# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Saving lives by building a community around mental health and psychology animated content. Our mission is to give you the hard topics and make it relatable and understandable; we hope to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and bring light to the darkness. This channel started back in…

# data[].attributes.body
At one point, everyone will go through mental episodes and some people can help us get through it. Yet other times, we have been concerned about other's mental health. Whether they are a family member, friend, colleague, no matter who, there are endless ways to support someone that you care about. So lets dive in.

When your consumed with stress, and depressing thoughts, its likely you feel like your in a bottomless pit of guilt and emotions. In order to escape that pit of depression, you must do small actions everyday to provide yourself with self therapy.

Socializing
Talking or venting to someone is often a great big step of stress relief as you feel as if a burden has been lifted upon your shoulder. Talking to others can help you feel better by letting them know exactly what your going through, and with that you could get some useful advice and free therapy.

Give some time for yourself
At this stage, its necessary to spend some time regaining your sanity and relaxing. You could possibly take a bubble bath upon watching a movie, go to a spa, renovate your room, bake, go shopping, or whatever makes you feel pleased.

Think positive
In order to keep mentally healthy and stable, its mandatory to think positive and change speech dialogue. Per example: Instead of saying "Sorry Im late" you could say "Thank you for waiting" or instead of saying "Sorry for bothering you" just say "Thank you for your time." Another tactic to stay positive, is if your proceeding to do something dangerous and risky, you might be thinking -oh no what if... happens and I die!- try to avoid a dead mindset such as this, cause instead of that, you could wonder -you know what, I'll go for it! I only live once after all and I must make the most of it!-

# data[].attributes.headline
Share the work so that everyone is always doing something

# data[].attributes.subject
Share the work so that everyone is always doing something

# data[].attributes.headline
Yasmine 6G, Nelia 6A, Helena 6C, Zaynab 6C

# data[].attributes.subject
Yasmine 6G, Nelia 6A, Helena 6C, Zaynab 6C

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Mental Health Disorders: Types, Diagnosis & Treatment Options

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is mental health and why is it important?

Behavioral health (sometimes called mental health) includes a person's psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. It shapes the way you think, feel, behave and interact with others. Your mental state also affects how you cope with stress. It's a vital part of your life, from infancy through adulthood.

What is a mental health disorder?

Mental (behavioral) health disorders, or mental illnesses, affect the way you think and behave. They change your mood and can make it difficult to function at home, work, school or in your community.

It's important to note that having poor mental health doesn't always mean you have a behavioral health disorder. You can also have a behavioral health disorder and still go through long periods of good mental health.

Are there different types of mental health disorders?

There are more than 200 types of mental health disorders. A few of the most common types of mental health disorders include:

Who gets mental health disorders?

Anyone of any age, sex, background or ethnicity can get a behavioral health disorder. People designated female at birth (DFAB) more commonly experience depression, anxiety and eating disorders. While people designated male at birth (DMAB) are more likely to experience substance abuse and antisocial personality disorders. Behavioral problems and ADHD are more common in adolescents.

How common are behavioral health disorders?

Behavioral health disorders are common in the United States. About 1 in 5 adults and adolescents live with a mental health disorder. About half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 and three-quarters begin by age 24.

Suicide, which is often associated with mental illness, is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. It's the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 34.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health Disorders: Types, Diagnosis & Treatment Options

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mental health disorders affect how you think, feel and behave. Treatments may include medication, psychotherapy and other therapies.

# data[].attributes.body
Mental health (behavioral health), is made of someone’s psychological, emotional and social wellbeing and along side affecting how you cope with stress, forms the way you think, behave, feel and interact around others.

Mental disorders (Mental health disorders), can change your mood, affect how you think and behave however, if you have a bad mental state, that does not necessarily mean that you have a mental disorder and on the flip-side, if you have a mental disorder, that does not imply that your mental health is doing bad.

Unfortunately, at this state of the world, there is no shortage of Mental disorders. Some of the most common being, ADHD, OCD, substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorders and the list goes on.

Mental disorders affect all ages, genders, cultures and backgrounds. However, people assigned female at birth, are more likely to have anxiety, depression and eating disorders. On the contrary, people assigned men at birth have a higher chance of having anti-social personality disorders and substance abuse. Teenagers of all genders are to be more likely to get ADHD and behavioral problems.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Are you worried about your mental health?

# data[].attributes.body
Zaynab

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Are you worried about your mental health?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Are you worried about your mental health?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. Getting help early and getting the right support can help you ensure that your mental health does not get worse. If you are concerned then this page will tell you more about how you can get help and what support might be availa…

# data[].attributes.body
TITLE - Zaynab ✅
GLOBAL GOAL - Zaynab ✅
CENTRAL IDEA - Helena ✅
LOIS - Helena ✅
LOI 1 - Helena ✅
LOI 2 - Helena ✅
LOI 3 - Helena✅
Website - Helena ✅
ACTION - Zayza
SURVEY RESULTS - Zayza ✅
QRS - Zaynab
DEALING WITH NELIA - Yasmine, Zaynab and Helena

# data[].attributes.body
www.psychiatry.org, kentuckycounselingcenter.com,

www.mayoclinic.org, www.healthdirect.gov.au, www.counselling-directory.org.uk, www.mind.org.uk,https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/mental-illness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374974

https://highlandspringsclinic. org/dangers-of-self-diagnoses/#:~text=Can%20

You%20Self%2DDiagnose%

20Mental, associated%20wit h%20numerous%20mental% 20illnesses.

# data[].attributes.body
severe sleep or appetite changes could mean your mental health is declining

your mental health could be declining if you feel as if daily activities seem extremely difficult and your mood changes in an unexplainable manner

feeling like you can’t cope with problems or having erratic behaviour, very tired, barely any energy and having issues with sleep

feeling a lot of guilt and worry

declining invites from family and friends, avoiding loved ones

feeling anxious and having large attitude changes

usually, peoples mental health starts declining by the age of 14. a reason for this is stress

confusion and dissociation from yourself means that your mental health could be failing or you could be developing a mental disorder

to officially know if your mental health is declining or if you have a disorder you have to get diagnosed by a professional at a medical centre

if you think you’re mental health is declining you should try doing these things: relax to reduce stress, be creative and participate in mindful activities, listen to music, spend time in nature, communicate with others, talk to people to get things off your chest, look after your physical health aswell

try to get a good amount of sleep eg: 8 hours

not trying to seek help could lead to developing a mental disorder/illness

# data[].attributes.body
Interview questions (nelia)

1. What is your relation with mental disorders? Do you have a degree?
2. What is your perspective on mental health?
3. How long have you been providing support?
4. What (in your opinion) is causing the most disorders in teenagers?
5. Which mental disorders affects teenagers the most? (Roughly how many?) (Is there any way of preventing these?) (In which ways do they affect teenagers?) (In what age range do people mostly get these?)
6. In what age range do people mostly get disorders?
7. What are the most common causes of someone being suicidal?
8. What are some ways the family can help someone suicidal?
9. Which mental disorders do you come across most often? (How do you help them?)
10. What do you recognize in someone with a severe mental disorder?

# data[].attributes.body
Nelia: child

Yasmine: dad

Helena: mom

Zaynab: narrator

yasmine: oh my god clair stop overreacting!!

helena: oh? well maybe if you just didnt go out with that stupid girl to the cinema i wouldnt be this mad!

yasmine: im telling u thats my cousin!!! and dont talk bad about her.

nelia: hey mom and dad look what i drew-

yasmine: thats so ugly rose come on you can do better. now go to your room "LeOnArDo dA VinCi"

nelia: * sobbs and goes to room sadly*

zaynab: do you see whats happening right now? this is an example of a toxic relationship that could eventually reach to deppression. here is a better example:

yasmine: hey clair! how was your day? all good? i hope so

helena: awwh thanks jaxson your so sweet! all good thanks

yasmine: okay thank god cuase you look exhhousted

nelia: hello mom and dad! look at what i drew! its us in our house happy!

helena: thats gorgeous! your so good at drawing

yasmine: yeah rose thats stunning!

zaynab: you might be thinking, that drawing drawn by rose was ugly, why did they say it was pretty and all? well thats a way of keeping someone confident and proud of themselves, as saying something rude would porbobly make them loose hope instead of support them with fufiling their dreams.

zaynab: even though

# data[].attributes.headline
Interview questions (more questions bc madam millie said so)

# data[].attributes.subject
Interview questions (more questions bc madam millie said so)

# data[].attributes.body
1.  What is your relation with mental disorders? Do you have a degree?

2.  What is your perspective on mental health?

3.  How long have you been providing support?

4.  What (in your opinion) is causing the most disorders in teenagers?

5.  Which mental disorders affects teenagers the most? (Roughly how many?) (Is there any way of preventing these?) (In which ways do they affect teenagers? (In what age range do people mostly get these?

6.  In what age range do people mostly get disorders?

7.  What are the most common causes of someone being suicidal?

8.  What are some ways the family can help someone suicidal?

9.  Which mental disorders do you come across most often? (How do vou help them?)

10.  What do you recognize in someone with a severe mental disorder?

11. What do you suggest to keep our mental well-being healthy?

12. How can you change your mindset to a more positive one?

13. How do you think more positively?

14. What ares some small, good habits that could save your mental health?

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Microsoft Forms - Easily create surveys, quizzes, and polls.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Microsoft Forms - Easily create surveys, quizzes, and polls.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events. Quickly create quizzes to measure student knowledge, evaluate class progress, and focus on subjects that need improvement. Microsoft Forms automatically provides charts to visualize…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).

These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.

Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.

Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help.

Symptoms

Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:

Feeling nervous, restless or tense

Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom

Having an increased heart rate

Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)

Sweating

Trembling

Feeling weak or tired

Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry

Having trouble sleeping

Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems

Having difficulty controlling worry

Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

Several types of anxiety disorders exist:

Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.

Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition includes symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem.

Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events - even ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression.

Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations). These panic attacks may lead to worrying about them happening again or avoiding situations in which they've occurred.

Selective mutism is a consistent failure of children to speak in certain situations, such as school, even when they can speak in other situations, such as at home with close family members. This can interfere with school, work and social functioning.

Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by anxiety that's excessive for the child's developmental level and related to separation from parents or others who have parental roles.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves high levels of anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness and concern about being judged or viewed negatively by others.

Specific phobias are characterized by major anxiety when you're exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it. Phobias provoke panic attacks in some people.

Substance-induced anxiety disorder is characterized by symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are a direct result of misusing drugs, taking medications, being exposed to a toxic substance or withdrawal from drugs.

Other specified anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are terms for anxiety or phobias that don't meet the exact criteria for any other anxiety disorders but are significant enough to be distressing and disruptive.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life

Your fear, worry or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to control

You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health concerns along with anxiety

You think your anxiety could be linked to a physical health problem

You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors - if this is the case, seek emergency treatment immediately

Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may get worse over time if you don't seek help. See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse. It's easier to treat if you get help early.

Causes

The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety. Inherited traits also can be a factor.

Medical causes

For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness. If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem.

Examples of medical problems that can be linked to anxiety include:

Heart disease

Diabetes

Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism

Respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma

Drug misuse or withdrawal

Withdrawal from alcohol, anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) or other medications

Chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome

Rare tumors that produce certain fight-or-flight hormones

Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications.

It's possible that your anxiety may be due to an underlying medical condition if:

You don't have any blood relatives (such as a parent or sibling) with an anxiety disorder

You didn't have an anxiety disorder as a child

You don't avoid certain things or situations because of anxiety

You have a sudden occurrence of anxiety that seems unrelated to life events and you didn't have a previous history of anxiety

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:

Trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder at some point in life. Adults who experience a traumatic event also can develop anxiety disorders.

Stress due to an illness. Having a health condition or serious illness can cause significant worry about issues such as your treatment and your future.

Stress buildup. A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety - for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances.

Personality. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are.

Other mental health disorders. People with other mental health disorders, such as depression, often also have an anxiety disorder.

Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can run in families.

Drugs or alcohol. Drug or alcohol use or misuse or withdrawal can cause or worsen anxiety.

Complications

Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as:

Depression (which often occurs with an anxiety disorder) or other mental health disorders

Substance misuse

Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

Digestive or bowel problems

Headaches and chronic pain

Social isolation

Problems functioning at school or work

Poor quality of life

Suicide

Prevention

There's no way to predict for certain what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you're anxious:

Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.

Stay active. Participate in activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good about yourself. Enjoy social interaction and caring relationships, which can lessen your worries.

Avoid alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and drug use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you're addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. If you can't quit on your own, see your doctor or find a support group to help you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn the symptoms of this mental health condition, and ways to manage worry and fear that interfere with your daily activities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Everything You Want to Know About Depression

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person's everyday activities.

It's also fairly common. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 18.5 percent of American adults had symptoms of depression in any given 2-week period in 2019.

Though depression and grief share some features, depression is different from grief felt after losing a loved one or sadness felt after a traumatic life event. Depression usually involves self-loathing or a loss of self-esteem, while grief typically does not.

In grief, positive emotions and happy memories of the deceased typically accompany feelings of emotional pain. In major depressive disorder, the feelings of sadness are constant.

People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

Conditions that can get worse due to depression include:

It's important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But if you're feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling "blue."

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing or come and go.

General signs and symptoms

Not everyone with depression will experience the same symptoms. Symptoms can vary in severity, how often they happen, and how long they last.

If you experience some of the following signs and of depression nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may be living with depression:

feeling sad, anxious, or "empty"

feeling hopeless, worthless, and pessimistic

crying a lot

feeling bothered, annoyed, or angry

loss of interest in hobbies and interests you once enjoyed

decreased energy or fatigue

difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

moving or talking more slowly

difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping

appetite or weight changes

chronic physical pain with no clear cause that does not get better with treatment (headaches, aches or pains, digestive problems, cramps)

thoughts of death, suicide, self-harm, or suicide attempts

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among males, females, teens, and children.

Males may experience symptoms related to their:

mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, or restlessness

emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, or hopeless

behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, or engaging in high-risk activities

sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire or lack of sexual performance

cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, or delayed responses during conversations

sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, or not sleeping through the night

physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, or digestive problems

Females may experience symptoms related to their:

mood, such as irritability

emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious, or hopeless

behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, or thoughts of suicide

cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly

sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, or sleeping too much

physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, or increased cramps

Children may experience related to their:

mood, such as irritability, anger, rapid shifts in mood, or crying

emotional well-being, such as feelings of incompetence (e.g., "I can't do anything right") or despair, crying, or intense sadness

behavior, such as getting into trouble at school or refusing to go to school, avoiding friends or siblings, thoughts of death or suicide, or self-harm

cognitive abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, decline in school performance, or changes in grades

sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

physical well-being, such as loss of energy, digestive problems, changes in appetite, or weight loss or gain

There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial.

Common causes include:

Brain chemistry. There may be a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that manage mood, thoughts, sleep, appetite, and behavior in people who have depression.

Hormone levels. Changes in female hormones estrogen and progesterone during different periods of time like during the menstrual cycle, postpartum period, perimenopause, or menopause may all raise a person's risk for depression.

Family history. You're at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.

Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.

Brain structure. There's a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don't know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.

Medical conditions. Certain conditions put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, stroke, heart attack, and cancer.

Substance use. A history of substance or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.

Pain. People who feel emotional or chronic physical pain for long periods of time are significantly more likely to develop depression.

Risk factors

Risk factors for depression can be biochemical, medical, social, genetic, or circumstantial. Common risk factors include:

Sex. The prevalence of major depression is twice as high in females as in males.

Genetics. You have an increased risk of depression if you have a family history of it.

Socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status, including financial problems and perceived low social status, can increase your risk of depression.

Certain medications. Certain drugs including some types of hormonal birth control, corticosteroids, and beta-blockers may be associated with an increased risk of depression.

Vitamin D deficiency. have linked depressive symptoms to low levels of vitamin D.

Gender identity. The risk of depression for transgender people is nearly 4-fold that of cisgender people, according to a 2018 study.

Substance misuse. About 21 percent of people who have a substance use disorder also experience depression.

Medical illnesses. Depression is associated with other chronic medical illnesses. People with heart disease are about twice as likely to have depression as people who don't, while up to 1 in 4 people with cancer may also experience depression.

The causes of depression are often tied to other elements of your health.
You may successfully manage symptoms with one form of treatment, or you may find that a combination of treatments works best.

It's common to combine medical treatments and lifestyle therapies, including the following:

Medications

Your healthcare professional may prescribe:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications and tend to have few side effects. They treat depression by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain.

SSRIs should not be taken with certain drugs including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and in some cases thioridazine or Orap (pimozide).

People who are pregnant should talk to their healthcare professionals about the risks of taking SSRIs during pregnancy. You should also use caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil XR, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs treat depression by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.

SNRIs should not be taken with MAOIs. You should use caution if you have liver or kidney problems, or narrow-angle glaucoma.

Examples of SNRIs include desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla), duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), milnacipran (Savella), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).

Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and tetracyclic antidepressants (TECAs) treat depression by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.

TCAs can cause more side effects than SSRIs or SNRIs. Do not take TCAs or TECAs with MAOIs. Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Examples of tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), trimipramine (Surmontil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl), and protriptyline (Vivactil).

Atypical antidepressants

Noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

These drugs can treat depression by increasing the levels of dopamine and noradrenaline in your brain.

Examples of NDRIs include bupropion (Wellbutrin).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs treat depression by increasing the levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and tyramine in your brain.

Due to side effects and safety concerns, MAOIs are not the first choice for treating mental health disorders. They are typically used only if other medications are unsuccessful at treating depression.

Examples of MAOIs include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam), tranylcypromine (Parnate).

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) antagonists treat depression by increasing levels of glutamate in the brain. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter believed to be involved in depression.

NMDA antagonists are used only in patients who have not had success with other antidepressant treatments.

The FDA has approved one NDMA medication, esketamine (Spravato), for the treatment of depression.

Esketamine is a nasal spray that is only available through a restricted program called Spravato REMS.

Patients may experience tiredness and dissociation (difficulty with attention, judgment, and thinking) after taking the medication. For this reason, esketamine is administered in a healthcare setting where a healthcare professional can monitor for sedation and dissociation.
Each type of medication that's used to treat depression has benefits and potential risks.
Psychotherapy

Speaking with a therapist can help you learn skills to cope with negative feelings. You may also benefit from family or group therapy sessions.

Psychotherapy, also known as "talk therapy," is when a person speaks to a trained therapist to identify and learn to cope with the factors that contribute to their mental health condition, such as depression.

Psychotherapy has to be an effective treatment in improving symptoms in people with depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Psychotherapy is often used alongside pharmaceutical treatment. There are many different types of psychotherapy, and some people respond better to one type than another.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a therapist will work with you to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and identify how they may be causing harmful behaviors, reactions, and beliefs about yourself.

Your therapist might assign you "homework" where you practice replacing negative thoughts with more positive thoughts.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT, but puts a specific emphasis on validation, or accepting uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, instead of fighting them.

The theory is that by coming to terms with your harmful thoughts or emotions, you can accept that change is possible and make a recovery plan.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy designed to help you better understand and cope with your day-to-day life. Psychodynamic therapy is based on the idea that your present-day reality is shaped by your unconscious, childhood experiences.

In this form of therapy, your therapist will help you reflect and examine your childhood and experiences to help you understand and cope with your life.

Looking for ways to support your mental health and well-being? Try Healthline's FindCare tool to connect with mental health professionals nearby or virtually so you can get the care you need.

Light therapy

Exposure to doses of white light can help regulate your mood and improve symptoms of depression. Light therapy is commonly used in seasonal affective disorder, which is now called major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses electrical currents to induce a seizure, and has been shown to help people with clinical depression. It's used in people with severe depression or depression that is resistant to other treatments or antidepressant medications.

During an ECT procedure, you'll receive an anesthetic agent which will put you to sleep for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Your healthcare professional will place cardiac monitoring pads on your chest and four electrodes on specific areas of your head. They will then deliver short electrical pulses for a few seconds. You will neither convulse nor feel the electrical current and will awaken about 5 to 10 minutes after treatment.

Side effects include headaches, nausea, muscle aches and soreness, and confusion or disorientation.

Patients may also develop memory problems, but these usually reside in the weeks and months after treatment

Alternative therapies

Ask your doctor about alternative therapies for depression. Many people choose to use alternative therapies alongside traditional psychotherapy and medication. Some examples include:

Meditation. Stress, anxiety, and anger are triggers of depression, but meditation can help change the way your brain responds to these emotions. show that meditation practices can help improve symptoms of depression and lower your chances of a depression relapse.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that may help ease some symptoms of depression. During acupuncture, a practitioner uses needles to stimulate certain areas in the body in order to treat a range of conditions. suggests that acupuncture may help clinical treatments work better and may be as effective as counseling.

Exercise

Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 3 to 5 days a week. Exercise can increase your body's production of endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood.

Avoid alcohol and substance use

Drinking alcohol or misusing substances may make you feel better for a little bit. But in the long run, these substances can make depression and anxiety symptoms worse.

Learn how to set limits

Feeling overwhelmed can worsen anxiety and depression symptoms. Setting boundaries in your professional and personal life can help you feel better.

Take care of yourself

You can also improve symptoms of depression by taking care of yourself. This includes getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding negative people, and participating in enjoyable activities.

Sometimes depression doesn't respond to medication. Your healthcare professional may recommend other treatment options if your symptoms don't improve.

These options include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression and improve your mood.

Supplements

Several types of supplements may have some positive effect on depression symptoms.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)

Some suggests this compound may ease symptoms of depression. The effects were best seen in people taking SSRIs. However, the results of this research is not conclusive and more research is needed.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

5-HTP serotonin levels in the brain, which could ease symptoms. Your body makes this chemical when you consume tryptophan, a building block of protein. However, more studies are needed.

Omega-3 fatty acids

These essential fats are important to neurological development and brain health. Adding omega-3 supplements to your diet reduce depression symptoms. However, there is some conflicting evidence and more research is needed.

Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements, as they may interact with other medications or have negative effects.

Vitamins

Vitamin B: B-12 and B-6 are vital to brain health. When your vitamin B levels are low, your risk for developing depression higher.

Vitamin D: Sometimes called the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is important for brain, heart, and bone health. There a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression, but more research is needed.

Vitamins are important to many bodily functions. Research suggests two vitamins are especially useful for easing symptoms of depression:

Many herbs, supplements, and vitamins claim to help ease symptoms of depression, but most haven't shown themselves to be effective in clinical research.

Learn about herbs, vitamins, and supplements that have shown some promise, and ask your healthcare professional if any are right for you.

There isn't a single test to diagnose depression. But your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and a psychological evaluation.

In most cases, they'll ask a series of questions about your:

Because depression can be linked to other health problems, your healthcare professional may also conduct a physical examination and order blood work. Sometimes thyroid problems or a vitamin D deficiency can trigger symptoms of depression.

It's important not to ignore symptoms of depression. If your mood doesn't improve or gets worse, seek medical help. Depression is a serious mental health illness with the potential for complications.

If left untreated, complications can include:

Depression can be broken into categories depending on the severity of symptoms. Some people experience mild and temporary episodes, while others experience severe and ongoing depressive episodes.

There are two main types: major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the more severe form of depression. It's characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness that don't go away on their own.

feeling depressed most of the day

loss of interest in most regular activities

significant weight loss or gain

sleeping a lot or not being able to sleep

slowed thinking or movement

fatigue or low energy most days

feelings of worthlessness or guilt

loss of concentration or indecisiveness

recurring thoughts of death or suicide

In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must experience five or more of the following symptoms over a 2-week period:

There are different subtypes of major depressive disorder, which the American Psychiatric Association refers to as "specifiers."

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) used to be called dysthymia. It's a milder, but chronic, form of depression.

In order for the diagnosis to be made, symptoms must last for at least . PDD can affect your life more than major depression because it lasts for a longer period.

lose interest in normal daily activities

feel hopeless

lack productivity

have low self-esteem

It's common for people with PDD to:

Depression can be treated successfully, but it's important to stick to your treatment plan.

Read more about why depression treatment is important.

Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare professional about possible options.

The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don't already have a doctor.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression refers to depression that happens after childbirth. It is a common disorder after pregnancy, affecting 1 in 9 new parents.

It's common for people to experience "baby blues," or feelings of sadness or emptiness after childbirth. For many people, these symptoms go away in a couple of days.

But if you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks post-childbirth, you may have postpartum depression.

feeling restless or moody

feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed

having thoughts of hurting the baby or yourself

not having an interest in the baby, feeling disconnected, or as if your baby is someone else's

having no energy or motivation

eating too little or too much

sleeping too little or too much

having trouble focusing

having memory problems

feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad parent

withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed

withdrawing from friends and family

having headaches, aches, or stomach issues that don't go away

feeling empty, unconnected, or as though you might not love or care for the baby

Symptoms of postpartum depression can range from mild to severe and can :

Postpartum depression is thought to be triggered by the dramatic hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy.

Bipolar depression occurs in certain types of bipolar disorder when a person experiences a depressive episode.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that distinct changes in mood, energy, concentration, and the ability to carry out your day-to-day tasks.

There are three types of bipolar disorder, all of which include periods known as manic episodes, where you feel extremely "up," elated, or energized, and depressive episodes where you feel "down," sad, or hopeless.

If you have bipolar disorder, it can be hard to recognize the harmful effects of each "mood episode."

feel very sad, hopeless, or empty

feel slowed down or restless

have trouble falling asleep, wake up too early, or sleep too much

have an increased appetite and weight gain

talk very slowly, forget things, or feel like they have nothing to say

have trouble concentrating or making decisions

feel unable to do basic tasks

have little interest in activities

have a decreased or absent sex drive

have thoughts of death or suicide

People having a depressive episode :

Symptoms during a depressive episode last every day for most of the day and can last for several days or weeks.

If bipolar disorder is treated, many will experience fewer and less severe symptoms of depression, if they experience depressive episodes.

These 7 treatments may help ease symptoms of bipolar depression.

Depression and anxiety can occur in a person at the same time. In fact, research has shown that over of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.

irritability

difficulty with memory or concentration

sleep problems

Though they're thought to be caused by different things, depression and anxiety can produce several similar symptoms, which can include:

The two conditions also share some common treatments.

Both anxiety and depression can be treated with:

If you think you're experiencing symptoms of either of these conditions or both of them, make an appointment to talk with your healthcare professional. You can work with them to identify coexisting symptoms of anxiety and depression and how they can be treated.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes unwanted and repeated thoughts, urges, and fears (obsessions).

These fears cause you to act out repeated behaviors or rituals (compulsions) that you hope will ease the stress caused by the obsessions.

People diagnosed with OCD frequently find themselves in a loop of obsessions and compulsions. If you have these behaviors, you may feel isolated because of them. This can lead to withdrawal from friends and social situations, which can increase your risk for depression.

It's not uncommon for someone with OCD to also have depression. Having one anxiety disorder can increase your odds for having another. Up to of people with OCD also have major depression episodes.

This dual diagnosis is a concern with children, too. Their compulsive behaviors, which may be first developing at a young age, can make them feel unusual. That can lead to withdrawing from friends and can increase the chance of a child developing depression.

Some individuals who have been diagnosed with major depression may also have symptoms of another mental disorder called psychosis. When the two conditions occur together, it's known as depressive psychosis.

Depressive psychosis causes people to see, hear, believe, or smell things that aren't real. People with the condition may also experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability.

The combination of the two conditions is particularly dangerous. That's because someone with depressive psychosis may experience delusions that cause them to have thoughts of suicide or to take unusual risks.

It's unclear what causes these two conditions or why they can occur together, but treatment can successfully ease symptoms. Treatments include medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Understanding the risk factors and possible causes can help you be aware of early symptoms.

Read more about depressive psychosis, how it's treated, and what healthcare professionals understand about why it occurs.

Pregnancy is often an exciting time for people. However, it can still be common for a pregnant woman to experience depression.

changes in appetite or eating habits

feeling hopeless

anxiety

losing interest in activities and things you previously enjoyed

persistent sadness

troubles concentrating or remembering

sleep problems, including insomnia or sleeping too much

thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:

Treatment for depression during pregnancy may focus entirely on talk therapy and other natural treatments.

While some women do take antidepressants during their pregnancy, it's not clear which ones are the safest. Your healthcare provider may encourage you to try an alternative option until after the birth of your baby.
Recognizing the symptoms may help you spot a problem and seek help before it becomes overwhelming.
The risks for depression can continue after the baby arrives. Postpartum depression, which is also called major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, is a serious concern for new mothers.

Research has established a link between alcohol use and depression. People who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol.

Out of the 20.2 million U.S. adults who experienced a substance use disorder, about had a co-occurring mental illness.

Drinking alcohol frequently can make symptoms of depression worse, and people who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol or become dependent on it.

Depression isn't generally considered to be preventable. It's hard to recognize what causes it, which means preventing it is more difficult.

But once you've experienced a depressive episode, you may be better prepared to prevent a future episode by learning which lifestyle changes and treatments are helpful.

regular exercise

getting plenty of sleep

maintaining treatments

reducing stress

building strong relationships with others

Techniques that may help include:

Other techniques and ideas may also help you prevent depression.

Read the full list of 15 ways you may be able to avoid depression.

Depression can be temporary, or it can be a long-term challenge. Treatment doesn't always make your depression go away completely.

However, treatment often makes symptoms more manageable. Managing symptoms of depression involves finding the right combination of medications and therapies.
Read this article in Spanish.
If one treatment doesn't work, talk with your healthcare professional. They can help you create a different treatment plan that may work better in helping you manage your condition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Everything You Want to Know About Depression

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person's everyday activities. It's also fairly common. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 18.5 percent of American adults had symptoms of depression in any given 2-week period in 2019.