Do you feel lost when it comes to coping with your depression? If the answer is yes, here are some helpful tips you can use in your everyday life.

Living with depression isn’t easy. Feelings of hopelessness and emptiness can cloud your thinking, judgment, and worldview. It can even make you feel like you’re working twice as hard as everyone else just to make it through the day.

If you can relate to those feelings, please know that you’re far from alone. Major depression may affect more than 7%Trusted Source of the adult population and is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people aged 15 to 44.

How do I know if I have depression?
It’s important not to confuse depression with sadness, and vice versa. Sadness is a normal reaction to loss, difficulty, and disappointment. It’s an emotion everyone will feel at many points in their life

In contrast, depression is a mental health condition that is much more long-lasting than a short-term low mood. Depression can feel like hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt.
In addition to those mental and emotional symptoms of depression, the condition can also have a physical toll on your body by causing:

• low energy or tiredness
• trouble sleeping
• difficulty eating

And while depression can definitely occur after traumatic or difficult events — known as situational depression — depression can also appear in you for what seems like no particular reason. Depression, unlike emotions such as sadness and grief, is caused by things like our genes, brain chemistry, and hormones — as well as circumstance.

If you think you might have depression, it can help to talk with a mental health professional about what you’re experiencing. They can offer guidance on treatments that can help.

You can also check out our depression test to find out if you might benefit from talking with a professional about what you’re experiencing.

What are the types of depression?
Keep in mind that depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. If you can’t exactly relate to someone else’s experience with depression, there might be a reason for that.

Some common types of depression include:

• major depressive disorder, also called chronic depression or clinical depression
• depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
• postpartum depression, which occurs shortly after giving birth
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), where depression arises at certain times in your menstrual cycle
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression
• persistent depressive disorder (PDD), where depression lasts for at least two years
• atypical depression, where depression lifts in response to positive life events

If you think you might have depression, but you’re not sure which type, it can help to read up on different symptoms. Keeping a mood diary can help you work out your specific symptoms, what triggers them, and how frequently they appear.

Bringing your mood diary to a doctor or mental health professional can give them some insight into your experiences and help them determine which type of depression you might have.

Other medical conditions that can involve depression, or be confused with depression, include:

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• substance use disorder
• borderline personality disorder
• bipolar disorder

Are there treatments for depression?
There is comfort in knowing that there are many options for treating depression. These can include psychotherapy (talk therapy), antidepressant medication, and natural approaches, such as eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and following good sleep habits.
With the help of a healthcare professional, it’s up to you to decide which combination of approaches works best for you.

In one study – people with a lifetime major depressive disorder diagnosis:

• 53.1% used medication
• 62.5% talked with a professional
• 14.9% received nonprofessional support (self-help, support group, etc.)
• 11.8% were hospitalized overnight or longer

This report shows that treatment approaches are broad. If one approach doesn’t work, try to remember that there are other options for you.

Managing depression
Managing depression goes beyond getting an initial diagnosis and starting a treatment plan. It requires daily attention and effort to keep symptoms in check and to prevent recurrence or relapse.

Whether it’s dealing with fatigue or handling concentration difficulties at work, managing depression on a daily basis can bring unique challenges. To find day-to-day coping strategies for your depression, the articles below may be useful.

How to help someone with depression
It can be painful to witness a loved one with depression. Although your first instinct may be to take away your loved one’s pain or “fix” it in some way, sometimes just being there goes a long way.

Being a loving and supportive presence in your friend’s life can make a world of difference in helping them feel seen and heard.

Support groups and organizations
If you’re struggling with depression, don’t hesitate to reach out to:

• a friend
• a trusted health professional : DHP. Lazzaro Pisu –  Call 604 202 7938.
• a mental health support group

Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, there are many people ready to offer their support and a listening ear.

If you need help right now
If you or someone you know need help right now, you’re not alone.
Help is available right now.
Contact : DHP. Lazzaro Pisu

Looking ahead
Whether you’re educating yourself on the different types of depression, trying to learn how best to help a friend who is struggling, or experiencing depression yourself, you’re not alone.
Help is available right now.
Contact : DHP. Lazzaro Pisu –  Call 604 202 7938.
Lazzaro is dedicated to help your mental health. Contact him today.
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