Psychiatrist says six everyday habits may be deepening depression
A psychiatrist warns that habits such as heavy drinking, staying in bed and social isolation can worsen depression, as US rates continue to climb.
Depression is becoming more common among American adults, and a psychiatrist says some everyday habits may be making the condition harder to shake. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics in California, argues that patients can improve their outlook by changing how they spend their days, even while they work with a doctor on treatment.
The concern is backed by federal data. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of depression among US adults aged 12 and older rose by roughly 60 percent over a decade, from 8.2 percent in 2013 to 2014 to 13.1 percent in 2021 to 2023. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that antidepressants typically take four to eight weeks to show their effect, a delay that can leave patients discouraged while they wait for results.
Among the habits Amen flags is alcohol. He says drinking can offer brief relief, but mood tends to sink as the effects wear off. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has also linked drinking to disrupted sleep, which can leave people more fatigued the following day and less able to cope with low mood.
Staying in bed for long stretches is another pattern Amen warns against. Research has linked prolonged time in bed with lower brain activity, and he urges people to get up and move, even when they do not feel like it. Behavioral activation, a therapy that encourages patients to schedule and take part in rewarding activities, is supported by a 2020 Cochrane review of 53 studies.
Amen also points to negative thinking. He calls such recurring negative automatic thoughts «ANTs» and suggests people question whether those thoughts are accurate rather than accepting them at face value. Social withdrawal is a related risk. A 2025 UK study of 339,000 adults found that loneliness was associated with a 77 percent higher risk of depression, and social isolation with a 14 percent higher risk.
Diet is part of the picture as well, though the evidence is still developing. Ultraprocessed food has been linked to depression risk, but researchers have not established that it causes the condition. A Mediterranean-style diet reduced symptoms in five trials involving 1,507 adults, although the results varied. A 2025 review also found that inflammation plays a role in only a subset of depression cases, which suggests that no single lifestyle fix will work for everyone.
Experts stress that treatment is individualized. Therapy is often the first step for mild depression, while moderate to severe cases are usually treated with medication at the outset. Amen recommends blood tests for conditions such as anemia or thyroid disease when treatment stalls, since those problems can mimic or worsen depressive symptoms. Exercise has also been cited in studies as comparable to some medications in its effect on mood.
For readers struggling with low mood, the message from the psychiatrist is that daily routines matter. Changes in alcohol use, activity, social contact and thinking patterns can support professional care, though they are not a substitute for it. Anyone experiencing persistent symptoms is encouraged to speak with a healthcare provider.
Source: foxnews.com
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