Depression
Depression Overview
Depression is often described as feeling unhappy, sad, blue, miserable, or down in the dumps.
Many people feel down or fatigued sometimes in their lives, but generally for short periods. When these feelings persist and the grey fog that seems to permeate your brain does not lift, you may be struggling with clinical depression. Many feelings are incorporated in the lack of motivation and the desire for isolation. Frustration, anger, loss, sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness and even guilt can accompany the feeling of being depressed.
Everyone gets depressed occasionally. We may feel sad for any given reason; not getting that raise, getting dumped by a significant other, or even losing a job.Most people will be able to overcome their sadness in time. But not everyone can move on so easily.
Some people become depressed, even when there is no singular cause for their depression. The emotions they feel can be so severe, and they may be unable to get out of bed in the morning. They may withdraw from social situations and even feel physical symptoms related to their mental state.
When depression is this serious, it’s essential to reach out and get help. This article will provide an overview of depression and make recommendations for depression treatment in Los Angeles.
What is Depression?
Depression is characterized by general feelings of sadness or hopelessness that last for an extended period. When these feelings are hard to shake and get in the way of your ability to function, you may have major depressive disorder.
Unlike feelings of depression that may come and go in waves, major depressive disorder can last for weeks or months. It can keep you from enjoying life. It can cause feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness.
Symptoms of a depressive disorder include the following:
- An ongoing depressed mood
- Losing interest in the things you love
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
How Many People are Depressed?
Statistics show that one in 15 adults are currently suffering from depression, and one in 6 people will experience depression at some time in their lives. Depression typically starts to appear in the late teens, and early 20’s and women are more susceptible to the disorder.
What are the Causes of Depression?
There are many factors that contribute to depression. These include:
Biochemistry: A chemical imbalance in the brain can cause depression.
Genetics: Statistics show that 40% of people will inherit depression if a first-degree relative has it.
Personality: People with low self-esteem, are highly anxious, or generally pessimistic are more likely to become depressed.
Environmental Factors: Individuals who have been exposed to violence, neglect, and abuse are at high risk for developing a depressive disorder.
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When to Get Help for Depression
Depression can significantly reduce the quality of life. It can keep you from enjoying the things you love. It can hurt your relationships, and it can cause physical pain throughout your body.
In more extreme cases, depression can lead to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and drug addiction.
When a person doesn’t reach out to a depression center in Los Angeles, they may choose to self-medicate. They may take drugs and alcohol to treat their symptoms, but ultimately this will lead them on a downward spiral.
The highs they feel will be followed by devastating lows that increase feelings of depression. They may also be dealing with legal issues and additional health and social issues that come with addiction.
If you are experiencing low quality of life, dealing with thoughts of self-harm and suicide, or using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
What is Holistic Depression Treatment?
There are many ways to treat depression, but holistic depression treatment is one commonly used in depression treatment in Los Angeles. It focuses on treating the body and mind to help you feel better. It may include a healthy diet, talk therapy, exercise, and more.
Here are the aspects of holistic depression treatment:
Diet
Many people eat sugary food for the immediate high it provides. But this is usually followed by a low that increases feelings of depression.
Specialists have found that healthy foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, and beans are best for people with depression. They keep blood sugar levels throughout the day, which can help you stay calm.
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and vitamin B12 may help with brain function and improve mood. Foods with a lot of sugar and caffeine are not recommended as they produce temporary highs that plummeting lows can follow. They also get your body chemistry out of whack.
Exercise
Exercise is also recommended in holistic depression treatment. It boosts endorphins and serotonin in the body to elevate mood. It is also good for increasing energy levels.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy is typically integrated with the depression treatment process. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy have been found to be most effective.
CBT helps you change your thought processes to promote positive behavior patterns. Interpersonal therapy enables you to improve relationships with your family and friends so you can adopt a more optimistic attitude.
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What to Expect in a Depression Treatment Center Los Angeles
If you are dealing with depression and addiction, it is recommended that you check into a depression treatment in Los Angeles. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive.
Detox
The first step of treatment will be detox. This is the process of getting your body clean of any illicit substances.
Patients typically experience withdrawal symptoms during detox, but most facilities will provide a medical staff that will supervise you throughout the process. They will keep you as comfortable as possible and ensure relapse doesn’t occur.
Therapy
After patients complete detox, they will move on to the therapy phase of treatment. The experts will analyze the individual to work out a plan that is best suited for their needs.
While a variety of therapies can be integrated, a dual diagnosis approach is often integrated in treatment. This involves treating addiction and its underlying causes simultaneously.
If depression is causing a patient to use, the therapist will provide coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of depression, so they don’t turn to drugs and alcohol. This is thought the be the best approach for long-term recovery.
The therapies that can be used in dual diagnosis include:
- Medication: Medication can be used to help balance chemicals in the brain. It is an effective way to improve symptoms of depression.
- Holistic Therapy: Holistic therapy integrates diet, exercise, and talk therapy to create a mind and body balance that reduces depressive feelings.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy: Electroconvulsive therapy is used for patients with severe depression who have not responded to other types of treatment. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is anesthetized.
- Group Therapy: Group therapy helps the patient feel like they are not alone. It provides them with a support group that will assist them in overcoming addiction and depression.
- Family Therapy: The family needs to be called in during the therapy process. They will learn how to help their loved ones cope with their emotional and dependency issues.
Aftercare
Aftercare is the final stage of rehabilitation. After the patient checks out of a depression center in Los Angeles, they will be back to the stresses of the real world. They may become overwhelmed and go back to drinking or using drugs.
The clinic will provide support during this challenging process. They will offer ongoing therapy to ensure that the patient does not relapse.
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What to Expect in a Depression Treatment Center Los Angeles
If you are dealing with depression and addiction, it is recommended that you check into a depression treatment in Los Angeles. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive.
Detox
The first step of treatment will be detox. This is the process of getting your body clean of any illicit substances.
Patients typically experience withdrawal symptoms during detox, but most facilities will provide a medical staff that will supervise you throughout the process. They will keep you as comfortable as possible and ensure relapse doesn’t occur.
Therapy
After patients complete detox, they will move on to the therapy phase of treatment. The experts will analyze the individual to work out a plan that is best suited for their needs.
While a variety of therapies can be integrated, a dual diagnosis approach is often integrated in treatment. This involves treating addiction and its underlying causes simultaneously.
If depression is causing a patient to use, the therapist will provide coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of depression, so they don’t turn to drugs and alcohol. This is thought the be the best approach for long-term recovery.
The therapies that can be used in dual diagnosis include:
- Medication: Medication can be used to help balance chemicals in the brain. It is an effective way to improve symptoms of depression.
- Holistic Therapy: Holistic therapy integrates diet, exercise, and talk therapy to create a mind and body balance that reduces depressive feelings.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy: Electroconvulsive therapy is used for patients with severe depression who have not responded to other types of treatment. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is anesthetized.
- Group Therapy: Group therapy helps the patient feel like they are not alone. It provides them with a support group that will assist them in overcoming addiction and depression.
- Family Therapy: The family needs to be called in during the therapy process. They will learn how to help their loved ones cope with their emotional and dependency issues.
Aftercare
Aftercare is the final stage of rehabilitation. After the patient checks out of a depression center in Los Angeles, they will be back to the stresses of the real world. They may become overwhelmed and go back to drinking or using drugs.
The clinic will provide support during this challenging process. They will offer ongoing therapy to ensure that the patient does not relapse.
Get Help at Our Compassionate Depression Center in Los Angeles
When you search for ‘depression treatment Los Angeles,’ you will find there are many options available. At Inneractions, we take an approach that sets us apart.
Inneractions offers a variety of outpatient programs, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. Individuals can get the help they need while continuing to go about their everyday lives. All treatment takes place in our beautiful, private San Fernando facility.
We analyze each patient to work out a plan best suited to their individual needs. We offer a variety of treatment options, including talk therapy, holistic therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. After patients are done with care, they can check into our recommended sober living home to get the support they need as they adjust to sober living.
Don’t let depression and addiction take over your life. Call Inneractions to get the support you need. We will get you headed in the right direction.