Frequently asked questions

Depression is a common, treatable health condition. It brings ongoing low mood or loss of interest for at least two weeks, often with changes in sleep, appetite, energy and focus. It is not a weakness or something you can just snap out of.

If low mood lasts more than two weeks, or gets in the way of work, school, relationships or daily life, talk to a doctor or mental health provider. If you have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 now.

That's an oversimplified idea. Research points to a mix of genetics, brain biology, stress, trauma, health problems and life circumstances. Treatment can still help, whatever the cause.

Yes. Most people improve with treatment, and many recover fully. Finding the right treatment can take time and more than one try.

Brainwaves are patterns of electrical activity in the brain. Delta (1–4 Hz) is linked with deep sleep, theta (4–8 Hz) with drowsiness and meditation, alpha (8–12 Hz) with relaxed calm, and gamma (around 40 Hz) with focus.

When each ear hears a slightly different tone, the brain perceives a third 'beat' at the difference. A 200 Hz tone in one ear and 210 Hz in the other creates a 10 Hz beat. Headphones are needed.

Reviews show small benefits for anxiety, relaxation and mood in some people, but results are mixed and many studies are small. They are a relaxation aid, not a treatment.

No. There is no scientific evidence for these claims. Some people simply find the tone relaxing, and that is fine.

For most people, yes, at low volume. Don't listen while driving. If you have epilepsy or a seizure condition, ask your doctor first.

Yes, modestly. A large review (Goyal et al., 2014, JAMA Internal Medicine) found mindfulness meditation eased anxiety, depression and pain. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy also helps prevent depression from coming back.

Sit comfortably, breathe slowly, and gently bring your attention back to your breath whenever your mind wanders. Five to ten minutes a day is a good start. Our Calm page has sounds you can use.

Occasionally, especially for people with trauma or psychosis, meditation can bring up distressing feelings. Stop if that happens and talk with a provider.

Talk therapy (like CBT), medication, or both are the best-studied treatments. Exercise, sleep, social support and routines help too. For severe or hard-to-treat depression, options include TMS, ketamine/esketamine and ECT.

Start with your primary care doctor, your insurance's member line, your local community mental health center, or call 211. Our Food & Shelter and Get Help pages list resources.

Community mental health centers offer sliding-scale fees. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) gives free, confidential referrals, 24/7.

Don't stop or change medication without talking to your prescriber. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal or a relapse.

Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Ask your psychiatrist or primary care doctor first. To find research studies near you, search ClinicalTrials.gov (free, run by the U.S. government). For approved treatments, your insurance member line can list covered providers. Many items below are not yet approved, so be wary of clinics that promise cures.

FDA-cleared for depression since 2008 and for OCD since 2018. A large trial (O'Reardon et al., 2007) showed benefit for people not helped by medication. Where: many hospital psychiatry departments and private TMS clinics; the Clinical TMS Society website has a provider finder. Often covered by insurance after trying several medications.

A faster, 5-day version guided by brain scans. FDA-cleared in 2022 for treatment-resistant depression; a Stanford trial (Cole et al., 2022, American Journal of Psychiatry) found high remission rates in a small group. Where: a growing number of specialty clinics licensed by Magnus Medical.

FDA-approved in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidal thoughts. Given in a certified clinic with monitoring for two hours. Where: certified treatment centers, findable on the official Spravato website's center locator.

Used off-label for depression. Studies show fast but often short-lived relief. Where: ketamine clinics and some hospitals. Usually not covered by insurance; choose clinics run by physicians with psychiatric follow-up.

The first pill for postpartum depression, FDA-approved in 2023, taken for 14 days. Based on the SKYLARK trial (Deligiannidis et al., 2023). Where: by prescription from an OB-GYN, psychiatrist or primary care doctor.

FDA-approved in September 2024, the first schizophrenia medicine in decades that works in a new way (muscarinic receptors) rather than blocking dopamine. Supported by the EMERGENT trials. Where: by prescription from a psychiatrist.

A fast-acting oral antidepressant, FDA-approved in 2022 (GEMINI trial). Where: by prescription.

The first prescription smartphone app for depression, FDA-cleared in 2024, used alongside medication. Where: by prescription from a doctor.

Not FDA-approved. A large trial (Goodwin et al., 2022, New England Journal of Medicine) found a single dose with therapy eased treatment-resistant depression for some people; FDA has given it 'breakthrough therapy' status. Where: clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov), and state-licensed service centers in Oregon and Colorado. It is illegal under federal law outside research. Not safe for people with psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Two phase 3 trials (Mitchell et al., 2021 and 2023, Nature Medicine) showed benefit, but the FDA declined approval in 2024 and asked for more research. Where: clinical trials only.

Not new, but modern ECT under anesthesia is one of the most effective treatments for severe depression, catatonia and some cases of bipolar disorder. Where: hospital psychiatry departments.

VNS is FDA-approved for long-term, hard-to-treat depression. Deep brain stimulation for depression is still being studied. Where: major academic medical centers and clinical trials.

Strong evidence. A 2024 review in the BMJ (Noetel et al.) found walking, jogging, yoga and strength training eased depression, with effects similar to therapy for some people. Where: anywhere; ask your doctor before starting if you have health conditions.

The SMILES trial (Jacka et al., 2017) found a Mediterranean-style diet helped people with depression. Where: registered dietitians; ask your doctor for a referral.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduces depression relapse (Kuyken et al., 2016, JAMA Psychiatry). Yoga and tai chi show modest benefits. Where: hospital wellness programs, community centers, and many free online programs.

Well-supported for seasonal depression and helpful for some other depression. Uses a 10,000-lux light box for about 30 minutes each morning. Where: light boxes are sold online; ask a doctor first if you have bipolar disorder or eye conditions.

Evidence is mixed or modest. Omega-3s (EPA) show small benefits in some studies. Supplements like St. John's wort can dangerously interact with antidepressants. Always talk to your prescriber first.

Team-based care soon after psychosis begins improves outcomes (RAISE study, Kane et al., 2016). Where: first-episode psychosis programs in most states; SAMHSA's Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator lists them.

Watch for changes that last two weeks or more: pulling away from friends or activities, big changes in sleep or appetite, falling grades or work, trouble focusing, unusual irritability, strong mood swings, and using alcohol or drugs to cope. One sign alone isn't a diagnosis. A pattern of change is the reason to get checked.

Early on: losing interest in things once enjoyed, tiredness, sleeping much more or less, feeling hopeless or worthless, slowed thinking, and in teens, irritability instead of sadness.

Early on: constant worry that is hard to control, restlessness, muscle tension, stomachaches or headaches, avoiding places or people, trouble sleeping. Panic disorder can start with sudden attacks of racing heart, shortness of breath and fear.

Early on: periods of unusually high energy, little need for sleep, racing thoughts, fast speech, risky spending or behavior, followed by periods of depression. Often first appears in the late teens or early twenties.

The early 'prodromal' stage can last months: withdrawing socially, dropping grades or work, suspiciousness, odd beliefs, trouble thinking clearly, neglecting hygiene, flat emotions, and hearing or seeing things others don't. Schizoaffective disorder adds mood episodes like depression or mania. Early treatment leads to better outcomes; NH and most states have first-episode psychosis programs.

After a frightening event: nightmares, flashbacks, avoiding reminders, being jumpy or on guard, anger, numbness, guilt. Signs can start soon after or months later.

Early on: unwanted, repeated thoughts and rituals such as washing, checking, counting or arranging that take up a lot of time and cause distress.

Early on: strict dieting, skipping meals, sudden weight change, secret eating, vomiting after meals, excessive exercise, and intense worry about weight or body shape. These can be life-threatening; get medical help early.

Early on: using more or more often, needing more to feel the effect, hiding use, new friends, money problems, dropping responsibilities, and withdrawal symptoms. Call the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Early on: intense, fast-changing emotions, fear of being abandoned, unstable relationships, impulsive acts, and self-harm. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) helps many people.

Neurodivergence describes brains that work differently from what's considered typical, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Tourette syndrome. It is a difference, not a mental illness, but neurodivergent people face higher rates of anxiety, depression and burnout.

More meltdowns or shutdowns, stronger reactions to noise, light or touch, losing skills they had (like speech or self-care), more repetitive behaviors, withdrawing, and 'autistic burnout' — deep exhaustion after long periods of masking or coping.

Falling further behind on school or work, forgetfulness getting worse, emotional outbursts, low self-esteem ('I'm lazy' or 'I'm stupid'), trouble sleeping, and risky or impulsive choices.

Avoiding reading, math or writing, frustration with homework, stomachaches before school, acting out to hide difficulty, and saying they feel 'dumb'.

Masking is hiding natural traits to fit in. It can look like coping well in public and then collapsing at home. Long-term masking is linked with anxiety, depression and burnout.

Pick a calm, private moment. Say what you've noticed without judging: 'I've noticed you've been sleeping a lot and seem down. I care about you. How are you doing?' Listen more than you talk.

Keep regular routines for sleep, meals and activity. Stay connected, even through small moments together. Praise effort. Reduce stress where you can. Limit access to alcohol, drugs, medications and firearms at home.

Learn their sensory needs and offer quiet spaces, headphones or breaks. Use clear, direct language and visual schedules. Prepare them for changes ahead of time. Allow stimming and downtime. Ask about school accommodations through an IEP or 504 plan. Focus on strengths, not just problems.

If changes last more than two weeks, get worse, or affect school, work or relationships, contact a pediatrician, primary care doctor or community mental health center. Early help works best.

Take it seriously. Ask directly: 'Are you thinking about killing yourself?' Asking does not put the idea in their head. Stay with them, remove dangerous items, and call or text 988. If they are in immediate danger, call 911.

Caregiver burnout is real. Get sleep, ask for help, and find support. NAMI offers free Family-to-Family classes and support groups (nami.org, 1-800-950-6264).