How to find help and hope if you're suffering from depression

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Depression is more than simply “a case of the blues.” It’s a serious mental health condition where a low mood is much more severe and prolonged. According to the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, depression:

• affects more than 18 million adults (one in 10) in any given year.
• is the leading cause of disability for people ages 15 to 44.
• is the primary reason why someone dies of suicide, which occurs about every 12 minutes.

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, and it manifests differently depending on age. While a change in behavior may be obvious to family and friends, a person suffering from depression may not even recognize it.

“Oftentimes, the person living with depression is the last to realize it, as depression colors the way that they see the world,” says Jerry Halverson, MD, FACPsych, DFAPA, chief medical officer at Rogers Behavioral Health. He adds, “Family and friends can play a powerful role in motivating their loved ones to get help.”

What does depression feel like?

For a person dealing with major depressive disorder, life might feel like a constant, meaningless struggle⁠—there isn’t any hope for things to improve. People get to a place where they feel it’s not even worth trying to make life better. Perhaps most painful of all is the feeling that they don’t matter, they’re not important, and no one would miss them if they weren’t here.

“Depression can feel debilitating. Regular life tasks such as going to the grocery store or dinner with friends seems impossible, and even the simplest thing such as brushing your teeth or taking a shower IS impossible on a dark day,” says Emily, former Rogers patient. “During bouts of depression my mood is low and my energy is even lower. My body feels like it's dragging and even if I am able to push through and work, I still feel worthless at the end of the day and like I didn't contribute anything worthwhile. I criticize myself for my lack of motivation, I wonder if I'll ever feel happy and positive again, and I just want to sleep all day. Depression feels like when you have a cold and stay home sick on the couch all day, but without a stuffy nose,” Emily adds.

“Depression at its most severe level can lead to thoughts about suicide, which is why it’s crucial that people with depression get life-saving help,” says Dr. Halverson.

Getting treatment for depression

Fortunately, depression is highly treatable.

“There are many options for addressing depression and other mood disorders, and medication is often only one part of that,” Dr. Halverson explains. “Rogers Behavioral Health uses highly effective, evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) with proven outcomes. Our committed team of experts provides compassionate care to help you or your loved one rise above the depression and get back to meaningful living.”

Find hope at Rogers

If you think you may be suffering from depression, take this confidential quiz to check for symptoms.

Rogers offers multiple levels of care in locations across the country for children, adolescents and adults suffering from depression and other mood disorders. Call 800-767-4411 or request a free screening online.