Depression can make a person feel unusually sad, worthless, uninterested in activities that used to be fun, restless or even suicidal.

    Depression is a serious illness that requires professional treatment, often with a combination of medication and psychological therapy.

    The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions for dealing with depression:

    Set a realistic schedule for yourself. While you're getting better, don't expect that you can maintain a full schedule at a regular pace.

    Try not to believe the negative thoughts, like feelings of failure, that depression causes -- such thoughts should ease as depression subsides.

    Participate in activities that make you feel good about yourself and that you enjoy.

    While you're depressed, try to avoid making any major life decisions. If you have to, ask a trusted friend or family member for help.

    Don't drink alcohol or take unprescribed drugs, as either can cause serious interactions with antidepressant medication, and can exacerbate depression.

    Get as much exercise as possible -- at least 30 minutes four to six times a week.

    患抑郁癥的人通常會感到異常憂傷、覺得人生毫無價值、對原本感興趣的活動失去興趣、煩躁、甚至會產生自殺的念頭。

    抑郁癥是一種很嚴重的疾病，通常需要藥物和心理治療相結合的專業治療。

    美國家庭醫生學會對治療抑郁癥提出了以下幾點建議：

    給自己安排的計劃要現實合理。即使你在慢慢恢復，但也不要總把自己的時間安排得滿滿的。

    試著擺脫由抑郁癥引起的如失敗感等此類的消極想法，這些想法會隨著抑郁癥的減輕而逐漸消除。

    參加一些你喜歡的、能讓自己感到愉快的活動。

    當你情緒低落的時候，避免去做人生中的重大決定。如果一定要做出決定，最好向可信賴的朋友或家人尋求幫助。

    不要喝酒精飲料或服用非醫生開具的藥物，因為這可能會與抗抑郁類藥物發生嚴重反應，而且可能會使病情加重。

    多鍛煉身體，每周鍛煉四至六次，每次至少30分鐘。