Depression Treatment at Discovery Mood & Anxiety
It’s a fact of life: Everybody has low periods where they’re sad, or have a case of the blues.
Depression, though, is different. Depression lasts. It’s a low mood that can last for years, includes physical symptoms like aches and pain, and if left untreated, it can turn into something much more serious.
If you’re struggling with depression, you know how awful it feels. It leaves you feeling like you’re misunderstood, doubting your own experience and isolated from the rest of the world. Worst of all, it feels like there’s no way out.
There is. With the right treatment program for depression, you’ll be able to leave depression behind, with a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. At Discovery Mood & Anxiety, we use a unique, measurement-based system to help free yourself from the negative thought patterns of depression and other mood disorders.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a serious – and somewhat common – medical issue that affects the way you feel, think, and act. It’s chiefly recognizable by its symptoms:
- Prolonged feelings of emptiness, sadness and hopelessness
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Problems concentrating
- A loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
And more.
Researchers consider depression to be part of a family of mental health disorders known as mood disorders.
What Causes Depression?
Depression, like other mood disorders, has no single, identifiable cause. Instead, depression seems to emerge from a very complex series of factors that are different for everyone. Here’s a few of the factors that may cause depression:
Biological Factors
Some biological factors that can cause depression to develop include:
- Genetics. This seems to play a role in how depression develops. Suppose you have a parent or a close relative who struggles with depression. In that case, you’re more likely to be at risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) or another form of depression.
- Changes in the brain’s structure can lead to depression, too. Here’s an example: over time, stress can shrink areas of the brain like the amygdala and hippocampus, which is linked to depression. Brain chemistry seems to play a role as well; neurotransmitter imbalances involving norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin can be a risk factor for depression.
- Hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for example) can contribute to depression, as well.
Psychological Factors
Multiple psychological factors can cause depression to develop:
- Life stress is a huge factor in depression. Losing a loved one, a career setback, money problems, and more all contribute to depression.
- Personality traits such as low self-esteem or self-criticism can make a person vulnerable to depression.
- Chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular problems, or substance use disorders can lead to depression. Addictive substances like alcohol can actually make depression worse.
- Certain medications can cause depression as a side effect.
How Common Is Depression?
NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health, calls depression one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. According to NIMH, 14.5 million adults reported having at least one episode of major depression each year.
Worryingly, depression seems to be becoming more common. A report published by polling agency Gallup showed levels of depression in adults increasing from 20.6% in 2017 to 29% in 2023. Young adults aged from 18 to 29 showed a remarkable increase, from 20.4% in 2017 to 34% in 2023.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
This disorder may be difficult to initially diagnose, as many individuals may not show the clear-cut signs and symptoms of depression.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V), at least five of the following symptoms must be present within a two-week period, with at least one of the symptoms being depressed mood and loss of pleasure. Additionally, these symptoms must cause apparent distress in social and occupational functioning:
- Sleep disturbance
- Loss of interest in activities
- Feelings of guilt and sadness
- Loss of energy
- Change in appetite
- Psychomotor agitation
- Loss of energy
- Suicidal ideation
How Is Depression Diagnosed?
Depression is diagnosed through a variety of means, usually involving physical and mental assessments.
In general, diagnosing depression starts with a psychological interview. A medical professional will ask you about:
- The length of time you’ve experienced the symptoms of depression
- What kind of feelings you have
- Your behavior patterns, involving any substance use
- Your daily functioning
You might also have to fill out some questionnaires, which help clinicians better understand you and your issues.
Medical professionals will also ask you about your physical health. Conditions like thyroid disorders can contribute to depression, so you might go through a blood test.
This can seem a little invasive, but it’s not intended to be. The more your treatment provider knows about your health, the better they can help you.
How Is Depression Treated?
Depression is treated in a variety of ways. Like other mental disorders, depression isn’t “curable” in the traditional sense. Instead, patients learn how to treat and manage their symptoms in healthy, effective ways. In general, treatment for depression includes:
- Talk Therapy: Also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy consists of a conversation between you and your therapist. By collaborating together, you’ll be able to safely explore the roots of your issues, learn more about yourself, and how to identify and avoid triggers that make your depression worse.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of talk therapy that helps you identify negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another form of talk therapy that’s designed to help you manage intense emotions in a healthy way. A major component of DBT is distress tolerance, which helps you handle your emotions in stressful situations.
- Group Therapy: If you’re nervous about group therapy, don’t be. Group therapy allows you to share your struggles with people who understand what you’re going through and helps you find solutions to the problems you’re struggling with.
- Measurement-Based Care: At Discovery Mood & Anxiety, we make use of a unique way of measuring your progress while under our care. By carefully analyzing 27 distinct wellness indicators (including your mental and physical health), we’re able to create a holistic, effective treatment plan that grows with you, meeting your treatment needs at every point in your journey.
What Are Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders are treatable mental health disorders that affect a person’s mood and the way they view the world and themselves. Most mood disorders revolve around feelings of sadness and depression, but some feature intense emotional highs as well.
In general, mood disorders are further classed into two groups: Depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
Depressive disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Postpartum depression
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Bipolar disorders include:
- Bipolar I disorder
- Bipolar II disorder
- Cyclothymic disorder
It’s also worth pointing out that both types of mood disorder can be caused by substance abuse and certain medical conditions.
Next, let’s further explore each of these mood disorders.
What Is Major Depressive Disorder?
Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as major depression, is what most people think of when they think about depression. This mood disorder causes intense and long-lasting feelings of sadness, despair, and emptiness.
Unlike a typical bad mood, it’s impossible to just snap out of an episode of MDD. The symptoms can be so overwhelming that they interfere with day-to-day operation, causing problems at work, school, and home. At their worst, MDD can convince a person that their life isn’t worth living anymore, potentially leading to acts of self-harm.
Episodes of MDD can occur only once in a person’s life, but the Mayo Clinic warns that people often experience multiple episodes throughout their life, with symptoms lasting day and night. What’s more, depression often occurs along with anxiety disorders.
MDD isn’t a weakness. It’s a treatable mental health disorder that requires professional help to manage.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression, is a serious mood disorder that is known for intense mood swings. These mood swings vary between extreme highs (known as a manic phase) to intense lows (known as a depressive phase).
During a manic phase, a person feels like they have tremendous energy. While this sounds like a relief compared to the grinding lows of depression, it often causes serious problems.
Manic phases tend to be chaotic and unfocused. A person experiencing a manic phase can find themselves making plans that are unfocused and never really get started. More worryingly, people often engage in high-risk behaviors during these phases, including getting into trouble with authorities.
Meanwhile, depressive phases tend to be equally intense…and can be very worrying to feel after the highs of a manic phase. Depressive phases seem to me more common in bipolar disorder, too.
Most researchers divide bipolar disorder into two separate groups depending on the episodes a person experiences.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that follows seasonal patterns. Most often, SAD occurs in the fall and winter, when there are fewer hours of daylight. There’s also a less-intense version of SAD that happens in spring and summer.
Researchers believe that SAD is caused by seasonal changes, which can cause changes in the circadian rhythm, decreased vitamin levels, and the amount of melatonin. Melatonin is a chemical in the body that helps regulate our mood and sleep patterns.
SAD can be easy to dismiss…but in severe cases, it’s as disruptive as every other form of depression.
What Is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), which is sometimes referred to as dysthymia, is a form of depression that can last for years, although its symptoms tend to be less intense. However, the long-lasting nature of PDD symptoms can make this mood disorder extremely disruptive to a person’s life.
PDD can co-occur with episodes of major depression, too. Despite its long-lasting effects, PDD, like other forms of depression, is treatable.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a form of severe depression that people experience after giving birth. The word “postpartum” describes the time immediately after childbirth. This form of depression is often called the “baby blues,” although they are much less severe than postpartum depression.
During postpartum depression, a new mother experiences intense symptoms of depression, often losing interest in everything, including their new baby. Unfortunately, this can often put the health and well-being of both mothers and children into jeopardy. Harvard Health warns that around 15% of new mothers experience postpartum depression.
What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) is a chronic and severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can seriously impact mood and daily functioning. It resembles PMS, but the symptoms are far more intense.
PDD is grouped with mood disorders as its symptoms resemble other mood disorders and can last as long, too.
How Can I Help a Loved One with Depression?
Helping a loved one with depression requires patience and tact. It’s never easy watching someone you care about struggle with depression; it’s all to easy to feel frustrated and/or guilty.
However, there are things you can do to help your loved one and guide them toward treatment:
- Speak Carefully: When we’re frustrated and worried about someone, we don’t always remember to speak carefully. Here’s an example: never tell someone struggling with depression to get over it or snap out of it. For one thing, they might not be able to – depression is often caused by chemical imbalances. For another, this is guaranteed to shut down any conversation.
- Listen: When your loved one speaks, try to listen closely and don’t judge them. Depression is isolating, and allowing someone to share their thoughts can make them open to suggestions about what route to take next.
- Educate Yourself: Learning more about depression and other mood disorders will help you understand what your loved one is going through…and how you can help them.
- Gentle Encouragement: Tactfully suggest seeing a therapist or helping your loved one find one. Also, while you can’t sit in on therapy sessions, you can certainly help your loved one in other ways, like driving them to sessions.
- Patience is Key: Recovering from depression can take a lifetime. Don’t pressure your loved one to get better, remind them they’re not alone, and even if they withdraw, stay connected.
- Be Aware: If your loved one casually talks about self-harm or suicide, take them seriously. If it escalates, be prepared to contact 911.
- Take Care of Yourself, Too: Caring for a loved one is never easy. Remember to take care of yourself – get regular sleep and meals and remember to ask for help for yourself if you need it.
What Happens if Depression Isn’t Treated?
Left untreated, depression often gets worse. At best, it means living a half-life where there’s no joy, and even the simplest tasks feel like they take all your strength to accomplish. At worst, untreated depression can lead to substance abuse and even self-harm.
The good news is that depression is treatable. With the right help, you’ll be able to:
- Safely explore the roots of your issues
- Manage your symptoms
- Learn more about yourself
- Life the life you were meant to have
The best news is that this life can start today.
Discovery Mood & Anxiety: Expert Depression Treatment, for You
At Discovery Mood & Anxiety, our measurement-based approach to depression treatment will help you live the life you were always meant to. Our personalized care plans are there to meet your every need…and grow with you as you progress through treatment.
Then there’s Discovery 365™. Our exclusive, cutting-edge platform uses proprietary technology to assist you in managing a mental health condition for up to a year after you graduate from our services. It’ll direct you to resources when you’re struggling and keep you connected as you strengthen your journey.
We provide expert care for:
Take the Mental Health Quiz
Are you unsure if you or a loved one needs support to overcome a mental health disorder?
Take this short and anonymous quiz to see if getting help is the right step.
Clinically Reviewed by
Matthew Ruble, MD
Treatment Can Start Now
Our safe and compassionate treatment program gives you the tools you need to manage a mental health disorder. Get in touch with us and start your journey to a fulfilling life.
Your Journey to Mental Wellness Starts Today
Take the first step toward lasting mental health management with Discovery. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and verify your insurance coverage.