It’s common to feel occasional sadness or sorrow, but depression is more than just periodically feeling like you have the blues. It’s a mental health condition defined by low energy levels, repeated unhappiness and an array of other concerning symptoms.
The two most common types of depression are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. People who have major depressive disorder experience severe symptoms for a period of about two weeks, while those who suffer from persistent depressive disorder experience symptoms that are generally less severe for at least two years.
Depression is a treatable condition. As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains, “The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is.”
You can improve your quality of life. By receiving care at a depression treatment center like Sierra at Scottsdale Outpatient Care, which provides therapeutic programming for adults age 18 and older, you can rediscover the health and happiness you deserve.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
A variety of individual factors, including your age, unique personality and medical history, can determine which depression signs and symptoms you may be likely to experience.
The most typical signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Social withdrawal
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Changes in eating habits
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty maintaining focus on simple tasks
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
Anyone who displays these signs and symptoms of depression could be at risk for irreversible harm. It’s crucial to seek professional help as soon as possible to make sure that that doesn’t happen.
Depression Causes & Risk Factors
Depression can be triggered by life events or a physical illness, but there is no single cause. Experts do believe that there are some common depression causes and risk factors, though. Causes include:
- Inherited traits
- Biological differences
- Hormones
- Brain chemistry
Typically, a person begins to experience symptoms of depression in their teens, 20s or early 30s, but the onset can occur at any age. Depression risk factors may include:
- Family history of depression
- Serious or chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease or a stroke
- Experiencing a stressful or traumatic event
- Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Personal history of other mental illness
Effects of Depression
Much like with the signs and symptoms or causes of this mental illness, the effects of depression can come in many forms depending on the person who is struggling with this disorder.
These outcomes can affect you emotionally, socially and physically. They can include:
- Sudden withdrawal and isolation
- Poor performance at work or in school
- Lowered self-esteem
- Difficulty having successful relationships with loved ones
- Substance use and/or addiction
- Onset or worsening of other mental illness
- Suicidal behaviors
- Lack of self-care
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the effects of depression. By choosing to receive depression treatment, you can significantly reduce your risk for the damage this condition can cause, and you can begin to heal from the negative effects you may have already experienced.
Depression Statistics
The World Health Organization (WHO), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have compiled some of the most revealing depression statistics:
- Depression affects approximately 3.8% of the population worldwide, including 5.0% among adults older than 60 years.
- About 21 million U.S. adults, or 8.4% of the population, had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.
- In 2017, 8.7% of adult women in the United States and 5.3% of adult men had a major depressive episode.
- Also in 2017, more than one-third of adults who were living with depression did not receive professional treatment.
Therapies Used in Depression Treatment
Sierra at Scottsdale will compile a personalized depression treatment plan that takes into account your unique strengths, goals and needs as they relate to your recovery.
Upon admission to our outpatient treatment place, you’ll participate in programming that includes a variety of therapeutic interventions. Your depression treatment plan may include:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Basic medical care
- Medication management services
Additionally, our staff uses evidence-based treatment modalities during these therapy sessions that can help you experience better outcomes. These can include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Trauma-focused CBT
- Internal family systems
Benefits of Depression Treatment
Depression can leave you feeling like there is no hope for tomorrow. It can make simple tasks like getting out of bed or getting dressed feel pointless.
At our depression treatment center, we can show you that better days lie ahead. We can help you find a greater sense of purpose and understand the value you bring to your life and those who care about you.
We can also help you discover that you’re not alone in your struggles or on your journey toward better health. You will engage in programming with other people who are living with depression, and you’ll have the chance to examine the root cause of what led you to where you are. Through these experiences, you can develop a support system that can help you as you progress through treatment and beyond.
Choosing the Right Depression Treatment Center
There is no time to waste when you’re looking for a professional depression treatment center. It’s important to find a place where you are treated as a unique individual rather than a set of symptoms.
Sierra at Scottsdale Outpatient Care offers personalized outpatient depression treatment. You will get a chance to work with behavioral health experts who are focused on ensuring that you experience the best possible outcomes. You’ll receive care that can help you face your struggles head-on while also allowing you to participate in daily living activities when treatment isn’t in session.
Outpatient depression treatment is usually a short-term experience, but your relationship with us doesn’t have to stop at discharge. At the end of your time in treatment, you’ll receive a detailed aftercare plan that suggests step-down services, alumni groups and other community resources that can help you thrive in the weeks, months and years to come.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Sierra at Scottsdale Outpatient Care.
