Depression can be the product of addiction or addiction can be the coping mechanism for depression: either way depression is very common with substance use disorders. Often times treating the depressive disorder through mental health treatment can be enough to fight addiction. Coalition Recovery is a Dual-Diagnosis facility meaning we can help treat both addiction and depression. We treat each disorder separately but at the same time.
Depression
All of us are sad from time to time. Sometimes we feel this way because something directly upsets us like a job/relationship and sometimes we just feel upset for some unknown reason - we just feel down. It is normal to feel this way, but if this feeling persists for longer than two weeks, it could be depression. Depression causes severe symptoms that limit the ability to accomplish daily tasks like sleeping, eating, or working. There are a variety of depression types. They include:
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- Persistent depressive disorder: (also called dysthymia) is a depressive mood that lasts for at least two years. These depressive moods can range from major depression to periods of less severe symptoms.
- Postpartum depression happens with women who have recently given birth. Feelings of anxiety and mild depressive symptoms are common within two weeks after delivery, but postpartum depression is much more serious. Women with postpartum depression will experience a full major depression during and/or after pregnancy. The feelings of extreme sadness, exhaustion, and anxiety that accompany postpartum depression make it hard for new mothers to complete the necessary activities for the daily care of themselves and their newborns.
Psychotic depression occurs when a person has some form of psychosis along with severe depression. Psychotic symptoms can include disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or seeing or hearing upsetting things that others cannot see or hear (hallucinations). These symptoms have a depressive “theme”, like delusions of illness, poverty, or guilt.
- Seasonal affective disorder is labeled as the onset of depression during the months of less natural sunlight like winter. The depression can generally lift during the spring and summer. Symptoms of this type of depression include social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain during these particular months.
- Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but included, as someone with bipolar disorder experiences incidents of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”
How do I know if I’m Depressed?
There are signs and symptoms of depression. If you feel some of the following symptoms for longer than 2 weeks you may be suffering from depression. Signs of depression include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Irritability
- Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Sleep pattern changes: difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. Some might experience many while others may only experience a couple. The severity and frequency of symptoms will depend on the person and the stage of the illness.
Treatment and Therapies for Depression
Depression is treatable. The earlier it is treated the more effective it can be. Treatment for depression involves medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. For those who do not benefit from these treatments can explore additional options like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies. Treatment and effectiveness for depression can depend on each individual and their involvement with their therapies. Experiment with each option and find which type of treatment works well for you.
Medication
Antidepressants are medications used to treat depression. Antidepressants help improve the way certain chemicals handle stress and mood. There are a multitude of different types of antidepressants – depending on a variety of health and genetic factors a psychiatrist will be able to find a medication with manageable side effects. Antidepressants will take 2-4 weeks to be effective. Symptoms like sleep, appetite, and concentration can improve before mood lifts. When taking medication, do not stop taking it when mood lifts. Often times people will feel better and stop taking their medications but depression can return. After 6-12 months, your doctor could ask you to stop taking medication. They will steadily and slowly decrease your dose as sopping completely could cause adverse withdrawal symptoms. Natural products and vitamins can help alleviate depressive signs in some people. For instance, taking a vitamin D supplement can help offset seasonal affective disorder as many people are deficient in this due to a lack of natural sunlight. Other supplements like omega-3’s and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), remain under study but have not yet been proven safe and effective for routine use. For more information on other complementary approaches and their current research, please visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website.
Psychotherapies
Psychotherapies are talk-therapies or counseling used to help people with depression. Examples of talk-therapies in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and problem-solving therapy. More information on Psychotherapies can be found here.
Brain Stimulation Therapies
Electroconvulsive therapies (ECT) is a type of therapy for those who have not had results with medication and counseling. ECT is a relatively new type of therapy but it is completely safe and approved by the FDA. The latest research on ECT include: ECT is used for individuals who have not had success with other treatments or those who cannot receive medications safely. The process of ECT is done on an outpatient basis. The procedure typically consists of 3 sessions a week for two to four weeks. ECT can cause side effects of headaches, confusion, and in rare cases memory loss. Memory loss generally happens during the time period of treatment. This side effect will only linger for a month or two after treatment. Modern advancements in devices have made ECT safe and effective for a vast majority of patients. Your doctor of psychiatrists can inform you of the potential benefits and risks of ECT. The procedure of ECT is pain-free. Patients are usually put under a light anesthesia and given a muscle relaxant. The patient is awake and alert. The process generally only takes a couple of minutes. Other modern forms of brain stimulation include Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation.
Beyond Treatment
- Being active and exercising
- Set realistic goals
- Being social – spending time with others and confiding in a trusted friend or relative
- Do not isolate
- If you are feeling depressed, try to hold off on important decisions. Ask other for their objective view.
If you think you have depression talk to your primary care practitioner or a psychiatrist specialized in depression treatment. They will be able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you if need be and inform you on treatment options. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression and abusing drugs please reach out to Coalition Recovery. We have a specialized staffed trained in dealing with both addiction and depression. Call to talk with a representative and we will walk you through the proper steps for receiving help. A happier you is achievable – Call Today!
