Manage depression & anxiety

Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They can also be treated in similar ways.

Feeling sad or blue now and then is normal. And, everyone feels anxious from time to time — it’s a common response to stressful situations. When prolonged, these feelings can affect you in several ways, including:

  • Your thoughts and your mood
  • Your behaviors
  • Your physical well-being


Severe or ongoing feelings of depression and anxiety, typically for more than two weeks, can be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder.

Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical (major) depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder, such as:


Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression.

Symptoms of both usually improve with talk therapy (counseling), medications, or both. Lifestyle changes, such as getting plenty of sleep, increasing social support, reducing stress or getting regular exercise, also may help.*

Two of the best things you can do for recovery are:

  • Always take your medications as prescribed, and talk with your care provider about any side effects
  • Keep follow-up appointments, and reschedule right away if an appointment has been cancelled


Some common Questions and Answers about antidepressant medications.

*Visit WebMD to learn more about anxiety and depression talk therapy, medications, exercise, relaxation techniques and more.

Additional Information


Resources

For help finding a behavioral health therapist or psychiatrist, call the Customer Care Center number on the back of your insurance card or use our online provider search.

We also provide free phone education and resource coordination for members with complex, unstable behavioral health needs. To learn more, visit [website] or call the Customer Care Center number on the back of your insurance card.

For more information on understanding your depression diagnosis, available treatment options, and self-management tools, see our Brighter Days newsletters.

Other resources