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Taking care of an animal can be a great way to improve your mental health. But not every landlord allows pets. You can get around this if a mental health professional certifies that you need an emotional support animal. There are other types of service animals too—it’s important to...

This is the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant. Chances are, if you go to your family doctor and say you are depressed, they will prescribe you an SSRI. Other types of antidepressants are usually given if SSRIs don’t seem to help. Why are SSRIs the default choice? On...

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were some of the first antidepressants developed. Today, they are not prescribed as often because newer antidepressants like SSRI’s or SNRI’s have fewer side effects . For people who tried other treatments and found that they didn’t work, TCAs may be an option to consider. TCAs can...

Worksheet to help you plan ahead.

When you’re at your lowest point, it’s hard to imagine ever feeling better. Sometimes you might not even remember what life was like before you started experiencing the signs of mental illness. It’s easy to feel hopeless and wonder: “Am I just going to feel this way forever?” People’s...

Mania is a period of extreme high energy or mood associated with bipolar disorder. Everyone’s moods and energy levels change throughout the day and over time. But mania is a serious change from the way a person normally thinks or behaves, and it can last for weeks or even...

Feeling sad is a normal human experience, but feeling too much sadness can cause distress and life problems. When too much sadness affects your life, you might have depression. Depression is a type of mental illness called a mood disorder. Mood disorders occur when changes in mood go beyond...

Everyone feels sad sometimes. When you’re sadder than usual, you might say you feel “depressed.” But how do you know when extreme sadness crosses over into clinical depression? What’s the difference between sadness and depression? Depression is about being sad, sure—but it’s more than that. Depression is a mental...

When you’re experiencing psychosis, it’s easy to feel alone. It might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You might not even fully understand it yourself! Reaching out can be scary, but there’s no need to suffer through psychosis on your own. Right now, millions of people...

When you’re depressed, it’s easy to feel alone. It might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You might not even fully understand it yourself! Reaching out can be scary, but there’s no need to suffer through depression on your own. Right now, hundreds of millions of...

It depends on what type of medication you are prescribed. There are many different types of depression medications, and they all work differently. Antidepressants are taken daily and typically take 4 to 6 weeks for people to notice a difference. If you’ve been taking a medication and it doesn’t seem...

For most people, some combination of lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, and support are helpful for treating depression. Some of these are more effective than others for certain people. It may take some time to discover what works for you, but it is worth it. Lifestyle changes Many habits can...

When you’re experiencing bipolar disorder, it’s easy to feel alone. It might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You might not even fully understand it yourself! Reaching out can be scary, but there’s no need to suffer through bipolar disorder on your own. Right now, millions...

Having bipolar disorder isn’t the same as being “moody.” People with bipolar disorder experience extended periods of extreme high energy and mood called mania, and extended periods of extreme low energy and mood called depression. These episodes can vary in length, but they normally last from a few weeks to...

Living with bipolar disorder can be confusing. Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether you are manic or depressed—or neither, or both! It’s especially hard when you first get diagnosed. Bipolar disorder makes you question yourself and your reality. But a big part of managing your symptoms is self-awareness....

When you’re experiencing an anxiety disorder, it’s easy to feel alone. It might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You might not even fully understand it yourself! Reaching out can be scary, but there’s no need to suffer through anxiety on your own. Right now, hundreds...

We all have ups and downs, but those with bipolar disorder experience them at extremes, for extended periods of time. These irregular shifts in mood are characterized by periods of mania and depression. There are four main types of bipolar disorder. The main differences are in the intensity of...

It depends on what type of medication you are prescribed. There are many different types of anxiety medications, and they all work differently. Antidepressants: Drugs in this category (like Prozac or Zoloft) are taken daily and typically take 4 to 6 weeks for people to notice a difference. There...