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Depression is a common mental health condition which affects an estimated 5% of the world’s population. For many who struggle with depression, substance abuse to drugs or alcohol exists alongside it.
This is why Rehab Clinics Group offers depression rehab as part of dual diagnosis treatment programmes. It is important to treat all elements of addiction and mental health, which is why the combined treatment achieves the best results for long-term recovery.
We all have bad days, we feel a bit down every so often or get overwhelmed by life, especially when we are rushed off our feet, but that is normal. Everyone has negative thoughts or is unhappy at times and if it only happens occasionally then chances are you are not suffering from depression.
But as anyone living with clinical depression will tell you, it is not an occasional bad day, it is a debilitating condition, and without appropriate treatment, it can be hard to function normally throughout the day.
What is Depression?
Depression is a term that is often used loosely by many people to describe anything from minor occurrences of sadness to far more serious and persistent despair.
Clinical depression (also known as major depression or major depressive disorder), however, is a severe and life-altering condition. The mental health charity Mind describes depression:
‘In its mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop you from leading your normal life but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. At its most severe, depression can be life-threatening because it can make you feel suicidal’.
The symptoms of depression are many and varied, but it is often accompanied by low self-esteem and a lack of interest in personal hygiene. People suffering from depression tend not to eat or sleep well and don’t take good care of their health.
A critical step toward receiving the correct treatment for depression is an accurate diagnosis. A GP will usually determine whether you are suffering from clinical depression or a milder form of the condition. The GP’s diagnosis will determine the treatment options and the doctor will consult with a selection of therapists to work out an effective treatment plan.
Depression rehab has helped countless people regain control of their lives and move forward in a positive manner. It places great emphasis on a holistic approach to health and the treatment focuses on the patient’s thought processes, emotional state, and life choices, but when appropriate, medication is also prescribed.
An initial diagnosis of depression can be scary but fortunately, with the support of family members and friends, there are several steps that you can take to treat depression and improve your overall quality of life. Interestingly, some of the treatments used for depression have also proved to be helpful for individuals with substance abuse problems. This means that if you suffer from both depression and addiction, commonly known as a dual diagnosis, depression rehab can help treat the two conditions simultaneously.
Common Treatment Options for Depression
The most straightforward treatment option for depression is to take antidepressants, and this is often sufficient to lift your mood enough that you require no further treatment. Exercise therapy is another popular treatment for depression and studies have shown that moderate exercise can be extremely effective. The NHS states that ‘regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression, and it’s especially useful for people with mild to moderate depression’.
This is because exercise produces natural endorphins which often have mood-elevating effects. Reaching specific exercise targets also boosts self-esteem and gives you goals to work towards. Counselling is another popular form of treatment for depression and therapists use several different techniques and tools to help patients deal with problems, including cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapies and group therapy.
Often being open about your mental health issues and discussing emotional insecurities can be enough to treat depression, which is why therapies are so beneficial to anybody suffering from depression or substance abuse disorders.
GET IN TOUCH
Rehab Clinics Group are leading UK based experts in Mental Health treatment. Find out how we can help you recover and get your life on track by getting in touch with our friendly team today. You can either call our confidential helpline on 0800 470 0382 or request a call back by clicking on the below form.
What is a Dual Diagnosis and How is it Treated?
Clinical depression on its own is hard enough to deal with but when it exists in conjunction with drug or alcohol addiction and abuse, the condition is exacerbated. Unfortunately, depression is not always a singular condition and in some instances, a GP might determine that the depression is part of a dual diagnosis.
For example, it could be depression coupled with drug or alcohol addiction. In this scenario, the doctor is most likely to recommend a depression rehab programme to treat both issues. This can be part of either an inpatient or outpatient treatment programme, depending on the needs and lifestyle of the patient.
Dual diagnosis conditions are far more common in the 21st century than most people realise, and it is often difficult to determine the cause-and-effect relationship. In some instances, clinical depression leads to substance abuse but in other cases, it could be the opposite, and substance abuse is the root cause of the depression.
There also may be no correlation between the two at all. The challenge for doctors and therapists is to treat both conditions simultaneously without one having an adverse effect on the other. If, however, this is not possible they could choose to treat the cause first rather than the side effect.
Dual diagnosis treatment at our private drug rehab clinics works to treat both elements of the person. Addiction and mental health conditions often go hand in hand, so it is important that both substance abuse and mental health condition are treated to ensure long-term recovery.
Rehab for depression and substance abuse consists of therapy treatments such as group therapy, one-to-one counselling, art therapy and other holistic treatments, as well as a detox to help withdraw from the substance.
Private Depression Rehab Facilities
Due to the complex nature of a dual diagnosis, it is often best to seek private care at a residential rehab clinic. The medical professionals employed by these facilities are best equipped and qualified to devise depression and addiction treatment plans with the greatest chances of success. This does not mean that an outpatient treatment programme can’t be successful, but it is a less intense and longer form of treatment.
Private dual diagnosis and depression rehab treatment is an investment and requires serious commitment from patients. Making a complete recovery is highly dependent on your commitment to the healing process.
The Rehab Clinics Group’s treatment programmes are designed to help you achieve a full recovery. We believe that education, advice, and guidance are key to the recovery process and use a combination of individual and group therapy techniques to deal with depression, addiction and the underlying causes.
If you suspect that you are suffering from depression or a dual diagnosis condition, we encourage you to call us immediately on 0800 470 0382.
How Do We Treat Depression at Rehab Clinics Group?
Everyone is different when it comes to managing their mental health. We realise there is no method to suit every individual.
That’s why here at Rehab Clinic Group, we tailor your treatment services based on your own unique needs to give you the best possible chance of recovery.
Reach out to our team today to get the depression treatment you need.