Depression in Adults: How to Manage

How can this affect me?

Depression can make daily life hard. You may notice changes in:

• Your mood or feelings.

  • You may feel sad, empty, or numb.

  • You may not enjoy things you used to like.

  • You may feel bad about yourself.

• Your sleep. You may sleep too much or too little.

• Your body.

  • You may feel tired a lot.

  • You may feel slow or restless.

  • You may have aches or pains.

• Your eating. You may eat more or less than usual.

• Your thoughts.

  • You may have trouble thinking.

  • You may have trouble making choices.

  • You may think about harming yourself or dying.

What actions can I take to manage depression?

Reach out to a provider or someone you trust if you're struggling with feeling depressed or having symptoms of depression.

Ask your provider about care that may help. This may include one or both of these:

• Taking medicine.

• Having talk therapy.

There are things you can do at home to help with depression symptoms and stress.

• Do things that help you feel calm, such as:

  • Deep breathing.

  • Meditating or having quiet time.

  • Drawing or coloring.

  • Yoga or light stretching.

  • Listening to music.

• Do one small thing you like each day, such as:

  • Reading.

  • Spending time outside.

  • Calling a friend.

Follow these instructions at home

Lifestyle

• Keep a simple routine.

• Sleep and wake up at the same time each day.

• Eat healthy food.

• Drink enough water.

• Move your body each day. You could:

  • Take a short walk.

  • Do an easy exercise.

• Avoid or limit alcohol. Do not use illegal drugs. They can make depression worse.

Medicines

• Take your medicines only as told.

• Do not stop taking your medicine unless your provider says it's OK.

Where to find support

• Talk to:

  • Your provider.

  • A therapist or counselor.

Where to find more information

To learn more, go to:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at nami.orgopens in new tab/window.

  1. Click "Search" and type "depression".

  2. Find the link you need.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at nimh.nih.govopens in new tab/window.

  1. Click "Search" and type "depression".

  2. Find the link you need.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have stress you can't handle.

• Your symptoms or depression stop you from doing daily tasks.

• You avoid people or things because you feel sad, tired, or stressed.

• Your symptoms get worse.

• You have new symptoms, including side effects from medicines.

• Your symptoms don't get better with treatment.

Get help right away if:

• You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.

• You have thoughts about taking your own life.

• You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Take one of these steps right away:

• Go to your nearest emergency room.

• Call 911.

• Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential):

  • Call or text 988.

  • Chat online at chat.988lifeline.orgopens in new tab/window.

• For Veterans and their loved ones:

  • Call 988 and press 1.

  • Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255.

  • Chat online at veteranscrisisline.netopens in new tab/window.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Document Revised: 06/18/2026 Document Reviewed: 06/18/2026

Elsevier Patient Education © 2026 Elsevier Inc.