What Is Depression?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in fifteen American adults struggle with depression in any given year. Many of these people won’t seek inpatient depression treatment. One reason for this is a lack of knowledge regarding what depression is.
Depression is a mental illness wherein you experience a low mood for an extended period. While everyone “feels down” from time to time, it’s generally in response to some sort of life challenge and usually goes away fairly quickly. This is what is known as “situational depression.”
Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is altogether different. It needn’t have a specific, discernable cause, and can persist for months or even years at a time. It’s often a debilitating mental illness.
Here are some clinical depression statistics:
- According to the World Health Organization, 280 million people — an estimated 5% of the world’s population — experience depression each year.
- Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
- The prevalence of adults with clinical depression was highest among young people — with those aged 18-25 comprising 17.0% of the total.
- Up to a third of those struggling with depression also receive substance abuse treatment.
Depression can develop so gradually that you may not even notice it until it has taken over your life. While feeling sad from time to time is normal, feeling hopeless all the time is not.
If you’re wondering what depression is, recognizing the warning signs and stages might help you take preventative measures and manage the illness. And if you think you’re suffering from depression, it might be time to seek inpatient depression treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
If you believe you or someone you love is struggling with depression, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of clinical depression to be able to recognize the problem.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, outlines the symptoms of clinical depression.
For clinical depression to be diagnosed, a person must experience at least five of the following symptoms nearly every day, for a large part of the day over a period of two weeks or longer:
- Persistent sad mood
- Reduced or complete loss of pleasure or interest in activities
- Weight loss, weight gain, or change in appetite
- Changes in sleep such as insomnia or increased sleeping
- Restlessness or slow movement or speech
- Feeling tired and having no energy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty making decisions, remembering things, or concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
At least one of the clinical depression symptoms must be a loss of interest or pleasure in activities or a depressed mood.
Other common signs of clinical depression include:
- Leaving the house less often than usual
- Reduced motivation at school or work
- Becoming withdrawn from family and friends
- Alcohol abuse
- Loss of confidence
- Experiencing aches and pains
- Feeling hopeless
- Physical problems like heart disease or chronic pain
- No longer taking pride in physical appearance
- Recurrent thoughts of death
If you think you or someone you know may attempt suicide, seek inpatient depression treatment immediately.
What Is Inpatient Depression Treatment?
Inpatient depression treatment, also known as residential depression treatment, involves a comprehensive program where clients live at a treatment facility for a certain period. The length of stay can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the depression and the individual’s response to treatment.
Approaches and interventions used in inpatient depression treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. It also often involves regular meetings with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. This is all done within the context of intensive and structured care, with 24/7 medical and therapeutic support.
Someone undergoing Inpatient depression treatment may also learn coping skills, stress management, and techniques to improve emotional well-being. Other holistic therapies such as yoga, art therapy, music therapy, mindfulness, and exercise may also be covered. Moreover, they may also provide education about nutrition, sleep hygiene, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to mental health.
Studies show that people struggling with depression are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those without depression. One study found that depressed people were twice as likely to develop substance abuse problems compared to others. This could be due to people using substances to self-medicate their feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy levels.
Can a Mental Health Treatment Center Help My Depression?
If you are struggling with depression the good news is inpatient depression treatment is available.
One of the most popular options for dealing with depression is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short, treats depression by reframing our thoughts and providing a positive alternative to the stories we tell ourselves. It’s often used in conjunction with antidepressant medication, which provides fast relief for symptoms.
This combined approach is considered the gold standard in depression treatment and is something we specialize in at Aliya Health.
If you’re struggling with depression and substance abuse, know that you don’t have to fight alone. Aliya Health Group offers nationally accredited inpatient depression treatment and substance abuse counseling. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression and substance use issues, call us today at 888-965-3085 or fill out our secure contact form. Our highly qualified staff is ready to resolve any questions or doubts you may have and help you get back on your feet.
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