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Timely Tip: Stress and Depression
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Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you ever wonder what your stress level is? To learn about your stress level and what your score means, click here. Stress is a normal part of our daily lives. While some stress can be good, too much stress can make us sick. Over a period of time, severe stress can lead to depression.
Depression is a common but serious illness that can be treated. It can change or upset daily routines and normal functioning. Signs and symptoms of depression can be different for each person, and can include:
- Changes in sleep, appetite, and energy level
- Loss of interest in activities and friends for more than two weeks
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- Aches or pains such as headaches, stomach upset, or cramps that don’t go away with treatment
Many people suffer alone because of shame or fear, even though depression can be easily treated. Talking about it can help someone feel better.
Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Hormonal factors such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage, and menopause may play a part. Having a family member with depression increases the chance that you will become depressed. Some women are at greater risk of depression during the months after they give birth. This is known as “postpartum depression,” and if left untreated, can be very serious. Use our interactive tool to find out if you might have depression and whether you should seek help from your doctor.
Tips for dealing with stress and depression symptoms:
- Schedule some fun time in your day. Make time for activities you enjoy even if you don’t feel like it.
- Break up large tasks into small ones and set realistic goals for yourself.
- Find a support network where you can share common worries and feel more connected to others. If you’re pregnant, join a prenatal class to learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care.
- Exercise regularly. If you’re pregnant, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Pregnant women who exercise are more accepting of their body changes and less likely to suffer from depression.
- Share your feelings with your partner or a friend.
- Take good care of your body and yourself by eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting plenty of rest.
- Talk to your doctor if you are considering getting pregnant and are prone to the blues.
- Tell your doctor if you have been feeling negative, angry, or lonely for more than 2 weeks.
- Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to a trained counselor if you’re thinking about hurting yourself or know someone who is.
Treatment
Depression can be treated successfully. Treatment options may include counseling, medication, or a combination of both. Counseling and medication can take time to work so try to be patient and stick with it. In addition, you can try the tips mentioned above or attend health classes such as stress or depression management and meditation to help you feel better.
Remember - depression is common and can happen to anyone. Talking openly about depression may help you or someone you love to live a healthier, happier life.
Additional resources
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Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.
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