How to Tell if Depression Treatment is Right for You

Depression can be stealthy. It can creep in from the shadows of a major life event or come on so slowly that the origins are hard to trace. Depression can linger, leaving someone to think, “This is just who I am now.”

There is hope. Many people dealing with depression can benefit from treatment. The right tools can help you feel like yourself again. The first step is spotting the signs that you may be struggling with depression.

"A little self-awareness can get you to a better place in life, and you are not alone on that journey," said Ryan Kules, Army veteran and director of Wounded Warrior Project’s adventure-based mental health program Project Odyssey.

According to the most recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Annual Warrior Survey:

• Depression is the fourth most common health issue self-reported by WWP warriors.
• More than half of the warriors registered with WWP presented with moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Spot the Signs

Every case is different. If you’re experiencing the following signs, you might benefit from depression therapy or treatment.

1. Little or no interest in activities that used to be fun

Have you suddenly lost interest in your hobbies? Do you no longer enjoy time with your friends or loved ones? Have you tried watching a funny movie but felt numb? Depression can take away the joy you usually get from your favorite things when you need that joy the most.

2. Irritable or easily upset

Are you getting upset more often than you ever did before? Do little things that never bothered you suddenly get under your skin? Maybe you feel like your family is walking on eggshells around you. Depression can shorten your fuse. It's normal to have bad moods sometimes, but depression can leave you feeling like you're in a constant cloud of anger.

3. Hard to concentrate or make decisions

Having trouble paying attention at work? Do you read things, but immediately forget what you read? When it's time to make a choice, do you feel stuck or just not care? Depression can leave your mind feeling like it's constantly running on empty. This sometimes makes it hard to maintain a job or take care of your family.

4. Struggling with self-care

Have you stopped showering regularly? What about brushing your teeth, grooming your hair, or even getting dressed for the day? Depression can make basic care feel like a massive chore. This can lead to health issues and struggles with self-esteem that can make depression feel worse.

5. Ongoing feelings of helplessness

Do you find yourself saying, "what's the point?" Have you given up on ever feeling happy again? Or maybe you still want happiness but feel trapped by the dark feelings around you. Many people who are depressed start to feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t lose hope. If you feel this way, you should explore depression treatment.

Every case is unique. Not everyone deals with all these symptoms but ignoring these signs can sometimes lead your problems to worsen and start having other impacts on your everyday life.

Getting Help

Since every person’s experience with depression is different, treatment and support for your invisible wounds come in many forms.

“Warriors tell us they want to feel like themselves again after service, but too often they face fears or barriers when seeking help,” says Kules. “Wounded Warrior Project has many options. We help match warriors to programs that fit their unique path to feeling in control of their thoughts and feelings.”

Some of Wounded Warrior Project's options include:

• WWP Talk: WWP Talk helps warriors and family support members plan individualized paths toward personal growth. During a weekly phone call, participants receive emotional support and help setting goals. These calls help break down the barriers of isolation.

• Warrior Care Network: This is a partnership between WWP and four academic medical centers to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Innovative therapies pack a years-worth of treatment into two- to three-week intensive outpatient program.

• Project Odyssey: A 12-week mental health program that uses adventure-based learning to help warriors manage and overcome their invisible wounds while building connections with fellow warriors.

• Peer Support: Year-round events happening across the country to help warriors reconnect and bond with other veterans who understand their obstacles and give them a shoulder to lean on.

• Family Support: Warriors aren’t the only ones with invisible wounds of war, so family and caregiver support programs give a warrior’s loved ones tools to heal and feel empowered.

• Career and Financial Wellness: Worrying about how to pay the bills can contribute to depression. WWP has financial education programs to help warriors feel in control, and Warriors to Work can help warriors and family members find employment, learn skills, and career counseling.

• Benefits Services: Navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be overwhelming. WWP Benefits Services’ VA-accredited representatives assist warriors with filing for benefits, including health care benefits, disability compensation, and caregiver benefits.

How to Start

Once you’ve identified depression may be impacting you, the next step is to seek support. Asking for help can feel intimidating. If you feel that way, you are not alone.

"Warriors often feel other people have it worse, or they’re intimidated to ask for help, but thousands of warriors make that ask every year and get support. It's a big step, but it’s brave and can change your life," Kules said.

Veterans and their loved ones dealing with depression can contact WWP to learn if they are eligible for free programs and support designed for post-9/11 veterans. Call the WWP Resource Center at 888-997-2586 or email resourcecenter@woundedwarriorproject.org.

Learn more about how WWP helps warriors, family members, and caregivers through mental health support programs at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/CombatStigma.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 (press 1) or texting 838255.

Contact: — Kaitlin Fohlin, Public Relations, kfohlin@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.776.7169

 

About Wounded Warrior Project

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.