Get support from people in your family and social network. Being reminded that other people care helps to relieve the isolation that often accompanies depressed feelings. Talking to someone about your worries or concerns can put them into perspective. Discussion with clergy or spiritual advisers may give meaning to painful experiences, and prayer or meditation can access internal sources of strength. These usually involve a program of exercises to identify distorted perceptions and substitute more realistic ones.
Some people find the use of herbs or nutritional supplements beneficial.
However, since herbal products are not regulated as closely as medications, the amount of active ingredient may vary from one preparation of hypericum to another. Decrease the use of alcohol and other drugs. Tell someone about the problem - often talking about it eases the burden. If your primary health-care provider can't be reached, many communities have telephone hotlines for such situations. The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed to determine if the cause of depression is physical or psychological.