Should i tell if im depressed

Alcohol or drug abuse. Substance abuse can often co-occur with depression. Many people use alcohol or drugs as a means of self-medicating their moods or cope with stress or difficult emotions. If you are already at risk, abusing alcohol or drugs may push you over the edge. There is also evidence that those who abuse opioid painkillers are at greater risk for depression. Understanding the underlying cause of your depression may help you overcome the problem. For example, if you are feeling depressed because of a dead-end job, the best treatment might be finding a more satisfying career rather than simply taking an antidepressant.

If you are new to an area and feeling lonely and sad, finding new friends will probably give you more of a mood boost than going to therapy. In such cases, the depression is remedied by changing the situation. But there are many things you can do to lift and stabilize your mood. The key is to start with a few small goals and slowly build from there, trying to do a little more each day. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there by making positive choices for yourself.

Reach out to other people. The simple act of talking to someone face-to-face about how you feel can be an enormous help. Get moving. But regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication in countering the symptoms of depression. Take a short walk or put some music on and dance around.

Start with small activities and build up from there. Eat a mood boosting diet. Reduce your intake of foods that can adversely affect your mood, such as caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, sugar and refined carbs. And increase mood-enhancing nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids. Find ways to engage again with the world. Spend some time in nature, care for a pet, volunteer , pick up a hobby you used to enjoy or take up a new one. There are many effective treatments for depression, including:.

Consulting a therapist can provide you tools to treat depression from a variety of angles and motivate you to take the action necessary. Therapy can also offer you the skills and insight to prevent the problem from coming back. Authors: Melinda Smith, M. Belmaker, R. Major Depressive Disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 1 , 55— Kessler, R.

Depression and Anxiety, 27 4 , — Depressive Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. What Causes Depression? If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:. If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline.

Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at If you have had some of the previously mentioned symptoms for more than two weeks, you might be suffering from major depression disorder.

Depression affects millions of people, but there are varying treatments available, from lifestyle changes to medications. No matter the path of treatment you choose, asking for professional help is the first step to getting back to feeling like yourself again. Social anxiety can have a huge impact on your work as well as your social life. This is what an average day looks like with social anxiety. More states are legalizing medical marijuana, but what does that mean for people with depression?

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. They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and self-help groups. Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy CBT , are often used for mild depression that is not improving, or moderate depression. Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed.

For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive specialist talking treatments and prescribed medicine. Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise , cutting down on alcohol , giving up smoking and eating healthily. Reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile.

They can help you gain a better understanding about what causes you to feel depressed. Sharing your experiences with others in a similar situation can also be very supportive. Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support. Signs and symptoms You may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, you've felt sad, down or miserable most of the time, or have lost interest or pleasure in usual activities, and have also experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories below.

Other pages in This Section What is mental health? Anxiety and depression checklist K10 Depression What causes depression? Signs and symptoms Types of depression Treatments for depression Who can assist Other sources of support Anxiety Suicide prevention Supporting someone Pregnancy and early parenthood Grief and loss Unemployment and mental health Drugs, alcohol and mental health.