For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Life circumstances are constantly changing and your feelings will also change, no matter how hopeless it feels right now. Although it may be hard to see it when you are feeling deeply depressed, there is hope. Depression is a treatable illness and there are many options that can help you. Even if one treatment does not seem to provide much relief, this does not mean that another treatment won’t provide better results. In the meantime, there are steps you can follow to help you better cope with your feelings until they pass. You don’t have to provide any personal information when you call and, while the person on the other end of the phone may ask some questions to better determine your suicide risk, they will mainly listen, provide resources, and help you develop a safety plan. If you could use help from a friend or family member, be direct and explain what you would like them to do. Don’t assume they’ll know what you want or need, because they may not. For example, you might say, “Hi, Bob. I’m calling because I’m feeling suicidal and I’m afraid that I might hurt myself. Would it be possible to stay with you for a while since there are guns in this house?” If you are already in treatment but are struggling, your doctor will be able to help you. This could be either by making changes to your treatment plan or by helping you to be admitted to a hospital until the crisis passes. Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is a first-line treatment that your doctor may recommend for your depression. That said, if you are feeling suicidal and need quick relief, psychotherapy alone may not be your best option. Antidepressant medications may afford quicker symptom relief than therapy, while psychotherapy can give you the tools needed to cope with your current depression and help prevent future episodes. The two treatments are most effective together: Research shows that combining psychotherapy with antidepressants is “superior” for treating depression than antidepressants alone. Not everyone reacts the same to a specific medication. Sometimes it’s a matter of trying a different antidepressant, finding the right combination of antidepressants, or adjusting the dosage. It’s important to remember that either changing medications or adding additional ones can improve recovery rates. Don’t give up on treatment too early. Instead of trying to medicate your pain with substances, practice self-care. Eat healthy foods, get some exercise, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. All of these activities can help you feel better. For example, if you feel depressed because you just lost your job, you could get someone to help you with your resume or seek out a life coach. Another option would be to get job skills training so you are more appealing to employers. As the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So, if your problem feels particularly large or difficult, focus on the baby steps you can take that will lead you in the direction of a solution. One way to do this is to keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, sit down and write about all of the things you are thankful for. It may not take away your thoughts or feelings entirely, but you may notice that it helps. Doing this will help distract you from your thoughts. Plus, by being in a situation where you can’t easily act on your feelings, it can help keep you from harming yourself. Keep in mind that not everyone understands depression. Therefore, when talking to friends about your depression, let them know how they can help. Ask them for their support and encouragement. Make an agreement with yourself that, just for a little while (as long as it takes to watch a movie, phone a friend, or perhaps go to work), you will not focus on your darker thoughts. As you string together these shorter periods of distraction, enough time will eventually pass for you to start feeling better. Most importantly, remind yourself that the painful feelings eventually passed. You worked through them and emerged happier on the other side.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves applying an electrical pulse to the scalp in order to induce a seizure. This procedure is often considered a last resort due to its side effects, such as headaches and muscle aches, but some researchers feel that it should be utilized sooner “due to its profound effects.“ These researchers further stated that not only does ECT help put depression in remission, it can also reduce the likelihood of a relapse. In cases where suicidal thoughts were present, patients tended to respond quickly to this particular therapy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves stimulating a particular area of the brain with magnetic pulses but is less invasive than ECT and has fewer side effects. Like ECT, it’s targeted toward individuals who have not responded well to antidepressants. Researchers have also found that people who had maintenance TMS were also less likely to have a relapse of depressive symptoms. Because the patients recruited for these studies were individuals who were considered non-responders to antidepressant therapy, the results are believed to represent patients who could, if they don’t give up prematurely, achieve complete remission of symptoms.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which has sometimes been referred to as “a pacemaker for the brain,” is a more invasive procedure than ECT or TMS. It involves having a pulse generator surgically implanted under the skin of the chest. One study found that those treated with VNS experienced significant improvements in overall well-being and quality of life, even if their symptoms were reduced by less than 50%.
