Q. How can I help myself if I am depressed?

A. If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. But it is important to realize that these feelings are part of the illness. Treatment can help you feel better.

To help yourself feel better:

• Try to see a professional as soon as possible—research shows that getting treatment sooner rather than later can relieve symptoms quicker and reduce the length of time treatment is needed
• Give treatment a fair chance—attend sessions and follow your doctor's or therapist's advice, including advice about specific exercises or “homework” to try between appointments
• Break up large tasks into small ones, and do what you can as you can; try not to do too many things at once
• Spend time with other people and talk to a friend or relative about your feelings
• Do not make important decisions until you feel better; talk about decisions with others whom you trust and who know you well
• Engage in mild physical activity or exercise
• Participate in activities that you used to enjoy
• Expect your mood to improve gradually with treatment
• Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment.

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