Depression
Depression
Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic
Living with depression or related conditions requires being a full and active participant in your own treatment. That’s especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can bring about some new challenges in managing your recovery. Learn more about managing these challenges here.
Overview
Do you feel like you’re in a rut and you just can’t get out?
Everyone feels sad at times, but those feelings typically will pass within a few days. If you can’t seem to rally, and it’s starting to interfere with your daily life, it could be a sign of depression.
Depressive disorder can affect anyone. It may be marked by feelings of intense sadness or hopelessness, and some find that they lose interest or pleasure in activities that they used to enjoy. People with depression can experience feelings of guilt, unworthiness, or low self-esteem, and they may start avoiding being around people.
Depression is a common but serious disorder — one that typically requires some treatment to manage. The good news is that even the most severe cases of depression are treatable.
The signs and symptoms of depression may be hard to notice at first, so it’s important to be aware of your thoughts, moods, and behaviors and note if they start to change.
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Losing interest in or not getting pleasure from most of your daily activities
- Gaining or losing weight
- Sleeping too much or not enough almost every day
- Feeling tired or as if you have no energy almost every day
- Eating more or less than usual almost every day
Seek Care at VA
Learn about available VA treatment options
Learn about available VA programs
If these symptoms lead to thoughts of death or suicide, it’s important you talk to someone right away.
If these symptoms lead to thoughts of death or suicide, it’s important you talk to someone right away. The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
- Chat online
- Text 838255
In Veterans’ own words
Veterans who have experienced depression tell their stories, describing their symptoms and the steps they took to get support. Watch them talk about treatment options that helped them overcome depression and get back on track.
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