How to not be depressed?

Depression is a complex mental health condition that can be caused by a combination of factors, including biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It is not something that can be easily controlled or prevented by willpower alone.

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing depression and to improve your mental well-being:

1. Practice self-care.
2. Learn coping mechanisms: Develop healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques and exercise to manage stress and negative emotions.
3. Build a support system: Surround yourself with supportive people who understand what you are going through and can offer emotional support.
4. Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about depression and the different treatment options available, such as therapy and medication.
5. Seek professional help: If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, or if you have a family history of depression, seek professional help. Early intervention can help prevent complications and improve outcomes.
6. Take care of your overall health: Take care of your physical and mental health by engaging in healthy habits such as regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

It's important to remember that depression is a treatable condition, and that with the right support and treatment, most people can recover and lead fulfilling lives.

Causes of Depression

The causes of depressive disorders are not entirely clear, though it is thought to be sparked by a variety of social, psychological, and biological factors. Researchers have found that there appear to be certain genetic variations that may put a person at risk for developing depression. Childhood events that cause trauma or severe emotional distress may also make a person vulnerable to depression in their teenage years and on into adulthood. Depression can be triggered by low self-esteem, stress, medical illness, or radical changes in life patterns.

Biologically speaking, there are numerous areas of the brain that appear to have different signaling patterns in depressed people. Some of the most strongly affected are the raphe nuclei, which are the tissues responsible for serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a signaling molecule that regulates mood, sleep, aggression, sexuality, appetite, and metabolism. Many antidepressants are designed to help supplement serotonin deficiencies in some way. Normal biological rhythms seem to be disrupted in depressed people, as well. Adaptation to light/dark and other circadian rhythms are abnormal in depressed people, causing them to have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or remaining in a positive mood even though the light may be dim (as in seasonal depression disorders).

Women are twice as likely to become depressed as men, in part due to natural fluctuations in hormones that occur as part of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. The combination of physiological and life changes that occur upon giving birth to a child make it a particularly vulnerable time for a women, putting her at risk for post-partum depression.

Begin Your Journey to Wellness with Patients Medical

Our job at Patients Medical is to connect the dots between a patient's medical history, symptoms, and their underlying causes. Patients Medical is a superb place for people to secure integrative and holistic health care from providers who give personalized care, partner with the patient to focus on the root cause of their illness, support their recovery, and help them maintain good health.

For those that can make the journey, we are happy to welcome new patients to our medical center in New York City. Fill out the form at the top of this page, or call us at 1-212-794-8800. We are here to listen and to help.

We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128.