Alcohol may worsen depression symptoms
Based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, depression among U.S. residents age 12 and older jumped by nearly 60% over a 10-year span, climbing from 8.2% in 2013–2014 to 13.1% in 2021–2023.
Per the National Institute of Mental Health, identifying the most effective depression treatment takes patience, with antidepressants generally requiring four to eight weeks to take effect. Fox News reported that clinical psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics in California, identified six specific habits that may worsen depression symptoms.
Alcohol may offer temporary relief from depression symptoms, but as its effects wear off, mood can worsen. Following Fox News, Amen cautioned that as the brain adapts to the relaxing properties of alcohol, individuals may experience heightened anxiety and restlessness once the buzz wears off, leaving them feeling “worse than before.” Drinking can also disrupt sleep, adding to next-day fatigue, per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Behavioral activation helps people return to meaningful activities
Staying in bed when waking up might be tempting, but Amen encouraged people with depression to get up and start their day.
“When people are depressed, they tend to have pretty low activity, especially in the front part of their brain, but burying yourself under the covers just makes things worse,” he said, as reported by Fox News. This advice aligns with behavioral activation, a type of therapy that helps people gradually return to meaningful activities.
A Cochrane review from 2020 evaluated 53 studies involving 5,495 adults and found behavioral activation beneficial for treating depression, according to Fox News. Isolation can also worsen symptoms, as the more isolated a person gets, the louder negative thoughts become.
A study published in 2025 in General Hospital Psychiatry tracked more than 339,000 U.K. adults for roughly 12 years and linked loneliness to a 77% higher risk of developing depression, while social isolation carried a 14% higher risk.
Negative thoughts and ultraprocessed foods impact mental health
A negative mindset can make it easier to believe automatic negative thoughts, which Amen calls “ANTs.” When experiencing strong emotions such as sadness, anger, anxiety, or a lack of control, Amen recommends writing down thoughts and asking whether they are true, followed by meditating on the opposite thought.
Dietary habits also impact mental health. Amen stated that eating ultraprocessed foods, including many fast-food items, has been linked to a higher risk of depression, although research has not established direct cause and effect. “There’s actually a lot of consensus now among psychiatrists that inflammation drives certain types of depression,” he told Fox News.
A review published in 2025 in the American Journal of Psychiatry supported inflammation’s role in some cases, noting that elevated inflammatory markers occurred in a subset of people with depression. Alternatively, a 2024 analysis of five randomized trials with 1,507 total adults determined that Mediterranean diets decreased depressive symptoms relative to control groups, though outcomes varied significantly.
Individualized assessments guide depression treatment
Depression treatment is highly individualized, meaning not every medication suits every patient, and not every patient requires medication. Amen emphasized receiving a thorough assessment before starting antidepressants, which can be lifesaving. For milder depression, psychotherapy is often the first approach, while moderate or severe cases usually involve prescription medication as part of the initial treatment plan, per the National Institute of Mental Health.
For individuals who have tried standard approaches without success, Amen encouraged seeking further medical evaluation, which may include blood tests to check for conditions like anemia or thyroid disease. He also recommended considering approaches beyond medication, such as exercise, noting that recent research has found certain supplements, including omega-3 and saffron, more effective than antidepressants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Managing Depression
How long do antidepressants typically take to work?
Antidepressants usually take four to eight weeks to show noticeable effects, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
What is behavioral activation?
Behavioral activation is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals gradually return to meaningful daily activities rather than withdrawing or staying in bed, a method supported by a 2020 Cochrane review.
How does loneliness affect depression risk?
A 2025 study in General Hospital Psychiatry tracking over 339,000 U.K. adults associated loneliness with a 77% higher risk of developing depression, and social isolation with a 14% higher risk.
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