Daily Habits and Mental Health Impact
As U.S. depression rates among individuals aged 12 and older rose to 13.1% between 2021 and 2023, according to a report cited by WFMD, clinical psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen has identified six daily lifestyle habits that may exacerbate depression symptoms. Released on November 8, 2026, the guidance emphasizes that while lifestyle adjustments can support mental health, professional medical evaluation remains critical for individualized treatment plans.
The six identified habits include consuming daily alcohol, remaining in bed for extended periods, believing automatic negative thoughts, isolating socially, eating highly processed foods, and taking medication without a thorough professional assessment. According to the expert, these behaviors can independently or collectively worsen mood disorders and interfere with recovery.
Understanding the Specific Behaviors
Dr. Amen noted that while alcohol can offer temporary relief, its physiological aftereffects often leave individuals feeling more anxious and restless. Staying in bed lowers frontal brain activity and runs counter to behavioral activation principles supported by clinical reviews. Furthermore, addressing automatic negative thoughts—or ANTs—through cognitive reframing can help mitigate daily emotional distress.
Additional factors include social isolation, which has been linked in recent studies to a significantly higher risk of developing depression, and the consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which may contribute to inflammation-driven depressive states. Finally, experts stress that because depression treatments must be tailored to the individual, proper medical assessments are essential before beginning any medication regimen.