How can i be depressed

Learn more about medical marijuana as a possible…. Princess Diana was a wild card to the royal family, but her openness helped others be open about their own mental health. Find out about new treatment approaches and read stories from people living with depression in the best books about this condition.

There are several health benefits of sunlight. Adding a little sunshine to…. Don't face mental health challenges alone. Instead, learn how to get the support you need to thrive. Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help.

Learn what to do, avoid, and how to recognize the signs of suicidal…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. Signs of Depression. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Hopeless outlook. Share on Pinterest. Lost interest. Increased fatigue and sleep problems. Irritability in men. Changes in appetite and weight. Uncontrollable emotions.

People with depression may be concerned about speaking up in fear of what might change at school or work, as well as in their relationships.

When a person with depression internalizes these messages, they may come to believe they are not smart or capable—and depression has a way of reinforcing those false beliefs by making someone have a low opinion of themselves.

They may worry that their spouse, family, and friends will stop loving them. They may fear the people they care about will blame them for the feelings they have. They may also be worried that their loved ones will blame themselves if they are unable to help, which can make a person who is depressed feel guilty or like a burden.

Parents who are experiencing depression may worry about how their children or family could be affected. People who are depressed may work very hard to try to hide how they really feel. On the outside, they may look and even act as though they feel OK and that everything is fine.

Start by focusing on the causes of depression which are backed by facts rather than focusing on reasons which are subjective and relative. Researchers are still learning about all the different mechanisms that drive depression. Some factors that contribute to depression include:. Depression can make it much more challenging to address factors that might be contributing to depression, such as substance use or diet.

As much as it is a mental illness, depression can also be physical. Symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue can make it difficult for people to take on lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, even if they want to and believe they could help.

To make these changes and stick with them people need to have the right tools and a good deal of support. To get treatment, a person with depression needs to feel safe talking about how they are feeling.

Looking at the causes helps people both those with depression and those who want to support them understand that being depressed is a medical condition , not a choice. Depression can be, needs to be, and deserves to be treated. However, there are many different ways to treat the condition.

What works for one person may not work for another, and some people have to try many different options before finding something effective. Know this: Every person with depression deserves treatment.

How well a specific treatment works also depends on the type of depression a person is experiencing. Psychotherapy is one of the first-line options used to treat depression. While there are many types available, cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT is a frequently used and effective option.

It addresses the negative thoughts that contribute to depression. It may help you see that your thoughts might be contributing to your symptoms. Online therapy options are also available.

These can provide a convenient and sometimes more affordable way to access treatment for depression. Such programs can also be a useful supplement to in-person. Antidepressant medications such as Prozac fluoxetine and Zoloft sertraline , are commonly prescribed for depression. Medications are often used in combination with psychotherapy. Research indicates that for many people, using therapy and antidepressants together can effectively treat depression. However, these interventions alone may not adequately address symptoms for every person with depression.

In these cases, other types of treatment such as electroconvulsive therapy ECT can be used. ECT involves the brief application of an electrical pulse to the scalp in order to produce a seizure. Newer depression treatments include various types of brain stimulation therapy such as vagus nerve stimulation VNS and transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS. This test consists of a series of 10 questions designed to help you see whether your symptoms are consistent with depression.

The results will give you an indication as to whether you might be depressed; however, if you are feeling down, it is important that you speak to your GP even if your score is low. The test will give you an idea as to whether you are suffering from depressive symptoms; however, as depression is a complex mental health problem, you should not rely on this test to diagnose your condition.

Always talk to your GP about your symptoms. The two things are very different. Are you not doing things that you used to do? Are you losing motivation in and enjoyment of life? Are you starting to not enjoy your hobbies? Is everything becoming an effort? People suffering from clinical depression often experience a range of symptoms — both physical and emotional — which can interfere with day to day life. Discovering whether you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms could be an important step towards getting the help you need.

This seems t For those experiencing depression, the future may feel hopeless.