Depression Treatment Program

Contrary to the outdated belief that it’s “just feeling down”, depression is a serious mental illness that warrants attention and treatment. Unfortunately, despite the recent increase in awareness, many individuals still dismiss symptoms of depression as simply being blue. Depression has real and serious effects on a person’s mental and physical health. Needless to say, it is important that you understand what depression is and what depression treatment options are available for men. For a comprehensive approach, consider our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program.

Depression, otherwise known as major depressive disorder, is a serious medical condition that is characterized by intense feelings of loneliness, despair, anger, and apathy. It is a common illness that affects 25 million Americans every year. Depression is a pervasive disease that affects a person’s day to day life. Currently, there are no known and proven cures for depression. However, there are available treatments for this mental illness. Explore our Medication Assisted Treatment options.

What Are the Causes of Depression?

Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of depression. They believe that the condition is brought on by a combination of internal and external factors. While certain genes can make you more prone to the illness, certain patients have no recorded family history of depression.

Some factors for depression include:

• Genetics
• Difficult life changes like death by a loved one or homelessness
• Chemical imbalance
• Previous trauma

Moreover, certain individuals are more likely to develop depression than others. These individuals can include:

• Individuals in their teens to late 20s
• People who have problems with self-esteem and anxiety
• Alcohol and drug abusers

“There is no point treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad, saying, ‘There now, hang on, you’ll get over it.’ Sadness is more or less like a head cold- with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.” – Barbara Kingsolver, The Bean Trees

Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. However, depressed people often feel helpless and hopeless about the situation they are in. They tend to lose interest in doing day to day tasks, and they sometimes suffer from extreme weight loss or weight gain.

Signs of depression also vary according to gender. Men exhibit depression by feeling tired, having sleeping problems and losing their desire to participate in their hobbies. They are also most likely to experience anger and aggression when they are feeling depressed. To understand the benefits of a structured treatment plan, visit our Residential Treatment Program.

How is Depression Treated?

At present, scientists and researchers are still working on developing a cure for depression. However, various treatments are available for individuals from licensed doctors and depression treatment centers. Below are a few methods used by professionals in treating depression:

Treatment of Depression through Medication

Over the last few years, there have been many developments in crafting medications that can treat depression. Medication like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are available in the market through a prescription.

Taking antidepressants is often the most advertised treatment for the condition. However, it is often a short-term remedy for the illness. It is not necessarily the most effective way to deal with depression and more often than not it does not treat the underlying cause of the disease.

Side-effects of antidepressants

Like all medications, taking antidepressants can have very serious adverse effects on a person’s body. Side-effects may include loss of libido, weight gain, nausea, impaired vision, inability to achieve orgasm/erection and sleep disruption. To learn more about our holistic approach, check out our Holistic Treatment options.

Depression treatment through Talk Therapy

Aside from prescription drugs, participating in talk therapy is also another treatment for depression. Unlike medication, however, therapy tends to focus on uncovering the underlying cause of the depression in order to keep the condition from coming back.

Types of Talk Therapy

Different types of therapy are available in order to treat depression. The type of therapy would be determined on a case to case basis since depression tends to affect each individual differently.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Some treatment centers for depression offer cognitive behavioral therapy. At its core, this type of therapy is founded on the notion that mood is directly affected by the way a person thinks. In participating in this type of treatment, a person would be able to become aware of the triggers that send them into depressive episodes.
• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that helps people identify the main causes of their depression. This treatment encourages a patient to look into the reason for their condition and develop methods in coping with it.
• Group Therapy: Similar to psychotherapy, group therapy is a kind of treatment that lets patients share their experiences with depression with a few number of people. Group therapy might not be for every kind of depressed person, however, participants can often take tips and advice from other people who are much further along their treatment.

Residential Treatment for Depression

A few individuals suffer from really advanced cases of depression that they need to be checked into a depression treatment center for men. Since they are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts, inpatient depression treatment centers often provide round the clock supervision to ensure the patient’s safety.

Treatment of Depression through Lifestyle Changes

Little changes in a person’s lifestyle can improve their bouts with depression. Some people need extensive medication and therapy to deal with their condition. Nevertheless, depression sufferers generally benefit vastly from minor tweaks in their day to day life. If you’re interested in learning about different therapeutic approaches, visit our Behavioral Therapy page.

These lifestyle changes include:

• Exercise
• Better Diet
• Improved Sleeping Habits
• Stronger Support Circle
• Avoidance of Stressors

Call Today

We understand that depression is a steep hill to surmount. However, you do not have to do it on your own. Feel free to reach out to us. We can help! More information about our services can be found on our Inpatient Rehabilitation Center page.