Major Depression
Depression is a common mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, lethargy, and apathy. Just over 8% of U.S. adults will experience at least one depressive episode in their lives. While depression can vary significantly from person to person in intensity, all depression can benefit from quality treatment and care.
Symptoms of Major Depression
Major depression is a period of depression that lasts for two or more weeks. Depressive episodes often impact your ability to function in work, school, and life. Major depression is not the only type of depression. Other types include persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia; perinatal depression; seasonal affective disorder (SAD); and depression with symptoms of psychosis.
Common symptoms of major depression include:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, irritability, or listlessness
- Excessive or unusual fatigue, difficulty waking up in the morning, or fatigue
- Loss of interest in previous passions or hobbies
- Unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, or overeating
- Poor memory, difficulty focusing, or difficulty making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Depression comes in many forms. You may not experience every depression symptom, or you may experience many symptoms. Regardless, symptoms may vary in intensity and frequency. If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis related to depression, professional support can aid you on the path to recovery.
Depression Statistics
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 10.5% of adult women and 6.2% of adult men experience depression. Depression is most common in those of two or more races. Of U.S. adults severely impacted by depression, 71% receive treatment.
Why Is Depression Treatment Important?
When left untreated, depression can be serious. Those with depression may become isolated from family, friends, and other care networks. Work, school, and daily life tasks such as cleaning, eating meals, and sleeping may become difficult. However, depression has been studied extensively by scientists and experts. Through decades of study, we have learned how best to treat depression and aid those with the disorder.
Methods of Treating Depression
Many types of depression treatment have been developed over the years. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, specific types of treatment may be more effective than others. When seeking any treatment, always speak to a health professional to ensure it is right for you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a common, long-standing method of treating depression. Therapy can come in many forms and is typically adapted to the specific individual seeking treatment and their needs. Common therapies for depression include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Interpersonal therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Mindfulness therapy
In addition, many types of therapy can come in several forms. The most common forms of therapy are individual therapy, where a professional meets directly with a client, and group therapy, which involves a group of people working with one or more professionals. Many people find treatment involving both most effective on their path to recovery.
Medication
Medications that treat depression are referred to as antidepressants. Many types of antidepressants exist, and what medication will work best depends on factors specific to you. Common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. Before beginning a new medication, speak to your healthcare provider.
What Makes Our Program Unique?
Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention, located in the College Area of San Diego, offers vital crisis support to those with depression or other mental illnesses. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) uses holistic, trauma-informed care methods to ensure effective crisis support. Admitting fewer than 16 people, our CSU is designed to give each clients our staff’s full attention and care. Together, we work with you on a treatment plan, including ensuring your safety, identifying the problem or problems at the core of your crisis, and creating a plan.
Getting Help At Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention
We understand that treatment is more than just a problem and an easy solution. At Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention, we offer those in treatment a variety of services to aid you in your journey to recovery. Our services are designed to create a holistic, trauma-informed environment for your recovery and ensure you are given the best road to recovery. These services include:
- Medication management: If you have existing prescriptions, our staff can help you to manage them to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
- Recovery and safety planning: Recovery and safety is a journey, not a destination. At Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention, we can help you create a plan for your long-term recovery and safety that works for you.
- Referral for ongoing services: Ongoing services are vital to your well-being. Our staff is here to help you access the tools that you rely on.
- Support services: While in our CSU, clients have access to multiple cutting-edge therapy modalities to support their recovery, including CBT, DBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ABT).
- Family and community support: Family and community are vital to recovery. Without support, it can be difficult to keep steady on your path. Our services include aid connecting to your family and community to give you a strong safety net.
- Nutrition and recreation services: We believe in whole-person wellness. As part of our holistic treatment methods, we help you to ensure your diet is working for you. In addition, our services prioritize your recreation and happiness.
Getting Help
If you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, seeking support is the first step toward achieving long-term wellness. Bipolar disorder can make it difficult to think, make decisions, and function in your daily life. Seeking treatment for bipolar disorder can help you manage your symptoms and support you in living a fulfilling life with fewer full-blown manic and depressive-type symptoms. Through our therapeutic services, Mindfuli can help you make meaningful progress and achieve your goals for lifelong well-being.
To learn more about Mindfuli and our team of care experts, visit the Our Team page.
Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention offers holistic, trauma-informed care for those in crisis. For more information, call us at (619) 457-4613.
