Depression Symptom
This symptom involves feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day for at least two weeks.
What is persistent sadness or depressed mood?
This common medication side effect can make you feel unusually tired or sleepy during the day.
What is drowsiness (or fatigue)?
This coping skill involves taking slow, deep breaths to help calm your body and reduce stress or anxiety.
What is deep breathing?
This daily living skill can improve mood, increase energy, and provide structure by getting up at about the same time each day.
What is maintaining a consistent daily routine (or regular wake-up schedule)?
This healthy habit can improve mood, reduce stress, and help you sleep better.
What is exercise (or physical activity)?
This depression symptom causes someone to lose interest or enjoyment in activities they used to like.
What is loss of interest or loss of pleasure (anhedonia)?
This side effect can make your mouth feel dry, so staying hydrated and discussing it with your healthcare provider may help.
What is dry mouth?
This grounding technique asks you to identify 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste to bring your attention to the present moment.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique?
Even when motivation is low, completing this daily living skill can improve self-esteem and help you feel more prepared for the day.
What is personal hygiene (such as showering, brushing your teeth, or getting dressed)?
Laughing can help reduce stress by releasing these "feel-good" chemicals in the brain.
What are endorphins?
This symptom can make it hard to focus, remember things, or make decisions.
What is difficulty concentrating?
If you experience this side effect when standing up quickly, you should rise slowly to help prevent falls.
What is dizziness (or lightheadedness)?
Name three healthy coping skills you can use when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Talking to a trusted support person, taking a walk, listening to music, journaling, deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, reading, drawing or coloring, exercising, practicing positive self-talk.
This daily living skill supports both physical and mental health by helping your body get the nutrients it needs.
What is eating regular, balanced meals (or preparing healthy meals)?
Spending time with supportive friends or family can improve mental health by reducing this feeling.
What is loneliness (or social isolation)?
Depression can cause people to either sleep too much or have trouble sleeping. This symptom affects a person's sleep pattern.
What are sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping too much)?
If medication side effects become bothersome, you should stop taking your medication immediately without telling your provider.
What is False?
Never stop or change a medication without speaking with your prescribing provider, as this can worsen symptoms or cause withdrawal effects.
This coping skill encourages replacing negative thoughts like "I can't do this" with more balanced thoughts such as "I can take this one step at a time."
What is positive self-talk (or cognitive reframing)?
True or False: Breaking large chores into smaller, manageable steps can make them feel less overwhelming when you're experiencing depression.
What is True?
Completing one small task at a time can build confidence, reduce stress, and increase motivation.
True or False: Practicing gratitude by thinking about things you're thankful for can improve mood and increase positive thinking over time.
What is True?
This symptom may leave a person feeling exhausted or without the energy to complete activities, even after resting.
What is fatigue or low energy?
Name three common side effects that some people may experience when taking psychiatric medications.
Drowsiness, Dry mouth, Dizziness, Nausea, Constipation, Increased appetite or weight changes, Headache, Trouble sleeping, Blurred vision, Restlessness or feeling jittery
True or False: Healthy coping skills help manage stress and emotions, but they may not make problems disappear immediately.
What is True?
Healthy coping skills can reduce the intensity of difficult emotions, improve problem-solving, and support recovery, even if the stressful situation itself does not change right away.
Name three daily living skills that can support recovery from depression.
Personal hygiene, taking medications as prescribed, preparing healthy meals, getting adequate sleep, exercising or walking, cleaning one area of your home, grocery shopping, attending appointments, budgeting and paying bills.
This is the largest mammal in the world.
What is a blue whale?