Depression in Los Angeles: How to Find Support

If you’re living in Los Angeles and struggling with depression, you’re not alone. While it might feel impossible to look after your mental health in a busy, bustling city like LA, there are ways you can find support.

In this article, we explore how living in LA can contribute to depression and different strategies for managing depression while living in Los Angeles.

Understanding depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world, characterized by feelings of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once found enjoyable. When you have depression, everyday tasks can feel exhausting, life can feel overwhelming, and you can struggle to concentrate and get through the day.

There’s no single cause behind depression. Sometimes, the stress of modern life – whether that’s related to finances, relationships, work, or bad news from around the world – can trigger depression. It can also come with grief, run in your family, or be tied to underlying medical conditions or mental health issues.

Regardless of the cause, it’s important to know that depression is treatable and help is available.

Types of depression

Depression can manifest in different ways. To help clarify the type of depression you have, a mental health professional might use specifiers that describe the specific features or patterns of your symptoms. These include:

Major depressive disorder (MDD): Also known as clinical depression or major depression, MDD comes with persistent low mood, hopelessness, and other symptoms that last at least two weeks. It’s the most common and severe form of depression.
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): This is a milder but long-lasting form of depression that lasts for two years or more.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD): PDD is a severe form of PMS characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that disrupt daily life.
Depression with anxious distress: Depression that also comes with intense worry, restlessness, or fear of losing control.
Depression with psychotic features: Severe depression combined with hallucinations or delusions, often involving themes of personal failure or worthlessness.
Depressive disorder due to another medical condition: This is when depression symptoms are caused by a physical illness, like thyroid disease, cancer, or neurological conditions.
Catatonic depression: A rare form of depression that involves extreme physical inactivity or repetitive, purposeless movements.

Major depressive disorder can also be categorized into different types, including:

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): SAD is a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year, usually during fall and winter when sunlight is limited.
Peripartum depression (prenatal and postpartum): This type of depression occurs during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.
Atypical depression: This involves mood reactivity (a temporary improvement when something positive happens), increased sleep and appetite, and heightened sensitivity to rejection.

Depression in Los Angeles

If you live in Los Angeles and are experiencing depressive symptoms, you’re not alone. Studies show that people living in cities are more likely to experience mental illness compared to those in rural areas. And LA isn’t just any city. It’s the second largest city in the U.S. with nearly four million residents, a fast-paced way of life, and high cost of living that can all contribute to developing or worsening depression.

We love Los Angeles and its diversity and endless opportunities, but we also recognize that the city can take a toll on mental health. Here are just some ways that living in LA can potentially contribute to depression:

Air pollution: LA’s known for its smog and air quality issues, and a recent study found that high exposure to air pollutants might change how your brain works, increasing the risk of cognitive impairment and depression, especially if you’re already genetically predisposed to the condition.
Constant stimulation: The nonstop stimulation, noise, and crowds of LA can be fun and exciting, but it can also overwhelm your brain’s stress response system. People living in cities are up to 39% more likely to develop mood disorders like depression than those living in quieter areas. Why? When your brain is in a near-constant state of alert, it can become harder to regulate emotions, leaving you vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
Poor sleep quality: Falling asleep to the sounds of traffic, sirens, nightlife, or even neighbors can seriously affect your ability to rest. When you have poor sleep quality, your body struggles to regulate the stress hormone cortisol. Over time, this can make you feel more stressed and exhausted, and more likely to develop depression.
Social & economic pressures: LA is famous for its glitz, glamour, fame, and fortune, which can create an image-driven atmosphere of comparison and pressure. If you’re struggling financially or feel left behind, this contrast can worsen feelings of inadequacy or isolation. On top of that, the cost of living in LA is nearly 50% higher than the national average, which can cause significant financial stress for Angelenos.

Managing depression while living in Los Angeles

Overcoming depression while living in a hectic city like LA can feel impossible, but there are steps you can take to improve your mental well-being. Below, we share some coping strategies that can help reduce your symptoms and support recovery.

Note, these strategies are not a substitute for depression therapy and proper, trauma-informed care. If you’re struggling with depression, we recommend individual therapy with a mental health professional experienced in treating depression.

1. Stay connected

Depression often makes you want to withdraw from others, but isolation can actually make your symptoms worse. If you can make the effort to stay connected, whether that’s through a text, phone call, or in-person, you might see a great impact on your mood. Even small social interactions can provide emotional support and remind you that you’re not alone.

If you don’t feel like you have anyone to turn to, don’t be afraid to join an ongoing support group, class, or community activity where you can build new connections.

2. Do things that make you feel good

Depression can sap your interest in things you once enjoyed, but engaging in positive activities can help shift your mindset – even if you really, really don’t feel like it. You don’t have to commit to anything too big here. Some ideas might be:

Revisiting an old hobby or trying something new
Spending time in nature, going for a walk, or taking a short day trip
Expressing yourself through art, music, or writing
Spending quality time with a pet or your children
Limiting exposure to news or social media that can increase negativity and stress.

3. Manage stress

Chronic stress is a major contributor to depression. Finding the sources of stress in your life – work overload, financial worries, unhealthy relationships, negative news – is the first step towards reducing their impact on your mental health.

Once you’ve pinpointed your stressors, you can think about how to mitigate them. For example:

Create a more balanced schedule so you don’t feel overwhelmed
Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
Learn to set boundaries and say no when you need to
Try journaling or a daily gratitude practice to refocus your mind on what’s going well.

4. Move your body

Moving your body can boost mood-regulating chemicals in your brain and help reduce stress naturally. You don’t need to do anything too intense. Even a 10-minute walk can make a big difference! The key is to be consistent. Here are some tips:

Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days (if you need to, you can break this up into 3 x 10 minutes to make it more achievable)
If walking isn’t your thing, try dancing, biking, or swimming
Exercise outdoors to double the benefits with sunshine and fresh air.

5. Get a daily dose of sunshine

Speaking of sunshine, did you know that sunlight helps boost serotonin levels? On the other hand, a lack of sunlight can worsen symptoms of depression. We’re lucky here in LA to have plenty of sunshine, so try to:

Spend at least 15 minutes outside in the sun each day
Enjoy your lunch or morning coffee outside instead of indoors
Keep your blinds open to increase natural light indoors, or sit near windows.

6. Eat and sleep well

What you eat and how you sleep can both affect how you feel. Here are some tips:

Choose a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats
Reduce intake of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods – as alluring as they may be when you’re feeling down
Don’t skip meals and try to eat every 3 to 4 hours to regulate blood sugar and mood
Support your brain with omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and flaxseed) and B vitamins (found in leafy greens, citrus, beans, and eggs).

Besides diet, sleep can make a massive impact on your mood. Try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, limit screen time before bed, and create a relaxing bedtime routine to encourage a quality sleep.

Where to find depression treatment in Los Angeles

There are around 5.5 million adults in California living with a mental health condition, and more than 1.5 million aren’t receiving the mental health care they need. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to seek professional support.

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we offer compassionate, personalized treatment for Angelenos struggling with depression and a range of other mental health challenges. Whether you’re seeking help for depression, anxiety disorders, or another mental health condition, our team is here to guide you towards healing.

Our mental health services include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication management, TMS therapy, and Spravato (esketamine) treatment. You can visit us at one of our Los Angeles locations in Hollywood and Beverly Grove, and we accept most major health insurance plans.