – Stress reduction techniques like mindfulness and meditation – Avoiding alcohol and drugs

Depression in Different Age Groups

Depression can affect individuals at any stage of life, but its manifestation and impact can vary across different age groups. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

1. Depression in Children and Adolescents: Depression in younger individuals often goes unrecognized because it can present differently than in adults. Key features include:

– Irritability or anger rather than sadness – Physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches) with no apparent cause – Social withdrawal or declining academic performance – Risky behaviors or substance abuse in teenagers

It’s crucial to address depression in this age group early, as it can significantly impact development and future mental health. Treatment often involves a combination of therapy (such as CBT adapted for younger individuals) and, in some cases, medication under close supervision.

2. Depression in Adults: Adult depression often aligns closely with the typical symptoms described earlier. However, it’s important to note that depression can manifest differently based on gender:

– Women may experience more sadness, worthlessness, and guilt. – Men might exhibit more anger, irritability, or engage in reckless behavior.

Work-related stress, relationship issues, and major life changes (like becoming a parent or losing a job) can trigger or exacerbate depression in adults. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, along with lifestyle changes.

3. Depression in Older Adults: Depression in older adults is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, partly because its symptoms can be mistaken for normal aging or other health conditions. Unique aspects include:

– More emphasis on physical symptoms or cognitive changes – Increased risk due to chronic health conditions, loss of independence, or social isolation – Potential interactions with medications for other health conditions

Treatment for older adults needs to consider these factors, often involving a collaborative approach between mental health professionals and other healthcare providers.

Tips for Supporting Someone with Depression

Supporting a loved one with depression can be challenging, but your support can make a significant difference in their recovery journey. Here are some strategies to help:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn about depression, its symptoms, and treatment options. This knowledge will help you understand what your loved one is going through and how best to support them.

2. Offer a Listening Ear: Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply listen. Create a safe, non-judgmental space for them to express their feelings. Avoid trying to “fix” their problems or offering unsolicited advice.

3. Encourage Professional Help: Gently encourage your loved one to seek professional help if they haven’t already. Offer to help them find a therapist or accompany them to appointments if they’re comfortable with that.

4. Avoid Judgment and Offer Empathy: Resist the urge to dismiss their feelings or tell them to “snap out of it.” Instead, validate their emotions and express empathy. Phrases like “I’m here for you” or “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be” can be comforting.

5. Assist in Self-Care and Daily Activities: Depression can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Offer practical support, such as helping with household chores, preparing meals, or accompanying them on walks.

6. Be Patient: Recovery from depression is often a gradual process with ups and downs. Be patient and celebrate small victories along the way.

7. Take Care of Yourself: Supporting someone with depression can be emotionally taxing. Make sure to take care of your own mental health and seek support when needed.

8. Learn the Warning Signs: Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of suicide and know how to respond in a crisis. If you’re ever concerned about your loved one’s immediate safety, don’t hesitate to call emergency services.

The Importance of Spreading Awareness

Raising awareness about depression is crucial in combating stigma and encouraging those affected to seek help. By fostering open conversations about mental health, we can create a more supportive and understanding society.

Explaining depression to loved ones can be challenging, but it’s an important step in building a support network. Encourage open dialogue about mental health within your family and community.

It’s also important to recognize that depression exists on a spectrum. The difference between major depression and ‘run-of-the-mill’ depression lies in the severity and duration of symptoms, but both deserve attention and care.

For those dealing with particularly stubborn cases, understanding obdurate depression and its treatment options can provide hope and direction.

Remember, depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It’s a real medical condition that requires attention and care. By spreading awareness and fostering understanding, we can help create a world where no one has to suffer in silence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are numerous resources available, including:

– National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 – Your local mental health services or healthcare provider

Together, we can work towards a future where mental health is prioritized, understood, and treated with the same importance as physical health.

References:

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

2. World Health Organization. (2021). Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

4. Malhi, G. S., & Mann, J. J. (2018). Depression. The Lancet, 392(10161), 2299-2312.

5. Cuijpers, P., Quero, S., Dowrick, C., & Arroll, B. (2019). Psychological treatment of depression in primary care: Recent developments. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(12), 129.

6. Otte, C., Gold, S. M., Penninx, B. W., Pariante, C. M., Etkin, A., Fava, M., … & Schatzberg, A. F. (2016). Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2(1), 1-20.

7. Fiske, A., Wetherell, J. L., & Gatz, M. (2009). Depression in older adults. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 5, 363-389.

8. Thapar, A., Collishaw, S., Pine, D. S., & Thapar, A. K. (2012). Depression in adolescence. The Lancet, 379(9820), 1056-1067.

9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.

10. Cuijpers, P., Noma, H., Karyotaki, E., Cipriani, A., & Furukawa, T. A. (2019). Effectiveness and acceptability of cognitive behavior therapy delivery formats in adults with depression: A network meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 76(7), 700-707.

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Stanford Medicine

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Stanford University School of Medicine blog

depression speech

Taking Depression Seriously: What is it?

Depression is a disease that affects people from all backgrounds, at all stages of life. For Rebecca C., a 55-year-old, former salon owner and single mother, her most recent experience with depression was triggered by an ineffective operation that left her in so much abdominal and pelvic pain that she was unable to work.

This resulted in a difficult financial situation that almost caused her to lose her home. During this time, some mornings she could not bring herself to get out of bed. She lost interest in things that used to bring her joy, like cooking, baking and shopping. She had trouble sleeping and even experienced suicidal thoughts.

Her physician prescribed antidepressants, but she did not always take them regularly due to side effects that included weight gain and itchiness. After several months, Ms. C started to feel better, but some mild symptoms persisted. While her experiences are unique, Ms. C's primary symptoms and the trajectory of her depression are somewhat typical.

Worldwide, depression affects more than 300 million people , yet fewer than half receive adequate treatment. Barriers to effective care include lack of resources, social stigma, and societal and clinical inattention to mental health issues, including missed diagnosis. Through this blog series, I, along with Stanford professor and primary care physician Randall Stafford , MD, PhD, hope to provide greater insight into this often-misunderstood disease, starting with an overview of the disease itself.

Symptoms of depression are most concerning if they appear consistently for at least two weeks (multiple symptoms are common). They include:

  • Depressed mood
  • Marked loss of interest in daily activities
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain
  • Thinking and/or moving noticeably slower
  • Loss of energy
  • Persistent or excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate
  • Suicidal thoughts

Like all other chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, depression is extremely complex and variable. Not only does it come in different forms, it presents in varying degrees of intensity and can overlap with other conditions.

Some people experience a reactive depression, generally in response to a personal loss or tragedy, like death of a loved one, losing a job, or in Ms. C.'s case, a difficult recovery from surgery. Others experience depression even when everything around them is going well.

Depression can be mild, but it can also leave an individual incapable of functioning and lead them to have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Generally, depression is treated with a combination of medication and talk therapy. Depressive symptoms can also overlap with other conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, personality disorder, and even dementia.

Like other chronic diseases, depression has a complex set of causes, which are not completely understood. Currently, there are two complementary models of how depression works.

The cognitive theory of depression suggests that depression results from negative thoughts generated by dysfunctional beliefs. The more negative thoughts an individual experiences, the more depressed that person becomes. These beliefs can shape and even distort how someone experiences the world. Individuals with depression tend to magnify the meaning of negative events and minimize positive events. These unconscious tendencies cause depression to begin and persist, but they can often be confronted and corrected using talk therapy.

A molecular model of depression suggests that depression's underlying cause is an imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin , norepinephrine , and dopamine . This imbalance may result, in part, from social or psychological cues. This model of depression has informed the development of our most effective antidepressant medications to date, however they are not universally effective.

There is a clear difference between a healthy brain and the brain of someone with depression, as the brain scans below illustrate.

depression speech

Depression has no cure, but it is treatable through a combination of approaches, especially when it is recognized and properly diagnosed. Unfortunately, despite its immense impact on individuals and families, depression is often not taken seriously enough.

This is first in a series of blog posts, Taking Depression Seriously , that aims to help patients and family members better understand depression as a chronic disease and more successfully navigate the health care system. The next blog will focus on barriers to mental health care and how to overcome them. The patient's name has been changed to maintain privacy.

Sophia Xiao is a master's degree student in Community Health and Prevention Research (CHPR) at Stanford who studies barriers to health care and the role of public health education in improving access to care. Stanford professor and primary care physician Randall Stafford , MD, PhD, studies strategies to improve chronic disease treatment, including increasing the role of patients in their health care.

Photo by tadamichi

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What Depression Sounds Like

How voice analysis can help predict depression..

Posted June 6, 2021 | Reviewed by Hara Estroff Marano

  • What Is Depression?
  • Take our Depression Test
  • Find a therapist to overcome depression
  • Depression is significantly underdiagnosed.
  • Research has identified vocal biomarkers of depression.
  • Voice analysis apps might help diagnose and monitor depression.

GaudiLab/Shutterstock

It has been estimated that over a quarter of adults in the U.S. have some sort of mental health disorder, but less than half of those adults seek treatment in any given year. This lack of care is due, in part, to problems with access, but also to the social stigma that many feel in seeking help.

As well, many patients and health care providers don’t recognize the physical signs of depression , such as changes in facial expressions and changes in voice. But what if there was an easy, widely available, and private way to use such biomarkers to assess someone’s mental health status?

Welcome to the new age of digital medicine. Recent technological advancements now make it possible to analyze simple voice recordings using machine learning techniques to both screen for and monitor depression. Armed with only a smartphone, a device found widely even in areas lacking much in the way of health care, and a quick voice sample, mental health professions can take advantage of a noninvasive way to assess a patient’s mental health.

Using AI to Detect Vocal Biomarkers

The use of voice analysis to help monitor illness is a growing area of applied health-based artificial intelligence (AI) research. Diagnostic approaches that make use of similar machine learning and classification tasks have begun being used in medical contexts, such as to screen for COVID or to assess flare-ups of COPD.

These advances are possible because of subtle but measurable changes in the acoustics of speakers’ voices when illness-related respiratory symptoms affect the sound of their voice. But how we sound is not only a result of physical characteristics; it is also the result of a speaker’s cognitive processing and motor control.

Emotion research has found that voice-related measures are associated with different emotions. Speech rate, voice quality, pitch, and speech intensity have all been shown to be sensitive to speaker emotional state. For instance, depressed speakers have been found to have a slower speaking rate and less pitch variation, speak more softly and show reduced speech-motor coordination.

Alone these features may be subtle and not easy for a therapist to notice, much less find predictive of depression. But harnessing the power of computational algorithms, new research suggests that analyzing a complex of voice features might provide a cost-effective and simple way to diagnose and monitor depression.

In studies designed to determine how successfully voice feature extraction and analysis could identify depressed individuals, researchers needed only a short voice sample, collected by having participants answer a simple question like “What is your age?” or make a sustained vowel sound like “aahhhh” into a smartphone app.

Participants also filled out demographic and health questionnaires. The researchers then used the recordings as training and test data for depression detection models. The result? In most cases, the accuracy of the models was about 75 to 80% in evaluating depression from analysis of voice features. Several AI companies, such as Sonde Health and CompanionMx, have already started working with health care providers to bring these types of tools into clinical settings.

Quick, Private, and Accessible

While this might not be the 100 percent accuracy rate we would aim for ideally, it quickly automates the detection process using a widely available device (e.g., a smartphone) and does not require a patient to be present physically. This is a great option for patients who hesitate to come into an office due to social stigma or because of a lack of transportation or proximity, though of course would require a patient be aware of and consent to the process. Another benefit is that it could help identify patients suffering from depression during routine doctor visits, especially those who might feel uncomfortable directly talking about their mental health with the doctor.

depression speech

Even more promising, it could be a tool not just to initially screen a patient but also to serve as an early warning system that a patient might be in need of help or a change in treatment plan. In fact, some of the apps already developed prompt users (again with consent) to record regular short voice samples that can be analyzed to check for biomarkers of depression and provide their health care teams a way to better track ups and downs between visits.

In short, our smartphones may very well be the next frontier in mental health treatment—allowing more of those that suffer from depression unobtrusive options for screening and monitoring. The key, of course, is that such technology, which just blindly detects patterns, be used in concert with health professionals, and not in lieu of them.

LinkedIn image: SeventyFour/Shutterstock. Facebook image: GaudiLab/Shutterstock.

Mundt, J. C., Vogel, A. P., Feltner, D. E., & Lenderking, W. R. (2012). Vocal acoustic biomarkers of depression severity and treatment response. Biological psychiatry, 72(7), 580–587.

Pan W, Flint J, Shenhav L, Liu T, Liu M, Hu B, et al. (2019) Re-examining the robustness of voice features in predicting depression: Compared with baseline of confounders. PLoS ONE 14(6): e0218172.

Ozkanca, Y., Öztürk, M. G., Ekmekci, M. N., Atkins, D. C., Demiroglu, C., & Ghomi, R. H. (2019). Depression Screening from Voice Samples of Patients Affected by Parkinson's Disease. Digital biomarkers, 3(2), 72–82.

Valerie Fridland Ph.D.

Valerie Fridland, Ph.D., is a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good and Bad English.

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How the Signs of Depression Show in Your Speech and Word Choice

  • Post author: Janey Davies, B.A. (Hons)
  • Post published: October 16, 2018
  • Reading time: 8 mins read
  • Post category: Psychology & Mental Health / Self-Improvement / Self-Knowledge & Personality Tests

The physical signs of depression can be painfully obvious, but do they show up in your speech and choice of words?

Did you know that suicide is the second highest cause of death among 10 to 24 year-olds in the US in 2016? This shocking statistic alone shows how important it is to recognise the signs of depression.

But when a person deliberately tries to hide their feelings from you, how can you pick up on these vital signs? Depression can affect you physically, and impact on everything you do. Now research suggests that depression also affects how you speak and the words you choose to use .

So, can we pick up on signs of depression simply by listening to what a person says or reading the things they write? Experts think there is a distinct relationship between language and depression.

In fact, there is such a thing as a ‘ language of depression ’. Using studies and books written by authors diagnosed with depression, it’s possible to spot the signs of depression that show up in our speech.

The Language of Depression

We use language in a specific way:

  • Content – what we say .
  • Style – how we say it .

American author and poet Sylvia Plath suffered from depression in her early twenties. She committed suicide at the age of thirty. However, her novels and diaries have allowed experts to examine how someone suffering from depression uses language.

Computer software was used to compare Plath’s personal diaries to other autobiographical journals. The results showed that Plath overused first-person pronouns . This is important as it relates to the content of language .

Signs of Depression in Language Content

Content is what we are actually talking about. It relates to the subject matter or the meaning of what we’re saying. Content is what we say. There are clues to signs of depression in the words we choose to describe the content of what we’re expressing.

Studies show that perhaps unsurprisingly, those suffering from depression use more negative adjectives and adverbs. For example, words like ‘ sad ’, ‘ lonely ’ and ‘ miserable ’. It is believed that as depressed people are automatically thinking negative thoughts , these words will naturally show up in their speech.

In addition, what’s more surprising, however, is how depressed people use pronouns. Those with depression used a significantly higher rate of first person singular pronouns .

For instance, when talking or writing they would express themselves as ‘ I ’, ‘ me ’, or ‘ myself ’. They would tend to steer clear from second and third person pronouns such as ‘they’, ‘him’, ‘she’, or ‘them’. This suggests that a depressed person is fixated on themselves . They find it hard to focus on anyone else as the depression is overwhelming them.

“This pattern of pronoun use suggests people with depression are more focused on themselves, and less connected with others. Researchers have reported that pronouns are actually more reliable in identifying depression than negative emotion words.” Lead author – Mohammed Al-Mosaiwi

In Plath’s journals, she significantly overused first-person pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘myself’. This suggests that she was actually more consumed with herself than the subject she was actually writing about.

Likewise, Plath also overused words such as ‘ never ’, ‘ always ’, everyone ’, ‘ all ’, ‘ nobody ’, ‘ nothing ’ etc. These are known as ‘ absolutist words ’ and are important when it comes to language style .

Signs of Depression in Language Style

Whereas content is what we say, language style is how we say it. It’s the way we express ourselves to get the meaning or the subject matter across.

One UK study showed that those who were depressed used more absolutist words . These are the ‘ all or nothing ’ words, words such as ‘ definitely ’, ‘ always ’, completely ’, ‘ nothing ’, ‘ never ’, ‘ nobody ‘ or ‘ everyone ’. Researchers used software to track the number of absolutist words posted on an anxiety forum. They found around 1.5 – 1.8 of words used were absolutist. This might not seem like a lot, but in the real world, it represents a 50% increase.

A higher rate of absolutist words shows a close relationship with ‘ black and white thinking ’. Black and white thinking is where a person is unable to see any middle ground . So, for example, their life will either be amazing or terrible, they love or hate their significant other, they’ll either totally fail their exams or have perfect scores. It’s all or nothing with them, there’s no middle ground, no grey areas.

James W. Pennebaker, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, studies the connection between language and a person’s psychological well-being. Depressed people “don’t see subtleties, and we can see this in the words they use,” says Pennebaker.

Plath’s world was extremely polarised. She viewed it in stark contrast and wrote about it using these absolutist words. She also used metaphors to describe her darkest feelings.

Signs of Depression and Metaphors

Metaphors allow us to put into words the complex emotions and feelings we can’t easily convey in normal speech. Plath’s skill in creative writing gave her an advantage when it came to accurately describe her mental state.

What is particularly interesting is that Plath used more metaphors when writing about negative mental states . When she was happy or proud or satisfied, she tended to steer clear of metaphors.

This suggests that Plath experienced negative episodes more intensely, more brutally, in a more gut-wrenching way. Plath wasn’t the only one that used metaphors when she was writing about negative experiences . In fact, the famous depressive Winston Churchill described his depression as his ‘Black Dog’.

What to do if you spot the signs of depression in your language?

It’s clear that it is not just our thoughts that affect us, our words have an impact too. Therefore, it’s important to start recognising the kinds of words you’re using.

  • Watch your use of negative words . Try instead to accurately recall a situation. For instance, if you’re at a meeting and you think ‘Everyone hates my ideas’, catch yourself and change your words. Instead, think ‘Not everyone likes my ideas, but that’s ok.’
  • Stop thinking in absolute terms . Ban words such as: never, nothing, always, totally, must, completely, every, forever, all, etc. Replace them with words that convey middle ground. For example, instead of ‘Things never work out for me’, try ‘This time, things didn’t work out as I would have hoped’.
  • Write a diary and then analyse the kind of words you are repeatedly using . Are you using a lot of metaphors to describe your saddest feelings?

Finally, are you using too many first-person pronouns ? Our last piece of advice comes from language expert Dr. Pennebaker:

“If most of your sentences have “I” or “me” in them, you are probably too self-focused .

References :

  • https://bigthink.com
  • https://www.wsj.com

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This Post Has 5 Comments

Have you considered that one of the trends of depression is and I’m speaking for myself in the first person pronoun that I do not wish to blame or pointer finger and say you or them so when I say I me myself I’m owning my statement?

I have PTSD and depressed and anxiety and I am very aware of my depression sometimes not as aware as I should regards to the depth, but I al clearly not in denial of my own depression.

In AA we learn the importance of taking ownership for past and present actions not only the physical but in language as well.

When I use first person pronouns I am owning and taking responsibility for my self.

If I am not taking responsibility then I am blaming amlnd not recovering.

Food for thought

I didn’t see a lot of this word usage in Hemingway’s writings and he shot himself to death. On the other hand I did see a lot of this language in Amy Winehouse’s music such as “Back to Black. Guess this theory of personality has shades of gray.

Depression is one of the common problems nowadays we should really talk t our children if we see these signs in our loved one.

I like that you pointed out how depression could also affect the way you speak and the words you choose to use. I was watching a health and wellness TV show earlier and one of its segments talked about depression. There are a lot of signs of depression and thankfully depression therapy is being offered now too.

Yes, it’s interesting how our words change and the way they can reveal our moods isn’t it?

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How should we talk about mental health?

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How should we talk about mental health? | ideas.ted.com

Mental health suffers from a major image problem. One in every four people experiences mental health issues — yet more than 40 percent of countries worldwide have no mental health policy. Across the board it seems like we have no idea how to talk about it respectfully and responsibly.

Stigma and discrimination are the two biggest obstacles to a productive public dialogue about mental health; indeed, the problem seems to be largely one of communication. So we asked seven mental health experts: How should we talk about mental health? How can informed and sensitive people do it right – and how can the media do it responsibly?

End the stigma

Easier said than done, of course. Says journalist  Andrew Solomon : “People still think that it’s shameful if they have a mental illness. They think it shows personal weakness. They think it shows a failing. If it’s their children who have mental illness, they think it reflects their failure as parents.” This self-inflicted stigma can make it difficult for people to speak about even their own mental health problems. According to neuroscientist  Sarah Caddick , this is because when someone points to his wrist to tell you it’s broken, you can easily understand the problem, but that’s not the case when the issue is with the three-pound mass hidden inside someone’s skull. “The minute you start talking about your mind, people get very anxious, because we associate that with being who we are, fundamentally with ‘us’ — us as a person, us as an individual, our thoughts, our fears, our hopes, our aspirations, our everything.” Says mental health care advocate  Vikram Patel , “Feeling miserable could in fact be seen as part of you or an extension of your social world, and applying a biomedical label is not always something that everyone with depression, for example, is comfortable with.” Banishing the stigma attached to mental health issues can go a long way to facilitating genuinely useful conversations.

Avoid correlations between criminality and mental illness

People are too quick to dole out judgments on people who experience mental health problems, grouping them together when isolated incidents of violence or crime occur. Says  Caddick , “You get a major incident like Columbine or Virginia Tech and then the media asks, ‘Why didn’t people know that he was bipolar?’ ‘Was he schizophrenic?’ From there, some people think, ‘Well, everybody with bipolar disease is likely to go out and shoot down a whole bunch of people in a school,’ or, ‘People who are schizophrenics shouldn’t be out on the street.’”  Solomon  agrees that this correlation works against a productive conversation about mental health: “The tendency to connect people’s crimes to mental illness diagnoses that are not in fact associated with criminality needs to go away. ‘This person murdered everyone because he was depressed.’ You think, yes, you could sort of indicate here this person was depressed and he murdered everyone, but most people who are depressed do not murder everyone.”

But do correlate more between mental illness and suicide

According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), 90 percent of people who die by suicide have depression or other mental disorders, or substance-abuse disorders in conjunction with other mental disorders. Yet we don’t give this link its due. Says  Solomon , “Just as the association between mental illness and crime is too strong, the connection between mental illness and suicide is too weak. So I feel like what I constantly read in the articles is that ‘so-and-so killed himself because his business had gone bankrupt and his wife had left him.’ And I think, okay, those were the triggering circumstances, but he killed himself because he suffered from a mental illness that drove him to kill himself. He was terribly depressed.”

Avoid words like “crazy” or “psycho”

Not surprisingly, nearly all the mental health experts we consulted were quick to decry playground slang like “mental,” “schizo,” “crazy,” “loonie,” or “nutter,” stigmatizing words that become embedded in people’s minds from a young age. NIMH Director  Thomas Insel  takes that one step further — he doesn’t like the category of “mental health problems” in general. He says, “Should we call cancer a ‘cell cycle problem’? Calling serious mental illness a ‘behavioral health problem’ is like calling cancer a ‘pain problem.’” Comedian  Ruby Wax , however, has a different point of view: “I call people that are mentally disturbed, you know, I say they’re crazy. I think in the right tone, that’s not the problem. Let’s not get caught in the minutiae of it.”

If you feel comfortable talking about your own experience with mental health, by all means, do so

Self-advocacy can be very powerful. It reaches people who are going through similar experiences as well as the general public.  Solomon  believes that people equipped to share their experiences should do so: “The most moving letter I ever received in a way was one that was only a sentence long, and it came from someone who didn’t sign his name. He just wrote me a postcard and said, ‘I was going to kill myself, but I read your book and changed my mind.’ And really, I thought, okay, if nobody else ever reads anything I’ve written, I’ve done some good in the world. It’s very important just to keep writing about these things, because I think there’s a trickle-down effect, and that the vocabulary that goes into serious books actually makes its way into the common experience — at least a little bit of it does — and makes it easier to talk about all of these things.”  Solomon ,  Wax , as well as  Temple Grandin , below, have all become public figures for mental health advocacy through sharing their own experiences.

Don’t define a person by his/her mental illnesses

Just as a tumor need not define a person, the same goes for mental illness. Although the line between mental health and the “rest” of a person is somewhat blurry, experts say the distinction is necessary. Says  Insel : “We need to talk about mental disorders the way we talk about other medical disorders. We generally don’t let having a medical illness define a person’s identity, yet we are very cautious about revealing mental illness because it will somehow define a person’s competence or even suggest dangerousness.”  Caddick  agrees: “There’s a lot of things that go on in the brain, and just because one thing goes wrong doesn’t mean that everything’s going wrong.”

Separate the person from the problem

Continuing from the last,  Insel  and  Patel  both recommend avoiding language that identifies people only by their mental health problems. Says  Insel , speak of “someone with schizophrenia,” not “the schizophrenic.” (Although, he points out, people with autism do often ask to be referred to as “autistic.”) Making this distinction clear, says  Patel , honors and respects the individual. “What you’re really saying is, this is something that’s not part of a person; it’s something the person is suffering from or is living with, and it’s a different thing from the person.”

Sometimes the problem isn’t that we’re using the wrong words, but that we’re not talking at all

Sometimes it just starts with speaking up. In  Solomon’s  words: “Wittgenstein said, ‘All I know is what I have words for.’ And I think that if you don’t have the words for it, you can’t explain to somebody else what your need is. To some degree, you can’t even explain to yourself what your need is. And so you can’t get better.” But, as suicide prevention advocate  Chris Le  knows well, there are challenges to talking about suicide and depression. Organizations aiming to raise awareness about depression and suicide have to wrangle with suicide contagion, or copycat suicides that can be sparked by media attention, especially in young people. Le, though, feels strongly that promoting dialogue ultimately helps. One simple solution, he says, is to keep it personal: “Reach out to your friends. If you’re down, talk to somebody, because remember that one time that your friend was down, and you talked to them, and they felt a little better? So reach out, support people, talk about your emotions and get comfortable with them.”

Recognize the amazing contributions of people with mental health differences

Says autism activist  Temple Grandin : “If it weren’t for a little bit of autism, we wouldn’t have any phones to talk on.” She describes the tech community as filled with autistic pioneers. “Einstein definitely was; he had no language until age three. How about Steve Jobs? I’ll only mention the dead ones by name. The live ones, you’ll have to look them up on the Internet.” Of depression, Grandin says: “The organizations involved with depression need to be emphasizing how many really creative people, people whose books we love, whose movies we love, their arts, have had a lot of problems with depression. See, a little bit of those genetics makes you sensitive, makes you emotional, makes you sensitive — and that makes you creative in a certain way.”

Humor helps

Humor, some say, is the best medicine for your brain. Says comedian  Wax : “If you surround [your message] with comedy, you have an entrée into their psyche. People love novelty, so for me it’s sort of foreplay: I’m softening them up, and then you can deliver as dark as you want. But if you whine, if you whine about being a woman or being black, good luck. Everybody smells it. But it’s true. People are liberated by laughing at themselves.”

Featured illustration via iStockphoto.

About the author

Thu-Huong Ha is a freelance writer. Previously she was the books and culture reporter for Quartz and the context editor at TED. Her writing has also appeared on Slate and in The New York Times Book Review. Her debut novel, Hail Caesar, was published in 2007 by PUSH, a YA imprint of Scholastic, and was named an NYPL Book for the Teen Age. Follow her at twitter.com/thu

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COMM101: Public Speaking (2015.A.01)

Informative speech about depression in college students.

Watch this example of an informative speech. Pay attention to the speech's structure, how it forecasts main points, and how the speaker cites their sources. Using what you have learned, evaluate the successes and flaws of this presentation.

  • What Is Depression?

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Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think, act, and perceive the world.

Nearly three in ten adults (29%) have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives and about 18% are currently experiencing depression, according to a 2023 national survey . Women are more likely than men and younger adults are more likely than older adults to experience depression . While depression can occur at any time and at any age, on average it can first appear during one’s late teens to mid-20s.

Symptoms of depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can appear differently in each person. These symptoms can include:

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  • Feeling sad, irritable, empty and/or hopeless.
  • Losing interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
  • A significant change in appetite (eating much less or more than usual) and/or weight (notable loss or gain unrelated to dieting).
  • Sleeping too little or too much.
  • Decreased energy or increased tiredness or fatigue
  • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech that are severe enough to be observable by others.
  • Feeling worthless or excessively guilty.
  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating, forgetfulness, and/or difficulty making minor decisions.
  • Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.

It is normal to experience moments of sadness or feeling “down in the dumps” or the blues as part of the human experience. However, a diagnosis of depression requires that the above symptoms occur for most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, along with a clear change in day-to-day functioning (e.g., in work/school performance, personal relationships, and hobbies). Fortunately, depression is very treatable.

Risk Factors for Depression

Depression can affect anyone—even those who seemingly have it all. Several factors can play a role in depression. Several factors can play a role in depression:

  • Biochemical: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain (such as the neurotransmiters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) may contribute to symptoms of depression.
  • Genetic: Depression can run in families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
  • Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic may be more likely to experience depression.
  • Environmental: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty can also pose risks for developing depression.

How Is Depression Treated?

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 70% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. 

To diagnose depression, a healthcare professional will conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation that includes a comprehensive interview to discuss your symptoms in addition to your personal, medical and family histories. Moreover, a physical examination should be performed to screen for underlying medical conditions that may mimic depression — such as hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, neurological problems and drug or alcohol use. Laboratory and imaging tests may also be included in the evaluation as part of the medical screening. The evaluating medical professional will take all of these factors into account as they formulate a diagnosis and recommend an individualized treatment plan.

Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and may factor into their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants may be recommended. These medications are not sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers. They are not addictive. 

Antidepressants may produce some improvement within the first week or two of use yet full benefits may not be seen for two to three months. If a person feels little or no improvement after several weeks, their psychiatrist/healthcare professional may recommend adjusting the dose, adding a new medication, or switching to an alternate antidepressant. In some situations, other classes of psychiatric medications, such as mood stabilizers, may be helpful. It is important to let your healthcare professional know if you have concerns about your mediation(s) or experience any side effects of the medication. 

Psychiatrists usually recommend that patients continue to take medication for six or more months after the depressive symptoms have improved. For certain people at risk — for example, those who have experienced multiple episodes of depression in the past, or those with a strong family history of depression — longer-term maintenance treatment may be suggested to decrease the risk of future episodes.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy , or “talk therapy,” is also often recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most common forms of psychotherapy, has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT focuses on recognizing and correcting unhealthy thinking patterns with the goal of changing thoughts and behaviors to respond to challenges in a more positive manner. It may be used alone or in combination with antidepressant medication.

Psychotherapy may involve one or more people. For example, family or couples therapy can help address issues within these close relationships. Group therapy brings together, in a therapeutic environment, a cohort of people who are similarly experiencing depression, providing an opportunity for mutual learning and support. 

Depending on the severity of the depression, treatment with psychotherapy can last a few weeks or longer. Significant improvement can aften be made in 10 to 15 sessions.

  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

ECT is a medical treatment that is generally reserved for those with severe depressive episodes who have not responded to other treatments. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and many years of research have led to major improvements and the recognition of its effectiveness as a mainstream rather than a "last resort" treatment. ECT is a procedure performed under anesthesia during which the brain is stimulated electrically to induce a brief seizure. A  patient typically receives ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. It is usually managed by a team of trained medical professionals including a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist and a nurse or physician assistant. 

Self-help and Coping

There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For many people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improves mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also help reduce symptoms of depression.

Depression is a real illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression will overcome it. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns and request a thorough evaluation. 

Related Conditions

The tabs below provide brief descriptions of six conditions related to depression: p erinatal depression (previously postpartum depression) , seasonal depression (also called seasonal affective disorder) , bipolar disorders , persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. 

  Perinatal Depression

While having a baby ican be exciting and joyous for many women, it can also be a difficult and distressing experience for some. Perinatal depression refers to depression occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth. The use of the term perinatal recognizes that depression associated with having a baby often begins during pregnancy. 

Perinatal depression is a serious, but treatable medical illness involving feelings of extreme sadness, indifference and/or anxiety, as well as changes in energy, sleep, and appetite. It carries risks for the mother and child. An estimated one in seven women experiences peripartum depression. An estimated one in seven women experiences perinatal depression.

Read more about Perinatal Depression.

  Seasonal depression

Seasonal affective disorder* is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. In the  Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) , this disorder is identified as a type of depression – major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.

People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring. The most difficult months for people with SAD in the United States tend to be January and February. While it is much less common, some people experience SAD in the summer.

SAD is more than just “winter blues.” The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning. However, it can be treated. About 5 percent of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it typically lasts about 40 percent of the year. It is more common among women than men.

Read more about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

  Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that is associated with changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. People with bipolar disorder experience intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). People with bipolar disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives.

People without bipolar disorder experience mood fluctuations as well. However, these mood changes typically last hours rather than days. Also, these changes are not usually accompanied by the extreme degree of behavior change or difficulty with daily routines and social interactions that people with bipolar disorder demonstrate during mood episodes. Bipolar disorder can disrupt a person’s relationships with loved ones and cause difficulty in working or going to school.

Bipolar disorder is a category that includes three different diagnoses: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder.

Read more about Bipolar Disorders.

  Persistent Depressive Disorder

A person with persistent depressive disorder has a depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. In children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable or depressed, and must continue for at least one year.

In addition to depressed mood, symptoms include:

  • Poor appetite or overeating
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
  • Feelings of hopelessness

Persistent depressive disorder often begins in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and affects an estimated 0.5% of adults in the United States every year. Individuals with persistent depressive disorder often describe their mood as sad or “down in the dumps.” Because these symptoms have become a part of the individual’s day-to-day experience, they may not seek help, just assuming that “I’ve always been this way.”

The symptoms cause significant distress or difficulty in work, social activities, or other important areas of functioning. While the impact of persistent depressive disorder on work, relationships and daily life can vary widely, its effects can be as great as or greater than those of major depressive disorder.

A major depressive episode may precede the onset of persistent depressive disorder but may also arise during (and be superimposed on) a previous diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder.

  Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is estimated to affect between 1.8% to 5.8% of menstruating women every year. A woman with PMDD has severe symptoms of depression, irritability, and tension about a week before menstruation begins.

Common symptoms include mood swings, irritability or anger, depressed mood, and marked anxiety or tension. Other symptoms may include decreased interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy or easy fatigue, changes in appetite with specific food cravings (specifically for sweets and other carbohydrates), trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, or a sense of being overwhelmed or out of control. Physical symptoms may include breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, a sensation of “bloating,” or weight gain. These symptoms begin a week to 10 days before the start of menstruation and improve or stop around the onset of menses. The symptoms lead to significant distress and problems with regular functioning or social interactions. For a diagnosis of PMDD, symptoms must have occurred in most of the menstrual cycles during the past year and must have an adverse effect on work or social functioning. 

PMDD can be treated with antidepressants, birth control pills, or nutritional supplements. Diet and lifestyle changes, such as reducing caffeine and alcohol, getting enough sleep and exercise, and practicing relaxations techniques, can also help.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is similar to PMDD in that symptoms occur seven to 10 days before a woman’s period begins. However, PMS involves fewer and less severe symptoms than PMDD.

  Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a mood condition that is diagnosed in children and youth ages 6 to 18. It involves a chronic and severe irritability resulting in severe and frequent temper outbursts. The temper outbursts can appear as verbal or physical aggression, are significantly out of proportion to the situation, and are not consistent with the child’s developmental age. They episodes must occur frequently (three or more times per week on average) and typically in response to frustration. In between the outbursts, the child’s mood is persistently irritable or angry most of the day, nearly every day. This mood is noticeable by others, such as parents, teachers, and peers.

For a diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder to be made, symptoms must begin before the age of 10 and be present for at least one year in at least two settings (such as at home, at school, with peers). Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is much more common in males than females. It may occur along with other disorders, including major depressive, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, anxiety, and conduct disorders.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder can have a significant impact on the child’s ability to function. Chronic, severe irritability and temper outbursts can disrupt family life, cause difficulties in shcool, and make it difficult for the child/youth to make or keep friendships.

Treatment typically involves  psychotherapy  (cognitive behavior therapy) and/or medications.

Depression Is Different From Sadness or Grief/Bereavement

The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations. Those experiencing loss often might describe themselves as being “depressed.”

But being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. They are also different in important ways:

  • In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks.
  • In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
  • In grief, thoughts of death may surface when thinking of or fantasizing about “joining” the deceased loved one. In major depression, thoughts are focused on ending one’s life due to feeling worthless or undeserving of living or being unable to cope with the pain of depression.

Grief and depression can co-exist. When grief and depression co-occur, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Distinguishing between grief and depression is important and can assist people in getting the help, support or treatment they need.

Physician Review

Chinenye Onyemaechi, M.D.

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Listen Closely to Patient’s Voice—You May Hear Depression Signals

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depression speech

Signs of Depression Could Actually Be…Sounds

Signs of depression could be sounds so this show a notebook with the words written "Hear what people are saying"

  • Lack of interest
  • Lethargy or exhaustion
  • Sleeping a lot or a little
  • Unrelenting sadness (you can often see it on someone’s face)

But what if you learned that listening for the signs of depression can be even more effective?

Research shows that signs of depression may be even more obvious through listening. There is a growing body of evidence that depressed people speak differently – both in content and style.

There are three distinct ways in which the content and style of how people talk may be indicative of depression.

Talking in Absolutes

“Everyone’s against me.”

“I never want to do anything.”

“I’m tired of always feeling like crap.”

Button with GeneSight logo and text learn more about the GeneSight test

What researchers found is that people in these forums used more absolutist words than used in other forums. These words indicate magnitudes or probabilities without nuance (always, never, nothing, must, every, totally, completely, constantly, entirely, all, definitely, full and one-hundred percent).

Why are absolute terms a problem? For one, we know that language influences thought . And according to Merri Bame, who taught speech and theatre at Bowling Green State University and is the author of the Breaking Down Barriers blog “Using these words limits our willingness to accept. They restrict our thinking, demonstrate our bias, and sometimes condemn. When others hear our usage of these words,  they bristle.  When we hear others use these words,  we feel defeated.  Absolute words display judgment.”

Another problem is there may be a language disconnect between healthcare providers and patients. Doctors typically do not say “never” or “100%”–especially when they are talking about illnesses and remission. So doctors and depressed patients may be in effect speaking a completely different language, making it difficult to use talk therapy to move forward in a mutually agreeable way.

The Self-Centered & Negative Language of Depression

Using the word “I” isn’t necessarily a sign of being narcissistic, but it is a sign of being inwardly focused, as is often the case of someone battling depression.

In fact, using first-person pronouns could be a sign of depression, according to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology .

Researchers used questionnaires to measure depression of more than 4,700 people at six sites. Participants were asked to write about their lives, a recent relationship breakup, their level of satisfaction with life, or just their general thoughts and feelings. Then researchers used the LIWC software to analyze their language.

Not surprisingly, people who had depression tended to use the terms “I,” “me” and “myself” more often than people who did not suffer from depression. Someone who is really interested in another person will use the third person “he” or “she.” Someone closely focused on a relationship will use “we.”

The researchers also found that respondents have a tendency to write more negatively :

“It will surprise no one to learn that those with symptoms of depression use an excessive amount of words conveying negative emotions, specifically negative adjectives and adverbs – such as ‘lonely,’ ‘sad’ or ‘miserable’.”

Speech Patterns Change with Depression

signwaves in multiple color showing how signs of depression could actually be sounds

However, the study showed that as people responded to depression treatment, their speech patterns “had significantly greater pitch variability, paused less while speaking, and spoke faster than at baseline.”

How to Help Someone with Depression

If you suspect a loved one may be depressed, watching out for the physical symptoms is important, but listening may be just as important. Listening to what friends and family are saying, as well as how they are saying it, can provide valuable clues and may help to get them on the road to mental wellness.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, please read more here: https://genesight.com/blog/patient/five-things-you-can-do-to-manage-depression-symptoms/ or https://genesight.com/blog/patient/depression-and-physical-symptoms-for-patients-the-pain-is-real/

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depression speech

  • Mental Health

Pressured Speech: What It Is and How to Treat It

depression speech

Pressured speech is when you talk faster than usual. You may feel like you can’t stop.

It's different than talking fast because you’re excited or you naturally speak that way. You might jump from one idea to the next. People could have trouble following the conversation.

Pressured speech is often a sign of mania or hypomania. That’s when your energy level or mood is very high. It’s linked to bipolar disorder . Here’s what you need to know.

When you have pressured speech, you may:

  • Talk quickly
  • Feel like you can’t control your talking
  • Keep talking when people aren’t paying attention to you
  • Not let people interrupt or stop you

Why It Happens

You may do it if you have bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder .

Mania changes how you think and act. During an episode, you have a lot of energy and changes in mood. Your mind races. This is where the constant stream of thoughts you may want to share can come from.

Hypomania has many of the same symptoms as mania, but they aren’t as severe. You can still do the things you usually do, like go to work or school. The episodes are shorter and last about 4 days in a row.

Other Causes

Bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder aren’t the only reasons for pressured speech. You may do it or something similar if you have:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Psychosis and postnatal psychosis
  • Major depression with mixed features/persistent depressive disorder with mixed features
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD )
  • An anxiety disorder

Using illegal drugs could also lead to pressured speech.

How It’s Treated

Your doctor may prescribe antipsychotic medication or other drugs that calm you down and ease symptoms. They might also suggest antidepressants or other drugs for anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy , or talk therapy , may help you better understand your thoughts and manage them. Working with a speech-language pathologist could also help.

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162 lies and distortions in a news conference. NPR fact-checks former President Trump

Domenico Montanaro - 2015

Domenico Montanaro

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Aug. 8.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Aug. 8. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

There were a host of false things that Donald Trump said during his hour-long news conference Thursday that have gotten attention.

A glaring example is his helicopter emergency landing story, which has not stood up to scrutiny .

But there was so much more. A team of NPR reporters and editors reviewed the transcript of his news conference and found at least 162 misstatements, exaggerations and outright lies in 64 minutes. That’s more than two a minute. It’s a stunning number for anyone – and even more problematic for a person running to lead the free world.

Politicians spin. They fib. They misspeak. They make honest mistakes like the rest of us. And, yes, they even sometimes exaggerate their biographies .

The expectation, though, is that they will treat the truth as something important and correct any errors.

But what former President Trump did this past Thursday went well beyond the bounds of what most politicians would do.

Here’s what we found, going chronologically from the beginning of Trump’s remarks to the end:

1. “I think our country right now is in the most dangerous position it’s ever been in from an economic standpoint…” 

The U.S. economy has rebounded from the pandemic downturn more rapidly than most other countries around the world. Growth has slowed in recent months, but gross domestic product still grew at a relatively healthy annual clip of 2.8% in April, May and June – which is faster than the pace in three of the four years when Trump was president. — Scott Horsley, NPR chief economics correspondent

2. “…from a safety standpoint, both gangs on the street…”

We don’t have great, up-to-date data on gang activity in the U.S., but violent crime trends offer a good glimpse into safety in the country. Nationally, violent crime – that includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – has been trending way down after a surge in 2020, according to the most recent data from the FBI . That data is preliminary and incomplete, covering around three-quarters of the country, but other crime analysts have found similar trends. Crime levels, of course, vary locally : murders are down in Philadelphia, for instance, but up in Charlotte, N.C. — Meg Anderson, NPR National Desk reporter covering criminal justice

3. “...and frankly, gangs outside of our country in the form of other countries that are, frankly, very powerful. They’re very powerful countries.”

The U.S. is not in the “most dangerous position” from a foreign-policy standpoint than ever before. Biden pulled troops out of Afghanistan in his first year in office — though the withdrawal itself was chaotic and a target of much criticism — and since then, U.S. troops have not been actively engaged in a war for the first time in 20 years. The U.S. is supporting Ukraine and Israel, of course, and has troops in Iraq and Syria, but they’re not fighting on any regular basis.

What’s more, however, FBI Director Christopher Wray has said the greatest threat to the country is domestic extremism . And beyond organized groups the very definition of extremism is changing, as fringe ideologies move into the mainstream, and radicalization takes hold amongst parts of the populace. Consider: the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and the assassination attempt on Trump’s life, even with a motive that remains murky at best. Regardless, the call is coming from inside the house, domestic extremism experts warn. Many polls show a sobering degree of support for political violence to drive change. — Andrew Sussman, NPR supervising editor for national security

4-5. “ We have a lot of bad things coming up. You could end up in a Depression of the 1929 variety, which would be a devastating thing, took many years– took many decades to recover from it, and we’re very close to that.”

There is nothing to suggest that a 1930s style Depression is on the horizon for the United States. And the Depression did not take “many decades to recover from.” It ended during World War Two , in 1941. — Scott Horsley

6. “And we’re very close to a world war. In my opinion, we’re very close to a world war.”

No serious person thinks that the U.S., Russia and China are about to start a world war. Right now, Russia appears to be having a hard time defending Russia, given Ukraine’s recent incursions. While there are concerns about things like the potential for regional conflagrations in the Middle East, only Trump is talking about world war. — Andrew Sussman

7. “ Kamala's record is horrible. She's a radical left person at a level that nobody's seen.” 

It’s debatable how liberal Harris is. Some in California didn’t like her record on criminal justice and thought she was not progressive enough. She’s clearly liked by progressives and her voting scores as a senator are on the liberal end of the spectrum, but is she “radical left” and “at a level that nobody’s seen”? There are plenty of people alive and in history who would be considered far more liberal and more radical.

8. “She picked a radical left man.”

Few, if any, reasonable people would say Walz is a “radical left man.” He had a progressive record as governor with a Democratic legislature, but the things passed are hardly radical – free school lunch, protecting abortion rights, legalizing marijuana, restricting access to certain types of guns. All of these things have majority support from voters. What’s more, that “progressive” record ignores Walz’s first term as governor when he worked with Republicans because Democrats didn’t control the legislature. And it ignores Walz’s time as a congressman when he was considered a more moderate member given that he was from a district that had been previously held by a Republican.

9. “He's going for things that nobody's ever even heard of. Heavy into the transgender world.” 

Last year, Walz championed and signed a bill that prevented state courts of officials from complying with child-removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. “Heavy into the transgender world” is vague and misleading.

10. “He doesn't want to have borders. He doesn't want to have walls.”

Walz has never called for having no borders. He has voiced opposition to a wall because he doesn't think it will stop illegal immigration. He told Anderson Cooper on CNN , for example, that a wall "is not how you stop" illegal immigration He called for more border-control agents, electronics and more legal ways to immigrate.

11. “He doesn't want to have any form of safety for our country.”

Trump himself praised Walz’s handling of the aftermath of the George Floyd murder at the hands of a police officer. And it’s certainly hyperbole to say he “doesn’t want any form of safety for our country.” Walz served in the U.S. National Guard for 24 years, so clearly, he’s interested in the country having national security. And domestically, he’s never been a “defund the police” advocate. Walz opposed a ballot measure that would have gotten rid of minimum police staffing levels, for example. That angered advocates. He signed police reforms into law , but that does not prove wanting no safety.

12. “He doesn't mind people coming in from prisons.”

Walz has not said he wants people coming in from prisons. Trump is trying to tie his claim that other countries are sending prisoners to the United States to Democrats’ immigration policies.

13. “And neither does she, I guess. Because she's not, she couldn't care less.”

Harris has said a lot to the contrary of not caring about the levels of migrants coming across the border, let alone people coming in from prisons. In fact, when in Guatemala, she said her message for people thinking of immigrating to the United States was: " Do not come. Do not come ."

14. “She's the border czar. By the way, she was the border czar, 100%. And all of a sudden, for the last few weeks, she's not the border czar anymore, like nobody ever said it.”

Harris was never appointed “border czar.” That’s a phrase that was used incorrectly by some media outlets. Biden tasked Harris with leading the “ diplomatic effort ” with leaders in Central American countries, where many migrants are coming from.

Biden said he wants Harris “to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle and the countries that help — are going to need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border.” He added that Harris “agreed to lead our diplomatic effort and work with those nations to accept — the returnees, and enhance migration enforcement at their borders — at their borders.”

Harris herself that day spoke of “the need to address root causes for the migration that we’ve been seeing.”

15. “We have a very, very sick country right now. You saw the other day with the stock market crashing. That was just the beginning. That was just the beginning.”

The stock market did not “crash.” The stock market fell sharply at the end of last week as investors fretted about a softening job market. This was amplified on Monday when Japan’s stock market tumbled 12%, sparking a selloff around the world. Stocks in Japan and elsewhere have since regained much of this ground, however. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 683 points on the day of Trump’s news conference. — Scott Horsley

16. “Fortunately, we've had some very good polls over the last fairly short period of time.”

Most good polls have shown Harris gaining not just nationally, but also in the swing states, though these same polls show a very close race.

17. “Rasmussen came out today. We're substantially leading.” 

Trump is not substantially leading, and Rasmussen is viewed as one of the least credible pollsters in the country.

18. “And others came out today that we're leading, and in some cases, substantially, I guess, MSNBC came out, or CNBC came out also, with a poll that was, you know, has us leading.” 

Polls have not shown substantial leads. CNBC had Trump leading by 2, unchanged from his 2-point lead in July.

19. “And leading fairly big in swing states. In some polls, I'm leading very big in swing states… .”

Again, polls in swing states have shown a tightened race.

20. “But as a border czar, she's been the worst border czar in history, in the world history.”

Vice President Harris was never asked to lead immigration policy. That’s the job of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Again, the term “border czar” was used inaccurately by some media outlets, and it’s a term conservatives have been using to attack her, in part, because she has only visited the Southern U.S. border a few times since 2021. But in reality, Harris was tapped by President Biden to address the root causes of migration . Her approach has focused on deterrence. She’s told migrants to not come to the U.S., and she has been able to secure more than $5 billion in commitments from private companies to help boost the economy in Central American countries. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR immigration correspondent based in Texas 

21. “I think the number is 20 million, but whether it's 15 or 20, it's numbers that nobody's ever heard before. 20 million people came over the border in the last– during the Biden-Harris administration. Twenty-million people. And it could be very much higher than that. Nobody really knows what the number is.”

It’s unclear where Trump is getting this number from. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , since 2021 agents have had more than 7.3 million encounters nationwide with migrants trying to cross into the country illegally. Under Biden, unlawful crossings hit an all-time high last year, but that number has decreased significantly, in part, due to Biden’s asylum restrictions at the Southern U.S. border. An April report from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics found there’s nearly 11 million unauthorized migrants in the country. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

22. “Just like far more people were killed in the Ukraine-Russia war than you have reported.”

Neither Russia nor Ukraine is revealing its own casualty figures, so there are only very broad estimates. — Andrew Sussman 

23. “A lot of great things would have happened, but now you have millions and millions of dead people. And you have people dying financially, because they can't buy bacon; they can't buy food; they can't buy groceries; they can't do anything. And they're living horribly in our country right now.”

Grocery prices actually jumped sharply during Trump’s last year in office, as pandemic lockdowns disrupted the food supply chain and Americans were suddenly forced to eat more of their meals at home. Grocery inflation in June 2020 hit 5.6%. This was masked, however, by a plunge in other prices, as the global economy fell into pandemic recession.

As the economy rebounded, prices did, too. Inflation began to rise in 2021, and spiked in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent food and energy prices soaring. Inflation has since moderated, falling from a peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3% in June 2024 . (July’s inflation figures will be released next week.) Grocery prices have largely leveled off in the last year, although they remain higher than they were before the pandemic – a potent reminder of the rising cost of living.

Economists have warned that Trump’s proposed import tariffs and immigration restrictions could result in higher inflation in the years to come. Researchers from the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimate the tariffs alone would cost the typical family about $1,700 a year . — Scott Horsley

24. “We've agreed with NBC, fairly full agreement, subject to them, on Sept. 10th.”

This is ABC, not NBC.

25. “She can't do an interview. She's barely competent and she can't do an interview.” 

Harris hasn’t done interviews since getting into the campaign, but she has done them in the past, so saying “she can’t do” one or that she is “barely competent” are just insults. Trump tends to revert to questioning the intelligence of Black women who challenge him. In fact, Trump did it nine times in this news conference, saying either Harris is not that “smart” (five times) "incompetent” (three times) or “barely competent,” as he did here.

26-27. “Why is it that millions of people were allowed to come into our country from prisons, from jails, from mental institutions, insane asylums, even insane asylums, that's a– it's a mental institution on steroids. That's what it is.”

Immigration experts have said they have not been able to find any evidence of this. Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, told FactCheck.org : “It’s hard to prove a negative — nobody’s writing a report saying, ‘Ecuador is not opening its mental institutions’ — but what I can say is that I work full-time on migration, am on many coalition mailing lists, correspond constantly with partners in the region, and scan 300+ RSS feeds and Twitter lists of press outlets and activists region wide, and I have not seen a single report indicating that this is happening. … As far as I can tell, it’s a total fabrication.”

Notably, a version of this did happen in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift from Cuba . The Washington Post noted three years later: “Back in 1980, it seemed to be a humanitarian and patriotic gesture to accept provisionally, without papers or visas, all those fleeing from the port of Mariel. More than 125,000 came. Most were true refugees, many had families here, and the great majority has settled into American communities without mishap. But the Cuban dictator played a cruel joke. He opened his jails and mental hospitals and put their inmates on the boats too.”

Without a question, some migrants who have come into the U.S. have committed crimes, but the data show the vast majority do not. According to Northwestern University , immigrants are less likely to commit a crime than U.S.-born people and certainly at no higher rates that the population writ large. (Trump goes on to repeat this claim minutes later in the news conference as well, so it is included in our count here.)

28. “We have a president that's the worst president in the history of our country.”

Trump may have this opinion, but he says it as if it’s fact, and a 2022 survey of historians ranked Biden in the top half of presidents. Trump, on the other hand, was No. 43. The two below Trump were James Buchanan, who did little to stop the impending U.S. Civil War, and the impeached and nearly convicted Andrew Johnson.

29. “We have a vice president who is the least admired, least respected, and the worst vice president in the history of our country.” 

A recent rating of vice presidents did not show this. Harris was in the bottom half of vice presidents, but Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, Henry A. Wallace and were toward the bottom of the list.

30. “The most unpopular vice president.”

This might have been true about a year ago or so, but not anymore. An NBC poll then showed Harris had the lowest favorability rating of any modern VP they’d tested. But her numbers have turned around. The NPR poll had Harris with a 46%/48% favorable to unfavorable rating, which was higher than Trump’s and his running mate, JD Vance, who is among the least popular running mates in recent history .

31. “Don't forget, she was the first one defeated. As I remember it, because I watched it very closely, but she was the first one.”

Harris was not “defeated,” because she dropped out of the Democratic presidential race before Iowa. But even if one considers her dropping out on Dec. 3, 2019, a defeat, she was not the first of the Democratic candidates in that primary campaign to do so. At least 10 others dropped out sooner .

32-34. “And I'm no Biden fan, but I'll tell you what, from a constitutional standpoint, from any standpoint you're looking at, they took the presidency away. … And they took it away.” 

There’s nothing in the U.S. Constitution about picking presidential candidates. This is a party process, and everything has been done within party rules. And, again, the presidency wasn’t taken away: Biden is still president.

35. “They said they're going to use the 25th Amendment.”

This was never floated as a possibility to get Biden to withdraw from the race. Biden’s Cabinet members are all people he appointed and who are loyal to him. In addition, the 25th Amendment outlines a procedure for removing a sitting president from office, not from running for a second term.

36-39. "They're going to hit you hard. ‘Either we can do it the nice way. I heard, I know exactly, because I know a lot of people on the other side, believe it or not. And, they said, ‘We'll do it the nice way, or we'll do it the hard way.’ And he said, ‘All right.”

This was not said; he did not hear; no Democrats in the know are talking to Trump; and this dialogue is made up.

40. “We're leading, we're leading.”

The race is statistically tied in national polls and in the states. In some national polls, Harris leads. In some, Trump does.

41-42. “I'm saying it's a–, for a country with a Constitution that we cherish, we cherish this Constitution to have done it this way is pretty severe, pretty horrible. … But to just take it away from him, like he was a child.”

Again, this is Trump talking about how Biden stepped aside, and there’s nothing in the Constitution about how the political parties should pick candidates. And nothing was taken away.

43-46. “And he's a very angry man right now, I can tell you that. He's not happy with Obama, and he's not happy with Nancy Pelosi. Crazy Nancy, she is crazy, too. She's not happy with any of the people that told him that you've gotta leave. He's very unhappy, very angry, and I think he, He also blames her. He's trying to put up a good face, but it's a very bad thing in terms of a country when you do that. I'm not a fan of his, as you probably have noticed, and he had a rough debate, but that doesn't mean that you just take it away like that.” 

Trump can’t speak to Biden’s state of mind; all evidence is that Nancy Pelosi is perfectly sane – see her recent multiple rounds of interviews about her book, including with NPR ; again, Trump doesn’t know Biden’s state of mind; and again, nobody took it away.

47-51. “She's trying to say she had nothing to do with the border. She had everything. She was appointed to head the border. And then they said border czar. Oh, she loved that name. She loved that name. But she never went there. She went to a location once along the border, but that was a location that you would love to go and have dinner with your husband or whoever. That was a location that was not part of the problem. That was not really going to the border. So I– essentially she never went to the border.”

(1) As previously noted, she was not put in charge of the border and certainly did not have “everything” to do with it; (2) she was not appointed to head the border; (3) if “they” is the White House, then “they” did not call her “border czar”; (4) Trump doesn’t know what Harris might have thought about the term; (5) Harris did not go to a place at the border “you would love to go and have dinner with your husband or whoever.”

In 2021, Harris toured border patrol facilities in El Paso, Texas, visited an area where asylum seekers were screened, and met with migrants. Republicans criticized her at the time for not going to the Rio Grande Valley.

52. “Now we have the worst border in the history of the world.” 

World history is filled with cases where one country has crossed a border and invaded a neighboring country.

53. “She destroyed San Francisco. She destroyed California as the A.G. But as the D.A. She destroyed it. She– San Francisco. … She destroyed– no cash bail, weak on crime, uh, she's terrible.”

As San Francisco’s district attorney from 2004 to 2011, and then California’s attorney general until 2017, it’s true that Kamala Harris was deeply connected to how crime was prosecuted during that particular period. However, no single person is responsible for destroying any city or state, not to mention that both are not destroyed.

There are just too many factors that contribute to why crime rises and falls. What’s more, according to the FBI , both violent and property crime rates in California more or less mirrored national trends during her tenures. As a prosecutor, Harris was largely seen as aligning more with law-and-order tendencies, though she has supported some progressive reforms, like offering certain criminal defendants drug treatment instead of going to trial. She also tweeted support for a Minnesota bail fund after the 2020 protests of George Floyd’s murder. — Meg Anderson

During her campaign for the 2020 nomination, she rolled out a plan that would have phased out cash bail , and she pledged to eliminate it as president because “no one should have to sit in jail for days or even years because they don’t have the money to pay bail.” But in the same campaign, during a debate, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard criticized Harris for keeping cash bail in place as district attorney.

54. “And yet they weaponized the system against me.” 

The justice system was not weaponized against Trump. Biden went through pains to not show any interference with the Justice Department. And Trump was found guilty by a jury of his peers in New York in a state case.

55-58. “I won the big case in Florida. I won the big case. … Nobody even wrote about it. The big case.” 

(1) Trump did not “win” the classified documents case against him in Florida; (2) this was not “the big case” against him; (3) there was plenty of coverage of it; and (4) he goes on to repeat that he won the case later.

For context: the judge in the case controversially dismissed it, claiming the special counsel was unconstitutionally appointed despite Supreme Court decisions upholding independent counsels. The Justice Department has signaled it will appeal by the end of August but by the time the decision comes back, the election will be over.

Trump had four criminal cases against him including the classified documents case – the fraudulent business practices case in New York, for which he was convicted on 34 felony counts; an election interference case in Georgia; and the other federal case dealing with Jan. 6. If there was a biggest case, it was the last one.

59. “The judge was a brilliant judge, and all they do is they play the ref with the judges. But this judge was a fair but brilliant judge.”

There has been lots of criticism of the judge in the case, Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed. She had very little experience as a trial judge, made several decisions that were questioned by legal experts and early in this case, had a ruling, in which she called for a special master to review classified documents first, overturned by the 11th Circuit.

60. “Now Biden lost it because he didn't have presidential immunity. He didn't have the Presidential Records Act. He lost it.”

This was not “Biden’s case.” It was to be tried by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Biden White House has made efforts to keep an arms-length distance from the investigation. Biden often declined to comment on the Justice Department’s and state investigations into Trump when it would likely have been politically advantageous for him to talk about it on the campaign trail.

61. “But the– I call it prosecutors, special counsel, special prosecutor to me. He–, appointed by him and appointed by Garland. He said the man's incompetent. He can't stand trial, but he can run for president.” 

This appears to be a misrepresentation of what special counsel Robert Hur said of Biden in a report he released investigating the president’s handling of classified documents. Hur said he wouldn’t be charging Biden, called the president “an elderly man with a poor memory" and said a jury might find sympathy with him because of it. He did not say Biden was incompetent and could not stand trial.

62. “She couldn't pass her bar exam.”

This is false. Harris passed her bar exam on the second try . She failed on first attempt, which is not unusual for California’s bar exam given its difficulty.

63. “I was doing very well with Black voters, and I still am. I seem to be doing very well with Black males. This is according to polls, as you know. 

Trump was not doing “very well” with Black voters. Biden was not doing as well with Black voters as he did in 2020, according to most surveys, but that didn’t mean Black voters were moving heavily toward Trump. Many seemed more likely not to vote. There were signs that Trump was doing better with Black men, but there wasn’t much good evidence to support this in polling, considering most national polls have such high margins of error with voter groups. A typical national survey might have 1,000 voters and 100 or so Black voters, give or take. That’s typically a margin of error upward of +/- 10 percentage points, meaning results could be a whopping 10 points higher or lower.

64. “Extremely well with Hispanic.”

Like with Black voters, it’s difficult to tell in most national surveys exactly how well a candidate is doing with Latino voters because of high margins of error. “Extremely well” depends on how it’s defined, but this is an exaggeration.

65. “Jewish voters, way up.”

Jewish voters traditionally vote roughly 2-to-1 for Democrats in presidential elections, so this seems more like a hope than reality.

66. “White males, way up. White males have gone through the roof. White males, way up.” 

It’s just not the case that Trump is “way up.” NPR polling finds that while Trump is doing as well as ever with white men without college degrees, Harris – and Biden before her – is actually leading with white men with college degrees, a group Trump won in 2020, according to exit polls .

67. “It could be that I'll be affected somewhat with Black females. Well, we're doing pretty well. And I think ultimately they'll like me better, because I'm gonna give them security, safety and jobs.”

Trump is not doing well with Black females. Black women are a key pillar Democratic voting group, and Black voters have moved more in Harris’ favor since she’s gotten in.

69. “We have a very bad economy right now. We could, we could literally be on the throes of a depression. Not recession, a Depression. And they can't have that. They can't have that.”

This is not the case. See earlier fact check. (He repeats this again later in the press conference, so it is included here in the count.)

70. “I know Josh Shapiro. He's a terrible guy. And he's not very popular with anybody.” 

A Fox News poll last month showed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a finalist to be Harris’ running mate, had a 61% approval rating in the state. Other polls also found him with a net-positive rating, though, not quite as high.

71. “Listen, I had 107,000 people in New Jersey. You didn't report it.”

It was reported that the numbers come from faulty information about the size of a crowd at Trump’s rally. More accurate estimates appear to be anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 . Still, a very large crowd, but Trump is exaggerating here.

72-77. “What did she have yesterday? 2,000 people? If I ever had 2,000 people, you'd say my campaign is finished. It's so dishonest, the press. … When she gets 1,500 people, and I saw it yesterday on ABC, which they said, ‘Oh, the crowd was so big.’ … I have 10 times, 20 times, 30 times the crowd size. And no, they never say the crowd was big. … I think it's so terrible when you say, ‘Well she has 1,500 people, 1,000 people,’ and they talk about, oh, the enthusiasm.” 

(1-3) Trump gave at least three incorrect estimates here, downplaying Harris’ crowd sizes (2,000, 1,500 and 1,000); (4) He also far overestimated how big his crowd sizes are compared to Harris’; (5-6) He twice said the press is dishonest about her crowd size and about his.

For context, the Harris campaign’s estimate was 10,000 or more at each rally. What the exact number is might be unclear — as is often the case with crowd-size estimates — but they were bigger than 2,000 and 1,500. Reporters have often commented on the size of Trump’s crowds. Frequently, they are very large, certainly larger than ones that Hillary Clinton drew in 2016 or Joe Biden this year, but Trump also regularly exaggerates their sizes.

78. “If I were president, you wouldn't have Russia and Ukraine, where it never happened. Zero chance. You wouldn't have had Oct. 7th of Israel.”

This is speculation, and that there is simply no way to know what would have happened in either case if he'd been reelected.

79. “You wouldn't have had inflation. You wouldn't have had any inflation because inflation was caused by their bad energy problems.” 

Again, this is speculative. Energy and food prices jumped sharply around the world following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions on Russian energy. Gasoline prices in the U.S. hit a record high topping $5 a gallon. But domestic energy production has not suffered during the Biden administration. In fact, U.S. oil and natural gas production hit record highs last year. AAA reports the average price of gasoline today is $3.45/gallon. — Scott Horsley

80. "I don't know if you know, they're drilling now because they had to go back because gasoline was going up to $7, $8, $9 a barrel."

Oil and gas production has largely been determined by energy companies. They were disciplined about not expanding production when prices were low but have become more aggressive as prices climbed. While Kamala Harris opposed “fracking” for oil and gas during her 2019 presidential campaign, she now says she would not try to outlaw the practice – which is important in battleground states such as Pennsylvania. — Scott Horsley

81. “Everybody's going to be forced to buy an electric car, which they're not going to do because they don't want that. It's got a great market. It's got a market. It's really a sub market.”

The Biden administration has set a goal of having 50% of new vehicle sales be electric by 2030 . It has primarily tried to achieve this through carrots rather than sticks, offering incentives to make electric cars more affordable, encouraging the development of electric charging stations and using the federal government’s own purchasing power to create demand. — Scott Horsley

82. “We don't have enough electricity. We couldn't make enough electricity for that.”

A shift to electric vehicles will require a rapid updating and expansion of the U.S. power grid, according to the Electric Power Research Institute . However, as EVs become more efficient, the increased demand could be reduced by as much as 50% per mile traveled over the next three decades. — Scott Horsley

83. “The weight of a car, the weight of a truck, they want all trucks to be electric. Little things that a lot of people don't talk about. The weight of a truck is two-and-a-half times, two-and-a- half times heavier.” 

Electric vehicles are typically heavier than gasoline-powered vehicles, because of the batteries. But the weight difference is about 30% , not 250% as Trump said. What’s more, American vehicles have been getting heavier for decades, long before the move to EVs, thanks to the popularity of pickup trucks and SUVs.

84. “You would have to rebuild every bridge in this country, if you were going to do this ridiculous policy.”

While many bridges and other transportation infrastructure need improvement , the additional weight of EVs is just one of many factors that will need to be considered. Another challenge is that bridges and highways are typically funded through gasoline taxes. The shift to EVs, which don’t use gasoline, will require an alternate source of highway funding.

85-90. “So, but on crowd size in history, for any country, nobody's had crowds like I have, and you know that. And when she gets 1,000 people and everybody starts jumping, you know that if I had a thousand people would say, people would say, that's the end of his campaign. I have hundreds of thousands of people in, uh, South Carolina. I had 88,000 people in Alabama. I had 68,000 people. Nobody says about crowd size with me, but she has 1,000 people or 1,500 people, and they say, oh, the enthusiasm's back.”

There were at least six different misstatements here – (1) Trump has had large crowds, but “in history,” there certainly there have been people with larger crowds, from Barack Obama and others; (2, 3) her crowds have been larger than 1,000, which he repeats twice; (4) no serious analysts have said this is the end of Trump’s campaign. This race is very close; (5) there’s no evidence for crowds of the size Trump notes in South Carolina and Alabama; (6) people do talk about Trump’s crowd sizes.

91. “They wanna stop people from pouring into our country, from places unknown and from countries unknown from countries that nobody ever heard of.”

Someone has likely heard of whatever the unnamed country is.

92-93. “We're leading in Georgia by a lot. We're leading in Pennsylvania by a lot.”

The races in Georgia and Pennsylvania are within the margin of error, according to an average of the polls.

94. “So I won Alabama by a record. Nobody's ever gotten that many votes. I won South Carolina by a record. You don't win Alabama and South Carolina by records and lose Georgia. It doesn't happen.”

It does, and here’s why. Demographically, Georgia has become very different from South Carolina and Alabama. Georgia’s population is now majority-minority, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Alabama and South Carolina are 64% and 63% white, respectively.

Georgia’s Black population is also significant politically — 33% of the state’s population is Black. By comparison, Alabama is 27% Black, South Carolina 26%. Latinos also make up 11% of Georgia’s population and Asian Americans are 5%, both of which are higher than Alabama and South Carolina. And Georgia’s population is marginally younger — 15% of Georgia’s population is older than 65% compared to 18% in Alabama and 19% in South Carolina.

95. “If we have honest elections in Georgia, if we have honest elections in Pennsylvania, We're gonna win them by a lot.”

Winning them by a lot is highly unlikely, considering how close the states have been in recent elections, but perhaps more pressing is Trump’s insinuation that there were voting problems in the two states, which there were not. That’s why Trump is upset with Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, for example, because he upheld the valid 2020 election results even in the face of pressure from Trump.

96. “Of course there'll be a peaceful transfer. And there was last time.”

This wholly ignores the Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol, which took place because of Trump’s election lies.

97. “Because I'm leading by a lot.”

Again, this is a very close race.

98. “We have commercials that are at a level I don't think that anybody's ever done before.”

This is false. Since Super Tuesday, Democrats have outspent Trump’s campaign and outside groups supporting him by more than double, according to data provided by AdImpact and analyzed by NPR — $373.5 million to $150.6 million.

99. “She's not smart enough to do a news conference.”

There is plenty of evidence that Harris is “smart enough to do a news conference,” as she has done in the past.

100. "We're in great danger of being in World War III. That could happen." 

Again, no serious analyst believes this.

101. “I think those people were treated very harshly, when you compare them to other things that took place in this country where a lot of people were killed.”

The Justice Department investigation into the events of Jan. 6, 2021, is the largest and most complex federal criminal probe in U.S. history, the attorney general has said. More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured that day, in what U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves has described as the biggest mass casualty event involving police. It’s hard to find any comparable event in recent American history.

As of Aug. 6, 2024, according to Graves’s office, prosecutors have charged more than 160 people with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. Prosecutors have also secured convictions on the rarely-deployed charge of seditious conspiracy, or attempting to overthrow the government by use of force, against top leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.

Even so, only a small number of Jan. 6 defendants have been held in federal custody while they await trial. Mostly, these are the rioters who allegedly used the most violence on that day more than three years ago. Republican members of Congress have toured the jail facilities and decried conditions there, expressions of support that defendants facing ordinary charges in D.C. have not received. — Carrie Johnson, NPR national justice correspondent

102. “Nobody was killed on Jan. 6th.” 

Conservatives were upset at the time that one of the rioters, Ashli Babbitt, was killed when she was shot by police, as she was trying to force her way into the Speaker’s Lobby of the Capitol, which leads to the House chamber, with a crowd of others. Many officers were injured that day; one died of a stroke as a result of Jan. 6; and others later died by suicide that their families say was also a result of Jan. 6.

103-105. “And, you know, it's very interesting, the biggest crowd I've ever spoken to. … The biggest crowd I've ever spoken before was that day. … The biggest crowd I've ever spoken. … I've spoken to the biggest crowds. Nobody's spoken to crowds bigger than me.” 

It was not the biggest crowd he’s ever spoken to. His inauguration would have topped that. And others have had bigger crowds, as noted earlier.

106. “I said peacefully and patriotically.”

While Trump did utter those words, it is misleading. Trump also said the word “fight” multiple times , and he told the already angry crowd because of the election lies he fed them: “We fight like Hell and if you don’t fight like Hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Trump aides testified that he “refused” to tweet the word “peaceful” in the days leading up to the rally because he thought it might discourage people from being there, and he was concerned about his crowd size.

107-108. “If you look at Martin Luther King, when he did his speech, his great speech, and you look at ours, same real estate, same, everything, same number of people. If not, we had more. …You look at the picture of his crowd, my crowd, uh, we actually had more people.”

First, the speeches did not take place at the “same real estate.” Trump spoke from a position just south of the Ellipse. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Second, the crowds were not the same size and Trump’s was certainly not larger. It is an extraordinary claim and shows just how much Trump cares about crowd size.

109. “We have a Constitution. It's a very important document, and we live by it. She has no votes.” 

Again, there’s nothing in the Constitution about how parties should pick their presidents.

110-111. “They said, ‘You're not going to win, you can't win, you're out.’ And at first they said it nicely, and he wasn't leaving, and then you, you know, the, you know it better than anybody. … At first, they were going to go out to another vote, they were going to go through a primary system, a quick primary system, which it would have to be. And then it all disappeared, and they just picked a person.”

As explained earlier, this is not how Biden wound up stepping aside. The story is yet another Trump invention. He also lies here in saying that “they were going to go through a primary system” and “it would have to be” a quick primary system.” There’s no requirement that a primary is held. In fact, for many years, candidates’ selection as party nominees had nothing to do with primaries, and they were not as prevalent as today.

112-113. “That was the first out. She was the first loser, OK? So, we call her the first loser. She was the first loser when– during the primary system, during the Democrat primary system, she was the first one to quit. And she quit.”

As explained earlier, Harris was not the first one out in the 2020 Democratic primary race. And “first loser” appears to be a name Trump made up at this news conference, as Harris has not been referred to that way as a result of her run for the 2020 nomination.

114. “She did, obviously, a bad job. She never made it to Iowa. Then for some reason, and I'm, I know he regrets it, you do too, uh, he picked her, and she turned on him too. She was working with the people that wanted him out."

Once again, this is a false conspiracy invented by Trump.

115. “She was the first one out.” 

Trump repeats this false line again.

116. “I think the abortion issue is written very much tempered down, and I've answered I think very well in the debate, and it seems to be much less of an issue, especially for those where they have the exceptions.”

Abortion rights as a political and social issue has certainly not “tempered down.” There are millions of women, especially across the South, who do not have access to abortion and women who have experienced pregnancy losses with the inability to access medications for those necessary procedures.

117. “As you know, and I think it's when I look for 52 years, they wanted to bring abortion back to the states. They wanted to get rid of Roe v. Wade and that's Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, and everybody. Liberals, conservatives, everybody wanted it back in the states. And I did that.”

Everybody absolutely did not want that. It was actually quite unpopular for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe . And he again repeats that it has become less of an issue.

118-119. “I think that abortion has become much less of an issue. It's a very small.” 

“I think it's actually going to be a very small issue. What I've done is I've done what every Democrat and every Every Republican wanted to have done.” 

“I think the abortion issue has been taken down many notches. I don't think it's of– I don't think it's a big factor anymore, really.”

Minutes apart from each other, he repeats these three false claims. Abortion rights is not a “very small” issue for millions of voters. Democrats are organizing around it, and it has been seminal to Biden and Harris’ campaigns.

120. “Previous to [Virginia Gov.] Glenn [Youngkin], the governor, he said the baby will be born, we will put the baby aside, and we will decide with the mother what we're going to do. In other words, whether or not we're going to kill the baby.”

This is a distortion Republicans continue to push about what former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said. This has been fact-checked by others multiple times .

121-122. “I think the abortion issue has been, uh, taken down many notches. I don't think it's of, uh, I don't think it's a big factor anymore, really.”

“Everybody wanted it in the states.”

“But that issue has is very much subdued.”

He once again returns to the issue of abortions, which remains a “factor,” not everybody wanted it in the states, the issue is not “very much subdued.”

123-124. “ She wants to take away everyone's gun.” 

Harris has not proposed taking away all guns. She has proposed banning assault-style weapons, something that was in place for a decade. Some surveys had shown majority support for this. Others show a split. (Trump makes this case later, as well, so that is also included in the count.)

125. “Some countries have actually gone the opposite way. They had very strong gun laws and now they have gone the opposite way, where they allowed people to have guns, where in one case they encouraged people to go out and get guns, and crime is down 29%.”

It’s difficult to compare gun violence and gun laws in the United States to other countries, simply because of the staggering amount of guns we have here. Although the U.S. has less than 5% of the world’s population, it holds almost 40% or more of the world’s civilian-owned guns. And it has “the highest homicide-by-firearm rate of the world’s most developed nations,” per the Council on Foreign Relations . Norway, Canada and Australia all tightened their gun restrictions after shootings. — Meg Anderson

126. “On July 4th, 117 people were shot and 17 died. The toughest gun laws in the United States are in the city of Chicago. You know that. They had 117 people shot. Afghanistan does not have that.” 

Though Trump didn’t get the numbers exactly right, Chicago did have an incredibly violent July 4th holiday weekend this year. According to Mayor Brandon Johnson, more than 100 people were shot and 19 of those people died. Chicago does have strict gun laws, in part because its state does: Everytown For Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, ranks Illinois third in the nation for the strength of its gun-control laws. However, no state or city exists within a bubble, and Illinois is surrounded by states with much weaker laws, including Indiana, which is just a short drive from Chicago. — Meg Anderson

127. “For 18 months, not one American soldier was shot at or killed, but not even shot at.” 

This is, to put it charitably, misleading. It appears that he’s actually referencing the period when the Trump administration signed the deal with the Taliban, in advance of U.S. troops leaving. The deal said the U.S. would be out in 14 months, and in exchange the Taliban wouldn’t harbor terrorists and would stop attacking U.S. service members. Needless to say, the deal didn’t hold. But as the AP notes , “There was an 18-month stretch that saw no combat, or ‘hostile,’ deaths in Afghanistan: from early February 2020 to August 2021.” – Andrew Sussman

128. “Kamala is in favor of not giving Israel weapons. That's what I hear.”

Harris does not support an Israel weapons embargo. A Biden administration official posted on social media that Harris "has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.” A leader of the uncommitted movement said Harris “expressed an openness” to a meeting about an embargo, but the Biden administration official said Harris "will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law,” not that she would support an embargo.

129. “She's been very, very bad to Israel, and she's been very bad and disrespectful to Jewish people.”

Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. The couple has hosted Passover Seders.

130. “Well, I know Willie Brown very well. In fact, I went down in a helicopter with him. We thought maybe this is the end. We were in a helicopter going to a certain location together and there was an emergency landing.”

This claim has not held up to scrutiny. Politico reported that Trump did have to make an emergency landing in a helicopter with a Black California politician decades ago, but it wasn’t Willie Brown, the former San Francisco mayor and state assembly speaker. It was Nate Holden, a former Los Angeles city councilman and state senator.

131-132. “This was not a pleasant landing, and Willie was— he was a little concerned. So I know him. I know him pretty well. I mean, I haven't seen him in years. But he told me terrible things about her.”

“He was not a fan of hers very much at that point.”

This is something Trump repeated twice, minutes apart from each other. Brown strongly denies having been on a helicopter with Trump or telling Trump negative things about Harris, whom he dated in the mid-1990s and supports now for president. The relationship ended in 1995.

133. “Our tax cuts, which are the biggest in history… .”

The 2017 tax cuts were not the biggest in history. As a share of the economy, they barely make the top 10 . They were big enough, however, to blow a big hole in the federal budget, which is why Trump was overseeing a nearly $1 trillion dollar annual deficit before the pandemic. — Scott Horsley

134. “It'll destroy the economy.”

This is what Trump said will happen if his tax cuts are not renewed. But The 2017 tax cut did not deliver the economic boom that its supporters promised, and there’s no reason to think reversing a portion of the cut would cause economic destruction. — Scott Horsley

135. “I've never seen people get elected by saying, 'We're going to give you a tax increase.'”

Vice President Harris has echoed President Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000. However, Biden has called for raising taxes on wealthy individuals and raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% – halfway back to where it was before the 2017 cut. — Scott Horsley

136. “These guys get up, think of it. ‘We're going to give you no security.’ …”

No Democratic presidential candidate has advocated “no security.”

137. “We're going to give you a weak military… .’ ”

An analysis by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, showed a “review of historical defense budget trends shows there is more at play in determining overall investments in defense than just which party is in the White House.” Indeed, since the year 2000, U.S.-led wars overseas have resulted in a surge of spending by both Democratic and Republican administrations.

138-139. “…We're going to give you no walls, no borders, no anything.”

Harris, Walz and the Democratic Party have never said they want “no borders.” They certainly oppose Trump’s wall/fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border, citing the exorbitant cost and its relative ineffectiveness, they say, compared to using other methods. (Trump later says that Harris wants “open borders,” so that’s included in the count here.)

140. “...We're going to give you a tax increase.”

Again, this is misleading and suggests Harris wants to increase taxes across the board when they have consistently talked about increasing taxes only on the wealthy. In Harris’ view, those making more than $400,000 a year .

141. “They're gonna destroy Social Security.”

Democrats have consistently advocated for keeping Social Security and making it solvent.

142. “They've weaponized government against me. Look at the Florida case. It was a totally weaponized case. All of these cases, by the way, the New York cases are totally controlled out of the Department of Justice. They sent their top person to the various places. They went to the A.G.'s office, got that one going, then he went to the D.A.'s office, got that one going, ran through it. No, no, this is all politics, and it's a disgrace.”

In congressional testimony this year, Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers that President Biden had never called him to discuss any of the cases against Trump. Garland also had aides review Justice Department leaders’ email for any correspondence with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. In a letter to Congress in June 2024, the Justice Department said it had found no such contacts.

In that same letter, Justice Department legislative affairs chief Carlos Uriarte said the department did not “dispatch” former acting Associate Attorney General Matthew Colangelo to New York to join Bragg’s team prosecuting Trump. “Department leadership was unaware of his work on the investigation and prosecution involving the former president until it was reported in the news,” Uriarte wrote. — Carrie Johnson

143. “Any time you have mail-in ballots, you're gonna have problems. ... We should have one-day voting; we should have paper ballots; we should have voter ID; and we should have proof of citizenship.” 

Trump continues to spread baseless claims about mail ballots. There’s no proof of widespread fraud with the voting method. When it comes to paper ballots, they're standard. One estimate found that in the 2024 general election, "nearly 99% of all registered voters will live in jurisdictions where they can cast a ballot with a paper record of the vote."

The proof of citizenship comment echoes a Republican push on the issue , though studies have shown voting by non-U.S. citizens in federal elections to be exceedingly rare. The GOP-led House has passed a bill to require such documentary proof, but it’s likely to go no further in a Senate led by Democrats who are opposed to adding new voting restrictions. — Ben Swasey, voting editor

144. “The polls have suggested, there are some polls that say we're going to win in a landslide.” 

There are no polls that suggest Trump will win in a landslide. By all accounts, this is a very close race.

145. “...they're paying 50, 60, 70 percent more for food than they did just a couple of years ago.”

The rise in grocery prices is a common complaint , but Trump exaggerates the scale of the increase. According to the Consumer Price Index, grocery prices have risen 25% since before the pandemic and 21% since President Biden took office. (At the same time, average wages have risen 23% since before the pandemic and 17% since President Biden took office.)

146-149. The Strategic National Reserve is “virtually empty now. We've never had it this low.”

“He's sucked all of the oil out.”

“Essentially the gasoline to keep the, to keep the price down a little bit. … But you know what? We have no strategic national reserves now. He's emptied it. It's almost empty. It's never been this low.”

“They've just, for the sake of getting some votes, for the sake of having gasoline–. You know, that's meant for wars. It's meant for, like, tragedy. It's not meant to keep a gasoline price down, so that somebody can vote for Biden or, in this case, Kamala.” 

The strategic oil reserve is actually up in the past year . Biden has since repurchased about 32 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. As of this month, the reserve held about 376 million barrels of oil. The reserve was lower when Trump left office than when he got in.

150. “I see it right now, I see her going way down on the polls now.”

The opposite is true. Harris has continued her momentum since getting into the race.

151-152. “...now that people are finding out that she destroyed San Francisco, she destroyed the state of California.” 

As addressed earlier, Harris is not entirely responsible for San Francisco or the state of California. Crime trends there were similar to national crime trends during her time as district attorney in San Francisco and as the state’s attorney general. What’s more, preliminary data for this year indicates that many cities in California, including San Francisco, are seeing murder rates falling. (Trump repeats the claim one more time later in the news conference, so it is included in the count here.) — Meg Anderson

153. “She was early, I mean, she was the first of the prosecutors, really, you know, now you see Philadelphia, you see Los Angeles, you see New York, you see various people that are very bad, but she was the first of the bad prosecutors, she was early.”

Although Harris did refer to herself in her 2019 memoir as a “progressive prosecutor,” her legacy has largely been seen as tougher on crime. She has supported some progressive reforms, such as pretrial diversion, which offers certain criminal defendants things like drug treatment instead of going to trial. — Meg Anderson

154. “You know, with Hillary Clinton, I could have done things to her that would have made your head spin. I thought it was a very bad thing – take the wife of a president of the United States, and put her in jail. And then I see the way they treat me. That's the way it goes. But I was very protective of her. Nobody would understand that. But I was. I think my people understand it. They used to say, lock her up, lock her up. And I'd say, just relax, please.”

Trump called for Clinton’s imprisonment multiple times , including going along with crowd chants of “lock her up.”

155. “Don't forget, she got a subpoena from the United States Congress, and then after getting the subpoena, she destroyed everything that she was supposed to get. 

Clinton aides requested emails be deleted months before the subpoena, and the FBI said there’s no evidence the messages were deleted with a subpoena in mind. — Carrie Johnson

156. “I thought it was so bad to take her, and put her in jail, the wife of a president of the United States. And then, when it's my turn, nobody thinks that way.”

The Justice Department closed an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server to conduct some State Department business in 2016. Then-FBI Director Jim Comey gave a press conference to explain his reasoning in July of that election year. Comey said, “We did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information,” but he criticized Clinton and her aides for being “extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information” that flowed through the server.

By contrast, prosecutors in the Florida case against former President Donald Trump said Trump had flouted requests from the FBI and a subpoena for highly classified materials he stored in unsecure spaces like a ballroom and a bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The indictment in that case accuses Trump of unlawfully retaining government secrets and of intentionally obstructing justice with the help of an aide who moved boxes of materials and otherwise allegedly thwarted the FBI probe. Trump and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty. The Justice Department says it is appealing the district court’s decision to toss the case on constitutional grounds. — Carrie Johnson

157. “A lot of the MAGA, as they call them, but the base. And I think the base is, I think the base is 75% of the country, far beyond the Republican Party.”

Rounding up, Trump won 46% of the vote in 2016 and 47% of the vote in 2020. He has a high floor, but a low ceiling politically. Majorities continue to say they have an unfavorable rating of Trump, which has been consistent for years. No American presidential candidate has ever gotten 75% of the vote in this country, dating back to 1824 since data was kept for popular votes. Lyndon B. Johnson got 61% in 1964, Richard Nixon slightly less than 61% in 1972, Ronald Reagan 59% in 1984. Since then, Barack Obama got nearly 53% in 2008 and 51% in 2012, the first candidate since Eisenhower to win at least 51% of the vote twice.

158. “My sons are members, and I guess indirectly I'm a member, too.”

Trump here is talking about membership in the National Rifle Association. Another family member being an NRA member does not make someone else an NRA member “indirectly.”

159. “She served 24 years for being on a phone call having to do with drugs. You know who I'm talking about. She was great. And she had another 24 years to go. And it was largely about marijuana, which in many cases is now legalized, OK?”

Presumably, Trump is talking about Alice Marie Johnson, who had been convicted on cocaine conspiracy and money laundering charges . Kim Kardashian advocated for Johnson and won a pardon for her from Trump.

160. “They're either really stupid, and I don't believe they're stupid, because anybody that can cheat in elections like they cheat is not stupid.”

More than 60 court cases proved there was not widespread fraud or cheating that would have made any difference in any state.

161. “Lately I've seen where they're trying to sign these people up to vote. And they have to stop. They cannot let illegal immigrants vote in this upcoming election.”

This is a conspiracy not based in fact. Immigrants in the country illegally cannot vote in presidential elections, and there’s no evidence there is an intentional effort to sign them up in mass numbers to sway elections.

162. “If you go to California, and you ask the people of California, do they like the idea of sanctuary cities? They don't like it.”

The subject of sanctuary cities actually mostly splits Californians. Slim majorities have actually said that they favor the sanctuary-state law and are against their cities opting out of the law. Of course, this breaks down along party lines, and since California is heavily Democratic, those results might not be surprising. But it’s more divided than Trump suggests.

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