When most people think of rehab, they’re likely to think of programs designed to treat drug and alcohol addiction. But many rehab centers provide treatment and support for people with mental health conditions like depression.
Depression can happen at any stage of a person’s life and can have a significant impact on your ability to live an active, healthy life. There are many types of treatment programs to treat depression and other mental health conditions. So, why should you go to rehab for depression?
Depression is a complex condition that requires compassionate, comprehensive treatment. Going to rehab for depression allows you to focus on healing, develop new habits, and connect with the support you need to recover. Reach out to the caring team at the Mandala Healing Center for more information about your treatment options.
What is Depression?
Major depressive disorder, often simply called depression, is a mood disorder that leads to significant changes in a person’s thoughts and behaviors. Depression can cause people to experience many physical and emotional changes and can impair their ability to function in their daily lives.
Depression is not a character flaw or weakness. It is also different than simply feeling sad. Mental health experts believe that depression develops for a variety of reasons. Some causes of depression include:
- Genetics
- Stressful life events
- Neurotransmitter imbalance
- Mood dysregulation in the brain
Many areas of the brain are involved in depression, making it a complex condition that people don’t fully understand.
Depression is a serious condition that requires long-term treatment. People with depression can recover and live full, healthy lives if they get the comprehensive treatment, education, and support they need.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. Most people will experience a period of depression in their lifetime. Some people experience just one depressive episode, and some will have multiple periods of depression throughout their lives.
While people’s symptoms can vary, it’s essential to recognize some of the common symptoms of depression so you can get the treatment you need.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
- Irritability, angry outbursts, or frustration
- Loss of pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, like relationships and hobbies
- Insomnia
- Sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or lethargic
- Lacking energy so that minor tasks feel exhausting
- Appetite changes–eating very little or having food cravings that lead to overeating
- Feeling agitated, restless, or anxious
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Fixating on things that happened in the past or blaming yourself
- Thinking, speaking, and moving is slow
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Physical pain in the body, such as muscle aches, back pain, or headaches
- Thinking about dying a lot
- Suicidal thoughts and attempts
Symptoms of depression happen for most of the day on most days. Sometimes, symptoms are so severe that they keep people from working, going to school, socializing, or even caring for their basic needs.
Treatment for Depression
Before beginning rehab for depression, a doctor will assess your needs and recommend a level of treatment. You will likely have a medical and psychiatric evaluation to help identify any physical health conditions contributing to your depression and help your team create a treatment plan.
While each person has their own treatment plan to meet their unique needs, treatment for depression generally includes medications and therapy. These effective, evidence-based treatments can help people address the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of their depression and learn new, healthy coping mechanisms.
Holistic therapies can be integrated into rehab for depression. These complementary therapies can support overall health and wellness during treatment. Many patients are prescribed antidepressant medications to help with symptom management.
The types of medication and therapy you require depend on the type and severity of your depression. Some people may be required to complete inpatient treatment for depression, and others may receive treatment on an outpatient basis.
The Benefits of Going to Rehab for Depression
Inpatient rehab offers a safe, supportive space for people living with depression. Round-the-clock access to mental health and medical professionals, staff, and supportive peers can help people feel secure as they receive treatment for depression.
The calm, nurturing environment of mental health treatment programs allows people to focus on their recovery. People are encouraged to develop new routines that support their mental health and to take what they’ve learned forward into their life after rehab.
Going to rehab means you’ll have days filled with therapeutic activities, including:
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Nutrition counseling
- Mindfulness
- Massage
- Art and music therapy
In addition to your evidence-based treatment activities, holistic practices can soothe your body and calm your mind so that you can do the work of recovery.
Find Rehab for Depression in South Florida Now
If you or someone you love need treatment for depression or addiction, reach out to the caring specialists at the Mandala Healing Center to learn about starting treatment. Our comprehensive, holistic programs can help you heal and move forward. Don’t wait another day for the help you deserve. Call us today.