Can Depression Go Away By Itself

Find What Works For You Best

The ideas and suggestions listed here arent meant to replace medical advice. If youre dealing with depression, consulting a doctor or therapist can make all the difference.

Yet if youve tried those things and find they arent working, or if you simply want to give yourself the very best possible chance to turn things around, working your way through this list may mean you finally find the one thing that really works for you when it comes to making your depression go away for good.

Featured photo credit: Pexels via pexels.com

How Can I Help My Teen Live With Major Depression

As a parent, you play a key role in your teens treatment. Here are things you can do to help:

• Keep all appointments with your teens healthcare provider.

• Talk with your teens healthcare provider about other providers who will be involved in your teens care. Your teen may get care from a team that may include counselors, therapists, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Your teens care team will depend on his or her needs and how serious the depression is.

• Tell others about your teens depression. Work with your teens healthcare provider and schools to develop a treatment plan.

• Reach out for support from local community services. Being in touch with other parents who have a teen with depression may be helpful.

• Take all symptoms of depression and suicide very seriously. Seek treatment right away. Suicide is a health emergency. Talk with your teens healthcare provider for more information on suicide including whom to call and what to do . Have a written emergency plan.

For several reasons, many parents never seek the right treatment for their teen with depression. This is true even though many people with major depression who seek treatment get better. They often improve within weeks. Continued treatment may help keep symptoms from coming back.

How Is Depression Diagnosed

These days, a routine doctors visit with your general health practitioner may be all it takes to receive a diagnosis. Standard screening tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire a survey of yes, nine items, that physicians use to assess the severity of depressionare becoming widely used in primary care settings to screen for the condition.

In fact, most patients with depression are going to be diagnosed and treated by primary care doctors, not specialists or psychiatrists, says James Murrough, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment at Mount Sinai.

Depression is mainly diagnosed by history and clinical presentations, or a specific pattern of symptoms, says Dr. Murrough, which is to say theres no blood test for MDD. But if you have symptoms like changes in sleep or appetite, your doctor may look into other conditions unrelated to mental health .

The first thing your doctor might do is order blood testsnot to make the diagnosis of depression, but to rule out things that could be masquerading as depression, explains Dr. Murrough. For example, an underactive thyroid can present as low mood and feeling sluggish, and iron deficiency anemia is another reason why some people might have low energy.

Don’t Miss: I Am Fat And Depressed

Avoiding The Return Of Depression

To prevent a depression relapse, continue to follow your doctors advice. Go to therapy sessions, talk with family members, take prescribed medication, and avoid alcohol and drugs, Belkin says.

Its also important to keep busy with productive activities and be around other people, strategies that have worked well for Collins. I have continued the sport of fencing, which I first started at age 23,” Collins says. “Making friends and getting exercise are great for mental health. And last year I decided to audition for roles in a community theater production and got cast as Jimmy Tomorrow in Eugene ONeills The Iceman Cometh.

Renew your commitment to positive lifestyle habits get restorative sleep, engage in meditation or other stress-reducing techniques, and eat a diet that includes all colors of the rainbow, says Gazda, who notes that relapsing more than three times may mean maintenance therapy for life is a must.

Most important in the prevention of depression relapse is to stay aware of its very real possibility, not as a source of anxiety but as a proactive step for well-being. If you sense depression symptoms returning, get help immediately.

How Is Depression Syndrome Diagnosed

Everyone may feel sad or down from time to time. However, clinical depression has more intense symptoms that last two weeks or longer.

To determine whether you have clinical depression, your healthcare provider will ask questions. You may complete a questionnaire and provide a family history. Your healthcare provider may also perform an exam or order lab tests to see if you have another medical condition.

Read Also: Difference Between Crippling Depression And Depression

Does Anxiety Ever Go Away

• Outlook

If youve ever experienced anxiety, you know how overwhelming it can be.

Anxiety is the bodys response to stress, threats, and fear. Fortunately, anxiety usually goes away once the threat passes though it probably wont be the last time you experience it.

If you have an anxiety disorder, however, anxiety can linger well beyond the triggering event and become chronic or severe enough to impair daily functioning.

While you probably cant banish anxiety altogether, anxiety and anxiety disorders can be treated and managed.

Whats The Difference Between Normal Grief After A Loss And Mdd

When you experience a loss of someone close to you, its normal to grieve and feel down and empty for a period of several weeks or more, but it should get better, says Dr. Murrough. If youre starting to feel worse instead of better as time goes on, thats a red flag. Perhaps, more critically, a typical grief reaction isnt: My life is not worth living anymore. Consider seeking treatment if you or someone experiences this.

Also Check: Online Support Groups For Teenage Depression

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Depression

You may feel reluctant or embarrassed to seek advice, but remember that depression is common, and getting help for depression is not a sign of weakness.

Depression is not something you can treat on your own, and it is important that you seek help from a general practitioner or mental health professional. Your GP is often the best person to speak to first, and its a good idea to ask for a long appointment so that you have time to talk things through, complete an assessment and discuss treatment options. Your GP may refer you to a specialist such as a psychiatrist or psychologist , or to a local specialist mental health centre.

If you are thinking about harming yourself, you should contact your mental health centre or GP immediately. If they are not available, call a telephone support line such as Lifeline or Kids Helpline see the numbers at the foot of this article. You can also contact your local public mental health crisis assessment team or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Causes And Risk Factors

Depression is not a mood you can just get over. It is a disease in which the brain ceases to register pleasurable activities, says Angelino. Indeed, MRI studies with depressed people have found changes in the parts of the brain that play a significant role in depression.

Women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Youre also more likely to develop depression if you are between ages 45 and 64, nonwhite, or divorced, and if you never graduated high school, cant work or are unemployed, and dont have health insurance. Other risks for depression include factors such as these:

• Experiencing stressful events in your life, such as losing your job, having problems in your marriage, major health problems, and/or financial challenges.
• Having a bad childhood, such as one involving abuse, poor relationships with your parents, and/or your parents own marital problems.
• Certain personality traits, such as getting extremely upset when youre stressed.
• A family history of depression, which can increase your own risk three or four times.

Depression is far more common than you might think, with nearly one out of 10 adults depressed at any time, about half of them severely.

Recommended Reading: My Girlfriend Is Depressed What Do I Do

What You Can Do About Your Anxiety Right Now

When you feel anxious, it may help to acknowledge the fact that youre anxious and consider the situation.

During times of stress and alarm, it can help to know your feelings of anxiety may pass once the stressful event is over.

Here are a few things you can do to help lower your anxiety in the moment:

• Reach out to someone you trust. Sometimes, talking things through can help you gain calm and relieve anxious thoughts.
• Say no if youve got too much on your plate and more is expected.
• Go for a walk. Try to be mindful of your surroundings and take long, deep breaths.
• Meditate, do some yoga exercises, practice deep breathing, or do other activities that have helped you to feel calm or centered before.
• Do something that helps you relax physically, such as soaking in a warm bath, playing soothing music, or enjoying aromatherapy.

There are also some things you can do to help reduce anxiety in the long term.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

If a GP thinks you’d benefit from taking an antidepressant, you’ll usually be prescribed a modern type called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor .

Examples of commonly used SSRI antidepressants are paroxetine , fluoxetine and citalopram .

They help increase the level of a natural chemical in your brain called serotonin, which is thought to be a “good mood” chemical.

SSRIs work just as well as older antidepressants and have fewer side effects, although they can cause nausea, headaches, a dry mouth and problems having sex. But these side effects usually improve over time.

Some SSRIs are not suitable for children and young people under 18 years of age. Research shows that the risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviour may increase if they’re taken by under-18s.

Fluoxetine is the only SSRI that can be prescribed for under-18s and, even then, only when a specialist has given the go-ahead.

Read Also: Help Me God I Am Depressed Quotes

What Causes Depression In Men

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of risk factors including:

• Genetic factorsmen with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop it than those whose family members do not have the illness.
• Environmental Stressfinancial problems, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, major life changes, work problems, or any stressful situation may trigger depression in some men.
• Illnessdepression can occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or Parkinsons disease. Depression can make these conditions worse and vice versa. Sometimes, medications taken for these illnesses may cause side effects that trigger or worsen depression.

How Can I Take Care Of Myself

Once you begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even if you dont feel like doing them, they can improve your mood. Other things that may help:

• Try to get some physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost mood.
• Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.
• Eat regular, healthy meals.
• Do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.
• Try to connect with other people, and talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
• Postpone important life decisions until you feel better.
• Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.

Also Check: Can Birth Control Help Anxiety And Depression

How Is Depression Syndrome Treated

Depression can be serious, but its also treatable. Treatment for depression includes:

• Self-help: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and spending time with people you care about can improve depression symptoms.
• Counseling: Counseling or psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional. Your counselor helps you address your problems and develop coping skills. Sometimes brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy longer.
• Alternative medicine: People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with complementary therapy. Therapy may include massage, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback.
• Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change brain chemistry that causes depression. Antidepressants can take a few weeks to have an effect. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they dont, talk to your provider. A different medications may work better for you.
• Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy , transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation .

What Happens If Depression Is Not Treated

If depression is left untreated, it leads to various complications. One of the most common side effects of depression is suicidal thoughts. If depression is not treated, a person can be prone to suicidal thoughts. He may be more likely to commit suicide. Depression usually leads to suicidal behavior, due to the symptoms of unworthiness, helplessness, hopelessness, and constant guilt. These if not checked at the might time can lead to a fatal decision.

In addition, if depression goes untreated, it can lead to substance abuse disorder. It is very normal that a depressed person, who is unable o get any professional health might start to indulge in the usage of alcohol and other harmful drugs like marijuana and MDMA, as they help in the release of the happy hormones. The person might go to an extent where they will be unable to live without these drugs and crave for the day and night.

With this, the sleep pattern of the person is also highly disturbed. Patients with clinical depression, usually see a direct impact on their sleep, wither leading to no sleep or excess sleep. Both of these conditions are problematic. However, the most common is insomnia. The absence of sleep can cause a portion of similar manifestations as sadness outrageous sluggishness, loss of energy and trouble thinking or deciding.

Don’t Miss: Things To Say To Someone That Is Depressed

Depression: What You Need To Know As You Age

If youre one of the more than 14.8 million American adults who experiences major depression, you may feel so bad that you cant get out of bed, be around the people you love or participate in activities that you usually enjoy. Actually, there are more than 50 different symptoms of major depression, ranging from the well-knowncrying and sadnessto those you might never associate with depression, such as anger, workaholism and back pain.

Depression is a disease that affects every aspect of a persons life, not just mood, says Johns Hopkins expert Andrew Angelino, M.D., Chair of Psychiatry at Howard County General Hospital. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, depression will be the second-leading cause of disability in the world, just behind cardiovascular disease.

People who are depressed are far more likely to have other chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, back problems, arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure, and to have worse outcomes. Untreated depression can even affect your immune response to some vaccines.

Depression is not just debilitating it can be deadly. An estimated one out of five people with depression will attempt suicide at some point.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Depression

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and that do not ease even with treatment
• Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK . You also can text the Crisis Text Line or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

Recommended Reading: How To Cure My Depression

Why Do I Feel Depressed For No Reason

Sometimes it might seem like youre feeling depressed for no reason, but there is always a reason for your depression.

Remember, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to depression , but what ultimately causes depression is your thinking.

So, if youre depressed, youre definitely thinking in ways that are making you depressed, whether youre aware of it not, and this means that there is an identifiable reason for your depression: your thinking.

To appreciate this, imagine if you thought your life was wonderful in each and every way, and that every day was better than the last, and that you were looking forward more and more to the future with every passing day.

With these kinds of thoughts, you definitely wouldnt be depressed, would you?

So this is a clear lesson that if youre struggling with depression, youre thinking in ways that are making you depressed, because if you thought differently you wouldnt be depressed anymore.

How Can I Help Someone With Depression

Helping someone with depression might not look a single way. However, things that you can do to help include encouraging treatment, listening with compassion, helping the person suffering with daily tasks, be vigilant for signs of suicidal behavior, and to make sure you are caring for yourself, too.

Read Also: Things To Do To Get Over Depression