My depression has become severe and sometimes I go up to 5 days without eating. I also can’t sleep. Is there anything I can do to make it easier to stay physically healthy?

I have depression, but I don't eat because of anorexia. Sometimes though, I just forget to eat cause I'm too busy and I have no desire to. I like to set reminders to eat and ask others to make me sit down and eat with them. You could ask a doctor about medications that are safe to use every night to help sleep. I also try to wind down before bed with something relaxing like journaling... which can also help with depression. I hope this is a little bit helpful and wish you the best of luck in trying to figure this out.

Hey. First of all it's very good that you care about being physically healthy. It sounds like you able to see the importance of self care. In my personal experience trying to stick with a routine might help. For example: you could brush you teeth every morning, make food each evening etc. If you have someone in your life to whom you could hold accountability regarding some of your self care activities, it might help you stick up with a routine. You could also try to use this site in order to find someone you would hold accountability to regarding your daily routine. Another thing you could try is to think what are the things that you actually able to do? No matter how small they are, for example writing this post.. what's easier for you to do and what's harder , when it's easier and when it's harder. And why? remember nothing is too small! Each time you manage to achieve some self care goal , no matter how small, you making a great progress. You deserve the best, and you deserve to be healthy, well fed and well slept.

Lifestyle factors can influence depression rates as well, such as a lack of exercise and proper nutrition, workaholism, poor sleep habits, and drug and alcohol abuse. Also, certain inherent personality traits are associated with an increased risk of the disorder. Lots of things can increase the chance of depression, including the following: Abuse. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can make you more vulnerable to depression later in life. Age. People who are elderly are at higher risk of depression. That can be made worse by other factors, such as living alone and having a lack of social support. Certain medications. Some drugs, such as isotretinoin (used to treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression. Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological vulnerability to it may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends. Death or a loss. Sadness or grief after the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can increase the risk of depression. Gender. Women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. No one's sure why. The hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may play a role. Genes. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait, meaning there are probably many different genes that each exert small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis. Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, the syndrome of clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to stressful life events. Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression. Serious illnesses. Sometimes, depression happens along with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition. Substance misuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance misuse problems also have major or clinical depression. Even if drugs or alcohol temporarily make you feel better, they ultimately will aggravate depression.