Depression Treatment, Understanding the Symptoms & Causes

How to Overcome Depression?

Medication and therapy are often efficient in depression treatment. A psychiatrist might write prescription drugs for depression symptoms. It might also be beneficial to see a psychologist or other mental health expert. An inpatient stay with counseling programs might be necessary in severe cases until symptoms improve.

To determine if you are depressed, your doctor may do specific blood tests, evaluate your physical condition, converse with you about your thoughts and feelings, and look up the clinical criteria for depression. A persistent loss of interest in activities, profound grief, and hopelessness are characteristics of depression; melancholy, or sadness, is a common emotion that passes rapidly. Your everyday functioning, sleep quality, and eating habits may also be impacted.

The Connection Between Depression and Addiction

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), certain drugs might cause depression in those who are addicted. Also, people who struggle with depressive disorders may turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. [1]

Genetics, early stress or trauma exposure, and brain chemical imbalances are frequent causes of both drug abuse and depression problems. It shows how closely related substance abuse and mental health may be. Depression is also associated with high rates of suicidal behavior and mortality.

According to the CDC reports, suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes. An estimate is that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression. [2]

Depressive disorders are strongly linked with instances of drug and alcohol use disorders. Helping clients with both addiction and depression is a vital segment of the We Level Up Texas inpatient dual diagnosis treatment center. Reclaim your life today! Call us 24/7 for a free consultation.

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Medication Treatments for Depression

Clinical depression is readily treated with short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy or talk therapy and antidepressant medications. For most people, a combination of the two works best and is often recommended by many healthcare professionals.

The most popular antidepressants include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac).
• Sertraline (Zoloft).
• Escitalopram (Lexapro).
• Paroxetine (Paxil).
• Citalopram (Celexa).
• Venlafaxine (Effexor).
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta).
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin).
• Mirtazapine (Remeron).
• Amitriptyline.

Finding the Suitable Medication Treatment Plan for Depression

Antidepressants may be a viable choice for you as well if a family member has used them successfully. However, finding the ideal drug might take some time; you might need to experiment with various brands or combinations before settling on one. It requires patience because some medications take weeks to show full effects and for side effects to ease as your body adjusts. Inherited traits influence your response to antidepressants. Genetic tests may offer insights into how your body might react to a specific antidepressant. Still, other factors, not just genetics, can influence how you respond to medication.

Moreover, many people are now trying to use ketamine for depression treatment. Still, since ketamine is associated with a higher risk of drug abuse and addiction, it cannot be recommended in daily clinical practice. Ketamine is not a miracle drug, and many essential factors still need to be defined, such as the most effective dose and the optimal administration route. The current lack of guidelines about the therapeutic monitoring of ketamine treatment for depression further complicates the expanding use of this therapy.

The Dangers of Abruptly Stopping Antidepressants

Always consult your doctor before stopping an antidepressant. While they aren’t addictive, abrupt discontinuation or missing doses can lead to withdrawal-like symptoms and worsen depression suddenly. Collaborate with your doctor to gradually and safely reduce your dose and to help you adjust to non-medication therapy.

Antidepressants and Pregnancy

Certain antidepressants may raise the danger to the health of your unborn child or nursing kid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get pregnant or want to become pregnant, visit your physician to consult the use of depression medications and to weigh the benefits and risks.

Why Do Antidepressants Cause Suicidal Thoughts?

Although the majority of antidepressants are typically safe, the FDA mandates the black box warning for some antidepressant prescriptions because of a possible rise in suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young people under the age of 25. Close observation is essential, particularly in the first few weeks or when there are dose adjustments. It’s critical to get in touch with a doctor or seek emergency assistance if there are worries about worsening depression or strange behavior. It’s crucial to remember that antidepressants have a greater tendency to lower the risks of suicide over time by elevating mood, but the initial side effects might cause them.

If you’re struggling with depressive disorders and substance abuse, get resources about treatment counseling today. Start getting support with a free call to our mental health and addiction hotline.

Lifestyle Changes and Tips to Combat Depressive Symptoms

Even though there are medications, there are also lifestyle changes and tips to combat depressive symptoms. Here are a few things you can do to help you elevate your mood:

• Regular exercise.
• Healthy diet.
• Adequate sleep.
• Social connections.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine.
• Sunlight exposure.
• Establish routine.
• Set realistic goals.
• Engage in hobbies.
• Practice gratitude.
• Avoid isolation.
• Cognitive behavioral techniques.
• Express yourself creatively.
• Volunteer or help others.
• Monitor negative thoughts.
• Stay hydrated.
• Music and art therapy.
• Progressive muscle relaxation.

The most effective and evidence-based psychotherapies that could help treatment-resistant depression include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Psychodynamic Therapy.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
• Behavioral Activation.
• Schema Therapy.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Depression and Substance Abuse Co-occurring Disorder

Substance abuse often stems from trying to cope with mental health issues like depression. People might self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, finding short-term relief that seems like a solution. However, this can lead to repetitive self-medication and dependency, eventually turning into addiction. Even those initially free from mental health problems might develop psychological drug dependence, leading to secondary issues like depression. If left untreated, these dual-diagnosis problems can worsen substance abuse.

As the substance abuse treatment society and depression treatment centers begin to acknowledge that addiction is itself a mental disorder, the relationship between substance abuse and depressive disorders becomes more complex. Many treatment rehabs largely lack proper knowledge of dual-diagnosed conditions, so these conditions are still treated individually or worse–not treated or diagnosed at all. Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Texas is one of the facilities with professionals trained to help treat co-occurring disorders. This type of tandem treatment provides high success rates.

If you’re seeking assistance with your rehab journey, reach out to a We Level Up Texas treatment professional today—your call is free and confidential.

We Level Up Texas Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Treatment Center for Depression and Addiction

The healthcare professionals at We Level Up Texas inpatient depression treatment and dual diagnosis rehab believe that addressing both the underlying issues and addiction together boosts the chances of successful, relapse-free recovery. Once we identify and start treating the mental health problems tied to alcohol or drug dependency, it brings individuals closer to long-term sobriety.

Many psychiatric disorders, like alcohol use disorder or substance abuse, are better treated when you fully comprehend what you are suffering from. Understanding your anxiety attacks, PTSD, depression, and other disorders and their impacts on you goes a long way to realizing your own treatment needs.

While you probably seek to live a life free from the bonds of medication use, it may be required for some patients to use their prescriptions for certain mental disorders. These drugs are seldom addictive or high-inducing in their quality. These prescriptions may be needed to improve the quality of your life and drastically improve the chances of your long-term recovery. Many of the non-addictive anti-depressants are SSRIs and SNRIs, including Prozac and Zoloft. Generally, these medications are safe when used as prescribed.

Acknowledging a possible mental illness can be challenging, but getting the proper diagnosis and treatment makes addressing drug addiction more effective. Only a trained medical professional can pinpoint these underlying conditions.

Are you searching for a depression treatment near me? Get a free rehab insurance check without any obligation. The result can help you explore several treatment options.

Tips to Cope with Depressive Episodes | Informative Video