Learning library
Anxiety and depression
Coping with Depression: Unhealthy Strategies to Avoid

Coping with Depression: Unhealthy Strategies to Avoid

We answer your FAQs: what are unhealthy coping strategies for depression? Find out about it in this page from Confidant Health.

People experiencing depression may engage in negative coping strategies -- including excessive alcohol consumption and drug use -- to drum up the emotions that have gone missing from their lives. 

Lethargy, low self-esteem, and problems concentrating or making decisions create an environment in which negative coping strategies can seem easier to pursue than positive ones.

Risky Behavior

Some people describe depression as emotional numbness. They struggle to feel happiness, hope, courage, pride, or any number of emotions that make life enjoyable. To handle this lack of emotions, some individuals engage in risky behavior.

Suicidal thoughts -- another effect of depression -- also tend to take away an individual's normal inhibitions regarding risky behavior. Both suicidal thoughts and risky behavior can quickly put a depressed person in harm's way. 

Examples of risky behaviors include:

  • Reckless driving
  • Unprotected sex with multiple partners
  • Criminal activity such as theft, vandalism, and trespassing
  • Uncharacteristic thrill-seeking activities like climbing a roof, tree, or mountain without safety equipment. 

📞
Request an Enrollment Call

Our team will call you to answer any questions you have or to help you schedule an appointment.

Request an enrollment call

Excessive Drug or Alcohol Use

Excessive drug or alcohol use gives the user a high, which seems like a welcome change for someone who has been grappling with depression. Unfortunately, alcohol and many drugs are depressants themselves, which means when the high is over, the "low" can feel even worse than it did before. 

Increasing alcohol consumption or using drugs not prescribed as a treatment for depression are ineffective long-term coping mechanisms. Healthier options are available for depression recovery, such as talk therapy.  

Social Isolation

The symptoms of depression can make it easy to isolate from friends and family. Depression can produce feelings of loneliness and worthlessness, which makes it challenging to pick up the phone to connect with a friend for fear of being bothersome or a burden. 

Depression also drains away energy and motivation for socializing. When people are experiencing it, staying in bed alone feels like the only thing they want to do.

Behavioral Addictions

It's useful for people to stay busy when they experience depression because it distracts the mind from ruminating on negative thoughts or worries. However, sometimes these activities go too far and turn into addictions as unhealthy as depression itself due to the impact they can have on daily life. 

Gambling, playing video games, shopping, watching porn, working, exercising, and even scrolling aimlessly through social media represent common behavioral addictions.

🗓️
Book with Confidant

Book with a vetted Confidant Health provider

Book appointment

Overeating

Depression can cause people to both under and overeat, but overeating, in particular, tends to turn into a negative coping strategy. Food consumption leads to a spike in blood sugar, which in turn leads to a boost in serotonin. 

However, as is the case with alcohol and drug use, serotonin levels will eventually drop, leading to a "low" feeling. Over time, a cycle develops with highs after eating and then lows, creating an unhealthy coping mechanism. 

Risky behavior, excessive drug and alcohol use, social isolation, behavioral addictions, overeating, and other negative coping strategies may bring temporary relief or comfort but will not result in a healthy long-term recovery.

This article has been medically reviewed by
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Nurse Practitioner

Erin is a Nurse Practitioner with 8 years of experience in midwifery and women's health. She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Book appointment
👍
Recommended reading
5 minutes
read time
Treating Depression: Options and Approaches to Recovery
5 minutes
read time
Types of Depression Medications: Side Effects and Treatment Options
5 minutes
read time
MDD vs PDD: The Difference Between Depression and Dysthymia
5 minutes
read time
Types of Depression: Exploring the Different Forms of the Condition
5 minutes
read time
Substance Use and Depression: Understanding the Connection and Finding Help
5 minutes
read time
What are positive coping strategies for depression?
3m
read time
Coping with Job Loss: Strategies for Moving Forward
4 minutes
read time
Letting Go of Fear: Techniques for Moving Forward
4m
read time
How to Improve Your Focus: Tips for Better Concentration
5 minutes
read time
Boosting Energy: Simple Strategies for Productivity and Alertness
4 minutes
read time
Overcoming Restlessness: Tips for Finding Calm and Focus
4 minutes
read time
Positive Approaches to Depression: Strategies for Coping and Recovery
4m
read time
Overcoming Overeating: Practical Tips for Managing Cravings
5 minutes
read time
Dealing with the Unexpected Loss of a Loved One: Coping Tips
4 minutes
read time
Quick Mood Boosters: Simple Strategies for Feeling Better
4 minutes
read time
The Physical Effects of Anxiety: Understanding the Impact on Your Body
5 minutes
read time
Fast Asleep: 6 Strategies for Falling Asleep Quickly
3m
read time
Gabapentin for Anxiety: Understanding the Treatment Timeline
5 minutes
read time
CBD Oil for Anxiety: When to Expect Relief
5 minutes
read time
Boosting Your Appetite: Tips for Eating When You Have No Appetite
4 minutes
read time
Managing Worries: Strategies for Coping with Anxiety and Stress
5 minutes
read time
Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: Understanding the Differences
4 minutes
read time
Identifying the Root Cause of Anxiety: Underlying Factors
5 minutes
read time
Coping with Sadness: Things to Do When You're Feeling Down
4 minutes
read time
Holiday Relaxation: Tips for Unwinding at Home
4 minutes
read time
Can't Sit Still? Tips for Calming Restlessness
5 minutes
read time
Finding Pleasure in Life: Tips for Increasing Joy and Satisfaction
4 minutes
read time
Types of Anxiety Medications: Understanding Your Treatment Options
4 minutes
read time
Types of Anxiety: Understanding the Different Forms of the Condition
4 minutes
read time
Coping with Anxiety: Negative Strategies to Avoid
4 minutes
read time
What is Anxiety? Understanding the Symptoms and Treatments
4 minutes
read time
Substance Use and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Help
4 minutes
read time
Zoom Fatigue: Understanding the Causes and Coping Strategies
5 minutes
read time
Building Resilience: Tips for Strengthening Your Mindset
5 minutes
read time
The Effects of Depression: Physical, Mental, and Long-Term Impacts
5 minutes
read time
Coping with Depression: Unhealthy Strategies to Avoid
5 minutes
read time
What Causes Depression? Understanding the Triggers and Risks
5 minutes
read time
What is Depression? Understanding the Symptoms and Treatments
Confidant mobile app screens

Get immediate access to the care you need today

Scan the QR code below to download the app. We'll help you to get immediate access to the care that your need.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Scan this QR code to download the app
QR code to download the app
Trusted by 5000+ members