Depression: Mood Check-In To Prevent A Relapse

Hi, I'm Doctor Catherine Serio, a health psychologist.

You're here because you've been diagnosed with depression and, hopefully, you're getting treatment.

For most people, depression is treatable, and treatment can take away most or all of the symptoms.

The problem is, not everyone with depression gets enough treatment for the right amount of time.

So, how can you know if you are getting enough treatment ... and how do you know how long that treatment should last?

One way is to do regular mood checks ... kind of like taking your temperature to see if a fever has come down.

Regular mood checks can also tell you if your mood hasn't gotten better or is slipping.

If that's the case, it's time to reach out for help and change your treatment.

So, let's give this a try.

Think back over the past 2 weeks.

What have you noticed about your feelings and your actions?

Have you been staying in touch with friends and family?

Sleeping well?

Eating regularly?

Having energy and enjoying things you usually enjoy?

And in general, feeling hopeful and content?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, you're probably doing fine and your treatment is working.

But what if you said "no" to some of these?

Well ... everyone has a bad day ... or even a bad week ... once in a while.

If your treatment is doing its job, you'll bounce back from those tough times.

But if your depression isn't well controlled, negative experiences can chip away at your mood.

And it may happen so slowly that you don't even notice.

So ... look back over the past 2 weeks again and ask yourself ... Have you turned down invitations to go out ... or stopped answering the phone?

Been sleeping more or less than usual?

Lost your appetite ... or found yourself overeating?

Been sluggish or forgetful?

Or felt overwhelmed or hopeless?

These are signs that you need to step up your treatment.

If you've noticed any of them, talk to your doctor or therapist.

Now ... how long do you need to keep getting treatment?

Well, that's a conversation to have with your doctor ... but the general rule is to stay with your treatment until you feel better ... and then continue for 6 months after that.

It may be longer if you've had depression before.

So ... check in on your mood every few weeks ... and let your doctor know how you're doing.

The mood check ... it's an important tool to keep your depression under control and keep your life on track.