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Depression
Suicide Prevention Scan the code for more detailed information on staying safe through a mental health crisis.
Learn the Signs and Types of Treatment If you’re in the hospital or have a chronic condition, you may feel sad or angry for a little while. This is normal—but when depression interferes with your daily life, it can be harmful to your healing process. Depression can make recovery harder, hospital stays longer, and readmissions more frequent. It’s important to notice the signs and share them with your care
team. Treatment is possible! Symptoms of Depression Symptoms can be different for everyone and may include: Mood swings or feeling unusually sad, irritable, angry, or empty Low energy or motivation, making normal tasks harder Loss of interest in or avoiding
Problems with memory or attention Headaches or other pains with no known cause Pacing or restlessness Paranoid thoughts Abusing drugs or alcohol Thoughts of death, suicide, or harming yourself or others
family, friends, or hobbies Eating or sleeping too much or too little Feeling guilty, worthless, or hopeless
If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms of depression, you can find free resources at nami.org . Treating Depression Treating depression is different for everyone. Your doctor may recommend talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Talk therapy provides treatment through conversation and problem-solving with a therapist. Antidepressant medications balance chemicals in your brain that control mood. Take antidepressants only as prescribed, and never stop taking them without talking to your doctor first. Let your doctor know if your medication is not helping enough. What You Can Do In addition to professional treatment, you can try these tips when you’re back home: Exercise at least three days a week. Physical activity creates mood-lifting chemicals. Schedule workouts with an exercise buddy. Think about what you eat and drink. For a healthy mind and body, eat more nutrient-rich foods and limit processed foods. And avoid alcohol until your depression improves. Spend time with people. Share activities or meals with a family member or friend. Open up to loved ones about your depression and tell them what you need. They can help you navigate your symptoms and treatment and support you in a mental health emergency. Postpone important decisions, like getting married or changing jobs. Stress can make depression worse. Focus on feeling better before making a life-changing decision.
Depression in Older Adults Some causes of depression, like chronic conditions, social isolation, and major life changes, are more likely to affect older people. But depression is not a normal part of aging—and you don’t have to cope with it alone. Share your feelings with your care team, and take steps to prevent loneliness. Visit eldercare.acl.gov to find support services near you.
Ask for Help For immediate help in a mental health crisis, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 , or chat with a crisis counselor online at 988lifeline.org/chat .
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