Understanding and Addressing Your Behavioral Health Care Needs: Depression

At Landmark, we focus on the big picture. We address patients’ medical, behavioral, and social needs. Our care is rooted in helping patients live their best and happiest lives, which is why behavioral healthcare is so important.

Landmark’s behavioral health team meets with patients to understand and care for their behavioral health needs, including depression.

What is Depression?

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.¹ Consider the following tips to improve the way you are feeling.

Tips to Manage Depression

1. Get outside every day
2. Write a list of what you like about yourself
3. Read a book
4. Watch a funny movie or a TV show
5. Spend time with loved ones
6. Take a long, hot bath
7. Take care of a few small tasks
8. Listen to music
9. Stay active, such as dancing or exercising
10. Explore talk therapy

While these tips may help your mood, speak to your Landmark provider or primary care provider if the condition does not improve.  If you experience the following symptoms for long periods of time, let your care team know. They can create a care plan to help improve the way you feel.

Share these concerns with your care team if they last longer than 2 weeks:

• Sad mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Significant weight change
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling tired nearly every day
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Recurring thoughts of death

References

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction

https://www.samhsa.gov/

https://www.nami.org/Home