Depression & Anxiety
Everyone feels sad, empty or anxious at times. If these feelings persist and start to interfere with daily activities, you might be suffering from depression or anxiety. Women suffer from these common mood disorders twice as often as men.
What you can do to treat depression and anxiety
Treatment typically depends on the type and severity of your depression or anxiety disorder. It's important to talk with a mental health professional for evaluation and specific treatment recommendations.
Treatment options for depression may include:
- Exercise regularly, do things you enjoy and limit alcohol. For mild symptoms, this might be all it takes to help you feel better.
- Stick to a routine of daily activities. Decreased activity and changes in routines can make depression worse.
- Seek counseling. A mental health professional can help you identify and address underlying problems.
- Ask your doctor if medication may help you. People with depression may benefit from prescription medications that address the chemical imbalance in their brains.
Treatment options for anxiety disorders may include:
- Limit your alcohol intake. People with depression and anxiety disorders often self-medicate by drinking, which can make things worse.
- Consider acupuncture. It may help relieve general anxiety disorder symptoms.
- Try to relax. Relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing can reduce stress levels.
- Ask your doctor if medication and therapy may help you. Treatment for serious anxiety disorders often involves a combination of medications and cognitive behavior therapy.
And don't forget to ask your friends and family for help and encouragement. Creating a support network is vital to your recovery.
How to talk to your doctor
Depression and anxiety can affect you both emotionally and physically and may require treatment. Talk to your doctor and request a depression or anxiety screening if symptoms last more than two weeks.
Some common symptoms of depression are:
- Loss of appetite or weight change
- Feeling sad, anxious, empty, guilty, hopeless or worthless
- Fatigue, lack of energy or motivation
- Sleep problems, including not being able to sleep, oversleeping or waking often
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Some common signs of anxiety are:
- Constantly feeling on-edge, restless or worried
- Unexplained sudden shaking or trembling
- Frequent panic attacks (increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath or chest pain)
- Irrational thoughts, fears or obsessions
- Compulsive behaviors or rituals
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get emergency help immediately.
How UnitedHealthcare can help
Use UnitedHealthcare's tools and resources to help you address depression and anxiety disorders.
Log in to myuhc.com®
| myuhc.com resource | How it helps | How to find it |
| Depression Risk Quiz | Find out if you might be experiencing depression. | myuhc.com →
Health & Wellness →
Tools →
Quizzes |
| Mental Health Center | Learn how to manage your depression or anxiety disorder. | myuhc.com →
Health & Wellness →
Conditions A to Z →
Centers →
Mental Health Center |
| Health Discounts | Save on weight management programs, nutrition counseling, Fitness clubs memberships, natural products and foods and more through the UnitedHealth Allies health discount program. | myuhc.com →
Extra Programs & Discounts |
| Benefits & Coverage | Find out what mental health benefits are covered under your plan. | myuhc.com →
Benefits & Coverage |
Live and work well
United Behavioral Health can help you take charge of your health and well-being. Help yourself to self-paced courses and confidential mental health resources.
Call the NurseLine
Feeling depressed? Find out if you should contact a doctor, and get help finding one.
- To talk to a NurseLine nurse, call the Customer Care number on the back of your ID card or visit myuhc.com.
