Depression

This might not be your first attempt at treatment, maybe you are having feelings of hopelessness. You are not alone. Did you know that in the United States as many as 7% of the population is thought to be affected by clinical depression at any given time?

While most people experience sadness at some point in their lives, depression is much more than just a matter of “feeling down.” It is a mental health condition that can have severe consequences for the individual and their loved ones if left untreated. At Ridgeview Institute Monroe, we provide effective depression treatment for our adolescents to older adult populations. We offer a detailed psychiatric evaluation to formulate a diagnosis of depression, and from there our staff provide care to treat the disorder. Our evidence based treatment modalities help our clients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

What is Depression?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) affects people of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is a disorder of the brain which can permeate all aspects of a person’s life including day-to-day activities. It can negatively impact the way a person perceives the world around them, affecting the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. There are several types of depression and they can occur at any age, or during specific circumstances (e.g., seasonal, prenatal).

Depression Causes

It is thought that genes, life experience, and some illnesses or medications can be contributing factors in the development of depression. The exact cause is still not known. To have an official diagnosis of clinical depression, other conditions (both mental and physical) must be ruled out, and symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.

Depression Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of clinical depression vary in duration and severity from person to person, however, some of the most common indicators are:

• Persistent feeling of emptiness, hopelessness, despair, or sadness.
• Apathy about things they once enjoyed.
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness.
• Social isolation
• Sleep and appetite disturbances (e.g., inability to fall asleep or stay asleep; lack of appetite or overeating).
• Weight changes (loss or gain)
• Decreased energy and sex drive.
• Impairments to memory and attention.
• Trouble making decisions.
• Increased aggravation and restlessness.
• Slowed speech and/or movement.
• Thoughts of suicide and death, suicide attempts.
• Somatic symptoms (e.g., back pain or digestive issues) with no obvious cause nor improvement with treatment

Depression Treatment

At Ridgeview, we base our treatment plan on a number of factors including the individual’s physical health, support system, current life circumstances, as well as their individual needs and goals. Treatment options are offered in a one-to-one and/or group setting. The most effective approach usually involves more than one therapeutic modality. Commonly used techniques for the treatment of depression include:

• Psychotropic medication
• Mental Health Therapy
• Adjunct holistic care, including exercise and dietary modifications.