Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) | Overview & Treatment

Depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental health condition which causes a person to experience feelings of emptiness and sadness as well as severe symptoms such as suicidal ideation.

Consider finding mental health treatment if you or a loved one are suffering from depression, as there are medications, therapy, and other treatment options available.

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

At Bedrock Recovery Center, we provide a wide range of treatment options for you to consider. In addition to substance use treatment, our facility provides treatment options for those suffering from mental health problems alone.

We offer evidence-based care as well as mental health services such as medication management, stabilization support, and individual and group therapies in an inpatient setting.

Types Of Depression (Major Depressive Disorders)

Clinical Depression is a serious mental health condition which can affect people of all ages. A major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder which may cause a person to experience hardships in their day-to-day life and suffer numerous symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are five types of depression, although there are other instances in which a person may experience symptoms of depression or depressive episodes.

Major Depression

The first type is major depression, a condition in which a person suffers from a depressed mood which lasts for at least two weeks and interferes with daily activities ranging from one’s social, personal, or work life.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that fluctuates as the seasons change. During the fall and winter months, depressive symptoms may take place. However, symptoms may begin to dissipate in spring and summer.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder is characterized by a person suffering from depression for a long period of time. Dysthymic disorder can last for at least two years.

Perinatal Depression

Another form of depression is perinatal depression, a form of depression which takes place when a woman is pregnant or after pregnancy.

If the depression occurs before the baby is born, it is known as prenatal depression. If the depression takes place after pregnancy, it is referred to as postpartum depression.

Severe Depression & Psychosis

Depression with symptoms of psychosis, according to NIMH, is a form of severe depression. This serious type of depression can cause a person to suffer from psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.

Depression & Bipolar Disorder

Another form of depression occurs in those who suffer from bipolar disorder. If you have a type I or type II bipolar disorder, you may experience major depressive episodes which can range in severity.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, as is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, which affects children and adolescents.

In addition to this, premenstrual dysphoric disorder may occur in women near the beginning of their menstrual cycle.

Diagnosing Depression

To help determine if a person is suffering from depression, clinicians may consider a depression screening as part of a routine checkup.

Determining a depression diagnosis likely requires speaking to a healthcare professional.

Because bipolar disorder can cause symptoms of hypomania or mania, these must first be ruled out to determine if the patient suffers from depression only.

Additionally, one of the most important ways to diagnose depression is to determine if a person is experiencing any signs or symptoms of depression.

Signs & Symptoms Of Depression

A person suffering from depression or MDD may show certain signs or symptoms, including:

• decrease in quality of life, such as losing a job
• a suicide attempt
• loss of interest in once loved activities
• thoughts of death
• feelings of guilt
• weight gain or weight loss
• low self-esteem
• poor hygiene
• fatigue
• irritability

Risk Factors

Risk factors for depression can include:

• substance use
• co-occurring disorders such as depression and an anxiety disorder or personality disorder
• trauma or difficult life events
• mental illness diagnoses in other family members
• major life changes

If left untreated, those with depression may have a high risk of suicide.

Depression Statistics

Statistics related to depression consist of:

• 21 million adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in the United States during 2020.
• 2.9 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 suffered from a depressive episode in the United States during 2020.
• 12.5% of adults aged 18 or older experienced feelings of anxiety or worry in the United States in 2022.
• 48,183 suicide deaths took place in 2021 in the United States.
• In 2020, 12.7% of emergency department visits were mental health related.

Treating Depression

There are a variety of depression treatments one can consider. A mental health professional can help determine which treatment option is best for you.

Medication

There are several antidepressant medications which may be used in the treatment of depression, including:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine and venlafaxine
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• atypical antidepressants such as bupropion and mirtazapine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Mood stabilizers or antipsychotics can be used in combination with other medications when advised by your doctor or treatment team.

Psychotherapy

Various forms of psychotherapy or talk therapy that are effective for treating depression include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• group therapy
• individual therapy
• family therapy
• interpersonal therapy

These behavioral therapy interventions can be beneficial for addressing healthy thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to the condition.

Other Treatment Options

For those with treatment-resistant depression, follow-up care may be suggested by your doctor. In cases in which medication nor CBT work, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be treatment options to consider.

How To Find Depression Treatment

There are a variety of ways to find treatment for your medical condition.

Reach Out To Licensed Treatment Providers

One of the ways to find treatment is to reach out to the various facilities within the area. This may include our inpatient treatment facility, Bedrock Recovery Center, located in Canton, Massachusetts.

PCP Or Family Physician

If you experience symptoms of depression, reach out to your primary care physician who may know more about your own medical history as well as your family history. This can help healthcare workers better determine which treatment options work best for you.

SAMHSA

You can also use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) online behavioral locator tool to find mental health treatment centers in your area.

Ask For Help Today

If you or a family member suffer from depression, please contact Bedrock Recovery Center today to participate in one of our inpatient treatment plans that focus on your well-being and recovery.