Depression Treatment Center in Atlanta, GA

Feelings of intense and enduring depression can impact every aspect of a person’s life. They can be made worse through substance abuse. Treatment for depression often requires medication, clinical therapy, fitness, and mindfulness practices for the most effective outcomes. The goal is to reduce negative symptoms and minimize their impact, especially since those symptoms may go away for a little and then come back. These therapies equip clients with the tools necessary to manage their symptoms instead of turning to maladaptive forms of self-medication such as drugs or alcohol.

Since there is such a high co-occurrence between depression and substance abuse, especially in teenagers and young adults, and because depression is a major amplifier of addictive behaviors, treatment is critical. Not only can substance abuse and addiction increase depressive side effects, but the worse the depression gets, the worse the addiction gets. This indicates that treatment can sometimes be life or death for some people.

A common misconception about depression is that it is an extreme form of sadness. The reality is often much more bleak. Though symptoms can vary from person to person, depression can feel like the weight of the world is holding you down and no one is there to help pull you out from under it. Extreme fatigue and hopelessness may fill your days. It would be so easy to go to sleep, except usually, you can’t. You don’t want to eat or shower or get out of bed, and even when you try, your body can’t. And the worst part is when you’ve had a good week and you feel like maybe things are back to normal. Maybe you won’t feel depressed again. And then it comes creeping up on you out of nowhere.

The symptoms of depression can make the thought of getting help seem pointless. A lot of people turn to medications that stimulate the brain to fix them. Ultimately, though, this causes an increased dependence on the drug to create feelings of happiness which can actually cause the brain to worsen its depression just for more of the drug. Some symptoms that indicate you may need help include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Irritability
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Moving or talking slowly
• Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Decreased appetite and weight
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Pain, headache, or digestive problems with no clear cause

If you have experienced any of these symptoms and feel that they have caused some form of impairment in your life, it is time to seek help. Depression doesn’t just go away. There are a lot of factors that go into treating depression, especially if that disorder is coupled with substance abuse. Seeking treatment is the only way to alleviate symptoms and lead a happy, healthy life again.

Depression has a wide variety of causes, usually through some combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. This disorder usually begins in adulthood and is also associated with health concerns or medical complications. People with family members who are depressed or struggle with some other form of mental illness are at an increased risk for developing depression, as are people who have experienced major life changes, trauma, or stress.

Abusing alcohol or drugs can also cause depression or cause a worsening of depressive symptoms already present. Because addictive substances affect the same areas of the brain that symptoms of depression do, these people are more likely to become addicted. Once substance abuse is added to the mix, the structure and function of the brain can become permanently altered. This may make the treatment of depression much more difficult.

Treatment of depression is important for many reasons. Early treatment can prevent the use of addictive substances and can lead to a higher chance of success. Treatment is also vital for individuals struggling with both depression and substance abuse. If one condition is addressed without the other, then relapse is more likely to occur. Getting help from a treatment center offers the best chance at addressing both conditions and making sure that one does not cause a relapse in the other.

In order to treat depression at The Summit Wellness Group, we use holistic rehab approaches to address negative behaviors and coping mechanisms. We also target chemical imbalances through medication and address possible trauma through psychotherapy. This combination of techniques is what makes our programs, treatment plans, and staff so successful in helping people through recovery. The most effective approach towards depression includes our holistic approaches, like art therapy, yoga, chiropractic care, and mindfulness practices. Holistic approaches are linked to long-term recovery because they enable our clients to form healthy habits for continued, after-care treatment that may help prevent a possible relapse.

Incorporating holistic therapies into daily life bridges the gap between treatment and long-term coping mechanisms. By focusing on more than just “curing the disease,” holistic therapies target the entire person and improve their overall well-being. This takes focus away from addiction and helps clients gain a better understanding of how the body and mind connect and how overall health can improve quality of life.

If you feel like symptoms of depression have had a negative impact on any aspect of your life, asking for help is the first step in reaching recovery. Depression can make it hard to see a way out, especially when coupled with the effects of substance abuse. Seeking treatment for depression and any co-morbid conditions is the best way at managing and treating negative symptoms. Positive and healthy avenues, as opposed to the maladaptive, instant-gratification type mechanisms, promote healing. Entering a treatment center that provides IOP or PHP treatment programs can help someone build a solid foundation upon which a new life can begin.