Depression

Washington, DC

88 Depression Trials near Washington, DC

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
The purpose of this study is to assess antidepressant efficacy differences between ALTO-100 and placebo during the Double-Blind period in patients with bipolar disorder I or II with current major depressive episode, when used adjunctively to a mood stabilizer, related to patient characteristics. Additionally, safety, tolerability, and efficacy will be assessed in a subsequent open label treatment period.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting

200 Participants Needed

Background: Nicotine dependence leads to about 480,000 deaths every year in the United States. People with major depressive disorder (MDD) are twice as likely to use nicotine compared to the general population. They have greater withdrawal symptoms and are more likely to relapse after quitting compared with smokers without MDD. More research is needed on how nicotine affects brain function in those with MDD. Objective: To understand how nicotine affects symptoms of depression and related brain function. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 60 years, at the time of consent, with and without MDD who do not smoke cigarettes or use other nicotine products. Design: Participants will have 2 or 3 study visits over 1 year. Participants will have 2 MRI scans no less than 4 days apart. Each scan visit will last 5 to 7 hours. At each scan, they will have urine and breath tests to screen for recent use of alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs. Before each scan, they will take 1 of 2 medications: nicotine or placebo. Participants will receive each medication once. They will not know which medication they are receiving at each scan. For each MRI scan, they will lie on a table that slides into a cylinder. Sometimes they will be asked to lie still. Sometimes they will complete tasks on a computer. Tasks may include identifying colors or playing games to win money. Each scan will take about 2 hours. Participants will answer questions about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors before and after each scan. They will have a blood test after each scan.

Trial Details

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

420 Participants Needed

This study evaluates the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including depression and cognitive symptoms. Participants are randomized to receive active or sham tDCS for 30 minutes over 10 treatment sessions.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting

80 Participants Needed

More research is needed to elucidate the impacts of physical activity interventions on short- and long-term activity and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in psychiatric inpatients and to support its advantageousness when compared to current standards of care. To investigate the impact of regular exercise on activity level, NPS, and sleep in an inpatient psychiatry unit, the investigators propose a placebo-controlled study with measures of activity, mood, anxiety, energy, and sleep as primary outcomes in 50 psychiatric inpatients at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Given the challenges of maintaining blinded assignment to treatment arm, the investigators will compare patients during two time periods (3 months each): the first is treatment as usual (TAU), the second adds exercise intervention (EXI).

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Unphased

60 Participants Needed

More and more people are surviving after receiving life support for respiratory failure in the intensive care unit, but these patients often experience problems with depression and physical functioning that lead to reduced quality of life. There is a lack of treatment for these patients, with past research suggesting that treatment may be more successful if mental and physical health are addressed at the same time. This research evaluates whether a therapy delivered via telephone and home visits, combining treatment for depression and physical rehabilitation, is feasible and might help patients recover.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

54 Participants Needed

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to adapt CAPABLE as CAPABLE Transplant to accomplish two things: 1) To resolve barriers to being classified as active on the Kidney Transplant (KT) waitlist, 2) as a surgical prehabilitation intervention targeting the pre-frail/ frail KT waitlist population. It consists of two phases- an open label pilot and a randomized waitlist control trial, and 3) pilot test the feasibility and acceptability for CAPABLE Transplant in symptom and waitlist specific metrics amongst low-income active kidney transplant waitlist candidates.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

43 Participants Needed

Psilocybin for Depression

Baltimore, Maryland
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin (25 mg) administered under supportive conditions to adult participants with severe TRD, in improving depressive symptoms.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:18 - 65

27 Participants Needed

Chronic pain and depression or low mood are often experience by women who age with or into disabilities. Due to various factors women with disabilities often experience this cycle of pain and depression. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and lead to declines in health. Treating these conditions simultaneously, particularly , in older adults can be complicated due to side effects, risks of poor access to pain management and mental health care , and complications from other co occuring conditions. In order to address this cycle in older women with disabilities the investigators are testing the Women in Pain Reduction through Improved Mood and Empowerment (PRIME) study. The PRIME intervention includes four in person visits by a nurse to the women's homes where the participants set goals regarding pain and depression and the nurse helps the participants strategize ways to meet these goals. The second component of the study will be eight group sessions virtually with other participants in the study. The group sessions will be led by a clinical psychologist who will engage in Acceptance Commitment Therapy with the women.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:50+
Sex:Female

30 Participants Needed

The purpose of this study is to determine if taking a probiotic supplement versus a placebo will reduce relapse and improve the clinical course among participants who have been hospitalized for bipolar depression.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Age:18 - 65

80 Participants Needed

VNS for Bipolar Depression

Baltimore, Maryland
This trial is testing whether VNS Therapy, which sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, can reduce depression symptoms in patients who haven't responded to other treatments. The study will observe the effects of VNS therapy over a year. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a recognized treatment for severe treatment-resistant depression and has shown promising results.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

6800 Participants Needed

The purpose of this study is to assess how well aticaprant works compared to placebo when given in addition to antidepressant therapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor \[SSRI\] or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor \[SNRI\]) in preventing return of depression symptoms in participants with major depressive disorder who experience a loss of interest and pleasure and who achieve a stable response after treatment with adjunctive aticaprant.
Stay on current meds
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Age:18 - 64

660 Participants Needed

The investigators will be randomizing 150 college student participants with high levels of social media use into either a 1) control condition (no intervention), a 2) mindfulness meditation cognitive intervention, or 3) a social media reduction + exercise replacement intervention. Participants complete intervention activities daily for one week. The investigators will collect self-report and behavioral measures of social media use and related psychological constructs at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention period, and one-week after the intervention period.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

150 Participants Needed

Psilocybin for Depression

Baltimore, Maryland
This trial explores the safety of a single 25mg dose of psilocybin given to adults with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments and who have ongoing suicidal thoughts. Psilocybin works by changing brain cell communication to improve mood and reduce negative thoughts. Psilocybin has shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions in recent studies.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:18 - 65

20 Participants Needed

Wellness Program for Trauma

Baltimore, Maryland
This trial involves women in emergency shelters attending group sessions to practice mindfulness and learn about health. The goal is to reduce their stress and help them manage long-term health issues.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Sex:Female

40 Participants Needed

eCBT for Depression

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
This trial will test online therapy sessions for depression in rural West Virginia and Kentucky. The therapy can be done alone or with support from a remote coach. It aims to improve mental health by changing negative thoughts and behaviors, with coaches providing extra help in guided sessions.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

3360 Participants Needed

Ecopipam for Tourette Syndrome

Washington, District of Columbia
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of ecopipam tablets in children (greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 6 and less than \[\<\] 12 years of age), adolescents (\>=12 and \<18 years of age), and adults (\>=18 years of age) with Tourette's Syndrome (TS).
No Placebo Group
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Age:6+

150 Participants Needed

BHV-7000 for Bipolar Disorder

Gaithersburg, Maryland
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

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

This trial is testing tofacitinib, a pill that reduces inflammation, in adults with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) who haven't responded to other treatments. The drug aims to calm the overactive immune system in these patients. Tofacitinib has been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Phase 1, 2

20 Participants Needed

Background: * Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare, highly vascular tumor accounting for less than 1% of soft tissue sarcomas. There is no effective systemic treatment for patients with metastatic ASPS. Little is known with regards to relevant molecular markers as potential therapeutic targets. * Cediranib (AZD2171) and sunitinib (SU011248), oral small molecule inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinases, are showing preliminary evidence of activity in patients with ASPS. Objectives: * Part I: Determine the objective response rate (ORR) of single-agent cediranib and single-agent sunitinib malate in patients with advanced ASPS. * Part II: Determine the ORR of cediranib in patients who progress on the sunitinib arm, and determine the ORR of sunitinib in patients who progress on the cediranib arm. * Determine the progression-free survival (PFS) at 24 weeks for single-agent cediranib and single-agent sunitinib malate in patients with advanced ASPS. Eligibility: * Patients aged greater than or equal to 16 years with histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic ASPS. * Patients must show evidence of objective disease progression per Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)v1 on scans within the 3-month period immediately preceding enrollment. Both scans used to determine disease progression should have been obtained within this 6-month period. * Patients with newly diagnosed, unresectable, measurable, metastatic ASPS who show clinical evidence of disease progression will be eligible. * Patients must not have received treatment with any VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., cediranib, sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib); however, prior treatment with bevacizumab is allowed. Design: * Part I: Patients will be randomized to receive cediranib (30 mg) or sunitinib malate (37.5 mg) orally, once a day in 28-day cycles. * Part II: At the time of disease progression, patients will cross over to the other treatment arm after a 2-week wash-out period. * Appropriate anatomic imaging studies will be performed at baseline and every 2 cycles for restaging. * The study will be conducted using an optimal two-stage design to rule out an unacceptably low 15% clinical response rate (PR+CR) in favor of a modestly high response rate of 40%. The study will initially enroll 10 evaluable patients in each arm. If 0 or 1 of the 10 patients has a clinical response, then no further patients will be accrued. If 2 or more the first 10 patients have a response, then accrual continues to a total of 22 patients in each arm.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2
Age:16+

34 Participants Needed

Why Other Patients Applied

"I've been through a substance abuse program three times. Clearly, it's not working. I need to try something totally different and new to deal with my depression (plus alcohol usage) once and for all. I did some research on psilocybin and want to try."

QP
Depression PatientAge: 55

"I have dealt with depression my entire adult life. I have been on multiple different meds, went through 10 weeks of TMS treatments (didn't work for me personally), done fairly extensive counseling. I’ve kind of lost hope that anything will ever help me to feel better. But I learned about new meds in clinical trials and I'm ready to try."

YP
Depression PatientAge: 60

"I'm taking a medication for anxiety and it's not helping/working. I want to try and find something that would help with my anxiety. My research brought me to clinical trials."

ZD
Social Anxiety PatientAge: 36

"My long history of depression has been met with a long list of trial and error drugs. My current medication (generic Pristiq) has been prescribed for two decades (though I tried several other medications during my last serious episode several years ago. When the episode passed I returned to generic Pristiq. I am interested in a clinical trial because I wonder if I can do something different to more effectively avoid a serious depressive episode and lift the general malaise I often feel."

DD
Depression PatientAge: 62

"I've used SSRIs (Lexapro, Celexa) and they helped a bit but also, truthfully, they've had pretty serious sexual side effects. Depression was already hurting my marriage, and now these drugs continue to paralyze my it. I've heard that psilocybin-based treatments typically have no sexual side effects... I think a clinical trial will let me try safely."

LN
Depression PatientAge: 44

Ponsegromab for Heart Failure

Washington, District of Columbia
This trial is testing Ponsegromab, a new medicine, to see if it can help people with heart failure who have high levels of GDF-15. The medicine is given as an injection under the skin and aims to reduce heart failure symptoms by targeting the GDF-15 protein.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2

781 Participants Needed

BT5528 for Solid Cancers

Fairfax, Virginia
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

MRT-2359 for Solid Tumors

Fairfax, Virginia
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 purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of Dato-DXd in combination with rilvegostomig or rilvegostomig monotherapy compared with pembrolizumab monotherapy as a first line therapy in participants with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression (TC ≥ 50%) and without actionable genomic alterations.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3

675 Participants Needed

DESTINY-Lung03 will investigate the safety and tolerability of trastuzumab deruxtecan in combination with Immunotherapy Agents with and without chemotherapy in patients with HER2 over-expressing non-small cell lung cancer. The efficacy will be also analyzed as a secondary endpoint.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1

244 Participants Needed

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a cancer peptide vaccine to prevent or delay acquired resistance in advanced ALK+ lung cancer patients currently on ALK targeted therapy.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1, 2

12 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

The purpose of this study to find out whether adding trastuzumab and pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy is an effective treatment for resectable HER2+ esophagogastric cancer.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2

49 Participants Needed

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Depression clinical trials in Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC?

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 Washington, DC?

Most recently, we added Pediatric Palliative Care for Rare Diseases, Engagement Navigator Service for Depression and Pramipexole vs Escitalopram for Depression in HIV 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 Washington, DC?

The Depression clinics in Washington, DC currently recognized as SuperSites are: Cenexel CBH (CBH Health) in Gaithersburg, Maryland

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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