Depression is a common psychological concern that can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time. This is true whether or not you serve in uniform. Depression is not just a passing feeling of "being sad" and you can't just "snap out of it." It's a medical condition that can be treated. The first step to getting effective treatment is speaking openly and honestly with a health care provider about how you feel.
Signs of Depression
Depression can affect your thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and even physical health, but signs can differ. Depression is influenced by many factors, to include the following:
- Biological factors: Brain chemical imbalances, inherited traits, hormonal changes, and even gender; women are twice as likely as men to experience depression
- Emotional factors: Low self-esteem, negativity, or feeling out of control of your life
- Major life events: Losing a loved one, stressful experiences like combat or illness, ending or starting a new romantic relationship, or moving to a new location
- Other physical or psychological issues: Physical illnesses, like diabetes or heart disease, or certain psychological health concerns, like eating disorders
- Substance misuse: Misusing alcohol, drugs, or smoking’
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, reach out to your health care provider:
- Feeling persistently hopeless, negative, empty, worthless, or guilty
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Low energy or feeling tired all the time
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Extreme changes in appetite or weight
- Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Restlessness or anxiety
Talk to your health care provider immediately if you have more serious symptoms, like thoughts of death or hurting yourself.
Take an Active Role in Your Treatment
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. If you begin feeling depressed, early intervention and treatment can make a difference. For more information on specific types of evidence-based treatments and education for depression, see Treatment for Depression. Don’t wait. Contact your mental health provider to learn about the best treatment options for you. If you already started treatment, there are a variety of additional ways you can support your healing process. These include:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy foods
- Develop good sleep habits
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Avoid misusing alcohol and drugs
- Set small goals and pace yourself
If you aren’t already in treatment, you can find mental health care providers using FindTreatment.gov.
Help is available. If you or a loved one needs additional support, contact the Psychological Health Resource Center 24/7 to confidentially speak with trained health resource consultants. Call 866-966-1020 or use the Live Chat.
Remember, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. For the Military/Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255. You can also chat online. For OCONUS calling options and online chat accessible from anywhere in the world, visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/military-crisis-line/.
Additional Resources:
Sources:
- Curry, J. F., Shepherd-Banigan, M., Van Voorhees, E., Wagner, H. R., Kelley, M. L., Strauss, J., & Naylor, J. (2021). Sex differences in predictors of recurrent major depression among current-era military veterans. Psychological Services, 18(2), 275–284. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000397
- Di Benedetto, M. G., Landi, P., Mencacci, C., & Cattaneo, A. (2024). Depression in women: Potential biological and sociocultural factors driving the sex effect. Neuropsychobiology, 83(1), 2–16. https://doi.org/10.1159/000531588
- Lauderdale, S. A., Martin, K. J., Oakes, K. R., Moore, J. M., & Balotti, R. J. (2022). Pragmatic screening of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse in older adults. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(1), 105–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.06.003
- Moriarty, A. S., Coventry, P. A., Hudson, J. L., Cook, N., Fenton, O. J., Bower, P., Lovell, K., Archer, J., Clarke, R., Richards, D. A., Dickens, C., Gask, L., Waheed, W., Huijbregts, K. M., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C., Ali, S., Gilbody, S., & McMillan, D. (2020). The role of relapse prevention for depression in collaborative care: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 265, 618–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.105
- Nauphal, M., Ward-Ciesielski, E., & Eustis, E. H. (2023). Preventing anxiety and depression in emerging adults: A case for targeting help-seeking intentions and behaviors. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion, 4(1), 112–143. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770221124802
- Peterson, A., Chen, J., & Karver, M. (2019). “It’s not serious”: A threat‐based model to help‐seeking for depression. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 26(3–4), 108–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12512
- Schellekens, M. P. J., Wolvers, M. D. J., Schroevers, M. J., Bootsma, T. I., Cramer, A. O. J., & van der Lee, M. L. (2020). Exploring the interconnectedness of fatigue, depression, anxiety and potential risk and protective factors in cancer patients: A network approach. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 43(4), 553–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00084-7
- Zhao, R., Amarnath, A., Karyotaki, E., Struijs, S. Y., & Cuijpers, P. (2023). Effects of psychological treatment for depression among people not actively seeking help: A meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 53(2), 320–331. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291722003518