Q&A for How to Fight Depression

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What helps with depression?

Rebecca Ward, LMFT, SEP, PCC, MA
Licensed Therapist
Rebecca A. Ward, LMFT, SEP, PCC is the Founder of the Iris Institute, a San Francisco, California-based business focusing on using somatic expertise to teach individuals and groups the skills to deal with dilemmas using interventions, including her own Original Blueprint® method. Ms. Ward specializes in treating stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Rebecca holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from The George Washington University.

Rebecca Ward, LMFT, SEP, PCC, MA

Licensed Therapist

Expert Answer

Changing your lifestyle is a great first step. Exercise every day, get more sleep, and improve your diet. Develop a routine that gets your body moving! The more active you can be, the more sympathetic your nervous system will become. People tend to think that depression is all in your head, but it's not. It has a major physical component and if you feel physically better, you'll feel emotionally better.

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Question

How can I lift my mood?

Lauren Urban, LCSW
Licensed Psychotherapist
Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.

Lauren Urban, LCSW

Licensed Psychotherapist

Expert Answer

Get outside, go socialize with friends, and find activities you enjoy. Do anything that will get you moving and active. Physically working out is a great way to improve your mood as well. Generally, it's easy to get down if you're withdrawn and you aren't being social, so engage in some activities and see some friends!

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Question

What should I do if I think I'm depressed?

Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor
Dr. Ran D. Anbar is a pediatric medical counselor and is board certified in both pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics, offering clinical hypnosis and counseling services at Center Point Medicine in La Jolla, California and Syracuse, New York. With over 30 years of medical training and practice, Dr. Anbar has also served as a professor of pediatrics and medicine and the Director of pediatric pulmonology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Anbar holds a BS in Biology and Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and an MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Anbar completed his pediatric residency and pediatric pulmonary fellowship training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and is also a past President, fellow and approved consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP

Pediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor

Expert Answer

The first step is to reach out to a mental health professional who can give you a diagnosis. Then, reach out to your family and get some support. It's much easier to cope with depression if you have some people you care about supporting and helping you. Remember, if you are depressed, it's not the end of the world. Your destiny is not predetermined and there's no reason you can't get better.

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Question

What should I do to treat depression?

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience, and is now the Clinical Director at Coast Psychological Services in Los Angeles, California. She received her Doctor of Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2009. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples.

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Expert Answer

Find a therapist or counselor that you can talk to about how you're feeling so you can better manage depressive episodes.

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Question

How can I get better mentally?

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience, and is now the Clinical Director at Coast Psychological Services in Los Angeles, California. She received her Doctor of Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2009. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples.

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Expert Answer

Look for people that you will support you that you can openly talk with about your issues.

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Question

How can I stop being depressed if I don't know where to begin?

Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who runs a private practice in New York City. With over 12 years of psychological consulting experience, Dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self-esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at Long Island University and has served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York. Dr. Chloe completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and her clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital and Kings County Hospital. She is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety” and “Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.”

Chloe Carmichael, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

The hallmark of depression, in many cases, is actually a sense of helplessness. It's really important to remember that you're not helpless. That could mean something as simple as when you wake up in the morning, you do one sit up and one pushup. Try something that would be so simple that you know it would definitely be within your realm of ability.

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Question

How can I overcome feelings of worthlessness when depressed?

Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who runs a private practice in New York City. With over 12 years of psychological consulting experience, Dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self-esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at Long Island University and has served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York. Dr. Chloe completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and her clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital and Kings County Hospital. She is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety” and “Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.”

Chloe Carmichael, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

One other thing that I would really recommend for a person who is depressed is to volunteer to help other people. Look up volunteer opportunities plus the name of your city online, and just start finding ways that you can offer your worth and value to help somebody. By volunteering, you will be helping others and helping yourself affirm your own sense of worthiness.

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Question

Is there a community for depressed people?

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience, and is now the Clinical Director at Coast Psychological Services in Los Angeles, California. She received her Doctor of Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2009. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples.

Liana Georgoulis, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Expert Answer

You can find support groups for people with depression online or in-person. Additionally, your closest friends and family can be a good support for you.

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Question

What is the best vitamin for reducing depression?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

There is no single answer, because depression can be caused by deficiencies in a number of vitamins and minerals. In general though, B complex vitamins are probably one of the most important in depression. Try using a good quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement along with additional B-complex vitamins. The B complex vitamins should include thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, folate, Vitamin B6, B5 and vitamin B 12.

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