+ Is it possible to overcome depression? Or how do you learn to manage how to live with it?

Some people only experience depression once in their life and it never comes back. For others, it’s something that can stay around for their whole life. Either way, learning to manage depression is totally possible. Even though depression sucks, living with depression doesn’t mean your life has to suck.

Theresa Nguyen

+ My mother has depression. Is it possible that I will have it too?

While there is a genetic component to depression, since you grew up watching your mother’s struggle, you probably have a greater awareness of red flags that signify depressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The good news is that awareness and knowledge is power, so you are also uniquely equipped to notice any warning signs early and take active steps to avoid and remedy them.

Dr. Lynn Ianni

+ How do I pull myself out of depression?

So the question about how you pull yourself out of depression is an interesting one, because it implies that your depression is a function of your will. And it's not, not entirely. First and foremost, it's important to accept that you're having a hard time and it's difficult. And that there are things that you can do to shift the energy to even feel a little better, but to not place a demand or expectation on yourself that you're going to pull yourself out of it. Depression, in some ways, is a suppression of feelings. Right? And so when we are feeling depressed, it may be important to allow yourself to have a fuller range of your feelings. And that can be anger. It can be sadness, it can be rage, but it's important to allow those feelings to come through and be expressed. And you may find that by doing that you feel a little better.

Aimee Falchuk

+ I feel empty and rarely feel happy about anything anymore. Is this depression?

It’s possible, but there’s likely more to consider! Depression is commonly used to describe a mood disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. Although a major depressive episode of at least 2 weeks with sustained sadness and hopelessness or diminished interest or pleasure are some of the symptoms of depression, several other symptoms must also be experienced to qualify for a diagnosis. If you notice your feelings of emptiness and sadness causing significant distress or impairment in your social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, I suggest that you seek help from a mental health professional to understand your experience further and receive support in your healing.

Kimmy Wu