Depression

Millions of Americans who experience depression are getting the treatment they need. Find out what causes depression and what options are available for you to successfully take control of your life.

drug or alcohol abuse, or hormone levels. Any one of these factors, or a combination of them, can make depression more likely. Depression can occur for no identifiable reason but depression can be treated.

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems today. It is not just a state of unhappiness or sadness. It is a true disease.

Veterans who have experienced depression tell their stories. They describe their symptoms and the steps they took to get support. Listen as they talk about treatment options that helped them overcome depression and get back on track.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a term for a variety of treatment techniques designed to help a person identify and change negative emotions. Most psychotherapy takes place with a licensed and trained mental health care professional. There are several types, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which is the most common psychotherapy used to treat depression.

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help in treatment for depression, along with medication and therapy. Things like healthy eating, exercise, reducing alcohol consumption and meditation can help relieve some of the symptoms of depression and keep depressive episodes from happening.

Watch this patient story to learn some strategies for managing depression.