When do I need to get treatment for depression?

Dear Regular guy who might need help, 

Taking the first step toward getting help can feel overwhelming, especially if you're worried about 
how treatment might affect your lifestyle. No specific tipping point is needed before seeking support. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, it’s important to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, coach, or a health care professional for support. You can also call or text the confidential 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free from anywhere in the US. 

Seeking help doesn't automatically mean starting medication or changing your routine. An initial appointment can simply be a chance to discuss your symptoms, ask questions, and explore your options. 

How can you know when it’s time to get help for depression?  

It can be hard to know when to seek support. This is especially true when you’re keeping up with school, sports, and your social life. Even when things seem fine on the outside, internal struggles are very real. Research suggests that experiencing symptoms for two weeks or longer may be a sign that it's time to reach out for support. Here are some common signs and symptoms: 

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or frequently on the verge of tears 
• Losing interest in activities daily activities 
• Having low energy or feeling fatigued  
• Difficulty finding motivation in things you typically enjoy 
• Having trouble sleeping or oversleeping  
• Diet changes or unplanned weight changes 
• Having trouble concentrating or making decisions 
• Thinking about death or suicide 

List adapted from the National Institute of Mental Health 

You don’t need to experience symptoms for two weeks before you talk to someone. Talking with a mental health professional at any time may help you navigate your life with more support. 

How might alcohol and marijuana affect depression?  

Alcohol and marijuana can affect your mood and make depression symptoms harder to manage. While they may help you feel better in the moment, their effects can sometimes make symptoms worse over time.  

• Alcohol is a depressant that slows the activity in the brain and nervous system. Although drinking may help you relax initially, it can disrupt sleep, increase sadness, and make emotions harder to manage. 
• Marijuana can affect mood, memory, and concentration. For some people, it may increase anxiety or lower motivation. These effects depend on how much and how often you use it, along with its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is the compound responsible for marijuana's high and may contribute to mood changes. 

How might depression medication interact with substances?  

Not everyone seeking depression treatment needs antidepressants. However, if medication becomes part of your treatment, it might be good to know how it interacts with other substances. Alcohol can increase antidepressant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Marijuana may also increase these side effects or affect how certain medications work. These risks can vary depending on the medication you're taking, how much alcohol or marijuana you use, and how often you use them. 

Your health care provider may recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol and marijuana while taking certain antidepressants. This doesn't mean changing everything about your lifestyle, but some adjustments may help keep you safer and support your treatment. 

What could mental health support look like? 

You might start by scheduling an appointment with a health care provider, like a mental health professional. They can talk with you about the many treatment options for depression, which include: 

• Talk therapy: Also known as psychotherapy, this type of therapy focuses on gaining understanding of your thoughts and feelings and building skills to cope with and manage your depression symptoms. Different types of talk therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, and interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on navigating relationships and life changes.  
• Support groups: These are groups, often led by a professional, that consist of peers who have similar challenges, lifestyles, or identities. They provide a safe space and often use tools to help manage your symptoms.  
• Stress management strategies: Regular exercise, consistent sleep, and balanced meals can help manage your mental health. Other strategies could include mindfulness practices like deep breathing or meditation. 
• Antidepressants: These are medications that alter brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. They’re intended to chemically improve mood. However, their benefits and side effects may vary. You and your provider can discuss whether medication is the right treatment for you. 

To decide on your next steps, you might want to take a moment to ask yourself: What sort of support do you need? How can caring for your mental health fit into important parts of your lifestyle?  

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Addressing your depression can take on many forms. Talking with a mental health professional can help you figure out the best treatment plan and lifestyle for you. Whatever you decide, remember that support is available when you're ready.