Depressed mood for most of the day (feeling sad, down) Feeling hopeless or helpless (nothing you can do will make things better) Loss of pleasure or interest in most activities (things that used to be enjoyable no longer are) Problems concentrating (at home, work, or school; easy tasks are now difficult) Feelings of guilt (feeling like you messed up and can never recover) Feelings of worthlessness (nothing you do seems to matter) Thoughts of death or taking your life
If you are in danger of taking your life, call emergency services. You may go directly to the Emergency Department at your local hospital. Mental health professionals will work with you to create a plan to talk yourself down and also help you find ways to cope with thoughts of suicide. If you have a therapist, let your therapist know you are having thoughts of suicide. If you’re in the United States, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24 hours each day, 7 days a week by calling or texting 988. Operators are trained to talk about ways to back down from dying by suicide.
Changes in sleeping (excessive sleeping or not sleeping enough) Changes in eating (overeating or loss of appetite) Slowing of motions (feeling like movement takes all of your energy) Loss of energy, fatigue (no energy for daily tasks, not being able to get out of bed)
Substance use can trigger depression, particularly alcoholism. Health problems can also trigger depression, such as receiving a major diagnosis or coping with health difficulties. Just because you’ve experienced a stressful event does not mean you will develop depression. It can trigger a depressive episode, but nothing can force you to experience depression.
It’s important to realize that every family has links to mental health problems. Just because you have an aunt or parent who struggles with mental health does not mean you will develop a depression or another mental health issue.
If you experience SAD, take advantage of any sunlight when available. Get up early in the morning and go for a walk, or take a quick lunch break to spend more time outside midday. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone. For more information on light therapy, check out How to Choose a Light Therapy Box.
Sudden bursts of anger and increased sensitivity to criticism can also indicate depression. Dropping grades, withdrawal from friends, alcohol or drug use and daily isolation can also indicate problems with depression in teens. [9] X Research source
Lack of interest in your baby Negative feelings toward your baby Worrying about hurting your baby Lack of concern for yourself
Psychotic depression can be dangerous and can result in death because of the distancing from reality. Seek help immediately by contacting a friend, or calling emergency services.
Feeling unusually optimistic Feeling extremely irritable Feeling highly energetic despite very little sleep Racing thoughts Rapidly paced talking Impaired judgment, impulsivity Delusions or hallucinations For more information on bipolar disorder, check out How to Know if You Have Bipolar Disorder.
Common symptoms in males include expressed feelings of anger, increased alcohol/drug intake, often taking high risks, and inability to meet responsibilities in work or family care. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Mental Health Informational website from U. S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Go to source Common symptoms in females include demonstrating feelings of sadness and guilt, unhealthy eating habits, mood swings, and periods of crying without reason. [18] X Research source
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is highly effective at treating depression. It helps you confront your negative thoughts and thought patterns into more positive patterns. You can learn to re-interpret your environment and your interactions in a more supportive way. [20] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Mental Health Informational website from U. S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Go to source
Discuss possible side effects with your prescriber and learn the risks of going on medication. If you experience an increase in suicidality due to medication, speak to your prescriber immediately. If you begin taking medication for your depression, do not stop taking it immediately upon seeing results. Use as directed by your prescriber.
You can also join a support group. Check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at https://www. nami. org/ to connect to information about depression and how to find a support group.
Exercise can be as simple as walking 20-40 minutes each day. If you have a dog, commit to walking your dog each day for double the happiness boost. If you struggle to find motivation to be active, remind yourself that once you get moving, you will not regret putting in the effort. It’s rare for somebody to leave the gym thinking “I totally wasted my time, I should not have gone. ” Get a workout buddy to help your motivation. Having some accountability can help you get to the gym.
For more information, check out Reduce Stress.
