6 habits that could be worsening your depression symptoms, expert says

Depression rates among Americans ages 12 and older rose nearly 60% over a decade, increasing from 8.2% in 2013–2014 to 13.1% in 2021–2023, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Finding the right treatment for depression can take time, and antidepressants usually take four to eight weeks to work, per the National Institute of Mental Health.For those struggling with the condition, clinical psychiatrist Dr.Daniel Amen – founder of Amen Clinics in California – says avoiding the following habits may help to manage symptoms and support mental health.Alcohol may offer temporary relief from depression symptoms, but as its effects wear off, mood can worsen.As the brain adjusts to alcohol’s relaxing effects, it can leave people feeling more anxious and restless after the buzz fades, making them feel “worse than before,” Amen warned.Drinking can also disrupt sleep, adding to next-day fatigue, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.It might be tempting to linger in bed when you wake up, but Amen encouraged people with depression to get up and start their day.“When people are depressed, they tend to have pretty low activity, especially in the front part of their brain, but burying yourself under the covers just makes things worse,” he said.

“Get up, get out.”Amen’s advice aligns with a broader approach called behavioral activation, a type of therapy that helps people gradually return to meaningful activities rather than withdraw from them.Behavioral activation has been shown to be beneficial for treating depression, according to a 2020 Cochrane review of 53 studies involving 5,495 adults.A negative mindset can make it easier to believe things that aren’t true — or, as Amen puts it, every “stupid” thought.He refers to these as “ANTs,” or automatic negative thoughts.“The thoughts that come into your mind automatically and ruin your day – they drive depression,” he sa...