Self-management support resources
Helping you live a healthy life
As your trusted partner in health in San Diego and North County, Sharp Community Medical Group offers clear and useful information and resources so that you can set health goals and make plans to live a healthier life.
We're here to help
Your Sharp Community primary care doctor offers a personalized approach to care and knows your health history the best. In order to support you being a more active participant in your health care and partner with your doctor, we have provided information about some common health topics. You can discuss your concerns with your doctor and come up with a plan on prevention or care management.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking too much — on occasion or over time — can take a serious toll on your health. To help prevent alcohol-related problems such as liver disease, high blood pressure and depression, rethink your alcohol use and limit how much you have when you're out with friends or relaxing at home.
Community help is available
Mental and emotional problems affect us all. With depression as one of the most common mental disorders in the US, getting treatment early, which may or may not include medication, is the most effective to feeling better. Taking care of ourselves mentally is just as important as how we do so physically. Since depression affects most people differently, it's important to recognize the symptoms and get help.
Medication for depression
Some people feel better after a few weeks of taking antidepressant medicines, but many people need to take these medicines for four to nine months. It can take this amount of time to get a full response and prevent depression from coming back.
If you need antidepressant medicines, you should take them every day. Your doctor may need to change the type of medicine you take or the dose, depending on how you respond.
Don't stop taking your medicine on your own, even if you feel better or have side effects. Always call your doctor first. When it is time to stop your medicine, you and your doctor will slowly and safely cut down the amount you take over time.
If you have questions about depression or trouble getting or taking your medications for depression, please contact your doctor, or the Sharp Community Medical Group Complex Case Management at 858-499-3040, option 4.
Management and treatment of depression
People with depression usually respond well to treatment. There are many things you can do at home to help manage your depression:
Get enough sleep
Follow a healthy diet
Avoid alcohol, marijuana and other recreational drugs
Exercise more
Try out activities that make you happy
Be around people who are caring and upbeat
Signs and symptoms of depression
When you are depressed, you may notice some or all of the below issues. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms that last for two weeks or longer. Signs of depression include:
Low or touchy mood most of the time
A loss of pleasure in normal activities
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
Tiredness and lack of energy
Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate and guilt
Hard time staying focused
Slow or fast movements
Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities
Feeling hopeless or helpless
Depression can lead to thoughts of death or suicide, which can be dangerous. Call your doctor right away if you have these feelings.
Community help is available
It's Up to Us developed by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
Additional resources from MedlinePlus
What do heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes and arthritis have in common? Regular, moderate physical activity can help prevent and treat all of these — and many other — health problems. According to the American Heart Association, physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories, such as climbing stairs or playing sports. Even something as simple as vacuuming or mowing the lawn can be seen as physical activity — anything counts!
Choosing healthy food options and preparing healthy meals is easier than you think. Build yourself a well-balanced meal by thinking about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. Select nutrient-rich foods not high in calories like fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein foods.
Smoking either tobacco or electronic cigarettes (sometimes called e-cigarettes or vape pens) can be harmful to your health. Quitting smoking will improve your health and lowers your chances of getting lung cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions.
Community help is available
Stress can be caused by many things like moving, planning a trip or being stuck in traffic. It can be different for everyone. While not all stress is bad, chronic stress can cause health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression. Since what causes stress can be different for most people, how to cope with it can be just as different.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health. Doctors use a measure called body mass index (BMI) to decide if you are underweight, normal weight or overweight. Being overweight can put you at higher risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
