“That’s the thing about depression,” says “Prozac Nation” author Elizabeth Lee Wurtzel. “A human being can survive almost anything, as long as he sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.”
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 15 million adults aged 18 years or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Depression does not have to ruin a person’s life, though, and it can be managed and overcome with the right treatment.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder which interferes with a person’s life and often requires treatment. Major depression is a debilitating condition in which a depressive mood can last at least two weeks and interfere with work, sleep and social life. In the cases with children, the depressive symptoms may not be sad, but irritable feelings.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of depression can include:
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Outbursts of anger, irritability or frustration
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
Causes of depression involve biological, environmental and hormonal factors. The age and gender of an individual can also be factors in the form of depression and response to it. Treatment for depression needs to be more specific, as each person is unique and may have variables on symptoms.
Treatment at Sovereign Health
Depression may be a debilitating condition, but it is treatable with therapy and medication when appropriate. The Sovereign Health conducts a thorough assessment of a patient’s medical history, family history and psychiatric evaluation before diagnosing a patient.
Individuals who experience depression in daily life may attempt to self-medicate through substances such as drugs or alcohol. This form of self-medication will only cause more problems as the substance abuse can lead to addiction.
If the co-occurring condition or other mental illness is not treated, the patient will be much more likely to fall into relapse. Sovereign Health will find the conditions and build a personalized treatment plan. The benefits of receiving treatment from Sovereign Health includes receiving personalized treatment designed for the individual, treating any co-occurring conditions which could lead to relapse and patient support after completing the program.
Where to Begin
Sovereign Health’s inpatient treatment center provides a comforting and peaceful atmosphere for recovery. Patients are treated as individuals and not as their illness.
The goal of treatment at Sovereign Health is to equip the patient with the necessary skills to continue a healthy life after rehabilitation. Sovereign Health will use a variety of therapy methods to help the patient. One common method used with depression is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy method helps patients reconstruct negative thoughts and learn to interact with their environment in a more positive manner. Other therapies available include yoga, meditation, equine therapy and art therapy.
For more information and to begin treatment today, call our 24/7 helpline. Do not lose another day of your life to depression.