Depression

Newark, NJ

152 Depression Trials near Newark, NJ

Power is an online platform that helps thousands of Depression patients discover FDA-reviewed trials every day. Every trial we feature meets safety and ethical standards, giving patients an easy way to discover promising new treatments in the research stage.

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No Placebo
Highly Paid
Stay on Current Meds
Pivotal Trials (Near Approval)
Breakthrough Medication
This trial tests a program that helps pregnant minority women manage their thoughts and emotions to reduce stress. It aims to improve mental health and birth outcomes for Black and Hispanic women who are emotionally distressed.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Completed
Age:18 - 40
Sex:Female

299 Participants Needed

This trial is testing a group therapy program called CARE for parents with postpartum depression or anxiety. The program helps parents understand their own and their baby's thoughts and feelings to improve mental health and reduce stress. The study targets parents with infants aged 3 to 12 months who are receiving care at Montefiore Medical Center.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Sex:Female

21 Participants Needed

This trial tests if adding light exposure and a set sleep routine to regular care can reduce depression and anxiety in pregnant women. It targets women aged 18-40 in late pregnancy who have depression. The treatment aims to adjust the body's natural rhythms and stabilize sleep patterns to improve mood. Light exposure is a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy, being easily accessible, effective, affordable, and safe for both mother and child.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 45
Sex:Female

158 Participants Needed

This trial is testing a type of therapy called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, provided over the phone, through video calls, or as part of regular care with added support. It aims to help people with migraines and depressive symptoms by teaching them to focus on the present moment and understand their thought patterns better. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed to prevent relapse in recurrent depression by combining cognitive behavioral therapy and meditative techniques.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

144 Participants Needed

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of cannabis on brain function among adolescents with depression.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:14 - 20

280 Participants Needed

The present study aims to adapt and evaluate the feasibility of the BeatIt-2 behavioral activation intervention for people with intellectual disabilities and low mood to be implemented with minimally verbal autistic individuals.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

15 Participants Needed

This trial is studying how using cannabis and having depression together affect young people living with HIV. Researchers believe that these conditions combined might make it harder for them to feel pleasure and could increase their sensitivity to pain. The goal is to see if these effects lead to worse health outcomes over time.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Age:18 - 39

280 Participants Needed

This trial is testing a drug called NORA520 to see if it can help women with severe postpartum depression. The study will check how well the drug works, its side effects, and how much of it gets into the blood and breastmilk. Women in the study will take the drug for a short period.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:18 - 45
Sex:Female

90 Participants Needed

DBS for Depression

Queens, New York
This trial aims to test if deep brain stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression. The device is implanted in the brain and sends electrical signals to control mood. Researchers will monitor patients over several years to see if it reduces depression symptoms. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has a decades-long history in psychiatric neurosurgery and has shown promise for treatment-resistant depression.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1
Age:18 - 65

20 Participants Needed

This trial tests if using mental health support along with a blood sugar monitoring device helps adults with type 1 diabetes manage their condition better. The study focuses on those who struggle with both mental health and blood sugar control.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 64

94 Participants Needed

This trial tests a program that teaches meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to help medical graduate students manage stress and improve their mood.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

60 Participants Needed

This trial tests PATH-Pain therapy in older adults with cognitive issues, chronic pain, and depression. The therapy aims to help them manage pain, improve mood, and enhance thinking skills through regular sessions.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:60+

100 Participants Needed

ALA-3000 for Depression

Eatontown, New Jersey
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose study of ALA-3000 designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy in subjects with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1
Age:18 - 65

44 Participants Needed

Head-and-neck cancers (HNC) account for 4 percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States and for more than 66,000 annual cancer diagnoses. The prevalence rate of HNC among Veterans is 150% higher than the rate in the general population. Together with smoking, alcohol drinking is a major risk factor for HNC, responsible for approximately one-third of the cases worldwide. Overwhelming evidence from population-based studies show that alcohol drinking significantly increases the risk of recurrence of the primary HNC and of second primary malignancies, as well as negatively impacts HNC survivors' psychosocial health. Hence, several organizations (i.e., American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the World Cancer Research Fund) have issued guidelines recommending that individuals with HNC reduce or avoid alcohol altogether. Despite these recommendations, a substantial proportion of HNC survivors continue to use alcohol. The overall goal of the proposed research is to: 1. Adapt an existing evidence-based text message alcohol cessation intervention for HNC survivors in both civilian and VA settings (i.e., at two sites, Northwell Health and the Brooklyn VA Medical Center); and 2. Preliminarily evaluate, in a two-arm pilot RCT, the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the intervention, as well as feasibility of conduct a future RCT. The investigators hypothesize that: * H1: The tailored text-message intervention will be 1) feasible to evaluate in a large-scale RCT, defined as achieving an enrollment rate of ≥70% in this pilot; and 2) acceptable to participants, defined as a score ≥4 on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "not at all" to "extremely" acceptable. * H2: Compared to the control condition of alcohol assessment and feedback (AF), the tailored text messages will result in a 30% increase in cessation among survivors (assuming also a 20% increase in cessation in the AF arm).
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Unphased

138 Participants Needed

ALTO-203 for Depression

Princeton, New Jersey
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the pharmacodynamic effects of ALTO-203 in patients with MDD in a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover treatment period. Additionally, safety, tolerability, and PK will be assessed in a subsequent randomized placebo-controlled multi-dose parallel-group treatment period of 28 days. Participants will complete subjective response questionnaires and perform cognitive tasks during the single-dose period, in which participants will receive ALTO-203 25 μg and 75 μg, as well as placebo. During the multiple-dose period, participants will receive either ALTO-203 25 μg, 75 μg , or placebo. Safety will be assessed over the single dose and 28-day multiple dose periods.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:25 - 64

60 Participants Needed

Self-help Tools for Depression

Princeton, New Jersey
The study aims to examine whether the investigators can predict, on the level of individual participants who have symptoms of depression, who will benefit more from self-help tools based on principles of behavioral activation vs. cognitive restructuring, in terms of a greater decrease of self-reported symptoms. The investigators use a combination of self-reported clinical information and behavior on learning and decision-making tasks to predict change in symptom scores.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

1500 Participants Needed

Active on Power
This trial evaluates whether adding the investigational drug Osavampator (also known as NBI-1065845) to existing oral antidepressant therapy can improve depressive symptoms in patients with depression who aren’t adequately responding to their current antidepressant medication(s).
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3

200 Participants Needed

This trial is testing COMP360, a new treatment for adults who have not responded to other depression treatments. Participants will receive one of three doses of COMP360 along with psychological support. The goal is to see if this combination can help improve their depression symptoms.
No Placebo Group
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3

568 Participants Needed

Aticaprant for Depression

New York, New York
This trial is testing aticaprant to see if it can help adults with major depressive disorder and anhedonia who haven't responded well to other antidepressants. Aticaprant works by blocking certain receptors in the brain to potentially improve depressive symptoms.
Stay on current meds
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Age:22 - 74

710 Participants Needed

This trial tests a new software tool that helps doctors use MRI images to precisely target brain stimulation in patients with depression that doesn't respond to standard treatments. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) was originally developed to manage movement disorders like Parkinson's Disease and has shown effectiveness in treating refractory depression.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 60

12 Participants Needed

Why Other Patients Applied

"Tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin and another (forget which). Surgical accident destroyed my mental nerve and left me in chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. That was 15 years ago. Disabled and retired. I'm tired of this."

IH
Depression PatientAge: 73

"I have struggled my entire life with depression. I feel like it took away half my life because I've been unable to truly feel the good times and people around me, like I'm numb. I would like to take part to see if it might help me, but I would also like to help others by doing this trial if I am accepted. I would love to enjoy life and truly feel the happy experiences that might come my way rather than observe them without feeling."

EW
Depression PatientAge: 45

"I had a serious spinal cord injury four years ago, and my entire life turned upside down. I lost everything including a 10 year relationship. I became handicapped and part of that handicap is a mental handicap or I just can’t seem to find my happiness anymore. I go to events where everybody’s laughing, smiling, dancing, and having a good time, and I seem to just sit there like a bump on log. It feels like my spirit is broken. I want to feel happiness and motivation for life again."

YX
Depression PatientAge: 76

"I have struggled with depression since I was a child. I have experienced about more than 6 major depressive episodes lasting at least 4 months since I was 7 years old. I have tried talk therapy, a plethora of medication, and nothing has worked long term. Medication and talk therapy helps me manage and reduce the length of depressive episodes but I am in search for alternative treatments. My depression has made completing a bachelors degree a major challenge."

UD
Depression PatientAge: 25

"Dealt with treatment-resistant depression for pretty much my entire life. I would be eternally grateful for something that actually worked for once. I'd just like to feel normal. "

CM
Depression PatientAge: 55
This study will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a culturally tailored version of the NYU Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI) plus enhanced support (ES) through online chat groups (the NYUCI plus WeChat/Kakaotalk/other social media apps \[popular social media apps for individuals of Chinese or Korean descents\] peer support which we call the NYUCI-ES in reducing health risks for cardiometabolic disease among older Chinese and Korean American adults caring for relatives with ADRD. In collaboration with community organizations across the New York and northern New Jersey metropolitan area, we will enroll 300 caregivers of people with ADRD (150 Chinese and 150 Korean) in this study. Aim 1: Develop culturally adapted informational and educational materials about dementia and caregiving issues for social service providers of the intervention and for family caregivers. Aim 2: Test the hypothesis, H1: A counseling and support intervention (the NYUCI-ES) will significantly improve psychosocial factors such as depression, stress self-rated health and chronic disease management among Chinese and Korean-American ADRD caregivers and these changes will be mediated by improvement in social support. H1a: By the first (6- month) follow-up, the mediators (increases in social support, stress reaction) will improve significantly in the intervention group compared to baseline values and the control group. H1b: These improvements will be maintained, and lead to reduction in depressive symptoms, and improvement in self-reported health and chronic disease self-management by the 12-month follow-up compared to the control group. Aim 3: Test the hypothesis, H2: the NYUCI-ES will reduce biologic risk factors, including metabolic health (glycosylated hemoglobin) and inflammation (Oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, etc.) within 6 months of enrollment compared to baseline and a control group; these changes will be mediated through increases in social support and decreases in depressive symptoms and will be maintained at the 12-month follow-up. The public health significance of these findings will likely have an impact on health care policy for CGs from diverse underserved ethnic and cultural backgrounds, potentially reducing morbidity, and improving their quality of life.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:50+

300 Participants Needed

BHV-7000 for Bipolar Disorder

Staten Island, New York
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of BHV-7000 in subjects with bipolar I disorder.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Phase 2

200 Participants Needed

The goal of this study is to improve the mental health of home health aides, a workforce that provides care for adults at home but whose own health has been historically poor. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Will a health program called Living Healthy, which provides health education and support with positive thinking, be used by home health aides and do they like it? * Does Living Healthy actually improve home health aides' mood compared to what they usually do to take care of themselves? Participants in the study will get an 8-week health program called Living Healthy over 3 months. Some of the participants will also have a 'peer coach' who is another home health aide who's been trained to help them with the program and learn some ways to feel better. The study will compare the experiences of home health aides who get Living Healthy plus a peer coach with those who only get the Living Healthy program.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

100 Participants Needed

CBD for Opioid Use Disorder

New York, New York
The investigators propose an imaging study to investigate the neurobiological effects of CBD (vs placebo) in participants with opioid use disorder who are maintained on methadone. The purpose of the study is to determine the neural circuits and transmitters associated with the effects of CBD on to reduce craving and anxiety. The neuroimaging will be conducted in participants immediately following their first administration of CBD (800mg or placebo) and one week after the last administration (3 daily doses). This CBD administration protocol was shown in previous studies by the investigators to reduce craving and anxiety in abstinent heroin users.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:18 - 65

160 Participants Needed

BT5528 for Solid Cancers

New York, New York
This clinical trial is evaluating a drug called BT5528 alone and in combination with nivolumab in participants with advanced solid tumors historically known for expression of EphA2. The main goals of this study are to: * Find the recommended dose(s) of BT5528 that can be given safely to participants alone and in combination with nivolumab * Learn more about the side effects of BT5528 * Learn about how effective BT5528 is for the treatment of ovarian cancer, urothelial/bladder cancer, lung cancer (NSCLC), triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck cancer (HNSCC), and gastric/upper gastrointestinal cancer. * Learn more about BT5528 therapy alone and in combination with nivolumab.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1, 2

288 Participants Needed

This phase II/III trial tests whether it is possible to decrease the chance of high-grade B-cell lymphomas returning or getting worse by adding a new drug, venetoclax to the usual combination of drugs used for treatment. Venetoclax may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking a protein called Bcl-2. Drugs used in usual chemotherapy, such as rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and etoposide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving venetoclax together with usual chemotherapy may work better than usual chemotherapy alone in treating patients with high-grade B-cell lymphomas, and may increase the chance of cancer going into remission and not returning.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2, 3

363 Participants Needed

MRT-2359 for Solid Tumors

New York, New York
This trial tests a new drug called MRT-2359 that breaks down a protein in cancer cells. It targets patients with certain types of previously treated cancers. The drug aims to destroy a protein crucial for cancer cell survival, potentially stopping or slowing the cancer.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1, 2

174 Participants Needed

The researchers are doing this study to look at changes in Ki67 expression after at least 2 weeks of endocrine therapy in people with ER+/HER2- breast cancer undergoing cancer removal surgery. Participants will receive the endocrine therapy before their surgery. The researchers will look at how changes in Ki67 expression compare between participants who are carriers of the BRCA2 mutation and participants who are noncarriers of the BRCA2 mutation.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Sex:Female

42 Participants Needed

GLORIOSA is a Phase 3 multicenter, open label study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mirvetuximab Soravtansine + Bevacizumab as maintenance therapy in participants with platinum-sensitive ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancers with high folate receptor-alpha (FRα) expression.
No Placebo Group
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Sex:Female

520 Participants Needed

Ensartinib for Melanoma

New York, New York
The purpose of this study is to test the effects of the study drug, ensartinib, on the patient and the cancer. Ensartinib is a new, investigational type of treatment for melanoma with a particular type of abnormality.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2

18 Participants Needed

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Depression clinical trials in Newark, NJ pay?

Each trial will compensate patients a different amount, but $50-100 for each visit is a fairly common range for Phase 2–4 trials (Phase 1 trials often pay substantially more). Further, most trials will cover the costs of a travel to-and-from the clinic.

How do Depression clinical trials in Newark, NJ work?

After a researcher reviews your profile, they may choose to invite you in to a screening appointment, where they'll determine if you meet 100% of the eligibility requirements. If you do, you'll be sorted into one of the treatment groups, and receive your study drug. For some trials, there is a chance you'll receive a placebo. Across Depression trials in Newark, NJ 30% of clinical trials have a placebo. Typically, you'll be required to check-in with the clinic every month or so. The average trial length in Newark, NJ for Depression is 12 months.

How do I participate in a study as a "healthy volunteer"?

Not all studies recruit healthy volunteers: usually, Phase 1 studies do. Participating as a healthy volunteer means you will go to a research facility in Newark, NJ several times over a few days or weeks to receive a dose of either the test treatment or a "placebo," which is a harmless substance that helps researchers compare results. You will have routine tests during these visits, and you'll be compensated for your time and travel, with the number of appointments and details varying by study.

What does the "phase" of a clinical trial mean?

The phase of a trial reveals what stage the drug is in to get approval for a specific condition. Phase 1 trials are the trials to collect safety data in humans. Phase 2 trials are those where the drug has some data showing safety in humans, but where further human data is needed on drug effectiveness. Phase 3 trials are in the final step before approval. The drug already has data showing both safety and effectiveness. As a general rule, Phase 3 trials are more promising than Phase 2, and Phase 2 trials are more promising than phase 1.

Do I need to be insured to participate in a Depression medical study in Newark, NJ?

Clinical trials are almost always free to participants, and so do not require insurance. The only exception here are trials focused on cancer, because only a small part of the typical treatment plan is actually experimental. For these cancer trials, participants typically need insurance to cover all the non-experimental components.

What are the newest Depression clinical trials in Newark, NJ?

Most recently, we added Mental Health App + Remote Therapy for Depression, Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder and Morphine or Ketamine for Pain to the Power online platform.

What do the "Power Preferred" and "SuperSite" badges mean?

We recognize research clinics with these awards when they are especially responsive to patients who apply through the Power online platform. SuperSite clinics are research sites recognized for a high standard of rapid and thorough follow-up with patient applicants. Meanwhile, Power Preferred clinics are the top 20 across the entire Power platform, recognized for their absolute top patient experience.

Which clinics have received Power Preferred and SuperSite awards recruiting for Depression trials in Newark, NJ?

The Depression clinics in Newark, NJ currently recognized as Power Preferred are: Berman Clinical in New York, New York Neurobehavioral Research, Inc. in Cedarhurst, New York Davis Clinical in Bronx, New York Neurobehavioral Research, Inc. in Cedarhurst, New York Neurobehavioral Research, Inc in Cedarhurst, New York The Depression clinics in Newark, NJ currently recognized as SuperSites are: The Medical Research Network, L.L.C in New York, New York Integrative Clinical Trials in Brooklyn, New York SPRI Clinical Trials, LLC in Brooklyn, New York SPRI Clinical Trials, LLC in Brooklyn, New York

What are the current treatment options for depression?

Doctors use a stepped-care approach. First, most people try evidence-based talk therapy (such as CBT or interpersonal therapy), an antidepressant medicine (SSRIs are typical), or both, while also improving sleep, exercise and diet. If symptoms persist, the next “step” is to add or switch treatments—e.g., combining two medicines, adding lithium or an antipsychotic, or using brain-stimulation methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation or, for severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy; newer options such as esketamine nasal spray are reserved for treatment-resistant depression. Working with a clinician to review progress every few weeks and adjust the plan is key to finding the right mix.

When is depression considered severe?

Doctors call a depressive episode “severe” when almost all of the nine core symptoms are present at high intensity, the person’s daily life has largely shut down (can’t work, study, or manage self-care), or there are high-risk features like active suicidal thoughts, a recent attempt, or hallucinations/false beliefs. On common checklists this usually means a PHQ-9 score of 20 or higher, and it signals the need for urgent, comprehensive care—often a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and sometimes hospitalization. If you or someone you know reaches this point, treat it as an emergency and contact a mental-health professional or call/text 988 (USA) or your local crisis line right away.

Is it possible to never be depressed again?

Some people have a single episode of depression and stay well, but the risk of another episode is higher if you stop treatment too soon, have had several episodes before, or still have mild symptoms. You can greatly lower that risk by continuing the treatment that got you better for at least 6–12 months, learning relapse-prevention skills in CBT or mindfulness therapy, keeping regular sleep, exercise, and social routines, and checking in early with a professional if warning signs return. In short, there is no iron-clad guarantee you’ll never be depressed again, but staying on maintenance care and a healthy lifestyle makes long-term wellness much more likely.

What are the top 3 symptoms of depression?

Doctors look first for three core signs: 1) a low or hopeless mood that hangs around most of the day, nearly every day; 2) a marked loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (called anhedonia); and 3) big changes in body energy—feeling drained, sleeping or eating far more or less than usual. If any of these have lasted two weeks or longer, it’s time to talk with a health professional, because other symptoms can pile on and treatment works best when started early.

Is depression a chemical imbalance?

No—depression can’t be pinned on one missing brain chemical. Research shows it arises from a mix of factors: how your brain circuits and several neurotransmitters work, your genes, long-term stress, and life circumstances all interact. Because causes differ from person to person, the most effective care is usually a combination of approaches—medication when needed, talking therapies, and lifestyle changes—worked out with your clinician.

How many people have untreatable depression?

Doctors call “untreatable” depression “treatment-resistant depression,” meaning the person has not improved after trying at least two suitable antidepressants. Large studies show this applies to roughly one-quarter to one-third of people with major depression—about 2–3 % of adults overall, or roughly 5–8 million U.S. adults in any given year. Importantly, many still respond to other options such as medication combinations, ketamine/esketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or electroconvulsive therapy.

How to get out of deep depression?

Think of recovery as two tracks that run side-by-side. Track 1: get professional help right away—if you ever feel unsafe call 988 (or your local hotline), and with a clinician discuss proven treatments such as CBT, antidepressant medicine, and, when needed, newer options like ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy. Track 2: reinforce the medical plan daily with mood-boosting basics—consistent exercise, regular sleep, balanced meals, limited alcohol or drugs, and time with supportive people—because these habits make the treatments work better and give you small, sustainable lifts while you heal.

Why is depression so hard to treat?

Depression is hard to treat because it isn’t a single disease—each person’s symptoms arise from a unique blend of brain chemistry, genetics, stress, medical issues, and life circumstances—so one-size-fits-all therapies rarely work. Without a blood test to guide choices, clinicians must try treatments sequentially, and roughly one-third of people need several steps or a combination of medication, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, or newer options like ketamine or magnetic stimulation before they feel well. The encouraging news is that persistence with a systematic plan and attention to sleep, exercise, and co-existing conditions allows most patients to eventually reach full recovery.

What are unhealthy coping mechanisms for depression?

Unhealthy coping means doing things that give quick relief but actually deepen depression—common examples include using alcohol or other drugs, overeating or not eating, oversleeping or endless screen-scrolling to avoid feelings, cutting or other self-harm, harsh self-talk and rumination, and withdrawing from friends or lashing out at them. These behaviors worsen mood, relationships, and safety; if you notice yourself relying on them, reach out to a trusted person or mental-health professional (or call your local crisis line) and ask about safer skills such as problem-solving steps, scheduled activity, or therapy.

Is it OK to have clinical depression?

Yes—having clinical depression isn’t a personal failing; it’s a common medical illness, and recognising it is the first step toward feeling better. What isn’t OK is to face it alone, because untreated depression can worsen and raise the risk of other problems, whereas most people improve with timely care such as talk therapy, medication, or a combination. If symptoms last more than two weeks or include thoughts of self-harm, book a visit with a primary-care doctor or mental-health professional and, in crisis, call 988 (U.S.) or your local emergency number—effective help and recovery are the norm when treatment is started.

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