Luxe Recovery LA is a world-class treatment center nestled in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Our center offers personalized treatment plans for substance addiction, process addiction, and mental health.
An Overview of Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness. People who are depressed often have a feeling of being empty inside and may go through life without experiencing joy.
Depression comes in many forms, the most common of which is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). But people can suffer from other forms of depression as well.
The exact causes of depression are not well understood. Presently, it’s believed that a combination of biological and environmental factors contribute to a person developing depression.
Depression can also be a symptom of another condition, such as Bipolar Disorder, a condition wherein a person can experience depressive episodes.
Symptoms of Depression
The main symptom of depression is the aforementioned sadness. However, this sadness is persistent can last days or even weeks. Many people with depression also lose interest in the things they once enjoyed. They may also struggle with their self-worth and withdraw socially because they do not feel as if they are not worthy of interpersonal relationships. In truly severe cases, some people may have thoughts of suicide.
How Is Depression Treated?
There are a number of ways to treat depression. Typically, individuals who are diagnosed with depression are often prescribed antidepressant medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Rerotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).
People with depression are also encouraged to make lifestyle changes such as exercising more, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and practicing self-care.
Effective treatment for depression will also include regular therapy. Many depressed individuals regularly see a therapist, go to a support group, or both. However, in cases of severe depression, outpatient treatment options may be insufficient.
What is Inpatient Treatment?
Inpatient treatment, otherwise known as residential treatment, for depression, is when an individual checks themselves into a specialized facility to manage their depression symptoms. This facility will be their home for an extended period of time as they treat their mental health disorder.
Within this facility, they will be monitored around the clock, which can be necessary for depressed individuals due to the aforementioned suicidal ideation and other instances of self-harm. They will also undergo intense therapy. Some centers will have a family program so that loved ones can be educated on an individual’s condition and how to support a depressed person best.
Do I Need Inpatient Depression Treatment?
Deciding to begin inpatient treatment for depression can be daunting. Some people may be in denial about the severity of their symptoms or that they even have a mental health disorder at all.
However, there are some signs that a person should seek inpatient treatment to address their mental health condition. Some of these signs may include:
It Impairs Daily Life
Many people who suffer from depression can function in their day-to-day lives, particularly if they have dysthymia, also known as high-functioning depression. However, there are cases wherein the symptoms of depression are so severe that their work, school, or relationships suffer as a result.
Many people who have depression can have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and some have a hard time getting out of bed. When the symptoms are this severe, then it may be time to consider going to a specialized treatment center.
When It Becomes a Safety Concern
Suicidal ideation is a major concern with severe cases of depression. This is when a person begins to think about taking their own life. Maybe they think it will end their suffering, or the people around them will be better off.
Many even follow through on their plans and succeed. When a person begins to think about taking their own life, then they need inpatient treatment for depression.
If a patient who suffers from depression has other occurring concerns, such as a substance addiction, or their depression is part of another health concern, then they may need to be guided into a facility for treatment.
Lack of Support
Another indicator that a person may need to put themselves into a facility is if they lack any support. Structure and support are both valuable for treating depression, and an inpatient facility can offer both.
How Is Depression Addressed In A Depression Treatment Program?
An inpatient depression treatment center will often use a multifaceted approach in order to address a person’s depression. Inpatient care for depression will often include the following:
Assessment
An important part of inpatient treatment is the assessment. Depression can be a difficult condition to manage, and not everyone will present with the same symptoms. some people may have more severe cases than others.
An assessment is important so that a treatment team can craft a personalized treatment plan for each individual and plot the best course of action to get the help that they need.
Individual Counseling
Patients in inpatient treatment to address depression will go through intense therapy. During these sessions, therapists may employ therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is focused on how thoughts, feelings, and behavior interact.
This modality is concerned with identifying the thought patterns that lead to feelings of depression and addressing them.
Therapists may also employ Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which seeks to help patients build skills in four modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
DBT was once used to treat Borderline Personality Disorder but has been adapted to treat other behavioral health conditions and substance addictions.
Group Therapy
Peer support can be invaluable in mental health treatment. This is why many depression treatment centers will integrate group therapy into their treatment plan.
This allows guests to connect with one another and build relationships, which can alleviate the feelings of isolation that often come with depression and allow patients to form a support system.
Some patients may be further along in their recovery and serve not just as a source of knowledge for other patients but also as a real-world example that recovery is possible.
This kind of example can be vital for helping address the hopelessness that many depressed people feel.
Medication Management
In residential treatment, the staff may prescribe medication to help patients manage their depression. They will also monitor when this medication gets taken and adjust dosages if needed. They’ll also deal with any side effects.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Many people who are struggling with depression also struggle with a substance abuse disorder. Often, this is because they use drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms. Depression may also worsen because of addiction.
Many inpatient programs will integrate therapies and interventions to address addiction.
Get Treatment for Depression at Luxe Recovery
Depression is a serious mental health condition, and there are instances where addressing it may require inpatient treatment. It’s a condition that can make life seem like it’s not worth living.
But the hopelessness is a lie that depression tells people. Life is worth living. It just takes some help seeing that it is.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, then contact us now. We’ll help show you there’s more to life than feeling hopeless.
