Mental illnesses are common in the United States. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 million in 2021). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Two broad categories can be used to describe these conditions: Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI). AMI encompasses all recognized mental illnesses. SMI is a smaller and more severe subset of AMI.

Any Mental Illness

• Any mental illness (AMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. AMI can vary in impact, ranging from no impairment to mild, moderate, and even severe impairment (e.g., individuals with serious mental illness as defined below).

Serious Mental Illness

• Serious mental illness (SMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. The burden of mental illnesses is particularly concentrated among those who experience disability due to SMI.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected.

Mental Health Conditions

Mental illnesses are disorders, ranging from mild to severe, that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness.

Many factors contribute to mental health conditions, including:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• Family history of mental health problems

Some mental health topics include:

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and social anxiety)
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Depression
• Eating disorders (including Anorexia Nervosa, binge eating Disorder, and Bulimia Nervosa)
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Self-harm
• Suicide and suicidal behavior

A Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is a mental illness that interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. Despite common misperceptions, having an SMI is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with willpower.

Early Warning Signs & Symptoms

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

Do you think someone you know may have a mental health problem? Talking about mental health can be difficult. Learn about common mental health myths and facts and read about ways to help you get the conversation started.

Tips for Living Well with a Mental Health Condition

Having a mental health condition can make it a struggle to work, keep up with school, stick to a regular schedule, have healthy relationships, socialize, maintain hygiene, and more.

However, with early and consistent treatment—often a combination of medication and psychotherapy—it is possible to manage these conditions, overcome challenges, and lead a meaningful, productive life.

Today, there are new tools, evidence-based treatments, and social support systems that help people feel better and pursue their goals. Some of these tips, tools and strategies include:

• Stick to a treatment plan. Even if you feel better, don’t stop going to therapy or taking medication without a doctor’s guidance. Work with a doctor to safely adjust doses or medication if needed to continue a treatment plan.
• Keep your primary care physician updated. Primary care physicians are an important part of long-term management, even if you also see a psychiatrist.
• Learn about the condition. Being educated can help you stick to your treatment plan. Education can also help your loved ones be more supportive and compassionate.
• Practice good self-care. Control stress with activities such as meditation or tai-chi; eat healthy and exercise; and get enough sleep.
• Reach out to family and friends. Maintaining relationships with others is important. In times of crisis or rough spells, reach out to them for support and help.
• Develop coping skills. Establishing healthy coping skills can help people deal with stress easier.
• Get enough sleep. Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood and overall health. Consistently poor sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Need Help?

• If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
• To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov.
• To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).

With early and consistent treatment, people with serious mental illnesses can manage their conditions, overcome challenges, and lead meaningful, productive lives.

Mental illnesses are disorders that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior —and they can range from mild to severe. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness.

A mental illness that interferes with a person’s life and ability to function is called a serious mental illness (SMI). With the right treatment, people with SMI can live productive and enjoyable lives.

There are many kinds of serious mental illnesses. Common ones include

• Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. People have manic episodes in which they feel extremely happy or euphoric, and energized. Usually , they also have depressive episodes in which they feel deeply sad and have low energy.
• Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders. Symptoms vary from person to person, but may include sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, pessimism, irritability, worthlessness, and fatigue. These symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy their life.
• Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally. People may experience hallucinations, delusions, extremely disordered thinking and a reduced ability to function in their daily life.

Despite common misperceptions, having an SMI is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with willpower. The specific causes are unknown, but various factors can increase someone’s risk for mental illness including, family history, brain chemistry, and significant life events such as experiencing a trauma or death of a loved one.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is exhibited by not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able to control behavior, or a combination of these. For these symptoms to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for a person's age and development.

Causes

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children. Although it usually begins in childhood, it is a condition that affects many adults as well.

It is not clear what causes ADHD, but a combination of genes and environmental factors likely plays a role in the development of the condition.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of ADHD fall into three groups:

• Not being able to focus (inattention)
• Being extremely active (hyperactivity)
• Difficulties controlling behavior (impulsivity)

Some people with ADHD mainly have symptoms of inattention and are given the diagnosis of ADHD, Inattentive Presentation. Others mostly have symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity and are given the diagnosis of ADHD, Hyperactive and/Impulsive Presentation.

Inattention

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Has difficulty keeping attention during tasks or play
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish tasks
• Has problems organizing tasks and activities
• Avoids, or dislikes, tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Often loses personal items or tools needed for tasks or activities
• Is easily distracted, can often be forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactivity

• Fidgets with hands or feet
• Has difficulty sitting still or remaining seated
• Runs around or climbs in inappropriate situations
• Has difficulty performing activities or tasks quietly
• Talks excessively

Impulsivity

• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• Has difficulty awaiting turn
• Interrupts or intrudes on others

Testing for ADHD

There is no one test to diagnose ADHD in children or adults. Clinicians may personally observe the patient, use questionnaires and scales that measure symptoms, conduct psychological tests, and interview or collect rating scales from the patient’s relatives, teachers, or others who are in their lives. They may also use clinical testing to rule out other possible conditions.

Get Help

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are many forms of treatment that can improve daily life and reduce symptoms. Treatment plans can include medication, psychotherapy, trainings, education, or a combination of these.

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others.

Causes

The cause of antisocial personality disorder is unknown. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as child abuse, are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. More men than women are affected.

Intentional fire-setting and cruelty to animals during childhood are linked to the development of antisocial personality.

Symptoms

A person with antisocial personality disorder may:

• Be able to act witty and charming
• Be good at flattery and manipulating other people's emotions
• Break the law repeatedly
• Disregard the safety of self and others
• Have problems with substance misuse
• Lie, steal, and fight often
• Not show guilt or remorse
• Often be angry or arrogant

Treatment

Antisocial personality disorder can be difficult to treat. Typically, individuals with this condition don't seek treatment on their own.

Behavioral treatments, such as those that reward appropriate behavior and have negative consequences for negative behavior, may work in some people. Talk therapy has also been shown to possibly help. Treating co-morbid conditions such as ADHD, depression, and PTSD can also be helpful.

Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

Anxiety disorders can include Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Social Anxiety.

Get Help

Treatments, such as medicines and therapy, help most people with anxiety disorders. Support groups and learning stress management techniques can also assist with managing symptoms.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) usually involves a constant feeling of anxiety or fear. More than just worrying about occasional stressful events most of us experience in our lives, GAD is an ongoing experience of frequent anxiety that may last for months, or even years.

What Causes Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

The symptoms of GAD comes from a complex interaction between biology and environment. Some factors may include genetics, brain function and chemistry, individual personality, development, and one’s perception of threats.

Signs & Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Symptoms of GAD include:

• A sense of restlessness
• Being on-edge or wound-up
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Being easily fatigued
• Headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Sweating, nausea, or diarrhea

With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a person can have repeated, upsetting thoughts or obsessions. They do the same thing over and over again attempting to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions.

What Causes OCD

Researchers think brain circuits work differently for people who have OCD. It tends to run in families and the symptoms often begin in children or teens. Left untreated, OCD can take over your life. Treatments that combine medicines and therapy are often effective.

Signs & Symptoms of OCD

Examples of obsessions are:

• a fear of germs or a fear of being hurt
• needing things to have order or be symmetrical
• difficulty allowing uncertainty
• dreadful thoughts about harming others or losing control

Compulsions include:

• repeatedly washing your hands
• always counting items
• constantly checking on things, such as making sure the door is locked or stove is turned off
• repetitious cleaning
• thoughts about yelling obscenities in public places
• avoiding situations that can prompt obsessions, such as not touching doorknobs

Panic disorder involves frequent and unexpected panic attacks – sudden periods of intense discomfort, fear, or sense of losing control, even when there is no clear danger that typically come without warning. These panic attacks can occur as frequently as several times a day or as rarely as a few times a year.

People who experience occasional panic attacks may not develop panic disorder. Instead, those with panic disorder have repeated occurrences of panic attacks. They often worry about when the next attack will happen, to the point where they will avoid places and situations that they know have affected them in the past.

What Causes Panic Disorder?

It is not fully known what causes Panic Disorder, but factors such as genetics, trauma, major stress, having a disposition that is more prone to negative feelings, and changes in brain function play a part.

Signs & Symptoms of Panic Disorder

During a panic attack, a person may experience:

• Rapid heart rate or chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Trembling or tingling
• Feelings of doom or imminent danger
• Feeling out of control
• Chills or hot flashes
• Nausea

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) is an overwhelming, ongoing fear of being watched and judged by others. People with Social Anxiety Disorder have a fear of social situations so great that it is beyond their control. This fear may even get in the way of going to work, attending school, or performing other everyday tasks.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

It’s not fully known what are the specific causes of social anxiety disorder. Factors such as genetics, and learned behavior (such as developing social anxiety disorder after an incredibly embarrassing social situation) can be causes.

Signs & Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

People with social anxiety disorder may experience:

• Blushing or feeling embarrassed or anxious
• Sweating or trembling
• Heart palpitations
• Stomachaches
• Stiff body posture
• Speaking with an overly soft voice
• Difficulty making eye contact with people
• Difficulty being around people they don’t know
• Being self-consciousness or fearful of being judged negatively by people

Depending on the severity, some people may find it difficult to go through common, everyday experiences, such as making eye contact, attending gatherings, dating, using public restrooms, starting conversations, or going to work and school.

A specific phobia is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. There are many specific phobias, such as the fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. Other common phobias involve tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals, separation, and blood.

What Causes Phobias?

It’s not fully known what are the causes of specific phobias. Factors such as negative experiences (e.g having a panic attack related to a situation or an object), genetics, learned behavior, and brain function.

Signs & Symptoms of Phobias

People with phobias try to avoid what makes them afraid. If they cannot, they may experience:

• A strong desire to get away, immediate and intense fear, anxiety, and panic
• Rapid heartbeat, sweating, tight chest, trembling, and shortness of breath
• Being aware that fears are irrational but feeling powerless
• Intense avoidance of an object or situation
• In children: tantrums, clinging to guardian, and crying

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania or “manic” episodes) to lows (depression or “depressive” episode).

A person who has bipolar disorder also experiences changes in their energy, thinking, behavior, and sleep. During bipolar mood episodes, it is difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks, go to work or school, and maintain relationships.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects millions of adults in the U.S. Most people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their teens or twenties, however, it can occur at any age and although the symptoms can persist, many find ways to manage their symptoms successfully. People are at a higher risk if they have a family history of bipolar disorder, experienced a traumatic event, and/or misused drugs or alcohol. Differences in brain structure and function may also play a role. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider.

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

When a person has a manic episode, they feel overly excited, productive, and even invincible. On the other hand, when a person has a depressive episode, they feel extremely sad, hopeless, and tired. They may avoid friends, family, and participating in their usual activities. A severe manic or depressive episode may trigger psychotic symptoms, such as delusions (false beliefs) or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear). These drastic behavior changes usually cause concern among friends and family. Everyone’s experience with bipolar disorder is different, and the signs and symptoms vary:

A "manic" episode may include

A "manic" episode may include:

• Intense feelings of euphoria, excitement, or happiness
• Appearing abnormally jumpy or wired
• Having excessive energy
• Insomnia or restlessness (a decreased need for sleep)
• Speaking fast or being unusually talkative
• Having racing or jumbled thoughts
• Distractibility
• Inflated self-esteem
• Doing impulsive, uncharacteristic, or risky things like having unsafe sex or spending a lot of money
• Increased agitation and irritability
• Hypomania

A "depressive" episode may include

A "depressive" episode may include:

• Feeling down, sad, worried, worthless, anxious, guilty, empty, or hopeless
• Lack of interest, or no interest, in activities
• Feeling tired, low energy
• Forgetfulness
• Indecisiveness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in sleep, either sleeping too much or too little
• Changes in appetite, either eating too much or too little
• Thoughts of death and/or suicide

Types & Treatment Bipolar Disorder

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Each type of bipolar disorder includes periods between manic or depressive episodes when symptoms lessen, or people feel stable. The major difference between the types of disorder is how extreme the mood states are and how long they last.

• Bipolar I Disorder: having a history of at least one manic episode, but sometimes also having depressed or hypomanic episodes as well.
• Bipolar II Disorder: mood states that vary from an even mood to high to low, but the highs are less extreme and are called hypomanic states. The depressive episodes may be just as severe as those in Major Depressive Disorder and/or Bipolar I Disorder.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: more chronic mood instability (both highs and lows) that are not as long, severe, or frequent as those experienced in bipolar I or II disorder.

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that doesn’t go away on its own. While it can feel overwhelming and isolating at first, an early, accurate diagnosis is the first step toward getting better. Proper treatment, along with support and self-care, helps people with bipolar disorder live healthy, fulfilling lives.

If you think you may have bipolar disorder, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.

Bipolar disorder is treatable with a combination of medication and therapy.

• Medications. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants can help manage mood swings and other symptoms. It is important to understand the benefits and risks of medications. People may need to try different medications before determining which works best for them. They should never stop taking a medication without their doctor’s guidance.
• “Talk therapy” (psychotherapy). Therapy helps people accept their disorder, recognize the warning signs of a manic or depressive episode, develop coping skills for handling stress, and stick with a medication schedule. Therapy also improves communication and relationships among families.
• Long-term, continuous treatment. While there may be times between episodes where a person feels fine, a long-term, continuous treatment plan can reduce the severity and frequency of mood swings.

These healthy lifestyle habits, along with professional treatment, can help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder:

• Keep a consistent sleeping schedule. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. Being sleep deprived can put people at risk for manic or depressive episodes. Sleeping more than usual may be a sign of a depressive episode. Limit caffeine, which can disrupt sleep.
• Eat well and get regular exercise. A healthy diet will give your body proper nutrition, and exercise may help improve your mood.
• Always take your medicine as prescribed. You should do this even when your mood is stable.
• Check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter supplements or any medications prescribed by another doctor.
• Keep a mood journal. By tracking how you feel day-to-day, you can notice triggers, monitor how your treatment is working, and spot changes in your eating or sleeping patterns. This written information can be especially helpful to your doctor if your medication needs to be adjusted.
• Keep your primary care physician updated. They are an important part of the long-term management of bipolar disorder, even if you also see a psychiatrist.
• Avoid using alcohol and other drugs.
• Minimize stress. Simplify your life when possible. Try relaxation activities, like meditation or yoga.
• Maintain a support network, of family and friends there to help during a crisis. Educate your loved ones about bipolar disorder so they can best support you. Ask them to help you recognize the warning signs of manic or depressive episodes.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or explosive emotions.

These inner experiences often result in impulsive actions, self-image issues, and chaotic relationships with other people.

What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder causes are unknown. Genetic, family, and social factors are thought to play roles.

Risk factors for BPD include:

• Abandonment in childhood or adolescence
• Disrupted family life
• Poor communication in the family
• Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse

Borderline personality disorder tends to occur more often in women and among hospitalized psychiatric patients.

Signs & Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Persons with BPD are often uncertain about their identity. As a result, their interests and values can change rapidly. They tend to view things in terms of extremes, such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people can change quickly, for example a person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. These suddenly shifting feelings often lead to intense and unstable relationships.

Other Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms include:

• Intense fear of being abandoned
• Cannot tolerate being alone
• Frequent feelings of emptiness
• Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
• Impulsive and risky behavior, such as with substance misuse, gambling, binge eating, or sexual relationships
• Repeated crises and acts of self-harm
• Distorted sense of self

BPD has been known to lead to:

• Depression
• Substance use
• Problems with work, family, and social relationships
• Suicide attempts, self-harm, and death by suicide

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment and Help

Individual talk therapy can successfully treat BPD. In addition, group therapy can sometimes be helpful. In some cases, medications can improve mood states and treat depression or other disorders that may occur with this condition.

The outlook of treatment depends on how severe the condition is and whether the person is willing to accept help. With long-term talk therapy, the person often gradually improves.

Depression is a disorder of the brain. It is a serious mental illness that is more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days.

For more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings persist and can interfere with everyday life.

Types of Depression

The types of depression include:

• Major Depressive Disorder, also known as clinical depression, is where people feel that a consistent dark mood is consuming them. It can inhibit daily functions and cause them to lose interest in activities which usually provide them pleasure.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder refers to when a low mood lasts for two or more years in adults and at least one year in children an adolescents. A person with this disorder may experience episodes of major depressive disorder along with periods of less severe symptoms where they are typically able to function day-to-day.
• Postpartum Depression affects women after having a baby. It causes intense, long-lasting feelings of anxiety, sadness, and fatigue, making it difficult for mothers to care for themselves and/or their babies, as well as handle daily responsibilities. Postpartum depression can start anywhere from weeks to months after childbirth.
• Psychotic Depression is a form of depression with psychosis that comes when people get very depressed, such as delusions (false beliefs) and/or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there).
• Seasonal Affective Disorder is associated with changes in seasons. This form of depression usually occurs during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight.
• Bipolar Disorder is different than depression, but a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder can experience episodes of major depression.

What Causes Depression?

There are a variety of causes of depression, including genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical factors.

A person has an increased risk of depression if their family has a history of depression, they have experienced trauma, major life changes, stress, or certain physical illnesses (such as diabetes, cancer, or Parkinson’s), or as a side effect to certain medications.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Depression symptoms vary from person to person, and anyone who has questions about symptoms and signs should consult a doctor. To receive a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, some of these signs and symptoms must be present nearly every day for at least two weeks:

• Continued feelings of sadness, hopelessness, pessimism, emptiness
• Fatigue, lack of energy
• Insomnia or other sleep issues, such as waking up very early or sleeping too much
• Anxiety, irritability, restlessness
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Lack of interest or joy in hobbies and activities
• Changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or weight gain
• Moving, talking, or thinking more slowly or feeling extra fidgety
• Forgetfulness
• Trouble concentrating, thinking clearly, or making decisions
• Thoughts of not wanting to live, death or suicide, suicide attempts, or self-harm behaviors

Depression Treatment and Help

Living with depression can feel lonely. People may be fearful or ashamed of being labeled with a serious mental illness, causing them to suffer in silence, rather than get help. In fact, most people with major depression never seek the right treatment. But those struggling with this illness are not alone. It’s one of the most common and most treatable mental health disorders. With early, continuous treatment, people can gain control of their symptoms, feel better, and get back to enjoying their lives.

There are effective treatments for depression, including medications (such as antidepressants), along with talk therapy. Most people do best by using both. If standard treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies are also options that may be explored.

To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some tests are used to rule out other serious medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Also, some central nervous system injuries and illnesses may also lead to depression.

In addition to clinical treatments, if you are one of the millions of people living with depression, there are also healthy lifestyle habits that can help you feel better:

• Focus on self-care. Control stress with activities such as meditation or tai chi. Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Avoid using alcohol and recreational drugs, which can worsen symptoms and make depression harder to treat.
• Set small, achievable goals. Set realistic goals to build confidence and motivation. A goal at the beginning of treatment may be to make your bed, have lunch with a friend, or take a walk. Build up to bigger goals as you feel better.
• Know the warning signs. Recognize your depression triggers and talk to your doctor and/or mental health professional if you notice unusual changes in how you feel, think, or act. If needed, your doctor can safely adjust your medication. Write down how you feel day-to-day (moods, feelings, reactions) to spot patterns and understand your depression triggers.
• Educate family and friends about major depression. They can help you notice warning signs that your depression may be returning.
• Seek support. Whether you find encouragement from family members or a support group, maintaining relationships with others is important, especially in times of crisis or rough spells.
• Stick to your treatment plan. Even if you feel better, don’t stop going to therapy or taking your medication. Abruptly stopping medication can cause withdrawal symptoms and a return of depression. Work with a doctor to adjust your doses or medication, if needed, to continue a treatment plan

Participating in a self-management education (SME) program can help patients manage depression and take control of their symptoms, such as anxiety, depressed mood, tiredness, and appetite changes.