Part of a series by Dr. Kim for Accompany Health Patients

Depression is very common. It’s not the same as sadness. Depression can have a big impact on your everyday life.

If you have or think you have depression, you are not alone. As many as 23 million adults in the U.S. deal with depression every year.

Some patients have had trouble getting treatment — but it doesn’t have to be that way. The good news is that there are things you can do to help. Here are some important steps to take.

The good news: There are things you can do to help. Here are some important steps to take:

Know the symptoms
We all feel sad sometimes. But depression goes deeper than that. You may feel down, not have a lot of energy, and it can be hard to concentrate or sleep. You may also lose interest in things you used to love. This can go on for a long time. You may even have thoughts of hurting yourself. (If you do, call the Crisis Line 988 immediately.) Talk to your Accompany Health care team for help. They can find resources close to your home.

Take your medication
If you have depression, your provider may suggest you take medication. Medicine for depression can be lifesaving. The most important part: You need to take the medicine every day. It’s ok if you don’t feel better right away. It can take 4 to 8 weeks for the medication to work. Also: Talk to your provider or Accompany Health care team about any supplements you take. These may interact with the medication.

Talk to a therapist or counselor
Meeting with and talking to a therapist or counselor can help. It can give you practical tools to help you cope with depression. (Just 30 minutes a week can make a big difference.) Your Accompany Health team can help you find someone in your area or virtually. Also a good idea: Talk to friends, family, or people in your community about how you’re feeling. That emotional support can go a long way.

Focus on sleeping well and staying active
Medication and therapy are important. There are also other ways to help with depression. That includes getting regular sleep and physical activity. You can start slow: Go for a walk in the morning or afternoon. It also gives you a routine to follow. Ask a friend or family to walk with you. And sleep is an important way to help your body heal. Try for 6 to 8 hours a night. Talk to your Accompany Health care team about other ways to improve your sleep, too.

Accompany Health is here to help
Depression can have a big impact on your daily life. Accompany Health has providers who can help you create a plan specific to what you need. Ask your care team about this service. We can also connect you with a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. We are in it with you — and want to see you succeed.

Call or text us your Accompany Health team with questions or concerns.